Exciting 3-Day Itinerary for Minneapolis, MN, with Kids (by a Local!)
Welcome to Minneapolis, the vibrant heart of Minnesota! Minneapolis is my home, and I’m thrilled to share this 3-day itinerary to visit Minneapolis, Minnesota, with you kids with you.
I’ve designed this itinerary for Minneapolis with kids to help make your family adventures fun and memorable for all ages. I’ve included all of my favorite things to do in Minneapolis with kids, from interactive museums to sprawling parks and a few hidden gems.
Minneapolis offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation for the whole family.
Let’s dive into three unforgettable days in Minneapolis with kids filled with exploration, great food, and more!
Thanks to Antonia, the travel writer and mom behind Knead to Roam for writing this article. Antonia helps families plan fun adventures fueled by nature and great food. Antonia believes good food is magic, travel is the best teacher, and that experiences are better than things. See more of her adventures + connect with her on Instagram!
How to Get to Minneapolis with Kids
Getting to Minneapolis with kids is a breeze. You can get here by car, train, or air. For those opting to drive, the city is well-connected by major highways, making it an excellent road trip destination for families.
Then, if you’re traveling from afar, you’ll likely arrive by airplane. You can fly into the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). It is a major hub with numerous direct flights on all major carriers, and some budget carriers, as well.
Alternatively, Amtrak’s Empire Builder line also offers several train routes to Minneapolis, perfect for families looking to relax and enjoy the scenery. Or, at least, enjoy a unique travel experience! They’ve even added new routes from Chicago and other cities recently.
Day 1: Lake Bde Maka Ska, Bakken Museum & Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Alright, let’s kick off our 3-day itinerary for Minneapolis with kids! This itinerary assumes you are staying in downtown Minneapolis (or, the trendy North Loop neighborhood) and are renting a car. As a reminder, having a car is the easiest way to navigate Minneapolis with kids.
Start your first day with coffee and breakfast at Bom día Treats. This new eatery in the North Loop neighborhood offers tropical açaí bowls—a great way to fuel your first day in town! I love this place for its unique flavors and Colombian coffee. During the summer, they also have a lovely sidewalk cafe area.
If you want a more traditional start to your day, Tullibee (located in Hewing Hotel), offers an excellent, Scandinavian-inspired breakfast. The breakfast menu features everything from omelettes and breakfast sammies to buttermilk pancakes.
Walk Around Lake Bde Maka Ska
After breakfast, explore one of the most iconic lakes in Minneapolis: Lake Bde Maka Ska. As one of the best free things to do in Minneapolis with kids in the summer, there is a TON to do here. In addition to the 3.2-mile paved walking path around the lake (great for runners and strollers), the lake also features two playgrounds, a fishing pier, and three beaches.
💡 Please note, however, that Thomas Beach is the only beach that offers lifeguard hours. If you want to get on the water with kids, canoe, kayak, and paddle board rentals are available from Wheel Fun Rentals. Finally, parking is available around the lake at one of the many pay lots and spaces. I think it’s a must-add to any itinerary for Minneapolis with kids.
Learn Something New Together at The Bakken Museum
You can also walk to The Bakken Museum from Lake Bde Maka Ska. It is one of my favorite museums in Minneapolis for families; there are several hands-on exhibits for all ages. Families can discover fun facts across the museum, from Frankenstein’s Laboratory to Benjamin Franklin’s Electricity Party.
After exploring the indoor exhibits, head outside and wander the Plants as Medicine and other gardens. At The Bakken Museum, children 3 and under are free, and there is a reduced rate for income-qualified families. If you want to add a museum to your itinerary for Minneapolis with kids, make it this one!
Alternative Morning Activity: Mill City Museum
Check out the Mill City Museum instead to learn about local history. Located a historic flour mill, this museum offers an exciting tour that takes families inside a working elevator to explore the area’s early industries. At the top, you can also enjoy views of the Mississippi River and St. Anthony Falls.
