Veterans Day (always November 11th in remembrance of the WWI armistice) falls on a Saturday in 2023.
Looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate Veterans Day that honors America’s veterans while still age-appropriate for kids? How about one of the Twin Cities’ Veteran Memorial Parks? This is a great way to introduce small children to Veterans Day and the contributions of men and women who have served in the armed forces without overwhelming them. You can spend an age-appropriate amount of time at the memorial and then let the kids run and play on a nearby playground
Minneapolis Veterans Memorial Parks
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has dedicated memorial parks that honor Minnesota and Hennepin County veterans from WWI and WWII. Each memorial site features a monument and plaques dedicated to fallen soldiers. They are also intended to offer a peaceful setting to commemorate lost loved ones and contemplate world peace.
Sheridan Memorial Park
1300 Water St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Sheridan Memorial Park commemorates all veterans from Minnesota and emphasizes the cost of war and importance of peace. Open 6 am-10 pm, the park features trails and a river overlook centered around a large spherical sculpture of protective shields created by a local artist.
Victory Memorial Parkway
Theodore Wirth Parkway to 45th Avenue North then east to Lyndale Avenue North
Victory Park, 4414 Upton Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Victory Memorial Parkway monument salutes the bravery and sacrifices of people from Hennepin County who lost their lives in World War I Visit Victory Park when you want a play break. Victory Memorial Drive is part of the historic 50-mile Grand Rounds Scenic Byway System.
Other Twin Cities Veterans Memorial Parks
Andover:Â Bunker Hills Regional Park
550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304
The memorial is near the playground, follow the nearby path to find a real tank.
Blaine:Â Tom Ryan Park
10802 Town Square Drive Northeast, Minneapolis, MN 55449
Blaine will be celebrating a special Veterans Day program at 2pm on Veterans Day. The community is invited. Learn more here. Get a sneak preview: See a preview of this large memorial here.
Columbia Heights: Kordiak Park
1845 49th Avenue NE Columbia Heights, MN 55421
This park is home to a World War II howitzer cannon with a plaque dedicated to Anoka County WWII Veterans. The park is open from 5am-10pm daily.
Eagan: Central Park, Veterans Memorial Plaza
1507 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55121
Eden Prairie: Purgatory Creek Park
13001 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Edina: Utley Park
4521 W 50th St, Edina, MN 55424
To make your visit more impactful, print this 101-page booklet that tells the life stories of the veterans honored at the site.
Plymouth: Veterans Memorial
 3400 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth, MN 55447
Adjacent to Plymouth City Hall,
Richfield: Veterans Memorial Park
6335 Portland Ave, Richfield, MN 55423
Shakopee: Memorial Park, Shakopee
1801 County Road 101, Plymouth, MN 55447
St. Anthony Village:Â Central Park
3503 Silver Lake Rd NE, St. Anthony, MN 55418
St. Louis Park: Wolfe Park
3700 Monterey Drive, St Louis Park, MN 55416
St Paul:Â Harriet Island Regional Park
200 Dr Justus Ohage Blvd, St Paul, MN 55107
Woodbury: Lions Veterans Memorial
8301 Valley Creek Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Adjacent to Woodbury City Hall
Celebrate Veterans Day at Events Around the Twin Cities
Veterans Day at Historic Fort Snelling
Historic Fort Snelling, 200 Tower Avenue, St. Paul, MNÂ 55111
Staff of Fort Snelling will observe Veterans Day with a wreath-laying ceremony, poetry reading and bell ringing at the 1820s Round Tower. Included with site admission, $12/adults; $10/active military and seniors; $8/children. November 11, 2023; 11 am.
Veterans Day Weekend – Military Trains Featured
Twin City Model Railroad Museum, 668 Transfer Road, Suite 8, St. Paul MNÂ 55114
To honor Veterans Day and all past and present military members the Twin City Model Railroad Museum presents Military Trains Weekend when they display and operate a whole host of military themed trains. November 10-13, 2023. Friday 10am-3pm, Saturday 10am-2pm; Sunday Noon-5pm, and Monday 10am-3pm. $10/pp ages 4+.
Find more events on the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Books About Veterans Day, Memorial Day and War
Some of the books on this list might be more appropriate for Memorial Day, but here is a place to start with kids books that can begin a conversation about the meaning of Veterans day.
The list above is an affiliate link to Bookshop.org, an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. Family Fun Twin Cities receives a small commission on books ordered through our link. If you want to find a specific local bookstore to support, find them on this map and they’ll receive the full profit off your order. Otherwise, your order will contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookstores (even those that don’t use Bookshop). Learn more here.
I’m sure we missed some parks with memorials. Leave us a comment and we’ll add your favorite park for next year.