Brent Miller

This is possibly the best playground in the Twin Cities and is definitely a destination playground. If you love your children, bring them here. There are several areas for kids to be entertained and there is a wide variety of play options for children of all ages, even some areas more geared toward teens. The lack of shade in some areas is the only drawback, and it can get crowded. There is plenty of available parking. It is NOT fenced in.

Fort Snelling has a wonderful experience for anyone looking to learn about the western expansion of the United States and how soldiers and their families lived in the 19th century. Most buildings are reconstructions, but the variety of interpretive demonstrations and volunteers on site brings it to life in a historical context. For those who have been to Fort Mackinac, Fort Kearney, etc. it has a similar vibe. My kids had a lot of fun and especially enjoyed the rifle demonstration. If you are visiting the Twin Cities with a family, I strongly suggest pairing this with the James J Hill house and just getting a membership for a year. The same membership will get you into Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior. Parking is typically $6 but it was free when we went.

This park is an eyesore, unfortunately. After Red Bull did their "crashed ice" thing that ripped it apart about ten years ago, it has never recovered. There are homeless people parked all over, and you are better off going around the park than through it. No playground, broken concrete sidewalks, more dirt than grass, and broken glass. This is a terrible park. Also, I used to walk to work daily through the park when it was nicer and still run this direction over lunch.