120 Activities to Do in the Twin Cities
- Visit, tour, or volunteer at a Humane Society and spend some time with the animals.
- Watch planes land and take off at the airport. Off Post Road is a good place.
- Go horseback riding. Bunker Hills Park in Anoka has riding stables (seasonal). http://www.anokacountyparks.com
- Play miniature golf.
- Go bowling. You can Cosmic Bowl for prizes.
- Go to your local library. You can check out books, CDs, DVDs, or books on tape; read magazines and newspapers; use the internet (FREE).
- Visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art (FREE). www.artsmia.org
- Go to a discount movie. Try the Brookdale 8 Theatre, GTI Roseville, Hopkins Cinema 6, Maple Grove Cinema 10, and Riverview Theater in Minneapolis (often $2 or less; some half-price on Tuesdays).
- Go to the Yorktown Cinema Grill in New Hope ($4 evening, $2 matinees).
- Go to your favorite ice cream shop for ice cream.
- Rent a bike or skates at Lake Harriet or Lake Calhoun (seasonal). www.minneapolisparks
- Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboat at Lake Harriet or Lake Calhoun (seasonal). www.minneapolisparks
- Visit Como Zoo (optional donation of $2 or less). www.comozooconservatory.org
- Tour the Como Conservatory while at the Como Zoo. www.comozooconservatory.org
- Play tennis on one of your local tennis courts.
- Visit the Minnesota Valley Restoration Area near Chaska.
- Visit a nature center, such as Eastman in Dayton, Dodge in West Saint Paul, Woodlake in Richfield, or Springbrook in Fridley. www.threeriversparkdistrict.org/outdoor_ed/center_eastman.cfm www.dodgenaturecenter.org www.woodlakenaturecenter.org www.springbrooknaturecenter.org
- Go to a Three Rivers Park, either French, Baker, Elm Creek, Hyland, or Fish Lake. Hike, bike, swim, picnic, or fish (FREE); rent equipment for volleyball or horseshoes; rent a canoe or paddleboat. www.threeriversparkdistrict.org
- Tour the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska ($7 adults; 18 and under free). Take classes or volunteer. www.arboretum.umn.edu
- Take a scenic walk around one of the local lakes, such as Harriett or Calhoun. www.minneapolisparks
- Spend a day at Fort Snelling State Park (a fee for parking; FREE to walk or bike in). www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/
- Get your hair cut or try something new with your hair.
- Play cribbage or another card game.
- Play a board game, such as Scrabble, Yahtzee, or Sorry.
- Invite friends over to grill out, play cards or games, or watch movies.
- Go to the Yarn Cafe in Maple Grove. Sit and knit or crochet and socialize. Take a class.
www.yarn-cafe.com
- Ride the Lake Harriett Streetcar ($2). www.trolleyride.org/CHSL_Main
- Look at old photographs and slides.
- Work on sewing projects or needlework that you started but never finished.
- Play Frisbee golf at one of the local courses.
- Play a round of golf or go to a driving range.
- Take a leisurely bike ride on one of the local paved trails, such as the Greenway, Luce Line, LRT, Gateway, or Regional Trail. Call your local Parks and Recreation office and get information on trails.
- Go to Bachman’s Greenhouses, especially the one on Lyndale Avenue South where guided tours are available.
- Request songs on your favorite radio station.
- Go to the Old Log Theater in Plymouth. www.oldlog.com
- Go fishing. Call the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), to see if you are eligible for a FREE license for the disabled; otherwise the cost is $18.
- Collect aluminum cans for money.
- Go to garage sales. Thursday is the prime day for sales.
- Shoot pool or throw darts at Eddie’s Billiards or go to another location that offers billiards. Shooters Billiard Clubs are all alcohol free. www.tcbilliards.com
- Take a long relaxing bath or shower. Use bubble bath in the tub.
- Take a class through Community Education. You may be eligible for financial aid.
- Take a craft class at Michael’s, Joanne Fabrics, or Archiver’s. www.michaels.com, www.joann.com, www.archiversonline.com,
- Buy craft supplies at Crafts Direct. It's a little cheaper than the above stores. www.craftsdirect.com
- Do some painting, drawing, or sketching.
- Rearrange your furniture.
- Barbeque.
- Read the Sunday paper and cut coupons. Rainbow offers a double coupon day on Wednesdays.
- Call a friend and make plans.
- Go to summer concerts. Most cities or band shells have free outdoor concerts in the evenings or on Sundays.
- Do some creative writing or journaling.
- Start or finish a scrapbook from a past vacation or special event.
