Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Maple Grove

"Stroll outside to the adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to see perhaps the most-photographed feature in the city, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s “Spoonbridge and Cherry.” Or head to the bustling Nicollet Mall to browse the shops or enjoy a cocktail al fresco before dinner at Butcher and the Boar (a James Beard semi-finalist) for exquisite house-cured meats and homemade pickles. If you don’t have reservations, don’t worry. The outside beer garden serves less casual fare with the same amazing ingredients."

"The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden displays sculptures of the Walker Art Center in a lovely 19-acre urban green space. One of the most famous pieces is Claes Oldenburg's Spoonbridge and Cherry. In addition to the sculptures, this popular tourist attraction is also home to the Cowles Pavilion & Regis Promenade and the Alene Grossman Memorial Arbor and Flower Garden with seasonal displays."

"This 19-acre green space, studded with contemporary works such as the oft-photographed Spoonbridge & Cherry by Claes Oldenburg, sits beside the Walker Art Center. The Cowles Conservatory, abloom with exotic... Top ChoiceMuseum in Minneapolis"

"The hippest ice cream shop in Minneapolis has as much fun minting flavors as it does naming them. There’s the PB vs. Everybody (peanut-butter banana with Oreo chunks), the Emma Stone (vanilla yogurt with cherry swirl), and the Milkjam itself (caramelized goat, cow, and condensed milks). Alcoholic options include the Rosy Cheeks (grapefruit Campari with gin) and the Caught in the Rain (yup: piña colada)."

"The Instagrammable ice cream parlor is geared towards adults, with inventive flavors like Cereal Killers (orange coriander milk with candied fruity pebbles), and creative sundae toppings like rum butterscotch, honeycomb candy, and caramelized rice krispies."

"Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul was built in 1915 and now houses a wide variety of animals in natural habitats, including big cats like lions and snow leopards, primates like gorillas and spider monkeys, and family favorites like sloths and zebras. The zoo is also home to water-loving animals like sea lions, seals, and penguins, and tropical critters including anaconda and the Galapagos tortoise. One of the most popular attractions for kids at the Como Park Zoo is the giraffe feeding station, where you can get face to face with these gentle herbivores."

"1225 Estabrook Drive // Saint Paul, MN 55103 For over 100 years, Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory has charmed, educated, and entertained millions while fostering an appreciation of the natural world."

"Set within the beautiful Foshay Tower built in 1929, this exquisite hotel features a lavish and luxurious interior that looks very trendy and cool. While its arresting aesthetic draws many plaudits, it is just as highly thought of for its superb spa services and panoramic views from the 27th floor Prohibition bar and observation deck. In addition, it has sleek and modern rooms, a gym, a business centre and gourmet dining establishments."

"W Minneapolis - The Foshay symbolizes everything right about a luxury stay in downtown Minneapolis. A walk through the historic tower reveals careful attention to detail and some unexpected surpris..."

"What's also great is the observation deck you find on the 30th floor. This deck belongs to the most Instagrammable places in Minneapolis. View this post on Instagram"

"Walkers, joggers, and inline skaters—rollerblading was born here—share a path, but cyclists have their own trails around Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun, and Lake Harriet."

"One of the most popular places in the city to walk, run, bike, and relax, Bde Maka Ska (formerly called Lake Calhoun), is a great spot to get moving or sit back and people watch."

"About Fort Snelling: Today’s impressive Fort Snelling was started as a wooden barracks in the 1820s at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. It quickly grew into a large stone fort and the US Government’s first true stake in the pioneer region which was already occupied by local Native American groups for hundreds of years. The original purpose of Fort Snelling was to help secure the fur trade and make inroads with Native tribes, although the history wasn’t always rosy."

"Fort Snelling is the state's oldest structure, established in 1820 as a frontier outpost in the remote Northwest Territory. Guides in period dress show restored buildings and reenact pioneer life."

"If you know your Saint Paul sweets, then you aren’t at all surprised that this is first on the list. Grand Ole Creamery is one of the essential Twin Cities ice cream shops — and it’s the perfect way to top off a day on Grand Avenue. When former President Obama visited Saint Paul in 2014, he made a stop at the Creamery."

"Grand Ole Creamery is a classic ice cream shop that takes you back to another era. The quaint location on Grand Avenue is known for its lengthy selection or ever-changing ice cream flavors, not to mention a line wrapped around the block when the weather is nice!. It’s a crowd that’s even included President Obama!"

"How does a scoop of your favorite ice cream in a homemade, hand-rolled, malted waffle cone with a whopper in the bottom sound?. We’ll take two, please!. Grand Ole Creamery on Grand Ave in Saint Paul has been serving the Twin Cities their super-premium ice cream for over 30 years."

"On the northeastern shores of the massive Lake Harriet sits Lyndale Park, one of the best parks in Minneapolis in one of the most upscale neighborhoods. Spread across 61 acres, Lyndale Park has four different gardens, each with its own vibe: the Peace Garden, the Rose Garden, the Perennial Garden, and the Perennial Trial Garden. Lyndale also has the Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanctuary."

"The Lyndale Park Rose Garden is the second largest rose garden in the entire United States of America. It features 100 species of plants that provide the perfect picturesque backdrop."

"The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary is a 15-acre garden and sanctuary for birds that is home to more than 500 plants and 130 bird species, and spectacular seasonal displays of native wildflowers in a wetland, prairie, and woodland areas. Tucked away in the corner of the garden is the Martha Crone Visitor Shelter, which features natural history displays and interpretive displays that showcase the garden’s fauna and flora. The gardens are also home to lovely picnic spots, benches, and wheelchair accessible walking paths, and visitors can enjoy guided or self-guided tours of the park."

"The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary is a gorgeous 15-acre plot that features more than 130 species of birds, breathtaking trails, and 500 plant species."

"Housed in a striking stainless steel and brick building designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Weisman Art Museum is both educational and approachable. The museum’s collection features early twentieth-century American artists, such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Marsden Hartley, as well as a diverse selection of ceramics and contemporary art. They always have a great selection of events, so be sure to check their calendar to see what’s in town."

"The Weisman, which occupies a swooping silver structure by architect Frank Gehry, is a university (and city) highlight. The airy main galleries hold cool collections of 20th-century American art, ceramics, Korean furniture and works on paper."

"The Weisman Art Museum, founded in 1934, is a modern art museum located at the University of Minnesota. It features a collection of more than 25,000 images, and traditional Korean furniture and Native American Mimbres pottery."

"Over in Phillips West, check out American Swedish Institute, which has earned four stars out of 55 reviews on Yelp. You can find the museum and cultural center at 2600 Park Ave. Housed in a turn-of-the-century mansion that once belonged to a Swedish-American newspaper publisher, the museum has long focused on offering Swedish cultural, educational and artistic events to the local community."

"If folding a paper airplane is a challenge, you’re going to be blown away by the things Swedish artist Bea Szenfeld has created, turning paper into couture in the exhibit “Papier” at American Swedish Institute through July 11. Szenfeld’s dresses have been worn by Lady Gaga and Bjork. Don’t miss “Papier Noir,” a paper gown that looks like a fur cape on the second floor of the museum."

"Peavey Plaza is also one of the best Minneapolis Instagram spots. You can find here fountains that give a lovely effect when you capture them!. View this post on Instagram"

"You have to pay for the rides at the Mall of America, but window shopping is free. Credit: Jamie Bartosch/ Suburban TravelingMom. Mall of America is the largest fully enclosed retail and entertainment complex in the United States."