Tag: Minnesota with Kids

When you travel full time, your stops at Interstate Rest Areas are just as important as your intended destinations! Just as many family memories can be made! What family doesn’t have the “No pets allowed? Oh, well, I guess you can’t come!” joke? Over the years, we’ve found that many rest areas have letterboxes. They can also be great places to find painted rocks. During open hours, you can find travel information, tourist brochures, and maps. Maybe even some coupons or discount savings. Snacks and drinks are usually available in vending machines. And, of course, if you need to rest,…

COCONUT WHISK CAFE Coconut Whisk is a small, female, minority-owned maker and purveyor of the finest specialty baking mixes! All their cake, cookie, pancake, and waffle mixes are 100% vegan! Coconut Whisk Mixes are dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, AND non-GMO! Each Baking Mix is easy-to-make, AND dietitian-approved, all without preservatives or artificial ingredients! COCONUT WHISK BAKING MIXES With the Coconut Whisk line of Baking Mixes, you can indulge your sweet tooth for any snack, meal, or dessert, all while enjoying the goodness of these good-for-you products! If that weren’t enough to get you excited for this brand, owner Bella…

We love Minneapolis, Minnesota! It’s one of our favorite cities to visit! Between Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Bloomington, Minnesota, there are SOOOOO many Family Friendly Activities! Explore some of the links below to learn more about each area! You can everything we have done in the Minnesota Twin Cities, and explore all the options for things YOU can do with YOUR family! Enjoy!

Downtown Nisswa, Minnesota One of my favorite elements of roadtripping is the unexpected discovery of small towns with HUGE character. And Nisswa, with its Northwoods, Paul Bunyan, Native American flavor delivers character in a VERY big way! All the chocolate, candy, and ice cream one’s heart could desire… Native gifts, toys, boutiques, and a range of souvenirs for everyone… A variety of restaurants… And, of course, COFFEE! So, the skies may be a little dreary today, but Nisswa, Minnesota is a quaint Northwoods town with THE warmest welcome! Check Out Our SPGFAN Nisswa, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to…

Downtown Princeton, Minnesota Shopping, Strolling, Enjoying Ice Cream! CLICK HERE to See all Our Adventures in Princeton, Minnesota! The album below is just a few more random fun-with-photography shots of our afternoon in this cute little town! Check Out Our SPGFAN Princeton, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Below forIdeas on Planning YOUR Next Trip to Minnesota! Jodie’s Antiques and Treasures – Princeton, Minnesota Rocks and Things – Princeton, Minnesota Rocks and Things – Princeton, Minnesota

Louise’s Basement Vintage Furnishings & Vibrant Decor and Jodie’s Antiques & Treasures – Princeton, Minnesota Downtown Princeton offers up LOADS of shopping fun! Just a small town in Minnesota, with so many locally-owned antique, art, and treasure shops lining the streets! Local vendors, artists, and collectors offer up their unique wares at great values. Two of our favorites were Louise’s Basement Vintage Furnishings & Vibrant Decor and Jodie’s Antiques & Treasures. Most of the photos below are from Louise’s. Such a cute place! But be sure to click on the above links to see what each place has to offer! You never…

Santa Lucia’s Ice Cream – Princeton, Minnesota Santa Lucia’s has been serving up the sweetest ice cream in Princeton, Minnesota since 2009! They are a local, family-owned, seasonal business in a small town! With HUGE flavor the size of the hearts! And on this hot summer day, these frozen treats sure do hit the spot! Check Out Our SPGFAN Princeton, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Below forIce Cream Fun In Your Own Home!

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge – Zimmerman, Minnesota Trumpeter Swans and Sandhill Cranes are two incredibly beautiful avian species that consider the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge their home for part of each year. Each bird has a history of being threatened or endangered due to habitat loss and being overhunted. Thankfully the Sandhill Crane populations have stabilized and starting to increase. And the Trumpeter Swans, in most places, are considered to be a rehabilitated population! We are grateful for our National Wildlife Refuges, which not only protect lands for vulnerable species, but allow families like us to experience such AWESOME creatures…

Zimmerman, Minnesota Just a few random rural Minnesota shots as we spend our last day meandering through Zimmerman. From a sunrise hike, to the fog rolling in… To ponds, rivers, lakes, barns, and more… The simple life is a good life. Check Out Our SPGFAN Zimmerman, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Below toLearn More About Rural Minnesota Life!

