Head out with your family and discover these “secret” gems.
Minnesota is known for its 10,000 lakes, great biking trails, sandy beaches, and family-friendly spots all over the state. But there may be a few places you’ve never heard of… until now! These little gems are the best-kept secrets in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and they are sure to bring smiles to the faces of everyone in the family.
If you’re a parent, babysitter, or nanny with a family that likes to explore locations off the beaten path, we’ve found a few hidden treasures that will keep you busy during all four seasons. Here are the five best places you’ve probably never heard of in the Twin Cities.
Red Barn Pizza
Address: 10063 110th St. E, Northfield, MN 55057
Hours: Pizza night is every Wednesday, May – October:
- Order 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (May)
- Order 4 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (June, July, & August)
- Order 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. (September)
- Order 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (October)
- They’re also open the third Sunday of each month, May – October, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Phone: 507-664-0304
Red Barn Farm is a gorgeous place to spend an evening with your family. The wood-fired pizzas are made to order with handmade dough, which is vegan-friendly. Many of the pizza toppings (onions, peppers, squash, spinach, eggplant, tomatoes, and basil) come from Red Barn’s own chemical-free gardens. While you wait for your pizza to bake, take a walk around the grounds and check out the beautiful views and the farm’s many chickens and horses, or visit the adorable gift shop for some shaved ice or root beer.
Your 16-inch pizza will come in a cardboard box. You supply the plates, utensils, beverages, appetizers, etc. (Beer and wine are OK, too). You may also want to bring along a blanket or a table and chairs. Cash or check is accepted for payment.
Izzy’s Ice Cream
Address: 1100 Second St. S, Minneapolis, MN 55415 | 2034 Marshall Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Phone: 612-206-3356 (Minneapolis) | 651-603-1458 (St. Paul)
Izzy’s is the home of the Izzy Scoop — an extra scoop they put on the top of your ice cream, giving you a chance to sample even more delicious flavors. They always have a ton of flavors on their menu and change them all the time, so you never know what options await. Gluten-free cake or sugar cones are available, as well.
If you are feeling really daring and have a hungry crew with you, try the Izzy Hot Dish. It consists of 32 scoops of ice cream on a bed of crumbled cones sprinkled with brownie bits and finished with all the toppings and whipped cream you can respectably fit in a red hotdish, which you get to bring home. That sounds like one of the best hotdishes we’ve ever heard of — and if you are from Minnesota, you’ve had your fair share to compare it with.
Swan Park
Address: 117 Mississippi Drive, Monticello, MN 55362
Hours: Open seasonally, Nov. 30, 2017 – March 15, 2018
Phone: 763-295-2700
Swan Park is located on Mississippi Drive on the east end of the city. There, during the winter months, visitors can see over 2,000 trumpeter swans. As warmer weather approaches and the water begins to thaw, the swans return to Minnesota lakes. Over 1,200 pounds of corn is fed to the swans every day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. But the reason for the visit is more heartwarming than the visit itself.
For six years, Jim Lawrence has kept a promise he made to his wife, Sheila, before she died. She and Jim moved to the riverside residence in 1984, and according to the Lawrences, the first swans showed up two years later. At the time, they were part of a Three Rivers Park District effort to reintroduce swans to Minnesota. Following a cancer diagnosis, she asked her husband, “Will you feed my swans?” Today, Jim has proudly taken over the duty and feeds hundreds — sometimes thousands — of them every winter.
Sand Creek Adventures
Address: 3101 W. 220th St., Jordan, MN 55352
Hours: All adventures are by appointment only.
Phone: 952-491-5333
If you are looking for a fun and action-packed afternoon, look no further than Sand Creek Adventures in Jordan. Spanning up to 1,700 feet (combined) across the Sand Creek bluffs, their ziplines are over 100 vertical feet above the water. In addition to their three- and six-zipline tours, Sand Creek Adventures offers a high and low ropes course, testing the sheer determination (and fear of heights) of every participant.
The minimum age to participate is 8 years old, so this is one for the older kids to enjoy. For the zipline and high ropes elements, there’s a minimum weight of 70 pounds. Stop off for lunch (we recommend after the zipline) at nearby Clancy’s for some of the best pizza in the Twin Cities.
Escape MSP
Address: 701 Decatur Ave. N, Golden Valley, MN 55427 | 256 Seventh St. E, Ste. 248, St. Paul, MN 55101
Hours: By appointment only
Phone: 612-424-3845
Escape MSP, another perfect option for parents with older kids, has locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Families or groups in teams of four to eight players are locked “in a fully themed room with two goals: collect incriminating data and escape the room before time runs out!” In order to complete your mission, bring your investigation skills, patience, and a team attitude. Think of it as a big game of real-life Clue.
The entire experience takes about 90 minutes, but they ask teams to show up 15 minutes before their scheduled mission for a mission briefing. Once you are ready, the door locks and will not open until either you escape or the 60 minutes is up. Bring your kids 10 years or older for a fun-filled, action-packed afternoon.
