Units:

Twin Cities families · November 6 to 8, 2026

A wholesome weekend,
close to home.

11 free or cheap family outings across the Twin Cities, sorted by area so you can stay close to home. Forecast: Sunday 53°F12°C, dry.

The plan
11 picksacross five areas
10 freethe rest cost a little
53°F12°C Sundaysunny
6 indoorson Sunday, if it rains

Short version

The plan

Three free picks in different corners of the metro. Everything else is below, by area.

Sunday · south

Drop-In Discoveries: Stories by the Campfire

Free, 3 to 4 pm. Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences.

Lake Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Plymouth, Chaska, Waconia

West metro

Library programs fill out each area.

Bloomington, Edina, Burnsville, Eagan, Shakopee

South metro

Library programs fill out each area.

Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Anoka

North metro

Library programs fill out each area.

Sun · free · 1 to 3 pmPark program · St. Anthony · All ages welcome

Drop-In Discoveries: Puppet Art Adventures

Watch some kooky animal puppets as they stop Trasher the Trash Can from trashing nature.

Silverwood Park, St. Anthony

Parks, museums and libraries across the city

Minneapolis

Library programs fill out each area.

St. Paul, Roseville, Washington County, Dakota County

St. Paul and east

Library programs fill out each area.

Sun · free · 1 to 3Library · Shoreview · indoors · ages 5 to 18

Open Chess Club

Make a move and come play chess at the library! Kids and caregivers are invited to practice your chess skills with some new partners and each other. Beginners welcome, drop-in anytime during the session. Appropriate for ages 5 - 18.

Shoreview Library, Shoreview

Open every day

Open every day

Always-good places, so they repeat from week to week. Hours are from each place's own page.

Any day · free · hours varyNature center · Victoria · indoors and out · kids and families

Lowry Nature Center

Hike the trails, see seasonal exhibits and meet a live animal at the nature center in Carver Park Reserve.

Know: Open Monday to Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday noon to 5. Three Rivers parks are free to park and free to enter.

Lowry Nature Center, Victoria
Any day · free · hours varyNature center · Bloomington · indoors and out · kids and families

Richardson Nature Center

Hike the trails, see seasonal exhibits and meet resident raptors, reptiles and amphibians up close in Hyland Lake Park Reserve.

Know: Open Monday to Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday noon to 5. Three Rivers parks are free to park and free to enter.

Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington
Any day · free · hours varyNature center · Dayton · indoors and out · kids and families

Eastman Nature Center

Hike the trails, see seasonal exhibits and meet a live animal at the nature center in Elm Creek Park Reserve.

Know: Open Monday to Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday noon to 5. Three Rivers parks are free to park and free to enter.

Eastman Nature Center, Dayton
Any day · free · 6 am to midnightSculpture garden · Minneapolis · outdoors · all ages

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Walk among the outdoor sculptures beside the Walker Art Center. No tickets needed.

Know: Free and open daily from 6 am to midnight, all year.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Any day · free · 10 or 11 to 5Art museum · U of M · indoors · all ages

Weisman Art Museum

A free art museum on the University of Minnesota's East Bank campus.

Know: Open 10 to 5 on weekdays, 11 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday. Garage parking is $3 an hour, $13 at most.

Weisman Art Museum
Any day · free · 10 to 4Zoo and conservatory · St. Paul · indoors and out · kids and families

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

A free zoo, open daily, and the indoor Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, open Tuesday to Sunday.

Know: Free. A voluntary donation of $8 per adult and $5 per child is appreciated.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

National Weather Service

Weekend forecast

The National Weather Service forecast for the Minnetonka area, checked Sunday, November 8 at 5:15 am.

42°F6°C · dryOvernight

Mostly Clear

Mostly clear, with a low around 42. West northwest wind around 10 mph16 km/h.

53°F12°C · drySunday

Sunny

Sunny. High near 53, with temperatures falling to around 48 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph8 to 16 km/h.

37°F3°C · drySunday Night

Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph0 to 8 km/h.

Before you go

Good to know

A few things that change the plan.