- Look at Want Ads for Estate Sales and go find bargains.
- Do some long needed house painting or repaint a room for a change. Check out the paint at Home Depot.
- Go sledding in winter. We have many great hills, such as at Elm Creek Park northwest of Osseo, French Park in Plymouth, or Theodore Wirth Park in Golden Valley. www.threeriversparkdistrict.org, www.minneapolisparks.org
- Sort out clothes into give-aways and keepers.
- Organize and rewrite your recipe files.
- Clean up around your house for a garage sale.
- Save your loose change for a vacation or something special.
- Shop at any of the thrift stores for bargains.
- Shop at Big Lots for really cheap things you need.
- Wash your car and wax it.
- Clean out the garage.
- Visit the Farmer’s Market for fresh produce, flowers, or crafts. www.mplsfarmersmarket.com
- Go out to various fields to pick your own apples, berries, or pumpkins.
- Bake or cook.
- Attend open houses for homes that are for sale to get decorating ideas.
- Cut coupons and remember to take them to the store!
- Take your dog for a walk or to the dog park. It may be good place to meet other people.
- Go for a scenic drive.
- Climb around the rocks and picnic at Interstate State Park in Taylor’s Falls. www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/interstate
- Go to the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul ($8 admission). www.mnhs.org/historycenter
- Visit the Walker Art Center (FREE on Thursdays after 5 p.m.). www.walkerart.org
- Ride the light rail to the Mall of America.
- Join a health club. The YMCAs and YWCAs have scholarships available if you qualify.
- Go to the Holidazzle parade on Nicolett Mall during late November and December (FREE). www.macysholidazzle.com
- Go to festivals in your local community.
- Tour the Mill City Museum on the Riverfront. www.millcitymuseum.org
- Join the Rovers Outdoor Club. Annual membership is $25. They sponsor outdoor social activities and biking and offer canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and other trips. You can participate in the activities that you like. www.mnrovers.org
- Go to the Science Museum (cost $1 if on Disability; show proof either with Section 8 papers, a Minnesota Healthcare card, or an EBT card). www.smm.org
- Visit the Weisman Art Museum on the East Bank at the University of Minnesota (FREE). www.weisman.umn.edu
- Rollerblade on the Metrodome’s concourses during the winter. You can obtain discount coupons on the internet. www.rollerdome.com
- Go to Game Works in Block E. www.gameworks.com
- Go to Valleyfair. Check for discounts and coupons. Sometimes Rainbow and Cub have coupons. www.valleyfair.com
- Tour the Ikea store. It is a huge and sells cool things.
- Go to the Minnesota Zoo, which is open year round. www.mnzoo.com
- Go to the State Fair. Check the paper for bargin days. If you belong to a Drop-in Center, you may be able to get tickets from them. www.mnstatefair.org
- Walk at any local mall for exercise during inclement weather. Walk for a time or wear a pedometer.
- Go to Barnes and Noble or Borders, sit in the comfy chairs and drink coffee and read.
- Check out Half-Price Books in the strip mall on Highway 100 in Excelsior or the Book Hive at Highway 169 and 36th Avenue in New Hope.
- See a movie and have dinner at the same time at New Hope Cinema Grill, which is now open in New Hope, off Medicine Lake Road and Winnetka Avenue. www.newhopecinemagrill.com
- Rent a movie.
- Volunteer your time somewhere. Volunteering adds structure to your day and is rewarding. Hands On Twin Cities lists many volunteer opportunities. www.handsontwincities.org
- Go ice skating, either in your neighborhood at free outdoor rinks or at a local indoor rink or at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis.
- Sign up for a sports league through your local Parks and Recreation department. You can call your local city office to get a schedule mailed to you.
- Play paintball.
- Go to a local park and read a book, people watch, take a nap, or listen to music.
- Walk around the St. Anthony Main area and go over the St. Anthony bridge, a very cool area.
- Go snow tubing, skiing, or snowboarding at one of the local hills.
- Snowshoe at a park. Rentals are available at Three Rivers Parks.
- Shop for used sporting goods at Play It Again Sports.
- Walk the skyways in downtown Minneapolis, 12 miles worth!
- Walk around the Minneapolis Uptown Art Fair in August. They display lots of cool art. www.uptownminneapolis.com/art-fair
- Go to the Taste of Minnesota in July for free entertainment at Harriett Island in St. Paul. www.tasteofmn.org
- Go to the Winter Carnival. Look at the snow and ice sculptures and participate in the other sctivities it offers. www.winter-carnival.com
- Go ice fishing.
