Things To Do
Mall of America®
The iconic Mall Of America is always a must-see for visitors of Minnesota! It is the biggest mall in the US, containing—but certainly not limited to—hundreds of stores, an indoor amusement park, dozens of restaurants, a movie theater, arcades, axe-throwing, go-karts, comedy... You name it. You could easily spend the whole day there.
Great Moon Buffet
If you are a lover of Asian food & buffets, this is Farrah's #1 spot. She has been a tried-and-true customer for over a decade, having eaten there easily over 50 times. At one point, the servers even dubbed her the "Great Moon Queen." Oh, and it has sushi (good sushi too). Unassuming, low-key, delicious food. And yes, it has some American food too... How do you think she was able to drag Thomas there all these years? P.S. Go to the one in Maplewood. We can only vouch for this location!
Minneapolis Institute of Art
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is one of the largest art museums in the US, and they offer FREE admission. You just walk in. (Donations are always welcome). This establishment contains over 90,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history.
Valleyfair
The go-to amusement park in Minnesota, suitable for all ages! It also contains an outdoor water park (though Minnesota weather in June might not permit this). If you love thrill rides, be sure to try these three: 1. Renegade - Wooden roller coaster (Farrah says it rattles your skeleton). 2. Steel Venom - U-shaped, no floor, reaches a max speed of 68 mph. 3. Wild Thing - Highest drop of any Valleyfair roller coaster, considered the most popular ride.
Downtown Stillwater
Try walking around Downtown Stillwater! It's a picturesque area to visit—home to restaurants, boutiques, and more. This strip has a more "historic" feel to it, and it's right along the St. Croix River separating Minnesota and Wisconsin. Just a 15-minute drive over brings you to Hudson, WI—also a nice strip to visit with a good amount of nightlife on the weekends for those who like to dance.
Minneapolis Trolley Tour
This is a narrated hop-on/hop-off trolley tour that drives in a loop all evening, stopping in different popular areas around Minneapolis. This is a great opportunity to see the city at large and learn more about its history. Some nights are even "themed" tours.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Como Zoo was the first zoo established in Minnesota. It was founded in 1897 when the then-mayor of Saint Paul wanted a place for his deer to live. It is entirely free to enter (they accept donations!), and it features a gorgeous conservatory where many do photoshoots and even get married. Note: If you're looking for a larger zoo with more exotic animals and a whole working farm, considering paying for admission to the Minnesota Zoo instead.
Minnehaha Falls
Minnesota is home to many beautiful waterfalls, including Minnehaha Falls (and yes, the name was funny to us too when we first heard it). If you're looking for some beautiful outdoor scenery and easy hiking, consider going for a stroll in Minnehaha Park.
Minneapolis Skyway Tour
Did you know that the Minneapolis Skyway System is the largest contiguous system of enclosed, second-level bridges in the world? (We like to stay out of the cold in the winter, ha). It is composed of 9.5 miles of pathways connecting 80 city blocks. You can pay for a tour of the skyway system or just walk it yourself!