minneapolis - ecv

[dj2]

hi everyone!

anyone familiar with minneapolis? my family will be taking a vacation there this summer (three girls, 12, 15, 17, DH and me in my scooter).

any recommendations for things to do? especially, anything i should avoid due to being inaccessable, or more likely just cumbersome, because of the scooter? we'll be there 3-4 days.

we'll have a car.

i know the girls will want to shop in the big mall --i was hoping for some OTHER ideas

thanks

dj

 

[dj2]

thought i'd bump this up in case anyone has any suggestions. we leave next week....

 

[DisneyDivaMom]

Como Zoo is very nice and has a little rides park attached to it.

 

[pugdog]

Born and raised here, so tell me what kind of things you like to do and I'll tell you where to go. I mean what to see.

Most things around here are very accessible it just depends on what you are interested in.

 

[dj2]

DisneyDivaMom - thanks! i'd heard about that place. if we only go to one zoo, would that be the one you recommend? my kids are older/adult-sized --are they too big for the rides you're describing?

pugdog - thanks!!!!!
i pm'd you.

 

[SueM in MN]

I was on vacation when you first posted, so I'm glad you bumped it up. The Twin Cities is pretty accessible. All the places I'm listing are places we have been and they are pretty accessible - we have no problems.

What sorts of things do they like?

Here's a link to the Como Zoo site that was already mentioned.

The other zoo, the Minnesota Zoo is bigger. It has a new exhibit called Russia's Grizzly Coast that just opened. Have not seen it, but the stuff in the paper sounds great.

Mall of America is kind of an interesting experience, even if you just walk around and don't buy anything. THere is also a Theme Park inside the Mall (click on the Nickelodeon button in the above thread to see what it's like).

There is an Ikea store right across from the Mall. Not something you might expect kids to like, but we've brought a bunch of kids there (including teens) and they thought it was fun. The breakfast there is fun (and tastes good for a really cheap price).

If any of your group is interested in art, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is a world class art museum, with a lot of pretty famous art pieces - plus the price is right, it's free.

If anyone is interested in modern art, the Walker Art Museum is really nice (and also free). Even if you don't go inside, the Sculpture Garden is really interesting (the Spoon Bridge is very famous).

The Science Museum of Minnesota is pretty cool and is currently having a Star Wars exhibit.

Another interesting museum is the History Center (they have a good cafeteria too).

That's all I can think of offhand, but you might get more ideas from the Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association. I know St. Paul has one too, but I can't find the website. Here's the Minnesota website, which might be helpful.

Good luck with looking and hope you have a great trip.

 

[dj2]

I was on vacation when you first posted, so I'm glad you bumped it up. The Twin Cities is pretty accessible. All the places I'm listing are places we have been and they are pretty accessible - we have no problems....Good luck with looking and hope you have a great trip.

WOW! thanks for all the info. good to hear that everything's pretty accessible. we'd come across some of these places in our planning (i'll admit, not the IKEA store ) and it's very nice to know which ones in particular stand out as ones people like to do! we were going to sit down over dinner tonight and map the vacation out, so your post came at the perfect time! thank you very much.

BTW--if you happen know, how's nick universe in terms of being able to board rides? i think the kids want to go and if there are any "smooth" rides which won't aggravate my back, i'm wondering how easy it will be to get on. mostly in terms of being able to ride the scooter close to the entry point, also, i can't step in too high or low too much anymore. no biggie if you don't know--i'm guessing i'll find out tonight that we're going there either way. we have to give the kids some things they want if DH and i are going to get to go to the art museums!

thanks again (for this and for all you do)