Explore Minnesota

This summer I decided instead of signing the kids up for camps we were going to use that money (and let's face it camps are pricey!) to explore different areas of Minnesota.  Did I regret this decision.... yes and no.  Yes because some days felt endless with the asking over and over about having play dates and screen time.  No because... wait Yes I do regret it : ). Actually it was nice to feel really free this summer to sleep in, put the kids to work and plan different activities without have any schedule to go by.  We did vacation to California and the East coast - Philadelphia and New York City but we were able to explore some of  Minnesota.  I still have more on my list of things I want to do but for now this is what we accomplished in our explore Minnesota summer:

We did a tour of the state capital which was pretty cool and the kids seemed to like it.

Nothing new for us, but we had to go to the Mall of America, especially with cousins in town.

Lake Calhoun with my sister and part of her family.  We did a paddle boat and canoe and ate at the famous Tin Fish Restaurant.  This is a super active part of Minneapolis, runners everywhere and a lot of people with dogs.

Again, we've been here but I love Minnehaha falls.  It is beautiful and there are fun things to do with kids here.  Climb rocks, rent bikes, cool parks, a splash pad, an area for the kids to play in the river. 

Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis.  We also did the miniature golf which was fun.

Minnesota State Fair.  It wouldn't be a summer without going to the fair.  We love the fair, well mostly fair food.

We did other things that I don't have pictures of like go to Stillwater- TEddy Bear park is awesome and I just love downtown Stillwater.  We went to Lake Elmo many times, did bike rides to different areas, Afton (gotta love Selma's ice-cream)... I'm sure there is more but I can't remember.  We are planning a trip to Duluth, which is on Lake Superior in September so I'll be able to check that one off my list.  Below is more of what I'd like to see in Minnesota, not necessarily this summer, but soon. 
(I need to give a shout out to Nanci Farnsworth who gave me a lot of these ideas).

• Chrystal Caves (in Wisconsin)
• Arboretum (I'm waiting until next May when they have thousands of tulips)
• Hands on petting zoo
• Fawndarosa
• Badlands
• Boundary Waters
• Where the Mississippi River starts (yes folks it comes all the way up here)