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Great River Road Visitor Center at Freedom Park – Prescott, Wisconsin Located at the confluence of the St. Croix River with the Mississippi River in Prescott, Wisconsin, this The Great River Road Visitor Center will tick, not one, but TWO National Parks off your list! Learn about the geography and human history of each river, as well as the wildlife that call this lush area home! Lots of Junior Ranger fun can be found here as well! Ask about (OR download via these handy links!) St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Junior Ranger ProgramLet’s Go Fishing! Junior Ranger Angler ProgramMississippi National…

Upper Landing Park – St. Paul, Minnesota If you are heading to the Science Museum of Minnesota, be sure to check out the sights and sounds of Downtown St. Paul and the Mississippi River! The shoreline of the Mississippi River through St. Paul is part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park System. CLICK HERE for the Locations Our Family Visited Within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area! This NPS Site offers a list of ALL the Locations you can visit within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area! CLICK HERE for…

Mississippi River Visitor Center – Mississippi National River and Recreation Area – St. Paul, Minnesota The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a unit of the National Park System that encompasses over 72 miles of the Mississippi River throughout the Twin Cities of Minnesota and surrounding areas. There are at least 60 different parks, museums, visitor centers, and other areas you can visit that are considered to be within the boundaries of this National Park! This particular location, the Mississippi River Visitor Center, is located with the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. There are some great digital…

Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks at the Science Museum of Minnesota Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks at the Science Museum of Minnesota Towers of Tomorrow includes some of the most iconic architectural marvels from all over the world! From North America, you will find Toronto’s CN Tower; Philadelphia’s Comcast Technology Center; Los Angeles’ Wilshire Grand Center; Chicago’s Willis Tower; Atlanta’s Bank of America Plaza; New York City’s Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building; and more! Famous skylines across Asia and Australia come alive with LEGO creations of Taiwan’s Taipei 101; Kuala Lumpur’s twin Petronas Towers; Marina Bay Sands…

Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota Weighing the Evidence – A Special Exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota CLICK HERE to check out ALL of the exhibits we were able to enjoy on our visit! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Paul, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Below to Learn More withThese Science and Medical History Books!

Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota Exploring some of the regular permanent exhibits in the Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota. Most of these photos are taken in the Mississippi River Gallery, Collectors’ Corner, and the Human Body Gallery. CLICK HERE to see ALL the exhibits currently available at the Science Museum of Minnesota!And CLICK HERE to see ALL of the exhibits we were able to enjoy on our visit! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Paul, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota!…

Garden Safari Gifts – Como Park Zoo & Conservatory – St. Paul, Minnesota Garden Safari Gifts at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is actually one of the best zoo gift shops I’ve visited thus far. They have such a bright, colorful selection of unique souvenirs, as well as an impressive array of high quality gift ideas. A rotating selection of items corresponds with special exhibits in the zoo. If I lived in this area, I’d probably do most of my holiday shopping here! Mother’s Day, Birthdays, Christmas Presents… I’d be thrilled to give or get so many of the lovely…

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory – St. Paul, Minnesota After a lovely morning in the Como Park Conservatory, we headed into the zoo itself. I took so many photos of the beautiful flowers, my phone died before we made it all the way through the collection of animals. We were mesmerized with the polar bears, especially since we’re ultimately headed to Territorial Canada and Alaska on this trip. But, we also got a kick out of the gorilla’s ear! I mean, it’s not every day you’re inches away from the backside of a gorilla with nothing but a single sheet…

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory – St. Paul, Minnesota There are so many GORGEOUS plants and flowers in the beautiful glass conservatories of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota. Some of my favorite flowers ever include lilies and orchids, and they have each in a beautiful abundance. I am also fascinated with ferns, and they have some of the lushest fern plants I have yet seen. We learned about spices and other tropical foods and flavorings. And the bonsai exhibit was intriguing. I always thought of bonsai as being a particularly plant species, but I suppose it’s…

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge – Zimmerman, Minnesota An evening cruise along the Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive in the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge just outside of Zimmerman, Minnesota. A Sherburne Sunset With the Sandhill Cranes… Check Out Our SPGFAN Zimmerman, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Read More About the National Wildlife Refuge Blue Goose Passport Program! Click HERE or on Any Photo Belowfor Beautiful Nature Journals!

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge – Zimmerman, Minnesota An evening cruise along the Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive in the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge just outside of Zimmerman, Minnesota. A Sherburne Sunset With the Sandhill Cranes… Check Out Our SPGFAN Zimmerman, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Read More About the National Wildlife Refuge Blue Goose Passport Program! Click HERE or on Any Photo Belowfor Beautiful Nature Journals!

