Go, See, Do
Best indoor entertainment for babies and preschoolers
Minnesota Children’s Museum
With seven hands-on galleries and designated “funstigators,” the Children’s Museum makes it hard to walk out unsatisfied. And admission is free on Target Free Third Sundays.
Coming in a close second was the Edinborough Indoor Park in Edina, featuring Adventure Peak, one of the largest indoor play structures in the country. MCM.org, EdinboroughPark.com
Best indoor entertainment for older kids
Science Museum of Minnesota
Despite its more than 100-year history, the Science Museum of Minnesota stays up-to-date with exciting exhibits like Body Worlds, which brought about 700,000 visitors to the museum. Starting this summer, the museum will host recovered artifacts from the Titanic. SMM.org
Best outdoor entertainment for babies and preschoolers & Best free entertainment or venue
Como Zoo and Conservatory
Furry, friendly, fun, and free — that’s why the Como Zoo picked up two awards from our readers. With Como Town Amusement Park, Cafesjian’s Carousel, and plenty of room to picnic, you can fill many a happy day. ComoZooConservatory.org
Best outdoor entertainment for older kids
Minnesota Zoo
The Minnesota Zoo is home to about 450 animal species and a monorail system that lets you look at the animals from a birds-eye view. This summer, the zoo again hosts Africa!, an exhibit that promises to transport guests to the African savanna. MNZoo.org
Best theater or music venue
Children’s Theater Company
This Tony Award–winning company offers top-quality shows for preschoolers through teens — and even some theater-loving adults without kids. ChildrensTheatre.org
Best annual family event
Minnesota State Fair
More than 1.5 million people piled into the State Fair Grounds at the tail-end of last summer — and not just for the deep-fried candy bars. With rodeos, parades, and big name musical guests, the State Fair has something to offer everyone. This year marks the Fair’s 100th anniversary. MNStateFair.org
Best parent-approved hangout for teens
Libraries
While its obvious why parents would want their kids to have their noses in a book and not in trouble, it may not be as apparent to teens what Minnesota libraries have to offer. In particular, the Central Library in downtown Minneapolis is a great place for teens to do homework and socialize. Find your local library here: HCLib.org & SPPL.org
Best gymnastics classes
Tie: TAGS and Mini-Hops
With locations in Apple Valley and Eden Prairie, TAGS Gymnastics is the choice center for over 3,500 students, ages 2 and up. At Mini-Hops in Minnetonka, students 18 months to 18 years build strength, flexibility, and self-confidence. TagsGym.com, Mini-Hops.com
Best martial arts classes
USA Karate
At USA Karate, they do more than just break boards. At 4 locations, students of all ages learn discipline, self-defense, and confidence all while having fun. Many adults take classes too. USA-Karate.net
Best music classes
MacPhail Center for Music
Kids as young as 6 weeks can begin their music education at MacPhail, then move on to the highly regarded Suzuki program or other classes. MacPhail.org
Best bowling alley
Bowlero
Free bowling lessons, birthday parties, cosmic bowling, leagues, and much more, at four Minnesota locations. bowlero.com
Best skating venue
Cheap Skate
Cheap Skate in Coon Rapids has been providing family fun for over 40 years with skating parties and lessons. Check out all their community fundraising efforts! cheapskatecr.com
Best party venue
Pump It Up
If you’ve been to a kid’s birthday party recently, it’s a good bet you’ve been to of Pump It Up’s Eden Prairie Minnesota location. The birthday kid and up to 25 guests can bounce around for two hours, then enjoy pizza, cake, and goodie bags. PumpItUp.com
Best family bicycle route
Midtown Greenway
Thousands of cyclists and walkers enjoy the 5.5-mile former railroad corridor, cared for by the grassroots Greenway Coalition, every day, rain, snow, or shine. MidtownGreenway.org
Best place to stock up for a new baby
Target
Problem: You’ve got a pregnant colleague and want to plan a surprise shower without asking where she’s registered. Easy solution: Target. The Minnesota-based one-stop shop is most people’s registry of choice. Target.com
