Things to Do in the Twin Cities

See America like never before! With FlyOver America you’ll feel like you’re actually flying with wind, scents, mist and other amazing effects. Soar over spectacular landscapes and experience the USA from a birds-eye view – all in 10 minutes! There’s no faster, or more amazing, way to see what America has to offer.

FlyOver America is open daily inside Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America. Tickets for adults (13 and older) are $18.95 + tax and children (12 and under) are $14.95 + tax. (*Pricing subject to change)

The Minnesota Historical Society has been sharing the stories of Minnesotans for over 165 years! Join us for programs and events at 26 historic sites and museums statewide.

Metro locations include Minnesota History Center, Mill City Museum, Historic Fort Snelling, James J. Hill House, Minnesota State Capitol, Oliver H. Kelley Farm

The 45th Annual Minnesota Renaissance Festival, one of the largest themed events in the country is just around the corner.  Journey back in time as more than 450 entertainers contribute to the atmosphere of this charming 16th century village featuring 16 stage of live entertainment, over 250 artisan booths for endless shopping, live armored jousting, and food fit for a king!   

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival 45th season begins on Saturday, August 22 and ends on October 4, 2015. The Festival is open weekends; Labor Day and Festival Friday, October 2, open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., rain or shine.

The Festival is located three miles south of Shakopee on Hwy 169. Admission at the gate: Adults $22.95; Children 5 – 12 $13.95; seniors $20.95; four and under are free!

Theme Weekends:
Highland Fling - August 22 & 23
Silk Road - August 29 & 30
Passport to Adventure - September 5, 6, & 7
Christmas and Canines- September 12 & 13
Shamrocks and Shenanigans - September 19 & 20
Wine, Chocolate, and Romance- September 26 & 27
Festival Friday - October 2
Oktoberfest - October 3 & 4

Visit www.renaissancefest.com or call 952.445.7361 for more information. Also make sure to follow us @MNrenaissance!

Located minutes south of the Mall of America the Minnesota Zoo is one of the largest in the nation and features more than 4,700 exotic animals from around the world.  The Zoo is open year-round and features the largest indoor connected exhibit space in North America.  Indoor zoo highlights include Tropics, a 2 acre indoor tropical rainforest, Discovery Bay marine education center with rare Hawiian Monk Seals, coral reef and so much more to enjoy.  Award-winning exhibits such as Russia’s Grizzly Coast, 3M Penguins of the African Coast and the Medtronic Minnesota Trail provide family-fun for all ages.

The Minnesota Zoo is on a mission to connect people, animals and the natural word to save wildlife and is open year-round, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and December 25th. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org.

Hours:
October - April: 9am - 4pm everyday
Memorial Day -Labor Day: 9am - 6pm everyday
September (after Labor Day) and May: 9am - 4pm weekdays, 9am - 6pm weekends

13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN 55124
952-431-9200, 800-366-7811
952-431-9500 (24/7 information line)
www.mnzoo.org

Groups:
Discount admission is available for groups of 15 or more. Please call 952.431.9200 for more information or make your reservation on line at www.mnzoo.org

Located in the center of Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe features seven acres of unique attractions and entertainment, including 27 great rides for guests of all ages and courage levels! Meet the Nick characters, experience new rides and attractions, shop exclusive retail and much more!
??
Visit www.nickelodeonuniverse.com for more info.

Pinstripes is a unique dining and entertainment venue featuring a bistro with exceptional Italian/American cuisine and wine; bowling and bocce; outdoor patio dining and fire pits; and event space/party accommodations for 20-1,000 people (weddings, birthday parties, corporate events and meetings, anniversaries and more!) Enjoy Sunday Brunch, lunch or dinner, private parties, weekend live blues and jazz, wine dinners, parents & tot play dates and other exciting promotions. Come celebrate ‘sophisticated fun’ in one of our 8 locations nationally.

