I had a fun time here. There were lot of different benches to sit on…read more It was over 90 degrees but the trees provided a nice shade. One of the dads that was there with his daughter kept staring at me. When I made it obvious that I wasn't interested in him, his body language became aggressive. There was also a couple rude women there. I wouldn't suggest going here alone. A park is for serenity but a lot of people there are miserable, unfortunately.

He Said: One of our favorite nearby parks. The playground is…read morewell-shaded, fenced-in (easier to watch kids), there are play structures for most kid ages, and has a nearby park and library. Pros: - All- around great playground option, in the metro area Cons: - There is some litter, but that is more the fault of the people coming to the playground, not the playground itself.

I'm a new annual pass-holder for the Washington and Anoka county parks. I've wanted to check out…read morethe Lake Elmo Reserve for a very long time and the fact that the Reserve had the Nordic Renewal Co. Sauna (pop up) on Thursdays and Sundays...this was the jump start I needed to just buy a pass. I've gone to the park now 4x's in over 2 weeks. I did the sauna once, took my kiddo to the beautiful brand new huge playground twice and then did a little hike solo. The park is huge. There are lots of spots to camp, they have their own beach (in the summer), beautiful lakes, lots of hiking trails, etc. I look forward to coming back not only to this park but others that are part of the pass. No time like the present to get outdoors and explore!

If u have kids this is a good place to go because it is super shallow I recommend u come before…read more12:00 so u can get thare before the lifeguard because they have dumb rules

Our annual Fourth of July spot! They normally do fireworks July 3rd so it's nice to come here…read morebefore everyone is busy on the fourth. The area is very nice. We get a nice spot by the lake to set up chairs. Bring bug spray because it can get wild with the mosquitos! There's tons of food trucks and booths but the lines were looooong. There's a waterfall that's nice to take pictures at. Parking can be tricky and traffic can be crazy. Stop by for a walk around the lake if you find yourself in the area.

Had some extra time to spare before an event nearby and it was reasonably nice outside (aka,…read moreforties in March lol), so I decided to take a hike around the lake. You won't manage to escape road noise really because it's surrounded on three sides by fairly busy roadways, but still better than nothing! It's not a long walk around, just about forty-five minutes worth at a leisurely pace. The park actually features two paved trails that run parallel to one another, with the outer ring for bicyclists and other wheeled conveyance usage, and on-foot folk on the inner ring. Dogs do need to be on leash. Occasional benches around the lake, and a cute man-made waterfall. There are a couple of gazebos near the parking lot for if you'd like to have a picnic. The bandshell structure was particularly impressive and neat. There are bathrooms built into the back of it, which were even open during off season, so that was highly appreciated. Water fountain was currently turned off though, unsurprisingly. Parking lot seemed a bit small, but perhaps most folks who visit are from the surrounding office buildings on their lunch break.

This is a huge park that has a little of everything. This park has a fine mix of modern amenities…read moreand rustic appeal. It is a little piece of calm just outside the busy city. It spans 34 acres and is named after Charles Loring, an American businessman, miller and publicist who was the first Minneapolis Park Board and considered the "Father of the Park System" in Minneapolis. The park has an astounding flower garden. It was very pretty. You will also find a very nice lake/wetland here. It has seating and is very soothing. The lake is home to many animals. Fishing is welcome at the lake. They even have a fishing pier. The park has a full basketball court and a half-court basketball court that are in great shape. The park's horseshoe pits could use some TLC, though. The park is home to about 10 pits. If you are a pickleball player, then the park has a couple of nice courts to play on. Other park amenities include tennis courts, shuffleboard, and two playground areas on wood-chip beds. One area is fenced in and is for smaller children. This area has a bank of swings, a saucer swing, slides, a modern merry-go-round, a bebble bridge, and a jungle gym. The other playground area, for older kids, has a climbing net, balance beam, slides, pebble bridge, and rock climbing wall. This area is not fenced in. I have seen a lot of parks, and this is a nice one. They host events such as movie screenings, ice skating, and lunchtime concerts. You can easily spend half a day here. I really enjoyed my time here and am sure that you will too.

I love a beautiful park in the middle of the city! Loring Park is a tranquil oasis in the middle of…read morethe hustle and bustle of Minneapolis. Lots of beautiful flower beds in the Garden of the Seasons. Great place for a stroll or picnic. Lots of benches to stop and take a rest and enjoy nature. Spring is my favorite time to visit because I love to see the tulips!

We stopped by the historic Minnehaha Depot across from the park and falls yesterday because it's…read morerarely open. It was not as crowded yesterday at the falls as usual, probably due to the 4th of July holiday when people are more attracted to going to free festivals in preparation for firework shows. We took a short hike down several flights of steps and along the creek stemming from the falls. Lots of people were picnicking and/ir playing in the water, a perfect pastime on a humid warm summer day. Due to the recent rains last week, the falls were full and fast flowing.

Beautiful park with a standout waterfall and other running water spots! I took a hike through the…read moremap following the maps that are engraved in stone and even stumbled upon a little restaurant right by the falls. You do have to pay for parking (it's not expensive). I had such a great time grounding with nature here.

