Sunday · north
Drop-In Discoveries - Meet the Animal Ambassadors
Free, 1 to 3 pm. Drop in at any time to meet a few of our live animals up close and discover what makes these critters unique!
Twin Cities families · October 30 to November 1, 2026
15 free or cheap family outings across the Twin Cities, sorted by area so you can stay close to home. Forecast: Sunday 68°, dry.
Short version
Three free picks in different corners of the metro. Everything else is below, by area.
Sunday · north
Free, 1 to 3 pm. Drop in at any time to meet a few of our live animals up close and discover what makes these critters unique!
Sunday · St. Paul & east
Free, 12:30 to 1:15 pm. Join a Landmark Center volunteer tour guide for a free building tour.
Lake Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Plymouth, Chaska, Waconia
Library programs fill out each area.
Come get cozy and comfortable around the campfire while making things that that people crave.
Know: Cost: $14 ages 16+; $10 ages 3-15; children under 3 free. Sign up ahead.
Baker Outdoor Learning Center, Maple PlainGrades 3-12. Put your game face on. Board games, card games, puzzles, and Nintendo Switch provided by the library or bring your own games! Bring your friends and come make new ones for an afternoon of gaming together!
Hopkins Library, HopkinsGrades 2-8. Come hang out and play Pokémon with like-minded friends at the library! Participants may bring their own cards or use cards provided by the library. All skill levels welcome.
St. Louis Park Library, St. Louis ParkBloomington, Edina, Burnsville, Eagan, Shakopee
Library programs fill out each area.
Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences.
Richardson Nature Center, BloomingtonMaple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Anoka
Library programs fill out each area.
Drop in at any time to meet a few of our live animals up close and discover what makes these critters unique!
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, Brooklyn ParkEnjoy a fire to warm up by as we explore the tiny things around Eastman with microscopes.
Eastman Nature Center, DaytonParks, museums and libraries across the city
Library programs fill out each area.
For children ages birth to 5 years old and their caregivers. Sing, dance, and explore musical instruments together in this program designed to help build your child's early music skills. Siblings welcome.
North Regional Library, MinneapolisFor children of all ages and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music and movement.
Hosmer Library, MinneapolisSt. Paul, Roseville, Washington County, Dakota County
Library programs fill out each area.
Join a Landmark Center volunteer tour guide for a free building tour.
Landmark Center, St. PaulOpen every day
Always-good places, so they repeat from week to week. Hours are from each place's own page.
Hike the trails, see seasonal exhibits and meet a live animal at the nature center in Carver Park Reserve.
Know: Open Monday to Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday noon to 5. Three Rivers parks are free to park and free to enter.
Lowry Nature Center, VictoriaHike the trails, see seasonal exhibits and meet resident raptors, reptiles and amphibians up close in Hyland Lake Park Reserve.
Know: Open Monday to Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday noon to 5. Three Rivers parks are free to park and free to enter.
Richardson Nature Center, BloomingtonHike the trails, see seasonal exhibits and meet a live animal at the nature center in Elm Creek Park Reserve.
Know: Open Monday to Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday noon to 5. Three Rivers parks are free to park and free to enter.
Eastman Nature Center, DaytonWalk among the outdoor sculptures beside the Walker Art Center. No tickets needed.
Know: Free and open daily from 6 am to midnight, all year.
Minneapolis Sculpture GardenA free art museum on the University of Minnesota's East Bank campus.
Know: Open 10 to 5 on weekdays, 11 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday. Garage parking is $3 an hour, $13 at most.
Weisman Art MuseumA free zoo, open daily, and the indoor Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, open Tuesday to Sunday.
Know: Free. A voluntary donation of $8 per adult and $5 per child is appreciated.
Como Park Zoo & ConservatoryNational Weather Service
The National Weather Service forecast for the Minnetonka area, checked Sunday, November 1 at 5:15 am.
Patchy fog. Cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph.
Patchy fog before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. South southeast wind around 5 mph.
A chance of rain after 3am. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Before you go
A few things that change the plan.