Hours
Monday-Thursday 11:30am-11:00pm
Friday 11:30am-1:00am
Saturday 10:00am-1:00am
Sunday 10:00am-10:00pm
Sunday Brunch 10:00am-2:00pm
*Flexible private event hours available 

Bowling & Bocce
Pricing starts at $5 per person/game 

Private Events
Looking for a unique outing? Pinstripes offers a variety of team-building events, dinners, meetings & fun!  We are equipped to host social groups, families, international tours or corporate gatherings, with full food & beverage service, audio-visual rentals, specialty linen & more!

To book a private event or request more information contact Janna O’Meara at janna@pinstripes.com or (952) 835-6437.

Want to dive beneath the sea without getting wet? You'll come face to face with everything from shrimp to sharks, and learn tons of great stuff from SEA LIFE experts. SEA LIFE Minnesota features more than 10,000 sea creatures that you can see and even touch! Come face to face with sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, pufferfish, jellyfish and more in our world famous 300 foot long Tunnel where you are underwater without getting wet!

New for 2011:
At SEA LIFE Minnesota there will be fascinating new displays, cool hands-on activities for kids, tons more sea creatures than ever before, and an ocean full of fun! So go on, take the plunge and visit SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium!

Groups:
Great group programs and discounted rates! From interactive classroom programs to snorkeling adventures, we have something for all ages! Call 952-853-0612 or email groupsales@minnesotaaquarium.com for group discounts and availability. Parking: East Side Level One between Sears and Bloomingdale's (Mall of America)

Hours (subject to change):
Monday - Thursday 10:00am - 7:30pm
Friday 10:00am - 8:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 8:30pm
Sunday 10:00am - 6:30pm

Target Center, home of the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA Minnesota Lynx, offers a 12-month entertainment schedule that includes sporting events, family shows, concerts and more!??

??

2014-15 highlights:

• WWE Monday Night Raw (June 9, 2014)
• Cher ???D2K??? Tour (June 11, 2014)
• OneRepublic ???Native Summer Tour??? (June 17, 2014)
• Foreigner and Styx with very special Guest Don Felder (July 17, 2014)
• Austin Mahone ???The Secret Tour??? (August 10, 2014)
• Kiss and Def Leppard (August 17, 2014)
• Katy Perry ???The Prismatic World Tour??? (August 22, 2014)
• Eric Church ???The Outsiders World Tour??? (September 16, 2014)
• Fleetwood Mac ???On with the Show??? (September 30, 2014)
• Professional Bull Riding Velocity Tour (October 4, 2014)

??

For complete schedule, visit www.targetcenter.com

??

Located in Downtown Minneapolis, Target Center can be reached by most major highways, and offers more than 11,000 parking spaces within a three-block radius of the arena.

From soaring roller coasters like Wild Thing and Renegade to our historic 1920s Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel, experience the endless thrills of more than 75 rides and attractions. Plus, discover something for everyone at Planet Snoopy, Route 76 and Soak City Waterpark. Valleyfair is open daily May 15 – September 7, and September 12 & 13. (Hours and operating schedules are subject to change without notice)

VALLEYSCARE - Every fall, the fun takes a terrifying turn as Valleyfair transforms into ValleySCARE, the area’s largest Halloween attraction; featuring the intense nighttime frights of Halloween Haunt and some not-so- scary daytime fun at Planet Spooky. Open select dates September 19 – November 1.

ALL NEW IN 2015 - Submerge yourself in even more fun in the sun at the newly expanded Soak City Waterpark. New for 2015 is the Breakers water slide complex with six towering new slides; and Barefoot Beach, an interactive family-friendly splash pad spanning nearly an acre. Soak City Waterpark is included with admission to Valleyfair. Open May 23 – August 30, and September 4 -7.

GROUPS – From family gatherings to corporate outings, Valleyfair is the perfect place to share a group experience unlike any other; bringing people together, connecting generations and creating memories that will last a lifetime. A variety of admission and catering options are available for groups of all sizes and budgets. Contact a Valleyfair Group Sales professional at 952.496.5331 or groupsales@valleyfair.com.  

Location:  Valleyfair is located 25 minutes southwest of the Twin Cities on County Road 101, just east of Shakopee, MN.