You can let your wild ones run free at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Admission is free, although donations are suggested. See exhibits and attractions that house the big cats, the primates, the exotic birds, the hoofed creatures, the wild wolves and even polar bears. Head over to the Conservatory afterward to see, smell and possibly taste plants from all over the world.
Hidden in the four-acres beside the zoo, Como Town is a lesser-known attraction in Como Park but an excellent one for children between the ages 2 and 12. This amusement park offers rides such as a carousel, bumper cars, a Tilt-A-Whirl and more! In addition to the rides and Splash Zone, Como Town offers carnival games, puppet shows and other family-fun.
Hike or bike during the warmer seasons and ski during the snowy ones at Fort Snelling State Park, a 2,931-acre state park located in the heart of the Twin Cities. This park offers miles of sloping and flat trails, a golf course, beach and boating area. Bring your equipment along for lake or river fishing, and don’t forget to pack a picnic because you might end up spending the whole day outdoors here.
Have a blast at the Highland Park Aquatic Center, the perfect place to cool off during the dog days of summer. Get a workout at the eight-lane lap pool, lounge about in the splash pad, show off your skills on the diving boards, ride down the water and drop slides and let the kids goof off in their own activity pool. There is even a climbing wall!
Located in Phalen Park and just a stone’s throw away from the amphitheater and golf course, Lake Phalen offers plenty of outdoor and aquatic activities along its shore. One of the most popular fishing lakes in the Twin Cities, this urban lake is stocked with walleyes and tiger muskies in addition to the native fish. You can also rent paddleboats, canoes and sailboats at the Phalen Lakeside Activities Center.
Travel to Saint Paul’s Twin City to see the Minnesota Timberwolves take to the court. The T-Wolves play their games in Minneapolis’ Target Center. This NBA basketball franchise is part of the 1989 expansion; like most expansion teams, the Timberwolves struggled in the beginning but managed to win their first division title in 2004.
Take your friends or family out to a ballgame. Catch a game (and maybe a home run) with the MLB Minnesota Twins at Target Field. This sports team is named after the two great Twin Cities and shares the same fighting spirit, winning three World Series championships and numerous other titles.
Get your fill of sports action while watching the Minnesota Vikings raid the football field as they tackle their opponents and score touchdowns. Although the Vikings have one of the highest winning percentages in the NFL, they have never won a Super Bowl. Come show your support and cheer the Purple People Eaters on to the ultimate victory!
Find out why Sports Illustrated named Saint Paul the new Hockeytown, USA. The Minnesota Wild tear up the ice as they take to the Xcel Energy Center’s rink. This hockey team was the first NHL team in Minnesota since 1993, and is known as one of the rivals for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
Located in the Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe offers a variety of entertainment based on your favorite Nickelodeon shows and characters. Go head over heels at attractions like the Spongebob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge, let your rugrats race in the Raptormobiles or challenge yourself on the Flying Dutchman Ghostly Gangplank Ropes and Adventure Course, the highest Sky Trail in the world.
Play around at Saint Paul’s oldest family owned and operated outdoor miniature golf course, Putt’er There. Show off your skills at this modern 18-hole course with several unique features, like flower gardens, water traps, a castle, a loop, an old fashioned windmill and fountains. You even have a chance to win a free game at the final hole!
Challenge your buddies to recreational warfare at Splat Tag Inc, open seven days a week. This enormous paintball field is only 25 minutes east of Saint Paul and offers 20 unique courses at one convenient location. Battle it out with a private group reservation or join in an ongoing game.
See the most saintly team of the Saintly City. The St. Paul Saints, the city’s professional baseball team. Part of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, the St. Paul Saints have played at Midway Stadium since 1993 although there have been several incarnations of the Saints since 1884.
Scale the walls at Vertical Endeavors, one of the largest indoor rock climbing facilities in the world! Climb over 18,200-square-feet of surface, including a severely overhanging arches and bouldering caves, and over 60 separate ropes and 15 Auto Belays for hundreds of additional climbing routes. Take indoor or outdoor lessons at this full-service, recreational climbing facility.
The weather outside may be frightful during the winter, but that shouldn’t keep you from swimming. When it’s cold outside, head inside to America’s tallest indoor water park. The Water Park of America has several slides, including one that is almost 10 stories tall, and a variety of water rides and attractions that guests of all ages can enjoy.