And We’ll Have Fun, Fun, FUN

’til our Daddy makes us go back to school!  Or something.  Moving on…

There’s still time to have a good time before the kids have to go back to school.  Here are some fun activities around the TC that won’t break your back to school budget.

Hit The Races.  We all know what a great deal Canterbury Park is, but they aren’t the only game in town.  Check out Raceway Park in Shakopee.  Kick off your family’s weekend with Friday Night Destruction at 7 PM, which costs $15 for adults, and $5 for kids 5 to 12 years old.  Or end your weekend with their Sunday evening NASCAR events at 6 PM for just $12 for adults.  http://www.goracewaypark.com/tickets.htm

And if you want to watch FREE races, head north to Columbus, MN and Running Aces Harness Park for harness racing.  Admission is free every day, and the races run through Labor Day weekend.  You can check out the ponies Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays.  I recommend Tuesdays, aka Dollar Nights, where hot dogs, chips, soda and programs are only a buck. http://www.runningacesharness.com/racing/liveracing.php

Caving.  If you want to do something fun, educational, and beat the heat at the same time, check out the Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul.  The 40 minute historic cave tour is just $6 per person.  Best of all, now until Labor Day, you can check out the caves on Saturday at noon.  http://www.wabashastreetcaves.com/

Amusement Parks.  If your kids are clamoring for roller coaster rides, there are less expensive options.  For example, Valleyfair is not cheap, for sure.  But if you buy your tickets online at their website and go after 5 PM, your ticket will be a slightly more reasonable $19.99  http://www.valleyfair.com/tickets/

Or, you can save even more in the evening at Como Town – the amusement park at Como Zoo.  The Star Light Saver wristband, which gives you unlimited access to the rides, is a mere $13.95, for admission at 4 PM or later.  And for the grown-ups, an unlimited ride wristband is just $7.95. http://www.comotown.com/plan/passes.html

Outdoor Movies.  Kick it old school and check out the Twin Cities only drive in theater, Vali Hi in Lake Elmo.  Tickets are $8 for adults, and just $1 for kids 12 and younger.  Remember, that ticket isn’t for one movie, it’s for THREE.  And right now, they’re showing The Dark Knight.  http://www.valihi.com/

If you’re looking for free, more kid-friendly movie options, look no further than St. Paul.  They are showing free movies in the park now through September 14^th, and your kids will enjoy Kung Fu Panda 2 and the latest Muppets Movie.  http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=3233

You can also find free movies in the park in Burnsville, Shakopee, Centennial Lakes in Edina, and Brooklyn Park, to name a few.

Don’t forget!  These are the last few weeks you can take advantage of the library’s Museum Adventure Passes.  Stop by your local library now through Labor Day and check out passes to the MN Zoo or the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.  http://www.melsa.org/MuseumAdventurePass/index.cfm

One Last Tip.  If you haven’t been there yet, be sure to check out the Lake Harriet Elf.  Located near South Oliver Street on the bike/walk trails is a tree with a wee door in its base.  Leave a note for the elf, and the elf WILL answer.  This may be my favorite thing EVER.