Cool Art Spaces and Theatrical Places for Families, Kids & Teens
Itinerary Created by Rethos Volunteer Emily Winter
This is not so much an itinerary as a list of some of the more creative stops (located downtown or south of downtown) on Doors Open Minneapolis that you and your kids/teens may like to visit! Many of these places your kids may not otherwise be exposed to – and most are offering hands-on activities. Check out sites ranging from production/art studios to sites that celebrate the theatre, circus, puppetry, creative writing and more. As with all of the Doors Open Minneapolis sites – many are also interesting, unique or historic buildings in our city!
Most stops are located downtown or South of downtown; having a car will help if you are visiting multiple sites. Pick and choose the locations that work best for you; there is no need to visit in any order and you surely couldn’t get to all in one day anyway! *Be aware four of these spaces are only open on Saturday and some have special hours for activities.
Please visit the VENUES page of the Doors Open Minneapolis website for more information about each venue, including hours, accessibility, parking, restrooms, entrances, food and beverage availability, reservations (for some) and more. You can also access a map showing all sites.
DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS
Open Book
Community gathering place for 25 years dedicated to diverse and dynamic creativity
Open Saturday and Sunday
Open Book is a center for reading, writing and book arts. There will be many hands-on activities available: make a small building-themed zine, hop onstage and read a poem in the Performance Hall, add to the Weave Your Words loom, visit the Book Buggy (Saturday from 1-3 pm), and experience Harisen Daiko drumming (Sunday from 12-1 pm) and Yalla Drumming (Sunday from 10 am – 12 pm). You can also find the balcony and get your picture taken with the stadium! There will be general building tours at 11 am, 12 pm and 4 pm. Guided, insider tours will be led by architect Garth Rockcastle and artist Karen Wirth (1 and 2:30 pm - preregister for tickets). Visit the gift and bookshops too. *Please visit their webpage below for more details.
Free public parking or on street meters.
Theatre in the Round Players
Longest running theater in Minneapolis with a unique round stage!
Open Saturday only
Theatre in the Round Players produces comedies, dramas, and classics on its unique, acclaimed arena stage. This stop may be better for older children/teens as guided tours are 45-minute long. On the tour, you will get to see backstage, the costume shop and the scene shop. This 100-year-old building was re-designed in 1969 by Ralph Rapson and Assoc. (designer of the original Guthrie Theatre) when the theatre moved in from another location. Repairs and restoration to the building in 2019 include a stunning 3D mural on its exterior (be sure to see it!) which transforms the building itself into a work of public art.
Parking ramps and surface lots nearby as well as on street meters
House of Balls
Interactive storefront creative studio with a 40-year history of reusing, recycling and repurposing!
Open Saturday only
Visit this “strange, fantastic and unique” creative art studio built out of a 1930’s gas station. What started as Allen Christian’s small bowling ball sculpture studio has grown into a colorful work of environmental art. Each room of the former gas station - the old bathroom, office, waiting lounge, and garage bays - has a unique character. You will get to see one-of-a-kind works of art made from reused materials ranging from bowling balls to piano keys to false teeth to plumbing parts. There will be a West Bank art show celebrating this neighborhood’s history.
Free public parking nearby
South of Downtown Minneapolis
Big Animal Productions Studio
Open Saturday and Sunday
A 100-year-old building with a colorful history - celebrating the arts since the 1980s.
Visit this studio to gawk at the quirky and interesting artwork and curiosities made of found and recycled materials, including retired stage and street artworks, puppets, and more. They just finished working on the May Day Parade! You may have the chance to make a small puppet or do some drawing while there. Nine independent artists share space in this former ornamental iron production plant. Simba, the studio cat, will be present to greet you!
Hands-on/Kid’s activities on site
Free public parking
City of Lakes Waldorf School
Open Saturday and Sunday
Pre-K to 8th grade school in an historic, urban campus near downtown Minneapolis
The building itself is an artistic and historic beauty, and the school blends art, music and movement into a rigorous academic curriculum. Visit the school and enjoy special kids’ activities both days including a scavenger hunt/art activity, circus demos (middle school students put on a circus every spring) and circus equipment for attendees to try. Stop by - there will be so much more in store.
Free Public Parking.
Highpoint Center for Printmaking
Explore a space dedicated to the art of printmaking - and make your own prints!
Open Saturday only
Stop by on Saturday, May 17 between 12 – 4 pm to make prints at their Free Ink Day. They will be celebrating the season with an activity inspired by spring gardens. Participants of all ages are invited to create vibrant prints using the pochoir (stencil) technique. Using a variety of pre-cut stencils featuring flowers, leaves, and garden bugs, you’ll layer colorful shapes to build your own unique garden-themed artwork. All materials for the activity are non-toxic and supplied by Highpoint (while supplies last). You will also get to view the annual Access/Print Teen Exhibition, explore our space, and learn more about Highpoint Center for Printmaking.
Street parking is available. Enter building by walking through HP’s Lake Street entrance or by the driveway off Colfax.
The Wado Building
A 100-year-old building with a colorful history - celebrating the arts since the 1980s
Open Saturday only
The building, which started as a grocery store, is now the site of Z Puppets as well as two other creative arts entities. Peek into the life and work of puppeteers and tour the native plant garden. You will also see murals and art by local indigenous artists. There will not be any hands-on activities, per se, but so much to see.
Free public parking.
The Museum of Russian Art
Museum exploring Russian art and culture through the ages
Open Saturday and Sunday (1-5 on Sunday)
The Museum of Russian Art, a beautifully renovated historic building, presents 10 or more exhibitions each year, as well as concerts, lectures, and other unique events. Be sure to check out the Russian nesting dolls (Matryoshka dolls) in the lower level. The museum will have museum scavenger hunt sheets for young people to complete as they find things throughout the building.
Free public parking and street parking