Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up some of the best stuff going on in the Twin Cities during the month of March: maple syrup programs, down-on-the-farm fun and plenty of spring break ideas should you be sticking close to home. Read on for our top March family picks:
Twin Cities Maple Syrup events
Sap from maples flows best from mid-March to mid-April when temps are close to 40 during the day and drop below freezing at night. Parks and nature centers across the Twin Cities then spring into action (get it?) to capture the sap and offer maple syrup events to families. Some are fancy affairs complete with pancake breakfasts. Others are more educational than they are tasty. All are great ways to spend time outside with the family. For our complete list of maple syrup events in the Twin Cities, visit our maple syrup page.
Spring break staycation ideas
Often the best school breaks spent with the family are out exploring just beyond the reaches of our own backyard. If you aren’t planning to travel outside the metro area, we have listed one idea for each day off you might be planning for in our 2023 Guide to Spring Break in the Twin Cities. A sampling of what you may find brand new to explore:
- artsy mini golf
- indoor waterparks
- stacks and stacks of free events at your local library
- open gymnastics times to burn off energy
- spring farm activities
St Patrick’s Day in the Twin Cities
Show your Irish! Or, at least having fun pretending. Whether or not it runs in your blood, there’s plenty of spirit across the Twin Cities around St Patrick’s Day.
St Patrick’s Day Celebration at Landmark Center
The fun kicks off March 17 with St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration at Landmark Center and continues with An Irish Day of Dance March 19. Experience Celtic music, dancing, and authentic vendors. Produced by the Irish Music and Dance Association, and hosted at beautiful, historic Landmark Center in downtown St Paul. Both events charge a $7-$9/pp admission fee.
St Patrick’s Day parades
Two parades march through the Twin Cities March 17 to celebrate Irish heritage: St Paul’s St Patrick’s Day Parade (begins in Mears Park, downtown, 12pm) & Minneapolis’s Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade (intersection of 40th Avenue NE & Van Buren St, 5:45pm). Families are invited to participate in the Minneapolis parade ($25) or spectate for free.
Down on the farm fun!
Gale Woods Farm
7210 County Rd 110 W, Minnetrista, MN 55364
Celebrate new life on the farm by meeting the farm’s resident animals and exploring other activities outdoors. Activities are designed for kids to age 6 with their caregiver. March 16, 2023. $6/pp.
Govin’s Lambing Barn
N6134 670th St, Menomonie, WI 54751
Cuddle up to baby lambs and their mamas, learn more about the animals and learn about spinning wool. The lambing barn is open weekends starting March 18 and remain open through April 16, 2023. Admission is $15/pp before noon and $13/pp after noon.
To plan for upcoming farm fun, our guide to Finding the Minnesota Farm Babies has just hatched for 2023.
Ice cream opener in the Twin Cities
Of course, there’s no need to ration yourself to ice cream only during the summer months. There are dozens of Twin Cities ice cream shops that are open year round (get our list of favorite shops to get a fix). Some, however, do hibernate during the winter and emerge fresh in the spring including:
- Adele’s Frozen Custard (Excelsior): March 1, 2023
- Cup and Cone (White Bear Lake): March 15, 2023
- Conny’s Creamy Cone (St Paul): March 11, 2023
- Dairy Queen Free Cone Day (participating Twin Cities locations): March 20, 2023
Searching for spring in March
Seeking signs of spring as much as we are? Get started on the hunt with these events:
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Spring Flower Show
1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
A trip to Como’s indoor gardens can instantly lift the spirits in those first few fickle weeks of spring in Minnesota. What else might your kids enjoy at Como? Consult our Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Spring Checklist for 10 fun ideas. The Spring Flower Show opens March 25, 2023. Admission to the zoo & conservatory is always free; donations are much appreciated.
Heartfelt’s Preschool Bunny Festival
4306 Upton Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Each month, Heartfelt offers sweet, themed preschool festivals aimed at kids ages 2.5 & up to enjoy alongside a caregiver. The month of March brings a visit from a sweet spring bunny along with the traditional craft, healthy snack and comfortable, child-friendly environment. For more spring crafting opportunities, the shop offers a menu of daily drop-in projects that rotate monthly. It’s the perfect solution for a craft-challenged mom with all the best intentions. March 29, 2023. $24/first child, $12 per additional child.
Got an event to share? Find our guidelines and submission form here.
