Mini Minneapolis Vacation Question

Underwater world at MOA is a definite must if you can afford it. Your kids will LOVE it!!! Como Zoo (Which is free but relatively small) and the MN Zoo (Which costs a little bit of money but is pretty big) are both nice. I loved the childrens museum as a kid, but haven't been there in years so I'm not sure if it's still as great as it used to be.

Stay closer to the MOA and International Airport (they're right next to each other)most definitely! It's cheaper and there are more family friendly hotels, than downtown Minneapolis.

However, if you're looking for luxury and/or nightlife, downtown might be more your cup of tea. There are several very nice hotels downtown as well as great restaurants, bars and clubs. But as I said, be ready to pay some serious buckage. It can be pretty busy and "crazy" at night in the area called block E, near where the stadium is located -- not necessarily family friendly, though you'll see alot of people with kids down there pretty late...especially leaving the game. So you might want to keep that in mind.

One of the main hubs for catching the light rail back to town from the ball game is next to some strip clubs and sometimes it can be interesting there for those waiting for a ride. If you rent a car, there is plenty of parking, but no guarantees you won't have a long hike to and from the stadium depending on where you wind up having to park. On weekends, parking is at a premium so plan accordingly and consider bringing along a light stroller if your kids don't like walking.

If you rent a car and drive, plan on getting downtown at least two hours early to get good parking close to the stadium, and plan on hanging out there or at a local restaurant. Event parking on the street or ramps can be $10 and up.

Taxis are plentiful after games and during after Happy Hour bar hours...so hailing one isn't difficult if you'd prefer a cab...but they are expensive if you leave the downtown area. It'll probably cost about $25 to $30 bucks one way to or from Bloomington to downtown Minneapolis. Alot of people hire a limo service for the night. It can cost about the same.

If you do opt to stay near the MOA, be careful to avoid the strip of hotels about a mile or two west from the airport and MOA, though. The area goes from decent to pretty rough, pretty quick along I-494... the closer you get to the Richfield border.

As others have said, there is the light rail and it will get you directly to the ball park and downtown from the Bloomington Strip (where the hotels, airport and mall are located).

Stay by the MOA.
Take the train from the MOA straight to the stadium to see the Twins.

http://metrotransit.org/hiawatha-line-route-55.aspx

If you want to do something downtown - take a walk over to the Mississippi River, check out the Stone Arch Bridge and the archaeological park next to it. The Mill City Museum is pretty cool too.

http://www.millcitymuseum.org/

From the train, you can also stop at Minnihaha Park station and walk over and see the falls, and hike down to the river. It's totally worth stopping. There is a great restaurant right there at the park. It's been a few years since I ate there, but it was super tasty.

http://seasalteatery.wordpress.com/

The Aquarium at the MOA is great too. My kids (aged 7, 5, and 3) love it.

Other fun Twin Cities activities are Como Zoo, the Children's Museum (in Downtown St. Paul), and there are art museums as well, but I'm guessing you'll run out of time. If you want a walk from downtown, the Sculpture Garden is totally fun and free.

http://garden.walkerart.org/index.wac

Have a great trip!

With kids, I'd stay near the MOA. We usually book an Embassy Suites, which includes full breakfast, and it is REALLY nice to have a 2-room suite when you have 2 kids with you. You should be able to get a room for about $130.

If you have a bigger budget, consider staying at the Waterpark of America, which is connected to a Raddison hotel. That way, rain or shine, you're guaranteed to have a good time.

There are TONS of restaurants at the MOA, as well as all around in Bloomington and neighboring Edina.

Downtown Minneapolis is beautiful, but not very family-friendly.

We lived there for two years and our kids are about the same age as yours.
Here are some thoughts:

1) start checking crowdcut.com. They are the groupon of the twin cities. You might find some good deals there between now and your trip.

2) We love the Radisson waterpark hotel next to MoA.

3) Traffic--so predictable unlike LA where we are now. So avoid rush hour times.

4) Must take the kids to Lake Harriet/Calhoun. There's a walking/running path all along the lake, you can rent paddle boats, AND best of all there are several playgrounds there! If the weather is nice, bring swim suits. You can wade into the water and hang out at the "beaches". :)

5) If you have time, there's a great free "water" park in Apple Valley.

6) For food, there's an awesome pizza joint Pizzeria Lola that was featured on Diners Drive Ins and Dives.

Have fun!!!

I would choose down by the mall. There are better hotels to choose from (in respect to the kids) that have indoor water parks and may be cheaper than downtown. There are more restaurants/shopping around the mall, too (Ikea is there). THe airport is near the mall, and the kids would probably enjoy seeing the planes.

I just asked my hubs too. He agrees. (He worked downtown Minneapolis.) He said you would be dealing with the downtown crowd.

Our daughters are the same age as your kids. You may want to check out the aquarium at MOA. IT's a little pricey (get coupons online or at Subway), but decent. We were just there last month, and they liked it. The amusement park is now Nick Jr. themed. There are a few rides that are great for that age of kiddos. They didn't make the parent pay when we took our kids.

Have fun!!!

I agree with Sue. It is really easy to take the light rail between the Mall and the game. Stay near the Mall, lots to do including taking a hike around the Minnesota River Valley http://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/minnvall.htm (they have a some indoor displays too and it is completely free of charge)

or visiting Hyland Park outdoor play area http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/hyland-lake-park/hy...

or if the weather is yucky Edinborough indoor park http://www.ci.edina.mn.us/content/facilities/edinborough_...

as well as other things mentioned below

I would stay in a hotel close to the MOA and then take the light rail to the Twins game and back. It saves you dealing with traffic and parking hassles. Or, you could stay downtown and take the light rail to the MOA if you prefer staying in a city. There are many dining options at both locations. The more interesting dining options are downtown but with two young children along, I don't think you'll be looking for fancy restaurants.

The Waterpark of America is fun, if you like water parks. Or, if the weather is good, you might like to visit Minnehaha Falls where you can view the falls, tour the park on a rented pedal buggy, and have a meal at the Sea Salt restaurant. Or, visit Lake Harriet or Lake Calhoun. Both have rental pedal boats, beaches, and Lake Calhoun has a playground that your age kids would like (Lake Harriet's is under contraction and set to open sometime in June but I don't know the date). The sailboats on both are beautiful to see.

The Como Zoo or the MN Zoo are both enjoyable.