Here is a recommended itinerary for a day with kids in downtown Minneapolis, MN.  Never fear, even if you’re not familiar with driving and parking downtown Minneapolis, you’ll be able to handle this one because it features a ride on the Hiawatha Light Rail line.

The good news? No buckling and unbuckling of carseats, or parking hassles.  The bad news? You’ll be doing quite a bit of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.

Features:

• Hiawatha Light Rail
• Mill City Museum
• Tour of Target Center
• Wells Fargo Museum
• Foshay Tower

Recommended on a:

• Thursday, the only day Target Center tours are offered.

What to do:

1. Park at the Fort Snelling park & ride station (free parking).  Get there just after 9 a.m. and you’ll avoid the higher rush-hour prices.
2. Take the light rail to Metrodome Station (takes about 25 minutes).
3. From Metrodome Station, walk four blocks to Mill City Museum (opens at 10 a.m.; if you get there early, walk around to the back and watch the Mississippi River activity for a while).   Spend the morning at Mill City.
4. If you’re hungry, have lunch at Old Spaghetti Factory on your way back to the light rail station.
5. Board the train at Metrodome again, heading for downtown.  Check your original ticket to see if it’s still good; otherwise purchase a $.50 downtown fare.  Go all the way to the end of the line, the Warehouse District stop.  If you haven’t had lunch yet, there are restaurants across the street from Target Center.  Arrive at the Target Center Box Office (600 1st Ave N) just before 2:00.
6. Take the  guided tour of the Target Center (offered only on Thursdays).
7. When the tour is done, walk to the Wells Fargo Center (6th & Marquette; Monday-Friday 9-5) and go up to Skyway Level to the Wells Fargo Museum.  Be sure to get a bumpy ride in the Wells Fargo Wagon.
8. Walk to the Foshay Tower (821 Marquette).  Check in at the welcome desk and request to visit the observation deck.  After paying your admission, you’ll get an elevator key that will take you to the 30th floor, where you can visit the small museum and walk up a flight of stairs to the observation deck of what was the tallest building in Minneapolis for many years.
9. Walk to the Nicollet Mall light rail station for your return trip.  You’ll need a new ticket, probably at rush-hour prices, for the way back.

Costs:

• Light Rail, non-rush-hour periods:  $.75 ages 6-12, $1.75 adults
• Mill City Museum: $10 adults, $5 ages 6-17; free to MN Historical Society members
• Old Spaghetti Factory: Meal prices are reasonable, and include milk (or coffee) and ice cream.
• Target Center Tour:  Free
• Wells Fargo Museum:  Free
• Foshay Tower:  $8 adults, children free
• Light Rail, rush-hour-periods (6-9 a.m., 3-6 p.m.: $2.25 ages 6-adult)

Notes:

• Light-rail trains are  stroller and handicap accessible.  It’s a level entrance, so you just roll right on.
• I lost my brochure for the Foshay Tower, and it’s very difficult to find tour information online.  I believe the hours were 12-9 p.m.  It’s located inside the W Hotel, so contact them if you have any questions.
• If you don’t want to tour the Target Center, or can’t go on a Thursday, subsitute a $3 tour of the Metrodome:  Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11 a.m. from April-November unless there are events at the Dome.

More information:

• Downtown Minneapolis Map
• If you go in the winter, you may want to walk through the skyways instead of on the street.

Map:

View A Day with Kids in Downtown Minneapolis in a larger map

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