7. Lock and Dam System

The lock and dam is an important part of the shipping industry on the Mississippi River.  It connects all sorts of different states and areas that uses the power of the Mississippi.  It is well engineered to withstand all of the water pressure pushing at it.  It uses pumps to pump the water in and out, to raise and lower boats to the proper height as they go up and down the river.  There are several observation decks around the area that you can watch from.  It allows small and big boats to travel up and down the river.

6. Minnehaha Creek

It's very long - it stretches from Lake Minnetonka to the Mississippi River.  You can walk, bike, or jog along it on the paths.  There is a lot of nature and plenty of wildlife in and around the creek.  It connects to Minnehaha Falls, which is part of the creek.

3. Parks

It is fun to play at the parks.  You can dig in the sand, play in the sand, play on the equipment, or just play, play, play.  You can meet friends to play with them at the parks.  You can play several sports at the parks, some in programs and some just for fun.

4. Lakes

They're good and fun to swim.  You can make sand castles on the beaches by the lakes.  You can boat on the lakes.  There are 10,000 lakes in Minnesota and many in Minneapolis.  There is skating on the lakes in winter and swimming in the summer. 

5. Minnehaha Falls

The falls are unique to our city.  Most big cities don't have such natural landscapes right in the middle of the city.  It has been eroded over the course of many thousands of years.  In the winter the falls freeze as they are moving.  It looks like a picture - it's a waterfall, except frozen!  You can picnic there - there are great spots for picnics. 

2. Farmer's Market

There is lots and lots and lots of good food.  GREAT aromas like fresh corn!  There are sweets like honey sticks and maple candy.  There are lots of fruits and vegetables.  There is music at some Farmer's Markets, either live or recorded.  And all of the produce is sold by local farmers!  The veggies are not all chemical-y.  All of the money goes to the farmers instead of big companies that make enough anyway.

1. The Library System

There are good places to read books.  There are good books, really good books there.  It's FREE, so your parents can't argue with you about the cost.  There is a good variety of books.  There are tons of books.  Books, and more books.  It is a quiet spot to read books or a work space.