- Volunteer for the Twin Cities marathon, which is a great motivator to start exercising! www.mtcmarathon.org
- Join a church group. Some sponsor activities.
- Go to the Stages Theater in Hopkins or volunteer to get free tickets. www.stagestheatre.org
- Go to a Twin’s game. You can get cheap seats for $6. http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com
- Walk through downtown Stillwater. Browse at the antique shops and eat ice cream.
- Go to the Children’s Museum (FREE on the 3rd Sunday of every month, hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). www.mcm.org
- Tour the Bell Museum of Natural History (Free on Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m.). www.bellmuseum.org
- Walk around St. Anthony Art Fair, which takes place the 3rd weekend in June. www.stanthonyparkartsfestival.org
- Watch the Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade in July on Hennepin at 8:30 p.m. Join in the other activities throughout the week. Call for a schedule of events. www.aquatennial.org
- Join the Minneapolis Hiking Club for different three- to five-mile hikes at various parks around Minneapolis. For information, call 230-6475 ($15 for a yearly membership; join hikes for free).
- Attend the Freedom Jazz Festival at Minnehaha Park in August. Hear live jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues (FREE). Purchase food or bring a picnic. wwww.geocities.com/freedomjazzfestival
- Watch the River Rats Waterski club at 6 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, off Broadway at West River Road and 22nd, near the Broadway Pizza sign (Free).
Recreational Resources
Libraries
Parks and Recreation
Community Education
Health Clubs
Alternatives for Exercise
Libraries
The local library has a variety of resources that you can use for free.
Hennepin County has 26 libraries located throughout the county.
To locate the one closest to you, look in the phone book in the yellow pages under Library.
Or go to www.hclib.org and access the website for information.
The library offers:
- Books
- Books on tape
- CDs
- Classes to learn how to use the Internet and computers at a basic level; check your local library for infomation
- Coin-operated copiers
- Computer access to online library resources
- Internet access
- Job and career centers
- Magazines and newspapers
- Movies, DVD and VHS
- Tax resources
- Assistive technology for people with disabilities to use library services
- Free wireless Internet access, with your own laptop, at several locations
To obtain and use a library card:
- Go to any library to apply for your free card. Bring identification showing your current address, and you will get card immediately.
- You can apply online also, and they will send your card to you within two weeks.
- Bring your card with you whenever you go to the library because you will need it to check out anything from the library.
- There is a $1 charge for lost or damaged cards.
- Report a lost or stolen card immediately to avoid responsibility for unauthorized use.
- Notify the library of changes to your name and/or address to keep your records current.
Parks and Recreation
Most communities have Park and Recreation programs.
To receive a Park and Recreation catalog, you need to contact the program and request one.
You can find the phone number in the front of the phone book under the Government Pages heading.
Find your city and look for either the Parks and Recreation or just the Recreation heading.
The catalogs come out in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter for a variety of activities.
All programs require that you call to sign up or fill out a form and send it in.
Most programs offer financial aid to help you pay for the classes if you need some assistance.
The catalog will describe the application process. You may have to show proof of income in some cases.
Examples of the programs they offer include:
- Activities for senior citizens
- Baseball
- Cardiofitness and aerobic classes
- Golf
- Hikes and walks
- Ice skating and hockey leagues
- Kickball leagues
- Music lessons
- Open-gym times
- Softball leagues
- Swimming classes
- Tai Chi and yoga
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Community Education
Most communities have Community Education programs.
The school districts typically send out the Community Education catalogs.
If you do not receive one, call your local school district to get one.
You can find the phone number for your local school district in the front of the phone book under the Community Pages heading.
The catalogs come out in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter for a variety of activities.
All programs require that you call to sign up or fill out a form and send it in.
Classes may meet only one time or once a week for several weeks, depending on the class.
The classes offer a great way to explore new hobbies and see what you may or may not enjoy.
Most programs offer financial aid to help you pay for the classes if you need some assistance.
The catalog will describe the application process. You may have to show proof of income in some cases.
Examples of the classes they offer include:
- Budgeting
- Cooking
- Beginning to advanced computer training
- Dance
- Gardening
- Health and safety
- Home buying
- Home decorating
- Knitting and crocheting
- Languages
- Instrumental music
- Mind and body
- Quilting
- Parenting
- Sewing
- Travel
- Woodworking
- Writing
Health Clubs
A number of health clubs in the Twin Cities offer excellent programs, but membership is often expensive.
The only health clubs that offer a scholarships or other financial assistance are the YMCAs or the YWCAs.
Look in the Yellow Pages under health clubs to find the one nearest you.
