Wander Minnesota: Mother's Day Ideas
It's only a couple of weeks until Mother's Day. Have you made plans for the special mom in your life? If you'd like some ideas of things to do besides go out to eat, consider one of these options.
You can certainly eat here-- and the buffet includes both grown-up delicacies and kids' favorites -- but a trip to Edina's Pinstripes also gives you the option of getting in some family bowling and bocce, or just a chance to hang out at the year-round outdoor patio and fire pit. Elsie's will also be open that afternoon for family bowling.
If you're looking for a more artistic or thought-provoking outing, the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts' visiting exhibition, More Real, could spark some fun discussions. (Note: it's a great exhibit, but not always appropriate for younger children.) You could also stop in at the Walker Art Center and explore inside or out, as the Sculpture Garden is scheduled to open May 4. Like your art in smaller doses? The Museum of Russian Art has a wonderful collection, and an amazing gift shop as well.
Celebrating with small kids? Keeping them entertained—and tiring them out—is possible at any of these kid-friendly venues: Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota Children's Museum, Water Park of America, The Minnesota Zoo (which has an animal mothers exhibit that day), and the Mall of America, which has Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, Nickelodeon Universe, the LEGO store, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf, and the Amazing Mirror Maze.
Maybe you'd rather spend some time in nature (assuming the winter weather finally leaves). Eastman Nature Center offers a very family friendly event: Animal Mothers. Learn how the Center's resident live animals are cared for by their own mothers.
You can't go wrong with a visit to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Minnehaha Park (bonus: Sea Salt Eatery is now open for the season!), or the Dodge Nature Center
Maybe you'd like to check out some shadier parts of Twin Cities history. The Wabasha Street Caves will have a Historic Cave Tour on Sunday morning. Learn about mobsters and murder while touring the mined caves.
Or if you're in a day trip sort of mood and want to explore Minnesota State Parks, there are several events on Mother's Day. Great River Bluffs State Park in Winona, Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, and Wild River State Park in Center City all have Mother's Day wildflower walks (presuming the wildflowers have bloomed by then); Sibley State Park in New London has a kids' animal-track-making event; and Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul celebrates the other big event of the weekend with Fishing for Fun.
What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.
