One of Kayla's favorite spots in the Twin Cities! Take a few hours to walk across the bridge, starting on the St. Anthony Main side (hello, free street parking!) and stroll over to Mill Ruins Park. Also, to sweeten the trip, stop inside Izzy's Ice Cream. It's a must in Minneapolis!
There are so many beautiful lakes in the Cities (including the popular Lake Calhoun and Lake Minnetonka) but this particular lake allows you to rent paddleboards and kayaks by the hour. The scenery could not be more beautiful here.
Our "Things to Do" list wouldn't be complete without mentioning the infamous Mall of America. If you're looking for something to do indoors that will keep you busy all day (plus give you a ton of exercise), this could be a great fit. If you are bringing kids, they have VR gaming, mini-golfing, movie theaters, and an indoor Nickelodeon-themed amusement park.
Another one of Kayla's favorite spots that also gets Evan's stamp of approval. If you're looking to relax in a corner of the city, Minnehaha Falls is a great place for the whole family. View the waterfalls from above or take a medium-length staircase down to the bottom. It leads to an easy hike for beginners and kids with a beautiful creek and wide-open spaces. Lots to explore!
If you want to see the city from a bird's eye view, the Foshay Observation Deck is a must! It happens to be Kayla's favorite building in the city. It's a quick stop (think 1-2 hrs max) but there is also a restaurant and bar in the building. Budget about $5-10 for a ticket up to the top of the building and get your camera ready! Afterward, you can walk downtown and take in the rest of the sights from below.
Right on St. Anthony Main and within walking distance from the Stone Arch Bridge, this spot is charming and cozy. Please note that there are live acoustic performers on some weekend nights in the summer, but it always has a peaceful vibe. It's best to get reservations ahead of time and note that the patio is typically more open than indoors. Budget around $15-25 per person.
The name says exactly what this hole-in-the-wall is centered around: coffee and waffles. Their waffles range from s'mores to apple strudel to strawberry cheesecake and more. They're around $5-10 each. Have waffles for breakfast or even for dinner!
Within 5-10 minutes of the wedding venue, this VERY hole-in-the-wall restaurant is a big favorite of Evan and Kayla. The portions are very large so get ready for leftovers. Most meals are under $10 so it's a great family option for Chinese food.