Navigating the Twin Cities with a new baby can be an enjoyable experience not only for baby, but for parents as well! Here are some of my favorite places that I went to when my girls were babies. I have curated a list of places that show you where you can go to get out of the house and enjoy time with your newborn and toddlers while also having a wonderful time as an adult. There is nothing better than getting out with your baby and feeling a sense of peace while also enriching your own interests too!:

1. Linden Hills Neighborhood in Minneapolis: Linden Hills is one of my favorite neighborhoods to visit to this day! My girls and I still visit this area and they are teens! Make a stop at Great Harvest Break Company first, pick up some bread, or delicious baked goods and head on over to the local park and have a picnic and play. Next, walk over to Wild Rumpus Bookstore! This is by far our favorite independent children’s bookstore in the Twin Cities. Enjoy wandering the stacks of both children’s and books for adults while your kiddos enjoy the tail-less cats that wander the store. You will also find chinchillas, a pigeon that has been there for years, and a ferret to say hello too! Story time is every week on Tuesdays at 10:00. If you have a baby and older kiddos, plan a visit to Heartfelt for some crafting which is fun for your kiddos Toddlers on up and for you! The lovely smells of crayons and beeswax candles from this shop always brings me a sense of peace! There is also a pretty cool tree fort that your kiddos will love to climb into.

2. Lake Harriet Bandshell Park: Take a gentle walk around the lake with your baby in a stroller or carrier. See the ducks and stop for some lunch or ice cream at the Bread and Pickle. The park also hosts concerts and events during the summer months in which you can just relax on the lawn as the kiddos play.

3. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory: Como Park Zoo is a great destination for families with babies. Take a leisurely stroll through the zoo and introduce your little one to various animals. The conservatory offers a warm environment, perfect for a peaceful walk with your baby.

4. Minnesota Children's Museum: Although your newborn might not actively participate in the exhibits, the Minnesota Children's Museum provides a stimulating environment for infants to explore with their senses. There are areas specifically designed for babies, including sensory exhibits and interactive play spaces.

5. Minneapolis Institute of Art: This is one of my favorite places to visit with a baby and kids, especially on rainy days or in the winter. My girls always say, lets go to the MIA on a rainy day and just wander. It is so easy to enjoy this museum with a baby in tow. First, its free. Second, it is such a large space that you can easily walk through all of the exhibits with baby in a stroller. Third, there are family rooms and places to easily nurse or feed baby. I like to visit here during weekdays when it is more quiet, but they also have family events on weekends with crafts and special exhibits.

6. Parks and Nature Centers: Some of my favorite outdoor places to explore and get some good walking in are at one of the beautiful Three Rivers Park District parks or at a local Nature Center. The Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Lake is one of my favorites. There are paved walking paths and wild flowers that are just beautiful. It is quiet, peaceful and such a nice escape from the house! Noerenberg Gardens are a part of the Three Rivers Park District. These incredible gardens are on Lake Minnetonka. See beautiful flowers and plants you may have never seen before and a garden area filled with butterflies. Then walk on over to the lake and watch the boats and sailboats. One of my favorite city parks to visit with a baby and toddler is Arneson Acres park in Edina. This park makes you feel like you are in a Jane Austen movie. There is a beautiful fountain surrounded by lovely gardens, large grassy areas to lay out a blanket for a picnic or just to relax and feed baby, and towering pine trees to walk through and enjoy.

The Twin Cities has so much to offer and you can still enjoy amazing places even during those early days after having a baby. Use this list as a resource to go back to time and time again and I bet you will begin to find that exploring a museum or a park will become a regular part your time with your baby and, as they grow, something they will come to enjoy and remember for years to come.

Where are your favorite Twin Cities spots to go to with babies and kids? Share your ideas!

For other great tips to make life with a baby more fun, visit these links!:

https://www.amg-photos.com/news/the-best-baby-boutiques-in-the-twin-cities

https://www.amg-photos.com/news/where-to-shop-for-maternity-clothes-in-the-twin-cities