Things to Do with Kids in St. Paul

When you've got children in tow, exploring a city takes on an added layer of difficulty and restriction. It's hard to jaunt off to a historical attraction or architectural wonder without finding some things to do with kids, before he throws a tantrum. But there's plenty of fun things to do with kids in St. Paul  that won't crimp your style. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Minnesota Children's Museum
The Minnesota Children's Museum is a place where little ones can play their hearts out while maybe learning something educational, too. The goal here is an exciting, immersive world of cool stuff that will arouse their curiosity, increase their understanding and ignite an appreciation for learning. Seven rotating galleries boast hands-on, stimulating exhibits while roving museum staff -- dubbed "funstigators" -- engage kids in a variety of interactive play, from blowing bubbles to finger puppets. Don't miss the Rooftop ArtPark.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
Is there such a thing as a kid getting bored at a zoo? We don't think so! And with the usual variety of critters -- polar bears, penguins, tigers, lions, orangutans, gorillas, zebras, sloths and more -- Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is a top stop for families in St. Paul. There are also some beautiful gardens on the botanical side of the park for Mom to take a side excursion to, including a meditative Japanese garden. Even better, this zoo won't break the bank: Admission is strictly voluntary, and the suggested donation is only $2 for adults and a single buck for kids.

Wabasha Street Caves
A former speakeasy built right into the sandstone along the Mississippi River, the Wabasha Street Caves have a rich and infamous history of bootleggers, mobsters and ghostly hauntings. Depression-era crime figures like John Dillinger and Ma Barker are rumored to have had a pint or two there. Today, the caves are an event facility with 12,000 square-feet finished with brick walls, tile floors and stucco ceilings. A 45-minute walking tour highlights the improbable history of the venue.

Fort Snelling
A military outpost built in 1825 in what is now the Twin Cities metropolitan area, the fort is now a living history attraction where kids can get an up-close-and-personal taste of frontier daily life. Re-enactors are dressed to the nines in 19th-century fashions to portray the lives of the soldiers and civilians who called the fort home. You even watch soldiers practicing drills with period uniforms and rifles, and even firing off a cannon!

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