Field Trip Ideas in Minneapolis

Outdoor Field Trip Ideas

A Shining Beacon: Split Rock Lighthouse

Located one hour North of Duluth,  Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors sits right on the shores of Lake Superior. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, field trip groups can explore the site while taking in views of the largest of the Great Lakes. Dating back to the 1920s, this landmark has a rich history and geography. Homeschool groups can participate in self-guided or guided tours of the lighthouse, keeper’s house, and more. There’s also a fun visitor center with some great visual exhibits and more.

From A to Zoo: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Found in the heart of St. Paul, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is located in historic Como Park. This zoo features hundreds of animal species including gorillas, giraffes, big cats, and the hugely popular California sea lion exhibit. Field trip groups can spend the day learning about zoology and biology, along with educational programs about protecting animals. There is also an amusement park, with a carousel and activities for the little tykes. One of the most fascinating parts of the park is the amazing garden landscapes. They feature a lily pond, orchid house, and sunken gardens. It’s an opportunity for students to also work on botany lessons and spend a wonderful afternoon in nature.

Follow the Clues:  Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Just an hour’s drive south of Rochester, Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park is located in the middle of Fillmore county and is one of the most unique field trip destinations in Minnesota. Groups can explore the great outdoors, trout streams, scenic hiking, and horse trails. There’s a restored 1800s village which is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society,  Students can also venture into the Mystery Cave, which is a 13-mile trek and the longest cave in the state. This site makes for a terrific educational trip in the state of Minnesota!

Indoor Field Trip Ideas 

Dive In! SeaQuest Roseville

Experience underwater life like never before at SeaQuest Roseville the ultimate land and sea adventure!  SeaQuest offers a wide variety of field trip options for schools, designed to make learning fun and engaging. Students will interact with animals from all over the planet and learn about behind-the-scenes operations at SeaQuest! Age-specific Field Trip adventures are designed for learners of all ages. It’s a great field trip destination for students, parents, and teachers in the state of Minnesota.

Take Flight! The Charles Lindbergh House and Museum

Situated on the Mississippi River, the Charles A. Lindbergh House and Museum is part of Charles Lindbergh State Park. The house and museum are managed and operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. This historic landmark is the site of the childhood home of Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator whose 1927 flight from New York to Paris changed the industry of aviation forever. The museum features some great exhibits, a “Spirit of St. Louis” flight simulator, and an interpretive trail walk along the river. The park features a great picnic area, great for groups of field trips students to have a picnic lunch!

No Strings Attached: Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Take a journey into the heart of downtown Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Institute of Art has over 90,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history. Its collection represents the world’s diverse cultures across six continents. With a variety of sculptures, photographs, paintings, drawings, and prints, it’s a great field trip destination for kids to spend the day celebrating the arts and working through creative activities on a fun scavenger hunt!

Minnesota has a long list of field trip options to choose from, with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities that can fit in any semester of the school year. There are a number of amazing, fun, and educational experiences out there when it comes to school field trips in Minneapolis and beyond. This list has just some of the best field trip ideas out there.  From SeaQuest Roseville to museums or artistic adventures, this list offers great suggestions to make a classroom learning experience feel like the trip of a lifetime!