Then, there are plenty of interactive exhibits throughout the museum. Your family can even watch old commercials from brands like Pillsbury. Finally, don’t miss the Baking Lab, which periodically provides a taste of freshly baked cookies or bread. Children age four and under are free.
Lunch at Punch Neapolitan Pizza + Ice Cream at Sonny’s Ice Cream Cafe
At this point, you’ve probably worked up quite the appetite! For lunch, I recommend going to Punch Neapolitan Pizza. The Lake Street location is a beloved local chain near Lake Bde Maka Ska. The menu has fantastic pizza options that will please everyone in your family. They also offer kid-sized pizzas for littles. The lovely outdoor patio is an excellent spot in the summer to recap the morning’s Minneapolis adventures with your kids.
After lunch, save room for ice cream and head over to Sonny’s Ice Cream Cafe. Just 10 minutes (by car) from Punch Pizza, this ice cream joint is one of the best in the city. They have been serving ice cream, gelato, and sorbet in the neighborhood since 1945! Using a small-batch process, each flavor is hand-crafted on-site.
Sonny’s also features unique flavors like yuzu, rhubarb sorbet, and goat cheese honey ice cream. Plus, classic flavors like cookies and cream and chocolate chip. They also offer several dairy-free sorbet options, too.
If you’re looking for fun places to eat in Minneapolis with kids, these two eateries top my list of family-friendly spots!
Meander the Iconic Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
After lunch, it’s time to explore one of the most iconic things to do in Minneapolis with kids. If you have Googled Minneapolis, you’ve probably seen pictures of our Spoon and Cherry. Well, you get to see it on this itinerary for Minneapolis with kids!
The Spoon and Cherry, alongside several other fantastic art installations, is located at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
Start by taking a family photo with the Spoon and Cherry – it’s a Minneapolis must! Then, encourage your kids to discover their favorite art installations and statues stationed throughout the garden.
In addition to the Spoon and Cherry, you’ll meet a colossal blue rooster, hear wind chimes hung in a large tree, and encounter a hare leaping over the bell. Grab one of the self-guided tour sheets to ensure you’ve seen them all. It also works as a checklist for kids who are motivated by crossing things off a list. Finally, while the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is free, parking is found at a paid lot, flanking one side of the garden.
Dinner at The Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen
Day one ends at The Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen. This lovely restaurant is one of my favorite places to eat in Minneapolis with kids. They have a great kids’ menu, and adults will love their options, too. Dinner features delicious items like miso-glazed salmon, lemon mascarpone ravioli, and chicken pot pie.
Make sure you save room for dessert; their mason jar cakes are DIVINE! Finally, they take reservations here.
Day 2: Minnehaha Falls & Lake Harriet
Day two of this itinerary for Minneapolis with kids involves visiting some of the city’s most beautiful sights. You will spend most of today outside, so have comfy shoes and dress for the weather.
Start day two with breakfast or brunch at Victor’s 1959 Cafe. This cozy, tropical restaurant offers a fantastic menu and outdoor patio. They even offer a family-style menu. Tucked into a quiet neighborhood, it’s one of my go-to places to eat brunch in Minneapolis with kids.
Start with a coffee or a cocktail, as you prefer. Pair your drink with something delicious. The menu features a selection of Caribbean favorites like a ropa vieja breakfast special, sweet plantain omelet, and ranchero Cubano. Now that you are fueled for the day let’s move on with day two of this itinerary for Minneapolis with kids!
Spend the Morning at Minnehaha Falls
Your first stop of the day is Minnehaha Falls, just 15 minutes (by car) from breakfast. As a local, I think this park is a must-visit for families traveling to Minneapolis. This stunning 53-foot urban waterfall is the jewel of Minneapolis. Just a quick walk from the parking lot, the waterfall is easily accessible with kids of all ages. Enjoy views of the falls from above, then take the stairs down for a perfect family photo opportunity at the base.
You can make this stop pretty quick, or you can linger a bit and enjoy the morning. If you want to hang out and explore, there is plenty to do. From the base, you can meander scenic trails along the river. Meanwhile, back at the top, you’ll find more trails, a playground, a beautiful rose garden, and a wading pool.