The refuge is a great place to explore nature. There are many trails to hike both short and long…read more The Visitor's Center has a wonderful display and activities. There is also a viewing area where there are bird feeders. A favorite is the turkeys that stop by! The staff here are helful and friendly. They also plan community events that are always fun and educational.

Hooray, I finally came here when the visitor center was open! I've been a couple of times in the…read morepast just to do some hiking on the trails, but I'd never gotten to see the inside as the hours are somewhat narrow being just Wednesday through Sunday. It looked really grandiose from the outside, so I'm unsurprised the inside was quite modern and comfortable. It's comprised of many available seating areas where you can sit and relax (I especially recommend the seating facing the bird feeders, though there's also a cozy fireplace), or simply wander and explore the exhibits they have up with information on them about the history of the refuge, the work its done and is doing, and the animals that inhabit it. This is important work! I'm so glad they're doing it. Unsurprisingly there is a gift shop with expected trinkets such as stickers, pins, patches, plushies, postcards, jewelry, hankerchiefs, and lots of books. So if you'd like to support the refuge and get a little something for yourself, that's a great way to do it. There is additionally an art gallery with revolving local Minnesota artists that take inspiration from nature, an auditorium playing a looped track, and plenty of space for kids to play (including corn hole and giant puzzles). There is a conference room (downstairs) and a community room (upstairs), and considerable office space (not open to the public, obviously). Two water bottle refill stations. Clean bathrooms (separated by gender, but there's also a bonus unisex, accessible one). These folks do LOTS of events throughout the year, most of them completely free to attend (some require RSVP, others don't), so I recommend keeping an eye out for something that interests you. Plenty of free parking is available on site. There are picnic tables around the visitor center, as well as an outlook with binoculars. If you go down along the left side the visitor center, it will take you to the trails if you're here to do some hiking. :)

Aquila Park: A park for Family Fun all year round! Aquila Park has become a go to destination for…read morefamily outings and has an appeal that goes beyond special occasions and seasons. My personal experiences over 2 Independence Day celebrations and several casual visits have left me impressed and hence a well deserved 5 star rating. At the core Aquila Park is a family haven. The spacious and well maintained grounds have plenty of room for kids to play, run and explore. Whether its a picnic on the grass, a game of frisbee or just watching little ones chase butterflies the park is the perfect backdrop to create family memories. The atmosphere is always welcoming and conducive to shared experiences hence a go to spot for parents looking for quality time with their kids. My 2 experiences of Independence Day celebrations at Aquila Park were nothing short of spectacular. The park comes alive during these events and transforms into a hub of community spirit. The organizers know how to put on a show with well executed fireworks that light up the night sky and create a sense of wonder for all ages. Beyond the fireworks the general ambiance was electric with a sense of celebration in the air. The park infrastructure seemed to handle the large crowds with ease and the overall organization was safe and enjoyable. These events alone would put Aquila Park high up but its appeal goes beyond these special occasions. What sets Aquila Park apart is its versatility and appeal throughout the year. While summer is buzzing with activity the park also has a charm in the other seasons. The large hill in the park is exciting. I plan on returning with a sled in the colder months to slide down the slopes. The fact that it caters to both warm weather fun and winter adventures makes Aquila Park a year round destination. Aquila Park is more than just a green space; it's a versatile and fun community asset. Its ability to host big events like Independence Day celebrations and be an ideal spot for everyday family activities is amazing. The big hill is the cherry on the top, so it's a place that's fun and active all year round. If you're looking for a family friendly park that has something for everyone and for all occasions Aquila Park is the perfect choice and well deserved 5 stars. I'll be back for the next holiday and for the sledding fun.

Nice park in St. Louis Park along the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail. This park offers picnic…read moretables, tennis courts, playground area, athletic fields (baseball & softball). Currently the park building, including bathrooms, are closed due to Covid-but there are porta-potties spread out through the park. They offer lots of community opportunities..we were there for a bicycle give away.

This visitor center is just inside the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota, so you do not need…read moreto pay the museum admission fee. This is a smaller center with a few exhibits. One is a virtual canoe paddle simulating traveling on the water, while another is a virtual soaring exhibit. There's a hands on knot-typing exhibit. There is no associated gift shop with the visitor center. The science museum does have a gift shop in the lobby, but it doesn't have any National Park Service branded items such as medallions, clothing, etc. I would say that the visitor center should not be the highlight of your trip - visiting and experiencing the river itself should be! There are a fair number of NPS guided talks, tours, and paddling programs every week, so plan your visit around those or go through a tour company.

Located in Science Building to the right as you enter. Small area but full of information and…read moreactivities for the kids. It shares the space with Science Museum, no cost for National Park exhibits, but it does cost to go inside the actual Science museum. You can walk around lobby and see some additional cool stuff for free. The restrooms are clean. Parking can be rough & somewhat confusing. We parked over by Square near Public Library (also worth a visit). The square area park is also very nice with some sculptures of beloved "Peanuts" characters. The 5 "Star" Rating is mainly based on interaction with Ranger Nathaniel. He was awesome, very informative and showed us on the map areas that would be of interest based on our conversation. All his suggestions were spot on "Thanks Nate". We found the Heron Rookery. Ranger Nathaniel was fantastic & made our visit very rewarding.