Best kids clothing
Tie: Children’s Place and Target
For deals on children’s clothing, parents prefer the ease and selection in Target and Children’s Place stores — both conveniently located across the state. The Children’s Place is organized by age and gender, making a potentially hectic trip a lot simpler. ChildrensPlace.com, Target.com
Best used clothing
Once Upon a Child
Kids grow quickly, which means selling those outgrown but practically unworn jeans is a wise economic choice — not to mention environmentally friendly. Once Upon a Child stores reflect the tastes and pocketbooks of their neighborhoods, but they are picky enough that you’re sure to find quality. OUAC.com
Best kids bookstore
Wild Rumpus
With a name like Wild Rumpus, this Linden Hills fixture had better be fun. And it is, from the kid-sized front door to the chicken roaming the stacks. Watch for stars in the kid-lit world to stop here when they’re in town. WildRumpusBooks.com
Best toy store
Legacy Toys
What started as a small store in Ely, MN in 2012 has now expanded to five stores in Minnesota and one in North Dakota. The reason: Legacy Toys offers a unique product selection, over-the-top customer service, and regularly scheduled family-fun events. legacytoys.com
Best sporting goods store
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Dick’s Sporting Goods has gear for every activity imaginable, whether you’re into softball, snorkeling, or skateboarding. And with six locations in the metro area alone, you won’t have to travel far to get to this sports enthusiasts’ paradise. A close second in our poll, Play It Again Sports buys and sells used gear. DicksSportingGoods.com, PlayItAgainSports.com
Best art supply store
Michaels
Whether your kids are putting together a science project, or just exploring the lines of a coloring book, Michaels has what you need. Parents, teachers, and kids can get craft ideas at the store’s free idea space, The Knack. Michaels.com, TheKnackKids.com
Best kids’ hair salon
Kids’ Hair
With two million haircuts since opening in 1992, Kids’ Hair is parents’ top choice. Stylists at 14 locations know how to make a haircut fun — and get it done fast. KidsHairInc.com
Eat
Best birthday cake
Lunds and Byerly’s
Lunds-Byerly’s pastry chefs and cake decorators can whip up a personalized cake — from traditional to fantastical — with as little as 48 hours notice. Best of all, as a special “Welcome to the world,” first birthday cakes are free. LundsAndByerlys.com
Best homegrown, kid-friendly restaurant for babies and preschoolers
Highland Grill
With a delicious made-from-scratch menu — winner of stacks of local awards — and a great atmosphere, Highland Grill in St. Paul is the place to take the whole family out for a meal. Snuffy’s Malt Shop, in Roseville, St. Paul, Minnetonka, and Edina, came in a very close second. HighlandGrill.com, SnuffysMaltShop.com
Best homegrown, kid-friendly restaurant for older kids
Chatterbox
The Chatterbox Pub is the place to take your tweens and teens, whether you’re at one of the two Minneapolis locations or the one in St. Paul. Play board games or Space Invaders, the Atari classic, and eat some seriously awesome pizza at fill-’er-up prices. ChatterboxPub.net
Best family-friendly coffeeshop
Caribou
Enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere while sipping a Campfire Mocha and eating a blackberry white chocolate scone. Kids have plenty of coffee-free choices, like fruit smoothies, hot chocolate, and Reindeer Drinks. Find Caribou all over the state. CaribouCoffee.com
Best homegrown ice cream shop
Grand Ole Creamery
As the first retail ice cream parlor in St. Paul, Grand Ole Creamery is a
Twin Cities favorite. With over 200 flavors, 31 offered each day, they’re sure to have the right ice cream to satisfy the entire family’s tastes.
GrandOleCreamery.com
Learn
Best source of information for new parents
Minnesota Parent
Gee, thanks. But you know who came in a close second? That’s right, it’s the people who raised you. Minnesota Parent readers turn to their parents and grandparents, as well as friends who’ve been there and done it all before.
Best source of information for parents of older kids
Minnesota Parent
Aw, shucks! While this makes us feel great, thank you for the love!
