In Minnesota, family fun outdoors means embracing all four seasons. If you are on this page because you are looking for a new Twin Cities-area park, playground or nature center to explore, hundreds of entries can be found through our Parks & Playgrounds Search feature. Or, continue searching hundreds more ideas of things to do with kids in the Twin Cities through our Family Directory, including family outings, services, classes, camps, birthday parties and more.
Family Fun Directory of Things To Do with Kids:
Minnesota Transportation Museum: Jackson Street Roundhouse
The Minnesota Transportation Museum is a train-lovers dream come true. Full of old train cars, the kids can explore from one car to the next, pretending to be passengers, engineers and conductors. Features include:
Jackson Street Roundhouse
- Caboose and classic bus rides
- Real train cars lined up for you to explore.
- Santa's Train Shop and other special events.
On the downside, many of the workers at this museum are volunteers and not necessarily trained for customer service. While on the one hand the museum wants families to come with their children, they sometimes send another message in practice. Depending on the museum staff of the day, the visit can be a very laid-back family experience or one where you feel you have to hold your children's hands at all times. If the latter happens to you, we recommend sharing your experience with the museum so they can be aware. Not every worker represents the views of the management.
Please note that prices and times are subject to change; this is one venue where our constant reminders to call ahead to verify information is particularly important.
Membership to Minnesota Transportation Museum
This is a good starter museum for family memberships. We recommend a MTM membership if your children are young and you can visit with a 1:1 parent child ratio. This membership will pay for itself if you regularly attend on Wednesday and/or Saturdays. On the other hand, we have found that older grade school, tweens and teens become bored with this museum after a visit or two as it is pretty much the same thing every time. Therefore, this may not be an ideal place to spend your membership dollars as your children grow. Learn more about this and other awesome local memberships here.
Saturdays at Minnesota Transportation Museum
On Saturdays guests can ride a real vintage caboose as part of their admission. Rides last 15 minutes and operate all day between 10-4. No need to book, just come visit the museum, and line up for a ride! The Blacksmith Shop is also open on Saturdays.
The museum staff is mostly made up of highly knowledgeable volunteer train enthusiasts. Ask them anything. I challenge you to stump them.
Saturday Admission:
- Adult $13
- Child (age 5-15)/Seniors (age 62+) $11
- Toddler (age 2-4) $7
- Family (2 adults + 2-4 children) $38
(This entry was most recently verified 4/22/19)
Tots & Trains at Minnesota Transportation Museum
- Adult $11
- Child (age 5-15)/Seniors (age 62+) $9
- Toddler (age 2-4) $7
- Family (2 adults + 2-4 children) $27
(This entry was most recently verified 4/22/19)
Minnesota Transportation Museum Birthday Reservations
Have a train fan in your family? Host your birthday party at the Jackson Street Roundhouse! Families can rent the Birthday Party Car for $250, plus regular museum admission for birthday party guests and family. Museum admission prices on Saturdays are $13 for adults, $11 for seniors (6+) and children ages 5-15, $6 for toddlers ages 2-4, and children under age of 2 are free of charge. Admission includes the cost of a classic bus ride/caboose ride.
(This entry was most recently verified 4/22/19)
Discounts to Minnesota Transportation Museum
Use your TCKC Card for Discounts
Have a Twin Cities Kids Club Membership? Use your membership card to get discounts! (Call ahead on this deal. TCKC hasn't updated membership information since 2017).