Minnesota Memorial Weekend Family Fun Guide

Looking for something to do this Memorial Day weekend? A drag race at Brainerd International Raceway, special guided tour at the Mill City Museum, and spending time in Grand Marais are just a few of the highlights Minnesota has to offer.

OUTDOORS

Thunder at the Lakes NHRA Drag Race

Brainerd International Raceway
5523 Birchdale Road
Brainerd, MN 56401
May 27-29
Single day admission prices $20 adults, $10 kids age 6-12, free for kids 5 and under
Website

Thunder at the Lakes is one of BIR's most exciting races of the year, featuring the high-powered Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars. You can expect an incredible show as you watch cars race down the dragstrip at 280 mph with 5-second times. This is a dual event with the Sports Car Club of America's (SCCA) Memorial Day Classic, which combines a national and regional road race. One ticket gets you into both events and includes a pit pass!

Awake the Lakes

Alexandria
May 25-30
Website

Kick off summer in Alexandria! There's so much to take in - downtown sidewalk sales, a Rib Fest competition, a motorcycle ride to benefit Habitat for Humanity, a fishing contest, races at the Viking Speedway, live music, fireworks, and more! A Memorial Day parade and service will end the long holiday weekend on Monday.

Memorial Day Weekend in Grand Marais

Grand Marais
May 27-30
Website

A visit to this timeless village on the shore is always a breath of fresh air. Take a stroll along the harbor and skip a stone or two. Enjoy a memorable meal at Chez Jude (grab a table on the front porch - it's a great spot to watch the harbor!) and then indulge in the World's Best Donuts, just up the street. Whether you gallery hop, hike, fish, sail, or just plain relax, Grand Marais is the perfect spot to start your summer!

INDOORS

National Macaron Day

Sweets Bakeshop
2042 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104
4747 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Website

Get a jump start on National Macaron Day, celebrated May 31st. Macarons are a delicate French confection, not to be confused with macaroons, a chewy sweet coconut treat. And if you're in the Twin Cities, there's no better place to find the perfect macaron than Sweets Bakeshop. I highly recommend the Salted Caramel!

OVO by Cirque du Soleil

Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425
Starting May 26, running through June 19
Admission prices starting at $31.50
Website

Just look for the trademark blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at the Mall of America. That's where you'll be witness to a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects will thrill you with stupendous feats of athleticism and physical grace. Prepare to be wowed!

The Raging Red and the Mighty Mississippi

Minnesota Marine Art Museum
800 Riverview Drive
Winona, MN 55987
Started May 19, running through Sept. 4
$6 adults and seniors, $3 students, free for kids 4 and under
Website

This exhibition features the work of numerous regional artists who have been inspired by rivers - most notably the Red River of the North and the Mississippi. Check out this hidden gem of a museum and the many portrayals of our great local rivers!

Washburn: A Mill Tour

Mill City Museum
704 South 2nd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55401
May 28, 1:00 pm
$12 adults, $10 seniors and college students, $8 for kids 6-17 and MHS members - reservations required
Website

Explore the nooks and crannies of the Washburn A Mill complex on a guided tour of this historic flour milling building. Unlike the self-guided exploration during regular museum hours, this tour will take you through the entire museum building and let you into some of its non-public spaces. The tour includes admission to the museum gallery and the Flour Tower show.

Building Brainstorm

Minnesota Children's Museum
10 West Seventh Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
May 28-29
$8.95 for ages 1-101, free for members and kids under 1
Website

This exhibit invites families to step into the shoes of an architect, designer, or engineer as they build a skyscraper, plan a dream home or dog house, and find the best arrangement of an apartment's space and furniture. You'll find architectural plans, models, interactive workbenches, and so much more - an experience filled with experimentation and creative imagination.