Spending the weekend in Minneapolis with the kids? Skip the major planning and try our family weekend itinerary - fit for everyone!
Why The Depot Minneapolis hotel? This historic hotel has what every family needs when they visit Minneapolis. The Depot is located right in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. That means less time piling the kids into the car and more time enjoying Minneapolis.
Located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, this beautiful underground, chef-owned restaurant is known for its “damn good food: unique but not fancy, interesting but not fussy.” Don’t get confused, this restaurant has been slinging hash years before Gordon Ramsay’s show of the same name. With a weekend brunch, a build-your-own bloody mary and mimosa bar and stack of other menus that are to-die-for, no one in the family will be left unsatisfied. Right now they're only open for takeout, so grab some breakfast and bring it back to the hotel room!
Just down the street from Hell's Kitchen, you'll find Key's Cafe, a Minneapolis staple when it comes to breakfast and brunch. This family-owned cafe prides themselves on making as much as they can in-house, and you can taste the difference in quality. You'll find giant plates of pancakes, eggs any way you like, and their famous cinnamon and caramel rolls.
Free and open from 6am to midnight every day, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden allows you to stroll around the grounds and view works from the Walker Art Center's renowned collections of modern and contemporary art. This urban park is home to more than 40 outdoor sculptures, including the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry. What better way to start the day?
Located just a few blocks from a Metro Transit Light Rail stop, this family friendly brew pub offers everyone's favorite duo - craft beer and pizza. Not to mention cocktails and other delicious bites such as salads, sandwiches and snacks for those looking for something a little smaller. Time it right on most weekends and you'll catch live music from local artists!
What better way to spend an afternoon than some immersive teamwork with the family! Hop off the light rail at the Mall of America (MOA) and head on over to The Escape Game, an interactive experience designed to engage your problem-solving skills in a fun and unique way. The Escape Game Minneapolis features four far-out game themes. Choose from Mission: Mars, Gold Rush, Prison Break, and The Heist. Got some time before dinner? Check out everything else the mall has to offer. From the LEGO Store, Nickelodeon Universe and SEA Life Minnesota to the M&M's Store, GameWorks, and Crayola Experience, MOA has plenty in store for everyone.
A wild place to eat! This rainforest-themed restaurant offers American fare and cocktails amid jungle flora and animatronic animals. The perfect place for the family, adults will wind down with delicious food and drink while kids revel in the outdoor décor and enjoy the company of realistic jungle beats. Check out their detailed menu along with the kids menu before arriving!
Enjoy breakfast made with the freshest locally-sourced ingredients all day at the Hen House Eatery. Open until 2pm on weekends, this eatery prides themselves on their good eats, sweet treats, gluten-free options and locally grown fixings. Also located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, getting to and from with ease is a perk.
Built into the ruins of Gold Medal Flour, what was once the world’s largest flour mill, Mill City Museum is located along the historic Mississippi Riverfront. Visitors of all ages can learn about the connected histories of Minneapolis, the river and the flour industry.
Take a walk along the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown. One of the most iconic landmarks in Minneapolis, the Stone Arch Bridge is a former railroad bridge that crosses the Mississippi River and connects you to some of the most beautiful parts of the city. This bridge is unique in that it is the only arched bridge made of stone on the entire length of the Mississippi River! Who knew? Enjoy the city skyline above, rushing river below and the beauty of fresh air.
Just a 15-minute walk from the Mill City Museum, Red Cow North Loop has everything you need to fill the family after a morning of fun. From delicious appetizers, unique burgers to mouth-watering salads and so much more, it’ll be near impossible to make a choice! The restaurant offers gluten-free, vegetarian and other dietary-restrictive options.
Just a short drive from downtown, REM5 is a Virtual Reality Lab with offerings for the whole family. Strap on the headset and get immersed in a whole new world. Play games, explore the world through Google Earth, become a professional sports player, or take a deep dive to the bottom of the ocean.
With six professional sports teams in Minnesota, you’re bound to find a game coinciding with your visit! Our five major sports facilities are all located in near proximity, if not right next to, the Metro Transit light rail, making for an easy commute to the game. Depending on the time of year, check the schedules of the MN Vikings, MN Twins, MN United, MN Wild, MN Timberwolves and 4-time WNBA champions, the MN Lynx.
Not feeling a sports game or just bad luck that there are no home games that weekend? Check out Children's Theatre Company for some out of this world performances! Perfect for the kids and like a walk down memory lane for adults, CTC performances are engaging and, most importantly, fun!
With 18 restaurants and specialty food vendors, it's easy to find something for the whole family at Midtown Global Market. The common dining area in the middle allows everyone to pick whichever food they like, but still eat together. Choose from pizza, tacos, rice bowls, tortas, and more.
10 Minneapolis Adventures Every Family Should Experience
Looking for family adventures farther than the living room couch and different from the weekly family dinner at the same old restaurant? No matter the season, we’ve got the perfect experience for you! For families of any size, with kids of all ages, try something new on your next outing.
24 Free & Inexpensive Family Activities
Minneapolis has a lot of things you can do with your family for FREE or a small cost! Seeing the sites of the city is a start, but when you want to entertain your family but not spend a lot, work your way through this list.
Top 15 Things to Do During MEA Weekend
School is out and you've got a 4-day weekend to plan for the family. Why not stay close to home and enjoy all that Minneapolis has to offer? There are plenty of activities the whole family will enjoy.
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