MINNESOTA
Please be sure to call and verify times and rates as they are subject to change
 

ACTIVITIES:

BLOOMINGTON-  MALL OF AMERICA
Crossroads of Interstate 94 and Hwy 77,  952.883.8800
www.mallofamerica.com
COST:  Entrance to the mall if Free but Call for Activity Pricing
HOURS:  Call for current hours
So much more than a mall!  Besides an amazing selection of stores, there are many family fun activities in the mall.  The kids will love the 90 full-size LEGO models.  Visit the Dinosaur Walk Museum to see over 60 life-size dinosaurs and many interactive displays.  There is even an area to dig for fossils.  The Underwater Adventures Aquarium is the world's largest underground aquarium.  See over 4500 sea creatures.    The kids' favorite activity was The Park at MOA which is the largest indoor family amusement park in America.  There are 30+ rides and attractions. 
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-    Lots to do!  A variety of family-related stores to shop in.    There is an hourly child care facility called Kids Quest so you don't have to drag the kids shopping.  Other family conveniences are family restrooms, stroller rentals and lockers for storing packages.

WALNUT GROVE-  LAURA INGALLS WILDER MUSEUM
MUSEUM-  330 8th Street, Walnut Grove  800.528.7280
DUGOUT SITE-  1.5 miles north of Walnut Grove on Redwood Cty Hwy 5
www.walnutgrove.org
COST:  MUSEUM-  $4 Age 13 and over / $2 Age 6 - 12 / 5 & under Free     DUGOUT PRICE-  $3 per car
HOURS:  Call for current museum hours;  the Dugout site is open during daylight hours from May - October (except for when the weather prevents crossing Plum Creek)
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum has displays of LIW and family memorabilia, as well as some items from the popular TV show, Little House on the Prairie.  Besides the museum there is an 1898 train depot, 1880s one room schoolhouse, and onion-domed house.   Just a few miles away is the actual homesite of the Ingalls family.  All that remains is the indention in the creek bank where the Ingall's dugout used to be.  Some geological elements of the book still exist.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-    Very interesting for any child who has read the Little House series or has watched the TV series.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS-  Most things are 'hands off' so it can be difficult for little ones.