Family Fun in Minnesota’s Sweet Spot

Whether you choose a vacation or a staycation, Minnesota’s Sweet Spot has activities for every age. Families can enjoy water parks, nature centers, game rooms and a museum throughout St. Louis Park and Golden Valley. Bring the kids—and the dog—for a memorable getaway.

Explore by Day

• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday

Included in this Itinerary

• Food
• Outdoor Activities
• Attractions
• Sporting Events

Friday

Afternoon

Begin your Minnesota’s Sweet Spot adventures with lunch at JJ’s Clubhouse. This Golden Valley gathering place has welcomed families and friends for over 25 years. Wall-to-wall big-screen TV’s make it easy to watch the game, while the outdoor patio is ideal for sunshine and people watching. The menu centers on classic American food, including burgers and sandwiches, wings and onion rings. Weekend brunch and bingo are available every Saturday at 2 pm.

After eating, take a walk at nearby Wolfe Park. Its amenities include walking trails, a fishing pond, sand volleyball and pickleball courts, and an interactive playground.

Pavek Museum

Continue to the Pavek Museum, home to one of the world’s most significant collections of electronic communication. Inside, more than 12,000 sq. ft. of antique radios, televisions and broadcast equipment help tell the story of electromagnetism and sound. Notable collection pieces include an AEG Magnetophon tape recorder, an RCA Theremin, a Spark Gap Generator, and a Philco Mystery Control Radio.

Evening

Spend the evening in St. Louis Park’s energetic West End, where families can select from many dinner options. Yard House is a high-end sports bar with a menu of over 100 made-from-scratch dishes and 100+ taps of the best American craft and import beers. CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar serves Wagyu beef burgers and steaks, vegetarian and gluten-sensitive options, plus nigiri, sashimi and specialty rolls. Both restaurants have generous patio seating.

End Friday with a film at Marcus West End Cinema. The 16-screen theater offers stadium seating and the latest in cinematic digital sight and sound. Restaurant-quality food and beverages are available for in-theatre dining. For an elevated experience, choose VIP seating, settle into a luxurious recliner and put your feet up during the movie.

Saturday

Morning

Head to Funner Brothers Donut Company in Golden Valley for breakfast. It’s THE local spot for arguably some of the best donuts in the state. Their selection includes signature GIANT raised donut holes, cake donuts, fruit and cream-filled bismarks, Long Johns, turnovers, Danish pastries and fried cinnamon rolls. The shop also prepares 12 varieties of homestyle cookies daily from old family recipes.

Aquatic Park

Spend the rest of the morning at the 20,000 sq. ft. outdoor Aquatic Park. Attractions include a zero-depth water playground, two four-story water slides, drop slides, a diving area, lap swim lanes, a sand-and-water play area, a picnic area with concessions and more. There is also room to spread out, enjoy the sun and play.

Afternoon

Yangtze Chinese offers a relaxed lunch with a broad selection of classic Hunan, Szechuan, Mandarin & Cantonese dishes. Among the house specialties are Volcano Chicken, made with crisp chicken cutlets and flaming lemon sauce; Imperial Beef with scallops and broccoli; and Vegetarian Mock Duck. On weekends, an award-winning Dim Sum menu is served until 2 pm.

Next, take an Uber downtown to Target Field for an afternoon Twins game. Children can bring their gloves and see if they can catch a foul ball. Whatever the result, the game makes for an entertaining family outing.

Evening

Following the game, enjoy the flavorful and ample margaritas at Teresa’s Mexican Grill. Teresa’s serves authentic Mexican cuisine, with classics such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, flautas, quesadillas, arroz con pollo and more. Dessert options for children include chimicheese cake, churros and fried ice cream, while picky eaters can choose chicken fingers and fries.

Game Show Battle Rooms

Keep the evening going at Game Show Battle Rooms. Families can compete in favorite TV game shows with their own personal host, creating an engaging group experience.

Sunday

Morning

For more than 60 years, Park Tavern Bowling & Entertainment Center has been a St. Louis Park landmark and a family-friendly destination. Its breakfast menu includes a signature breakfast pizza topped with garlic cream sauce, fontina and mozzarella cheese, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and hashbrown potatoes, all drizzled with Hollandaise sauce. Other choices include omelets, eggs benedict, huevos rancheros, pancakes, French toast and Belgian waffles. Families can also bowl a game or two and spend time in the arcade.

Westwood Hills Nature Center

Explore Westwood Hills Nature Center, a 160-acre natural area with marsh, woods and restored prairie. More than 3 miles of trails and walkways offer opportunities for leaf peeping, birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Deer, turtles, fox, mink and owls are among the animals found in the preserve.

Westwood Lake sits within the preserve. The 64-acre lake is stocked with bluegills, and visitors can rent a fishing pole from the Interpretive Center before heading to the fishing pier. Canoe rentals are also available. Children can run across the floating boardwalk over the lake.

Make time for the new $12 million, eco-friendly Interpretive Center. Its interactive exhibits include a display about pollinators and the important role they play. Live animals on view include a flying squirrel, a red-tailed hawk, an American kestrel and a barred owl.

Afternoon

Have a late lunch from Bodega Taco Bar, a traditional taco shop famous for their birria tacos -marinated beef street tacos served on crispy corn tortillas with cilantro and onions and accompanied by a cup of beef consommé. Bodega is takeout only, but Angel Food Bakery is directly across the street. The bakery offers doughnuts, cupcakes, cookies and frozen treats, along with a pergola covered outdoor patio suited to a picnic. Consider ordering extra baked goods to take home.

Before long, it will be time to load the car or leave for the airport. The experiences of the weekend can provide fun memories for the whole family to cherish.

This itinerary offers only a sample of what you might do in Minnesota’s Sweet Spot. Use the Experiences list to continue planning your trip.