Indoor parks? (Minneapolis, Maple Grove, Apple Valley: buy, camp, live)

[Haver]

OK, I'm officially tired of winter and I want to go find green stuff and warm temperatures and babbling water flowing over sculpted rocks for a while. The conservatory is nice, and I've already done Edinborough, but is there anything new (at least to me) out there where I can take the edge off of winter with a nice book for a casual Saturday afternoon? Preferably some place that lets me buy a sandwich and juice so I can make a day out of it...

Thanks much!

[golfgal]

What about the Conservatory at the Como Zoo. It isn't really a park but it will bring back the summer feel. Same with the indoor exhibits at the Minnesota Zoo.

[Haver]

Thanks :-) But I've already listed that and Edenborough. I was hoping to discover what else was out there, and find something new to explore.

[chilaili]

It's a stretch but there's the MIA (Minneapolis Institute of Art). It's free to get in, they have a coffeeshop downstairs and restaurant upstairs, lots of places to sit and contemplate the art or read a book. Sometimes they have live music in the main foyer.

There are lots of indoor water parks but I get the impression that's not what you're looking for?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Haver

OK, I'm officially tired of winter and I want to go find green stuff and warm temperatures and babbling water flowing over sculpted rocks for a while. The conservatory is nice, and I've already done Edinborough, but is there anything new (at least to me) out there where I can take the edge off of winter with a nice book for a casual Saturday afternoon? Preferably some place that lets me buy a sandwich and juice so I can make a day out of it...

Thanks much!

I used to wander around Camp Snoopy at the MoA whenever I was getting stir crazy in the middle of January -- the winding paths and trees give the illusion of being somewhere not black-and-white-and-grey-and-snowy.

[Camden Northsider]

My AAA travel magazine was really pushing the local indoor water parks this month - Water Park of America; Grand Rios something or another in brooklyn park, and the HOliday Inn in Maple Grove. Might not be what you're looking for, but i'm sure there's a babbling brook over some rocks at at least one of these!...

[K-Luv]

Eh, life in Minnesota. You know what though, it just makes the summers all that much more enjoyable.

[Haver]

*bumps*

Still looking for some indoor green space I haven't grown tired of, yet...

Thanks.

[Camden Northsider]

Apple Valley

• Minnesota Zoo - (just saw that golfgal already posted this, but not sure if you noticed it/ had a link to it)
  13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN 55124
  "The Minnesota Zoo displays its collection of over 1300 orchids throughout the Tropics Building all year long." Admission.

Chaska

• • Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
    3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318

taken from: Minnesota Garden Websites

[dadr]

I wouldn't discount the Park at MOA. I always enjoy walking through during the day or evening. There's plenty of natural light, thousands of natural trees and plants, and it can be relaxing at off-peak times.