You can ask for a scholarship form at any YMCA or YWCA.
If you have any questions about completing the form, you can contact someone in their membership department.
You need to submit the required documents, or they will deny your application.
The requirements for the YWCA scholarship program include:
- If you receive only governmental assistance and do not file taxes, you need to submit a recent income statement for each form of governmental assistance you receive. If you receive monthly budget statements, you need to include those documents also.
- If you receive MFIP, you need to submit your most recent monthly budget statement. You do not need to submit your tax return.
- If you file taxes and receive governmental assistance, you need to submit the front page of your Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) for the current year as well as a recent income statement for each form of governmental assistance you receive. If you receive monthly budget statements, you need to include those documents also.
- If you file taxes and DO NOT receive governmental assistance, you need to submit the front page of your Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) for the current year.
If you do not qualify for a reduced fee at the YMCA or YWCA, you can call other health clubs to compare prices. Look under the Health Clubs heading in the Yellow Pages. Most clubs have a reduced fee if you join in January. They may cut the fee to join or mark down the membership.
When calling a health club, ask the following questions:
- Do you require a contract? If you want to break the contract, you may have to pay a fee to cancel it.
- What is the cost?
- Does the membership include fitness or exercise classes?
- Does the club provide what you want for your fitness goals, such as weights, cardio machines, exercise classes, swimming pool, sports leagues, personal trainer, etc.?
- What time of the day is it most quiet, with fewer people using the club?
- What are the hours?
- If you are a senior citizen, are there any Seniors Only classes?
- Can you get a pass for a free trial where you can try out the facility?
- Do you get any free guest passes per month?
- Do they provide someone who can help you learn how to use the equipment for no charge?
Alternatives for Exercise
Maybe joining a health club is not an option for you, but you still want to get exercise. Use one of the following options:
- Walk at a mall near you. Many malls allow you to walk in the public areas before the stores open. Purchase a pedometer to find out how far you are walking. You can buy them for $4 and up; 10,000 steps equals 5 miles. Or ask another mall walker if he or she knows how many laps equal a mile. You also can use the stairs at the mall for another form of exercise.
- Walk at the Metrodome in the winter for a small fee. It is open certain nights for walkers and runners. Contact the Metrodome for more information on the days and fees.
- Bike one of the many great trails that the Twin Cities offers. You can find a map of trails in the front of the phone book; look in the green section. Many bike shops also carry maps of bike routes.
- Swim at one of the lakes in the summer; it is free.
- Walk outside anywhere. Vary your routine. Walk one minute fast, one minute at your normal pace, and keep up this routine for 20 minutes. Do what feels good to you!
- In your house, use soup cans or milk jugs filled with water for weight training.
- Go to a local thrift store or to a One-Half Price book store and buy exercise videos.
- Go to a drop-in center that provides exercise classes.
Web Surfing
Using the internet can be overwhelming at first. It is easiest to have someone you know talk you through the steps as you learn or to take a class. Most libraries offer internet classes, teaching you the basics.
If you find taking a class is too overwhelming or you have difficulty in that kind of setting, use the following basic tips.
Many public locations already have the computer turned on. When you sit down at the computer, the screen will have the internet option on the desktop; that is, on the computer screen. You usually will find the mouse, a control device, on your right hand side.
- Move the mouse around. You will see a small white arrow on your screen.
- Place the arrow above the internet icon.
- Double-click the icon by clicking the mouse button with your index finger. It may take some practice. If the arrow changes to an hourglass, you will know you did it correctly. The hourglass means the computer is thinking.
- When the new screen for the Internet appears, a website address displays at top left of the screen in the white box labeled Address. To type in your website address, click your mouse in the white box. The current address will turn blue, meaning you have it highlighted.
- Type in the address you want and press the Enter key on your keyboard. The old address will disappear, and the page for your address will appear on the screen.
- Now you can play. Links to other pages appear as a hand with a pointing finger when you place your cursor over them. Click on the link to move to a new page or a new location on the current page.
- If you want to go back a page, click on the button at top that says BACK.
- To exit the internet, click the small red X at the top right of the page.
Most organizations and many individuals have websites these days. If you do not know the address for a website but do know some key words to use for the search, the search engines can help you.
Some of these search engines are:
- Type in your key words and press the Enter key on your keyboard. Many different options will display with their associated websites.
- If you see one you like, click on the link that displays as underlined words. The link will take you to that website.
- To move back to the original page, click the Back button at top left of the screen.
You also can set up your own free e-mail. The two main free e-mails are:
Each of the websites provides instructions on how to set up your own e-mail account.
