Minnesota Vacation: Twin City Attractions in Minneapolis and St. Paul

In a state with thousands of lakes, many people naturally assume the only popular activity in Minnesota is fishing. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s true, fishing, both freshwater and ice fishing, is a draw for many outdoorsmen and women, yet Twin Cities Minneapolis and Saint Paul are better known for world-class shopping, cultural diversity and some of the best restaurants in the nation. Plus, the Twin City area is home to hundreds of attractions you can’t find anywhere else. Here are just a few of those top attractions you won’t want to miss.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

A trip to Saint Paul’s zoo is like three adventures in one. First, the Como Park Zoo is Minnesota’s best free attraction available. Cougars, lions, Siberian tigers, zebras, giraffe, gorillas and many more exotic animals can all be seen here amid beautiful, well-kept grounds. During the warmer months, don’t miss the Sparky the Seal Lion Show, which has been a Como Park Zoo favorite since 1956. www.comozooconservatory.org

Second, the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is Minnesota’s answer to those wanting to see beautiful plants every season of the year. Inside the glass conservatory, visitors can stroll through various garden areas including the Sunken Garden, the Palm Dome, the Fern Room, the Orchid House and more. Outside, when the weather is warm, the Japanese Garden and the Enchanted Garden are in full bloom.

Third, Como Town, adjacent to the Como Park Zoo, is a kid-sized amusement park with more than a dozen rides plus an arcade area, theater and plenty of eateries. From the Screamin’ Dragon rollercoaster to the Sky Glider, most rides are designed for children ages 4 through 12. www.comotown.com

 

• The Omnitheater at the Science Museum of Minnesota is the only convertable dome theater in the United States.

Courtesy of the Science Museum of Minnesota

Science Museum of Minnesota

Science exhibits, Omnitheater films, youth classes and adult education can all be found at the Science Museum of Minnesota along the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Saint Paul. Visitors can participate in a number of hands-on permanent and traveling exhibits and learn everything from how a disease travels through the body to when dinosaurs roamed the earth. The museum’s permanent exhibits include the Dinosaurs and Fossils Gallery, the Mississippi River Gallery, the Human Body Gallery, the Collections Gallery and the Experiment Gallery.  

The Omnitheater, which is the only convertible dome IMAX theater in the United States, has a 90-foot domed screen on which visitors can watch films such as Grand Canyon Adventure and Super Speedway that actually make you feel like you’re part of the ride. www.smm.org

Mall of America

Another destination that is like three destinations in one, the Mall of America is not just another supersized mall. The nation’s largest entertainment and retail complex also includes a 1.2-million gallon aquarium and a large theme park.

Called the “World’s Best Shark Encounter” by Discovery Channel, Underwater Adventures Aquarium at the Mall of America allows visitors to stroll right through the center of the aquarium in a glass tunnel 14 feet below the surface of the water. Sharks, seahorses, stingrays and sea turtles swim all around you in Shark Cove, and just a few steps away you can see freshwater varieties found in lakes and streams. The Circle of Life touch pool allows children to touch small sharks and stingrays, and in Starfish Beach you can take a ride on a virtual submarine. www.sharky.tv

 

• There are 25 rides and attractions at the Mall of America’s Nickelodeon Universe.

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For the thrill seekers in your family, head to the center of the mall for Nickelodeon Universe to experience riding an indoor rollercoaster beneath a glass ceiling or swooshing down the Log Chute. More than a dozen rides for kids and teens are housed inside the park, along with a variety of games, eateries and shops. www.nickelodeonuniverse.com

If the draw of world-class shopping brings you to the Mall of America, you won’t be disappointed. It’s nearly impossible to see all the shops and restaurants located on four levels in one day, although many have tried. With more than 500 small stores plus Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sears and Bloomingdale’s, you’re certain to find exactly what you’re looking for. www.mallofamerica.com

Next: The Arts, Valleyfair, Stillwater and Duluth