Minnesota Landscape Arboretum 5.0 (reviews)

There is something wonderful about stepping outside and breathing that first breath in, and feeling the sun and breeze on your skin....feeling the soft grass under your feet as you step barefoot on the lawn.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a peaceful, fun and great way for the whole family to get out into nature!  

There are great interactive exhibits, informative touch screen kiosks so you can learn all about the nature you are enjoying, and a beautiful teaching garden. 

The Marion Andrus Learning Center, features A Growing Place for Kids, which hosts year-round family programs and classes, as well as children's garden and summer camp programs, which will really teach children not only about nature and how it's important, but WHY it's important.

Outside the center there is a natural style physical play area also good for imagination and role play, where they can run, hide, climb and enjoy nature. 

There is also a very fascinating sensory garden which may be of particular interest to those with young children and children with additional needs.  What do the flowers smell like?  Do they petals feel soft?  Or prickly?  It's a great way for kids to really get to know and understand nature. 

There are guided, self guided and tram tours available here, the latter at additional charge. Plus seasonally you can enjoy cross country walks and snowshoe trails so it's not just a summer experience, which a lot of families think parks will be! Parks in the wintertime are just as magical!