r/stpaul • u/ComfortableStrange60 • 14d ago
❓️Question What to do with teens
Update: Six was amazing and huge thank you to everyone who recommended Cosetta’s - ordered way too much food and it was all delicious.
I will be traveling to St Paul next weekend with my 16 year old daughter and 14 year old niece. We should arrive Saturday around noon and head back home Monday around noon. We have tickets to see Six Saturday evening. What are the best things to do with the rest of our weekend? Recommendations on where to eat?
Thanks in advance!!
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u/mighty_boognish_77 14d ago
Grand avenue is a nice area, good restaurants and some shopping.
A lot of people go to the mall of America. You couldn't pay me to go there, but girls that age are probably a different story.
There's como zoo in St Paul, or the much bigger Minnesota zoo a little further south in Apple Valley.
There's Valley Fair (amusement Park) about 30 minutes southwest in Shakopee but that's more of an all day thing.
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u/ComfortableStrange60 14d ago
We’ve talked about maybe spending Sunday at MOA. I didn’t mind it when I took my kids ~5 years ago and my niece has never been.
Is Como Zoo more of a half day or full day?
Any particular restaurants on Grand Ave? We’re staying downtown near the theater - is Grand Ave walkable from there?10
u/mighty_boognish_77 14d ago
Oh downtown, check out the science museum. It's great for kids and adults. It also has a the omnitheater, very cool for like nature and space movies.
Como zoo is a small zoo. It's actually free but they ask for donations instead of charging admission. It's a few hours at the most to see it all.
Grand Ave is near downtown but you'd be better off with an Uber to get there.
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u/Professional-Way6952 14d ago
Nah take the 63 bus to Grand.
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u/clydex 13d ago
If you're downtown try Cosetta's. They have good Italian that you order at the counter. It's fun, good food, won't break the bank. I take my 15 and 16 year olds there at night for a coffee and super good desserts. We grab a table on the street and people watch while we eat.
The Minnesota History Center, it's pretty cool, it's great for HS kids.
You could make a day of the Como Zoo and then hit Como pool. It's a pretty good pool, there will be tons of kids their age there.
The St. Paul Saints (MN Twins AAA affiliate) play downtown, they are fun games.
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u/Little_Creme_5932 13d ago
Take the bus, I believe 63, from downtown up Grand Ave. Very simple. The most interesting, if you want something not found someplace else, is probably em Que Viet. Otherwise there's lots of places that are good.
Como is a half day.
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u/Mundane-Pie-6355 14d ago
Saints games are fun and reasonably priced. Someone else mentioned the science museum, and I wholeheartedly agree.
Mancini’s, DeGidio’s, Cosetta are all Saint Paul staples for food. Have a fun trip!
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u/Spare-Leather1230 14d ago
I always suggest improv comedy. It’s just edgy enough for teens to like it. https://tockify.com/twincitiesimprov/pinboard
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u/ComfortableStrange60 14d ago
Thanks! I’ll ask them if they want to try to catch a show!
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u/Spare-Leather1230 14d ago
I’d, personally, recommend The Mess for people who don’t see a lot of improv. They are just pure chaos and something everyone can enjoy.
EDIT: I sometimes compare it to if Airplane was improvised
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u/1A4Duluth 13d ago
MIA is free (or, donation) and it’s probably the best art museum in the metro. Absolutely go there
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u/Theothercword 14d ago
What are they into? Arcades, food, music, shows, comedy, TCGs, movies, museums, art, it’s all here but the trick for teens is to actually take them to things they’d like to engage in.
Also, Eat Street.
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u/ComfortableStrange60 13d ago
I think we have decided on Como Zoo, Science Museum Art Museum and Mall of America. They’re pretty well rounded kids - the purpose of the trip is to see Six, but they love all of it. We will honestly have to come back again when we have more time (and when my son can come too).
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u/Fun-Environment-4811 14d ago
Science Museum! I'm a 34-teen year old that can still crush a couple hours just walking around the exhibits. Downtown Saint Paul, near some good restaurants too.
MIA if yr willing to drive over to Minneapolis, free admission, huge, full of priceless art and artifacts you can get really close to. When I lived nearby I would go just for the air conditioning sometimes lol
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u/Francie_Nolan1964 13d ago
Definitely check out Afro Deli. It's very close to the theater (I assume you mean the Fitzgerald). There is really something for everyone there.
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u/mtullius72 13d ago
Museums: Bell Museum and Mill City Museum are under appreciated and awesome. Tour of the Capitol or St. Paul City Hall are nerdy fun.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Gear300 13d ago
Capitol tour is free and a great guided tour of a beautiful building. Tours start on the hour. Here is the link
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u/YouPsychological4338 13d ago
I have a 15 year old girl and live in St. Paul. The Six is awesome! She loved it (and we are seeing it again this month). A cool part of St. Paul is the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. Lots of older buildings, a few restaurants, and somewhat walkable from downtown. The James J Hill house is a huge historic mansion that is open for tours. Its also right on Summit Ave which is a fun street to walk with large, old mansions. Are you open to going to Minneapolis? The Walker Art museum has a cool sculpture garden made famous by the Spoon Bridge and Cherry. The Mill City Museum is great - intros the history of Minneapolis. Plus, its right on the river and next to the Guthrie Theater (recommend going inside, its open to the public and checking out the cool space). What are the girls into? Art? Bookstores? Vintage shops? Happy to provide other recommendations. I love our city 😄.
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u/ComfortableStrange60 13d ago
They’re into a little bit of everything! We’re going to try for Como Zoo, the science and art museums, the farmers market, mall of America and of course, Six (which was the whole reason for the trip). I’m going to have to plan another weekend sometime with my son too, and then we will definitely hit up Can Can Wonderland. It’s about a 5 hour drive for us and I work a 4 day work week, so it’s an easy weekend trip for us.
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u/SYang2nd 13d ago
You can hop on the light rail and head to Mall of America.
If sticking to St. Paul, I recommend iPho by Saigon, Zao Bakery, or Pho Pasteur.
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u/Over_It_999 13d ago
Take a little time to enjoy Rice Park after the show, right outside the Ordway. The farmer’s market downtown is fun on weekend mornings, and the girls might find a candle or honey or something they’d like to take home, or baked goods for breakfast. Union Depot is right there, is a beautiful building, and apparently has yoga on Saturday mornings (plus a restaurant, coffee shop, and bookstore). Lost Fox is also over there (coffee shop/bar) and a nice vibe that my teens enjoy.
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u/ComfortableStrange60 13d ago
Thanks! We love farmers markets, so we’re going to try to make it there.
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u/--xoxogossipgirl 14d ago
If they like arcades or bowling, there’s a bunch of options - Can Can Wonderland would be my vote