ViVi Bubble Tea – St. Cloud, Minnesota This was our first Bubble Tea purchase without Alysia in tow. And since I didn’t know exactly what I was doing, I didn’t order exactly what I thought I was getting… But, all in all, we ended up with a Peach Fruit Tea With Aloe. Very good, and quite refreshing. But, now I know that fruit teas and milk teas are two completely different things… And that aloe and tapioca boba are also two entirely different things! Ha! We all have to learn some how! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Cloud, Minnesota QUIKLIST!…

Clemens Gardens – St. Cloud, Minnesota Stopping to Smell ALL the Pretty Flowers – Clemens Gardens Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Cloud, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Do You Love Flower Gardening?Click HERE or on Any Photo Below for Great Book Ideas! Butterfly Memorial Gifts Butterfly Memorial Gifts Butterfly Memorial Gifts Butterfly Ornaments Butterfly Ornaments Butterfly Ornaments Butterfly Ornaments

Mississippi River at St. Cloud, Minnesota From the Gardens of Munsinger, meander the paths until you find yourself face to face with the Mighty Mississippi! Ducks and Geese float lazily past… Butterflies flutter by, and bumble bees buzz busily… Become one with all that surrounds you… Be a Mississippi River Rock Star! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Cloud, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota!

Magical Fairy Gardens of Munsinger – St. Cloud, Minnesota Magic is all around you! Don’t forget to take the time to find it! As you stroll through the Munsinger Gardens of St. Cloud, look up, look down, and look all around! If you do, you, too, will find the Magic of the Fairies! Pull up an acorn, and take a sip of raindrop… Oh, the tales the fairies will tell! But, only if you believe! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Cloud, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in…

Munsinger Gardens – St. Cloud, Minnesota As the Mississippi River flows through St. Cloud, Minnesota, you can find fields of flowers lovingly embracing its picturesque shoreline. Munsinger Gardens is the more naturally occurring, lower Riverside collection of botanical beauties. And then, one block over, you can find the manicured gardens and ornamental fountains of Clemens Gardens. Be prepared to be mesmerized by ALL of nature’s creations! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Cloud, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Do You Love Flower Gardening?Click HERE or on…

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Mall of America – Bloomington, Minnesota From animatronic Rainforest Animals, to Minnesota Twins history, to Jimmy Page’s guitar… Mama always said, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!“ Check out this Dining Guide for your next family outing to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota! Just a few fun choices: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.MargaritavilleRainforest Cafe (As of 2021, Hard Rock Cafe is closed) Love From MinnesotaMinnesota Twins MLB Team Site Check Out Our SPGFAN Minneapolis, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Dining Out With…

Minnesota Twins A Little Minnesota Twins baseball history right beneath your feet… Somewhere in Mall of America! Can YOU Find It? Check Out Our SPGFAN Minneapolis, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Belowfor Great Gift Ideas for the Minnesota Twins Fan in Your Life!

Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America! From the twirling, whirling excitement of Dora the Explorer and the Backyardigans, to the loopty-loops of the giant coasters… From the pineapple under the sea, to the whooshing of zip lines overhead… Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America! has crazy FUN for EVERYONE! And it’s all INSIDE! The LARGEST mall in the United States! You HAVE to see it to believe it! So, bring the kids to hang out with all their nostalgic Nickelodeon childhood besties, and enjoy almost 5 million square feet of dining, shopping, and riding the rails… All under one GINORMOUS…

The LEGO Store at Mall of America! Floor to ceiling awesomeness starts in the LEGO Store, and epic LEGO character adventure extends all throughout the Mall of America! Larger-than-life LEGO creations reign supreme far above your heads! Let YOUR Young Creator feast their eyes upon ALL THINGS LEGO, as they build to their hearts’ desires! Fashion custom outfits for Mini-Figs for the take-home, race bespoke vehicles with your new friends… And let all the colors and pieces transport you to a land only YOU can make-believe! Build It! And they will have FUN! The LEGO Store at Mall of America!…

Crayola Experience Mall of America Crayola Experience Mall of America Check Out Our SPGFAN Minneapolis, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Belowto check out Super Cool Crayola Products for Kids and Adults!

Bohemian Flats Park – Minneapolis, Minnesota The Bohemian Flats Park sits unassuming in its simple, yet lushly green beauty, along a bend of the West bank of the Mississippi River. However, the stories that this place could tell… Wow. Such an incredible history as an immigrant shanty town of the early industrial era of Minneapolis. The hardships of life, the beauty of community. But, for now, we lounge. Basking in the sun, reveling in the simplicity. The river traffic passes us by…. Feeling… Almost… As if these flats could talk. Listening… To their stories in the wind. Minneapolis Queen Paddlewheel…