Then Burn it Off

Out and About in the Twin Cities

Sports

Family

• Minneapolis Zoo - Apple Valley, MN
  Large, natural habitat zoo. The large animals were chosen because they live in continental climates, and so they are left in their natural environment in the winter. Cross country skiing intermittently available throughout the winter. Need a tropical vacation and can't afford air fare? Head to the tropical rainforest exhibit. Feeding time is around noon and the animals are quite active. Reasonably priced year passes.

• Como Park Zoo - St. Paul,  MN
  This Zoo is more into the animal in cage mentality. Long time sentimental favorite of St. Paul-ites. New polar bears, new giraffe. Free.

• Children's Theater - Minneapolis, MN
  This theater shares the building with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Runs shows destined for Broadway based on children's books. Special kids' room seating in sound-proof booth available.

• Minnesota Kids - Great web site for kids!

• Find your local library at www.mpls.lib.mn.us/

Arts

The twin cities have the greatest number of theaters per capita of any US city outside of NYC.  Great theater abounds.  The Guthrie is nationally known, and will soon have a new home on the River.

The best way to find out about the various venues and exhibitions going on in the Twin Cities is to check out your favorite free newspaper normally published every Wednesday or Thursday distributed to local coffee shops.  Here are a few resources from the web:

• City Pages

• City Search – Twin Cities

• Pulse – billed as the Twin Cities “alternative” newspaper

Minneapolis Institute of Arts – 24^th Street and 3^rd Ave S, Mpls.  Cultural socialism at its best, free admission daily with free tours, videos and lectures on the first Sunday of every month.

 Nature

Arboretum - Chanhassen, MN. 
The University of Minnesota’s own botanical garden.  Relaxing pastoral scenes, great vistas.  Highlights include early summer flowers, and apple season. 

Como Park - St. Paul, MN
Cross country skiing in the winter, a tropical conservancy year round.  Free zoo. 

The Park System in general – Explore the expansive park system in the Twin Cities area

• Hennepin County Parks

• Ramsey County Parks 

• Geocaching –Use a GPS to track the location of a treasure (read: box of stuff).  There are scores of geocaches in the parks of the Twin Cities area.  This activity is a good way to let a local guide you to some amazing spots.