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 is 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.  The Underwater Adventures Aquarium is the world's largest underground aquarium.  See over 4500 sea creatures.    The kids' favorite activity was the Nickelodeon Universe theme park (the first Nickelodeon themed park!).  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.
 

BLOOMINGTON-  UNDERWATER ADVENTURES
Inside Mall of America (120 E. Broadway, Bloomington)  952.883.0202  (Free parking is available at the East Entrance, Level 1)
COST:  $18.99 Adult (13+) / $13.49 Child (age 3 - 12)/ 2 and under is free/  Family annual pass:  $89.99 (for two parents and up to four of their children).  There is a Behind the Scenes Tour and a Plunge Ride available for an additional fee.
HOURS:   Mon - Thurs  10a - 7:30p;  Fri   10a - 8:30p;  Sat  9:30a - 8:30p;  Sun  10a - 6:30p
The Underwater Adventures Aquarium is located under the Mall of America, and houses over 5000 sea creatures.  One of their newer displays is the world's largest jellyfish collection.  Another favorite for the kids is The Tunnel where you can see a variety of sea creatures all around you.  Check the feeding schedule for the day you will be visiting to figure out when you can see different animals being fed throughout the day. 
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Great variety of sea creatures to watch.   Some hands-on elements, particularly touch pools.  Admission wristband can be used for day, so you can leave and come back to see different animal feedings.

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-  $5 Age 13 and over / $2 Age 6 - 12 / 5 & under Free     DUGOUT PRICE-  $4 per passenger car  (cash only;  deposited on the honor system)
HOURS:  Museum:  April:  Mon - Sat 10a - 4p, Sun 12p - 4p;  May:  Mon - Sat 10a - 5p, Sun 12p - 5p;  June - Aug: Mon - Sun 10a - 6p;  Sept:  Mon - Sat 10a - 5p, Sun 12p - 5p;  Oct: Mon - Sat 10a - 4p/  Dugout:  May - Oct-  daylight hours (weather permitting)
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.  Doll lovers will enjoy the collection of over 250 dolls from Laura's time to present day.  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 on

LODGING:

BLOOMINGTON- CAMBRIA SUITES
2870 Metro Drive, Bloomington   952.854.0300
This Cambria Suites, located across from Mall of America, is a business-class hotel that has not forgotten about families.  From the time you walk in, you know you are in a business-oriented environment but the staff and accommodations are equally welcoming to families.  We had a suite big enough to accommodate our family of 7 comfortably.  The pricing was moderate considering the size of the room and the niceness of the hotel.  
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Clean and comfortable accommodations less than one mile from Mall of America.  Classy hotel that is welcoming to families.  The manager even asked on our way out whether we had found their suite to be acceptable for a family. 
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS-  No breakfast included.