St. Paul
Although the capital city is almost as big, geographically, as Minneapolis, all of its many government buildings and historic landmarks make the former feel a bit more businessy and a bit less artsy. Focus on downtown, which has the children's and science museums and great restaurants, and the areas nearby. Just to the west is Summit Avenue, where you can admire some of the city's oldest mansions before hitting the toy and art-supply stores on Grand Avenue. The retro amusement-park rides about a mile north in the lush 350-acre Como Park might be the kids' favorite part of the entire trip.
Restaurants
Cafe Latté
This hip cafeteria-style eatery has an ever-changing selection of gourmet soups, salads, and sandwiches. Don't leave without trying a piece of the turtle cake.
850 Grand Ave., (651) 224-5687
At this retro(ish) watering hole, enjoy hearty comfort food while the kids play classic board and video games.
800 Cleveland Ave. S, (651) 699-1154
The carnitas at this family-run joint are worth the six-block walk from the Children's Museum.
242 W. Seventh St., (651) 209-9210
Shops
Artscraps
Turn garbage into treasure with the salvaged materials at this reuse-it art store.
1459 St. Clair Ave., (651) 698-2787
In this railroad heaven, junior conductors can watch the four full electric-train sets and play with six tables of wooden trains.
2050 Marshall Ave., (651) 646-5252
Activities
Minnesota Children's Museum
Explore five floors of interactive exhibits and galleries, and don't miss the Rooftop ArtPark.
10 W. Seventh St., (651) 225-6000
St. Paul's temple of learning has a rotating cast of exhibits (this summer, check out Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination) and a great permanent collection of dinosaur bones.
120 W. Kellogg Blvd., (800) 221-9444
The Twin Cities' most famous park has a zoo, a retro carnival, and both mini and standard 18-hole golf courses.
Hamline Ave. and Midway Pkwy., (651) 266-6400
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