Wondering how to keep your kids occupied over MEA break? Inver Grove Heights offers plenty of outdoor activities and indoor attractions for a fun and memorable long weekend. If you’re extending your stay, Inver Grove Heights hotels offer excellent value and are conveniently located to downtown St. Paul, the Mall of America, Minneapolis, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Amenities include complimentary breakfast, free parking, and more! Now, onto the list! Below are 12 Things to Do in Inver Grove Heights During MEA Weekend.
Outdoor activities
Photo Credit: IGH Parks and Recreation
- Enjoy crisp fall weather at a local park.
With over two dozen parks, Inver Grove Heights offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Amenities include playgrounds, trails, and basketball, volleyball, tennis, and pickleball courts.
Photo Credit: Visit IGH
- Spot wildlife and fall foliage.
Look for native wildlife and colorful fall leaves at local nature preserves. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge features 45 miles of trails, a nature play area, and the prairie, forest, and wetland habitats are home to bald eagles, river otters, and white-tailed deer. Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area has awe-inspiring views of the Mississippi River from bluffs overlooking the river valley and is a great spot for bird watching.
Photo Credit: Visit IGH
- Play a game of disc golf at North Valley Park.
Enjoy the outdoors with a friendly game of disc golf at North Valley Park. The 18-hole course features scenic views and is free of charge October through April.
Photo Credit: Samantha Dettinger (@travellingwiththebrunette)
- Take a bike ride along the Mississippi River Greenway.
The Mississippi River Greenway is paved and relatively flat, ideal for a leisurely ride. Stop at the Swing Bridge trailhead to stand over the Mississippi River on a 680-foot walking pier that juts out over the river.
Photo Credit: Visit IGH
- Go mountain biking.
Inver Grove Heights has mountain biking opportunities for all ages and abilities. Start with the mountain bike skills course at Vista Pines Park, and then try the adjacent mountain bike trails. Harmon Park Reserve also offers over four miles of mountain bike trails.
Indoor activities
Photo Credit: Visit IGH
- Learn about history at the Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing.
The Commemorative Air Force Museum is a unique collection of combat military aircraft preserved in flying condition, military motor vehicles, and museum displays with WWII artifacts. Located in a hangar at an operating airport, the museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission free of charge, and donations are appreciated.
- Take the Kid Friendly Lights-on Tour at Nowhere Haunted House.
Celebrate Halloween a little early with a kid-friendly, lights-on tour at Nowhere Haunted House. Held on Sundays from noon to 4:00 p.m., the kid-friendly tours do not include actors and are designed to be less scary and more informative.
- Splash around at the VMCC Aquatic Center.
The VMCC Aquatic Center has open swim hours scheduled Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 23, 2022. The indoor water park offers interactive water features, a dumping bucket, and slides, as well as a pool with space reserved for recreational swimming.
Photo Credit: Nerdin’Out
- Go shopping at NerdinOut.
Action figures, comics, collectibles, board games, video games—nerds of all ages will appreciate the new and nostalgic selection at NerdinOut. The locally-owned store is open daily.
Photo Credit: Visit IGH
- Take the family bowling at Drkula’s 32 Bowl.
Drkula’s 32 Bowl makes bowling accessible to even the youngest bowlers with automatic bumpers and bowling ramps available by request. Open bowling is available daily, and you can call ahead for a lane reservation.
- Catch a movie at the AMC Inver Grove 16.
Watch the latest releases in style with comfortable recliner seats, reserved seating, and elevated food options like flatbread pizzas. Matinee tickets (a 30% discount from the evening price) are available every day for showtimes before 4:00 p.m.
- Savor a meal at a local restaurant.
Pizza, chicken tenders, gyros, hibachi meals, and more—many of Inver Grove Heights’ local restaurants are great places to eat with kids, offering kid’s menus and tasty options that will satisfy picky eaters.
Spend MEA weekend in Inver Grove Heights! Inver Grove Heights hotels offer excellent value and are conveniently located to downtown St. Paul, the Mall of America, Minneapolis, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Amenities include complimentary breakfast, free parking, and more.