The Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, offer a variety of attractions that make them a captivating travel choice for families with children. An interactive science museum, one of the nation's leading children's theater programs, a zoo that highlights more that 500 species of animals and a 50-mile scenic byway that leads to numerous outdoor adventures have all the makings for an active vacation that will hold kids' interests.
The Science Museum of Minnesota provides children a wide array of interactive exhibits on natural history, technology and science. Featured exhibits include the Human Body Gallery, a dinosaur lab in the Hall of Paleontology and an exhibit in which kids can navigate a virtual towboat down the Mississippi River. The 370,000-square-foot museum is built into the bluffs overlooking the river in downtown St. Paul. The museum also includes an area for temporary exhibits and an IMAX Convertible Dome Omnitheater. Discounted combination tickets are available for the museum and theater.
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
800-221-9444
smm.org
The Minnesota Zoo, located on 485 acres, is home to 504 animal species. Highlights of the zoo include "Russia's Grizzly Coast," featuring the animals of Russia's eastern wilderness, and the North American exhibit with bison, wolves, wolverines and pumas. The zoo also boasts a wide array of exotic animals from other parts of the world. Special attractions include the Coral Reef Dive Show, shark feedings, bird shows and a farm exhibit with cows, goats and pigs that demonstrates how food gets from the farm to table. The zoo has an IMAX theater and offers a discounted combination zoo/IMAX admission ticket.
Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN 55124
800-366-7811
mnzoo.com
The Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is recognized as North America's top professional theater program for children and teens and is among the three largest in the world. CTC stages six productions a year, holding auditions for children, teens and adults, and offers programs in theater education. CTC has won many awards including the 2003 Regional Theatre Tony® Award. The theater serves thousands of young people and their families through five primary program concentrations: stage productions, community partnerships, new play development, an annual regional tour and theater arts training.
Children's Theatre Company
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404-3597
612-874-0400
childrenstheatre.org
The Grand Rounds, one of the nation's largest urban scenic byways, loops around the Twin Cities, offering families 50.1 miles of outdoor adventures. Biking, hiking, skiing and driving paths take visitors past a dozen lakes and ponds, two waterfalls, rivers and creeks, gardens, picnic areas, a bird sanctuary and more than 50 interpretive sites and exhibits. Named a National Scenic Byway, the Grand Rounds can be accessed at 20 points from interstates and major highways.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
2117 W. River Rd.
Minneapolis, MN 55411
616-230-6400
minneapolisparks.org
