The Twin Cities might be America’s best metro for free family fun — if you know the calendar. Anchors that never charge: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory (free since 1897), the Minneapolis Institute of Art (free always), the Sculpture Garden, the Bell Museum’s grounds and every public library storytime in two counties.
Layer in the rotating gifts: the Walker’s Free First Saturdays for families, Minnesota Children’s Museum’s free community events, Science Museum discounts through library passes, Three Rivers nature centers’ free trails and programs, and park board movies and concerts in the parks all summer. Winter adds free skating rinks citywide; fall adds apple-orchard season and harvest festivals.
Smart families keep a shared calendar and pounce. In the Twin Cities, an empty wallet never has to mean an empty weekend.