If you’re up for exploring the trails in a unique way, surrey bikes and other rentals are offered through Wheel Fun Rentals! For lunch, grab something from Sea Salt Eatery. Located across the path from the falls, it offers a very yummy menu (though, it lacks a dedicated kids’ menu).
While the park is one of the best free things to do in Minneapolis with kids in the summer, be prepared to pay for parking in nearby lots (or find free street parking nearby if available).
Picnic Lunch & Afternoon Fun at Lake Harriet
If your family isn’t up for eating at Sea Salt Eatery, head to Broders’ Cucina Italiana instead. They offer tons of kid-friendly eats, from sandwiches to pizza. Take your items to-go and head to nearby Lake Harriet for a picnic. Alternatively, there is a small eatery on-site at Lake Harriet called Bread & Pickle (though, the line can be very long in the summer).
Lake Harriet is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Minneapolis with kids. The park features a massive playground, two beaches, a fishing pier, and a 2.8-mile walking path. Your kids will love the challenge of finding the tiny elf house while strolling around the lake.
If you’re hoping to swim, Lake Harriet offers two beaches, both accessible from the walking path (there are no lifeguards on duty here). North Beach even has a floating swim dock!
Wheel Fun Rentals (near the bandshell) provides canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, and bikes, perfect for exploring the lake and lakeside path. Enjoy your picnic at several designated spots. Our favorite spot is near the massive playground. Finally, while limited free street parking is available, paid lots offer easier access to beaches and amenities, ideal for families with lots to carry.
Afterward, grab an afternoon treat at Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream Shop in the Linden Hills neighborhood. This iconic ice cream spot is a local favorite! For over 30 years, Sebastian Joe’s has crafted small-batch ice cream using all-natural ingredients. With rotating flavors like chocolate, salty caramel, and Minnesota-inspired Nicollet Avenue Pothole, it’s easy to see why they’ve become a neighborhood favorite.
They also offer ice cream cookies, bars, cakes, and dairy-free sorbet. The patio is lovely and provides a quiet escape from the day’s heat. Perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up!
Dinner at Hola Arepa
Dinner on night two of this itinerary for Minneapolis with kids is one of my favorite places to eat in the city! Hola Arepa is an inventive, family-friendly Latin American-influenced eatery featuring small plates and tropical craft cocktails (they have fun NA drinks, too!).
While kids select something from the dedicated kids’ menu, adults may have a hard time choosing from all the great options on the main menu! I highly recommend the shredded beef and sweet plantain arepa or the hot honey chicken. Whatever you order, you really can’t go wrong here! Finally, they take reservations here.
Day 3: Mall of America
The final day of this itinerary for Minneapolis with kids is all about the Mall of America. Can you really visit the Twin Cities without going to the Mall of America?
I mean…you can, but you shouldn’t, especially with kids.
More than just a mall, the Mall of America is an excellent place for a rainy day or to escape the heat. It’s similar to the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada.
Wake up and head straight to the Mall of America. There are plenty of coffee shops and places for breakfast on-site. Almost every major coffee brand can be found in the MOA for a quick coffee and pastry. If you want a sit-down breakfast, head to FireLake Grill House and Cocktail Bar.
The breakfast menu features everything from a farmhouse breakfast and French toast to eggs benedict and breakfast burritos. They also offer a variety of espresso drinks, smoothies, and juices.
Time to Explore the Mall of America
The Mall of America offers more than just one day of fun, so you’ll need to pick the activity or two that best suits your family’s ages, interests, and schedule. Here are a few things to get you started!
Bloomington’s Mall of America is a paradise for families, offering many activities for kids of all ages. Start your adventure at Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor amusement park packed with thrilling roller coasters and rides for toddlers to teens. If you can only pick one activity for the day, make it this one! Top off the excitement with the FlyOver America experience, a virtual flight over picturesque American landscapes.
For toddlers and young kids, SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium is a must-visit. They’ll be captivated by the colorful fish and marine creatures, not to mention the unique tunnel aquariums! Alternatively, the Crayola Experience is another hit with little ones, featuring vibrant hands-on activities, live demonstrations, a massive indoor playground, and the chance to create personalized souvenirs.
