Most family travel guides bury the prices or skip them entirely. That doesn't help when you're budgeting a trip with kids. This guide breaks down what a family of four actually pays at ten Minneapolis activities — admission, what to expect at the gate, and honest tips for stretching the day further.
The short version: Minneapolis skews heavily free. Most of the city's best parks, trails, and outdoor attractions cost nothing. The one outlier is Como Regional Park, which is donation-based but has a paid amusement component. Everything else on this list is /bin/zsh.
Free Activities in Minneapolis
This is the majority of the list — and these aren't consolation prizes.
Lake Nokomis Playground — /bin/zsh Playground steps from a lake beach. Kids transition from climbing equipment to wading with zero planning. Seasonal beach concession stand nearby. Bring your own food. Rated 4.7.
Hi-View Park — /bin/zsh A Northeast Minneapolis hill park with legitimate sledding in winter and city views in summer. Bring sleds after fresh snow. No facilities, no cost. Rated 4.5.
Audubon Park — /bin/zsh Quiet Northeast neighborhood playground with community athletic fields. Good for families with kids of different ages — younger ones on the structure, older ones in a pickup game. Rated 4.5.
Keewaydin Park — /bin/zsh for park access Playground plus an attached recreation center. Park access is free; recreation center programs (drop-in activities, summer camps) have separate fees — check minneapolisparks.org for current pricing. Rated 4.5.
Mueller Park — /bin/zsh Uptown neighborhood playground with a free wading pool that opens June through August. Pair with ice cream at Sebastian Joe's or a meal on Hennepin. Rated 4.5.
Bryant Square Park — /bin/zsh South Minneapolis park with a free splash pad in summer. In winter, it converts to a warming house and skating rink — both free. Check Minneapolis Parks for splash pad operational dates. Rated 4.4.
Train Park — /bin/zsh Northeast Minneapolis playground with a train-themed structure. Small, doesn't get overcrowded. Northeast coffee shops are walkable for parents. Rated 4.3.
Holmes Park — /bin/zsh Small Marcy-Holmes neighborhood park near the University of Minnesota. Walk to the Mississippi River trails after playground time. Dinkytown nearby for family lunch. Rated 4.3.
Budget Picks (Under for a Family of 4)
Wabun Picnic Area — /bin/zsh– Free access to Mississippi River gorge picnic spots. Bring your own food — no vendors on site. If you want a reservable pavilion on a summer weekend, those run –/day; book well in advance. The non-reserved spots along the river are just as good for most families. Rated 4.7.
Mid-Range and Splurge: Como Regional Park
Como Regional Park — /bin/zsh–+ The most complex pricing on this list, and worth understanding before you go.
- Zoo admission: donation-based. The zoo is technically free; budget – per family if you want to contribute.
- Conservatory: donation-based, same deal.
- Como Town amusement park: separate. Rides run approximately – each; plan – per kid for a solid session.
- Total for a family of four who does the zoo and skips Como Town: /bin/zsh–.
- Total for a family who hits the zoo and runs Como Town hard: –.
Como Town is the splurge variable. It's optional, but kids will ask. Rated 4.7 overall. Head to the giraffe exhibit and polar bear area first.
Money-Saving Tips for Minneapolis Families
- Pack your own food for every park visit. None of these parks have reliable on-site vendors (except seasonal spots at Lake Nokomis and Como). Lunch from home saves – per day for a family of four.
- Check Minneapolis Parks before any visit. Splash pad and wading pool dates, drop-in programming, and free community events are posted at minneapolisparks.org. Some programs fill fast.
- Como Town is pay-at-the-gate. No advance booking required. Arrive before 11am on weekdays for shorter lines.
- Northeast Minneapolis parks stack well. Train Park, Audubon Park, and Hi-View Park are all close — one morning, zero driving, zero cost.
- Lake Nokomis parking fills fast on hot weekends. Arrive before 9am or ride bikes on the Minnehaha Pkwy trail system.
- Bryant Square and Mueller Park are free alternatives to paid water parks. Bring towels and a change of clothes.
What a Typical Family Spends
Budget Day (Parks Only) - Lake Nokomis Playground + beach: /bin/zsh - Como Regional Park (zoo + conservatory, skip Como Town): – donation - Pack lunch and snacks from home: /bin/zsh - 1-day total: –
Mid-Range Day (Parks + Como Town) - Lake Nokomis Playground + beach: /bin/zsh - Como Regional Park with Como Town (2 kids, ~6 rides each): – - Lunch at Lakeside Pavilion or pack your own: /bin/zsh– - 1-day total: –
2-Day Estimate - Day 1 (budget parks only): – - Day 2 (Como Regional Park full experience + restaurant meal): – - 2-day total: –
Minneapolis is one of the most budget-friendly cities in the country for families. If you pack food and lean into the free park system, you can do two full days of genuinely good activities for under total. Even a Como Town splurge day stays reasonable compared to paid attractions in other cities.