How to Celebrate Pride Month as a Family in Minnesota
How to Celebrate Pride Month as a Family in Minnesota
Twin Cities Pride is one of Minnesota's largest festivals, and there are statewide celebrations throughout the month of June. If you’re planning on celebrating Pride Month in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area as a family — like 2 Dallas Dads did last year — follow this itinerary to find plenty of things to do along the way.
Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America
DAY ONE
No Twin Cities trip would be complete without a visit to Mall of America, especially for first-time visitors. You can find more than 520 stores or visit Nickelodeon Universe, the nation’s largest indoor theme park with 27 attractions for guests of all ages. You can also enjoy SEA LIFE, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf, Crayola Experience, The Escape Game, FlyOver America, Wink World, and the Museum of Illusions.
Grab a bite at a food court fav like Shake Shack, Ichiddo Ramen, Naf Naf Grill, or Piada Italian Street Food. Other culinary delights include Twin City Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger Burger, and Cantina Laredo. Families can also keep the kiddos entertained with the sights and sounds of Rainforest Café, Benihana's knife skills, Kura Sushi’s revolving sushi bar, and go-karts and video games at The Fair on 4.
2 Dallas Dads at Minnehaha Falls
DAY TWO
Fuel up for your morning at the popular Isles Bun and Coffee with enormous cinnamon rolls — crowned the World's Best in 2024 — and tasty coffee drinks. Afterward, you can walk, bike, and explore the Chain of Lakes, which includes Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Brownie Lake, and Cedar Lake. Rent a bike, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard through Wheel Fun Rentals. Nearby, the iconic Minnehaha Falls and its regional park are a must-see in Minneapolis. Grab lunch at Sea Salt Eatery or its Sandwich Room side hustle and dine on their expansive patio to soak up the summer vibes.
Shop local and find new books for your family’s collection at popular children’s bookstores like Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis or Red Balloon in St. Paul. Walk down Grand Avenue to explore Mischief Toy Store and find a new toy, puzzle, or game to take home.
2 Dallas Dads at Allianz Field
For dinner, grab some burgers or cheese curds at Red Cow’s St. Paul location on Selby Avenue or head to Urban Growler to support Minnesota’s first women and queer-owned brewery with their popular dog-friendly patio, many gluten-free and vegan options, and a great kid’s menu.
If you would rather catch a game, visit Allianz Field in St. Paul to cheer on the popular Minnesota United FC, Target Field in Minneapolis for the Minnesota Twins, CHS Field in Lowertown to see the St. Paul Saints, or TCO Stadium in Eagan to see the Minnesota Aurora FC, a women-led pre-professional soccer club playing in the USL W League.
A young wheelchair user explores the Science Museum of Minnesota's Sportsology exhibit
DAY THREE
Grab a coffee, latte or pastry at Workhorse Coffee Bar, a welcoming coffee shop that offers responsibly sourced and locally roasted coffee. Just outside the shop is the Smallest Museum in St. Paul, filled with community-inspired pieces.
After you’re fueled up for the day, head to the Science Museum of Minnesota to explore 8-and-a-half acres of exhibits and activities for all ages. Catch a movie at the Omnitheater and discover the power of the mighty Mississippi (and see it from their viewing deck) at one of the museum's galleries or the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area’s visitor center.
Uncover natural wonders at the Bell Museum in St. Paul!
Get lunch downtown at Cossetta’s, just a short walk from the museum. This cafeteria-style restaurant serves some of the best pizza, pasta, calzones and pastries in town. After your visit, visit the Bell Museum, Minnesota’s official natural history museum, for more interactive exhibits, including incredible wildlife dioramas, a planetarium, a giant replica wooly mammoth, and more.
If you would rather stretch your legs a bit, venture out to the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory to see beautiful plants and flowers, take a spin on the carousel, or see the Sparky the Seal show, polar bears, and gorillas.
Discovery Bay at the Minnesota Zoo
Or head to Apple Valley to explore the Minnesota Zoo. See the zoo from a new perspective along the Treetop Trail, the world's longest elevated pedestrian loop. The zoo also has an amazing aquarium, giant grizzly bears, penguins, and more.
For dinner, head to Mason Jar Kitchen and Bar in Eagan for scratch-made comfort foods, stone-oven pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and more. They have a large kid’s menu, Sebastian Joe’s ice cream, fresh baked goods, and one of the best patios in town.
Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden / Dana Hernandez
DAY FOUR
Family Fun Day kicks off Pride Week with a free event open to all families, friends, and allies. Located at the Como Park East Pavilions in St. Paul, it features a free community meal with hot dogs, chips, beverages, and more. Stay busy with crafts for the kids, family games, meet-and-greets with your favorite sports mascots, and other activities.
After the picnic, cross the river to explore the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, where you can see iconic pieces like Spoonbridge and Cherry. The garden is free to explore and features 40-plus pieces of public art, accessible walking paths, and more.
2 Dallas Dads at the Twin Cities Pride Festival
The Twin Cities Pride Festival is Minnesota’s second-largest festival — after the State Fair, of course — and the largest free Pride festival in the nation. This year, it will take place at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds with four stages and feature over 650 vendors, including LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC community resources, artists, and businesses.
The festival offers reunification bands for children to have adults write their name or a parent’s name and numbers on the wristband, along with any illnesses, allergies, or other important information. There’s also a youth hideaway area dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth, a dedicated pet area, plenty of food and drink, and more.
Twin Cities Pride 2022 / James Perovich, Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
The popular Twin Cities Pride Parade takes place on Sunday of Pride weekend and starts at 3rd and Hennepin Avenue and proceeds down Hennepin Avenue to Spruce. The parade is packed with floats, supporters, and entertainment and can’t be missed. You can find designated family or accessible grandstand areas with spots available for purchase and free spots throughout the designated route. Just bring your camping or folding chair or a blanket to sit on for the best experience. Temporary outdoor bathrooms are scattered throughout the parade route.
Consider using complimentary public transportation, ride-sharing services, biking, or walking to the festival. Plan your parking and transportation ahead of time to avoid a stressful experience and make it more enjoyable.
Wind your weekend down with a something-for-everyone dinner at one of Minneapolis' food halls. Some popular spots are Graze I Provisions + Libations, The Market at Malcolm Yards, Eat Street Crossing, North Loop Galley, and Midtown Global Market.
Find more family-friendly activities in Minnesota.