Meanwhile, tweens and teens will love the Museum of Illusions, with its 60 interactive exhibits that challenge perception and trick the brain. These visual and sensory experiences offer a fun blend of science and amazement.
Beyond these attractions, the Mall of America has mini-golf, arcades, behind-the-scenes tours, and countless dining and shopping options, ensuring endless family fun under one roof. With so many activities, it’s easy to see why the Mall of America makes my family-friendly itinerary for Minneapolis with kids!
It’s worth noting that the Mall of America is only a few miles from the airport. So, many of these activities are doable before your flight if you plan to fly out in the afternoon.
Dinner at Cedar + Stone, Urban Table
If you have time for one last dinner in Minneapolis, I recommend ending your day with a celebratory dinner at Cedar + Stone, Urban Table. Located in the Mall of America, it’s one of my favorite places to eat near Minneapolis with kids. The food is incredible, and their service is unmatched.
The upscale dining experience features locally sourced American dishes. Parents can enjoy sophisticated options like Wagyu steak, while kids savor favorites like chicken strips and pizza. With a dedicated kids’ menu and coloring supplies, it’s perfect for families. Finally, make sure you make a reservation for this dinner.
Alternatively, the Mall of America features over 50 restaurant options for all budgets and tastes. If Cedar + Stone isn’t your jam, you can choose from one of these options instead.
A Few More Things to Do in Minneapolis with Kids
Looking for more things to do in Minneapolis with kids to fill your weekend (or longer) itinerary? Here are some additional things to consider adding or swapping into your itinerary for Minneapolis with kids, depending on your family’s interests!
- Minneapolis Institute of Art (free museum)
- Walker Art Center (near the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden)
- Minnesota Children’s Museum in Saint Paul
- Science Museum of Minnesota in Saint Paul
- Fort Snelling in Saint Paul (located near the Mall of America and the airport)
- Attend a sporting match or game. We have all major sports teams here, including soccer, baseball, football, basketball, and more.
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in Saint Paul (free zoo and conservatory)
- Tour the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul (free)
- Foshay Museum and Observation Deck in downtown Minneapolis
- Explore a neighboring community for a few days – our small towns are fantastic! Here are my favorite Weekend Getaways Near Minneapolis for Families.
A Few Tips for Visiting Minneapolis with Kids
As you plan your itinerary for Minneapolis with kids, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
– Once you arrive in Minneapolis with your kids, the city offers some public transportation, including light rail and buses. However, the routes don’t go everywhere, and they can be tricky to navigate. Instead, I recommend renting a car to give you more time and flexibility during your stay.
– When is the best time to visit? That depends on what you want to do in town. Though, summer is generally considered the best time to visit due to the warmer weather, lake activities, and longer daylight hours. However, the city is beautiful in all seasons and offers plenty to do with kids throughout the year.
– How many days do you need to explore Minneapolis with the kids? If you want to explore Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and the Mall of America in one trip, I recommend having 5+ days. If you are okay with limiting your visit to one area (maybe two), you can get away with 3 days/a weekend visit.
– Where should I book my hotel? While there are hotels throughout the Twin Cities metro, two main hotel areas are best for tourists: downtown Minneapolis and Bloomington/near the Mall of America. Both offer a heavy concentration of hotels that serve all budgets, needs, and accommodation preferences.
– Where do I go if I want to try a Juicy Lucy? The Juicy Lucy is one of our most iconic foods (basically, a stuffed burger); here’s where to go: Matt’s Bar and Grill, 5-8 Club, or Blue Door Pub (my preferred spot).
Final Thoughts: Enjoy Minneapolis with Kids!
I hope this 3-day itinerary for Minneapolis with kids helps you plan your own unforgettable adventures this summer. To make planning easier, I’ve included all of our favorite things to do in Minneapolis with kids, mapping out each day to keep the driving time down and the exploring time up! I love exploring Minneapolis with my kids – I hope that you do, too.
