Touchstone Mental Health

Here is our top list comprised of inexpensive and FREE activities to do around the Minneapolis/St. Paul Twin Cities:

1. Visit, tour, or volunteer at a Humane Society and spend some time with the animals.
2. Watch planes land and take off at the airport. Off Post Road is a good place.
3. Go horseback riding. Bunker Hills Park in Anoka has riding stables (seasonal).
4. Play miniature golf.
5. Go bowling. You can Cosmic Bowl for prizes.
6. Go to your local library. You can check out books, CDs, DVDs, or books on tape; read magazines and newspapers; use the internet (FREE).
7. Visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art (FREE).
8. Go to a discount movie. Try the Brookdale 8 Theatre, GTI Roseville, Hopkins Cinema 6, Maple Grove Cinema 10, and Riverview Theater in Minneapolis (often $2 or less; some half-price on Tuesdays).
9. Go to the Yorktown Cinema Grill in New Hope ($4 evening, $2 matinees).
10. Go to your favorite ice cream shop for ice cream.
11. Rent a bike or skates at Lake Harriet or Lake Calhoun (seasonal).
12. Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboat at Lake Harriet or Lake Calhoun (seasonal).
13. Visit Como Zoo (optional donation of $2 or less).
14. Tour the Como Conservatory while at the Como Zoo.
15. Play tennis on one of your local tennis courts.
16. Visit the Minnesota Valley Restoration Area near Chaska.
17. Visit a nature center, such as Eastman in Dayton, Dodge in West Saint Paul, Woodlake in Richfield, or Springbrook in Fridley.
18. Go to a Three Rivers Park, either French, Baker, Elm Creek, Hyland, or Fish Lake. Hike, bike, swim, picnic, or fish (FREE); rent equipment for volleyball or horseshoes; rent a canoe or paddleboat.
19. Tour the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska ($7 adults; 18 and under free). Take classes or volunteer.
20. Take a scenic walk around one of the local lakes, such as Harriett or Calhoun.
21. Spend a day at Fort Snelling State Park (a fee for parking; FREE to walk or bike in).
22. Get your hair cut or try something new with your hair.
23. Play cribbage or another card game.
24. Play a board game, such as Scrabble, Yahtzee, or Sorry.
25. Invite friends over to grill out, play cards or games, or watch movies.
26. Go to the Yarn Cafe in Maple Grove. Sit and knit or crochet and socialize. Take a class.
27. Ride the Lake Harriett Streetcar ($2).
28. Look at old photographs and slides.
29. Work on sewing projects or needlework that you started but never finished.
30. Play Frisbee golf at one of the local courses.
31. Play a round of golf or go to a driving range.
32. Take a leisurely bike ride on one of the local paved trails, such as the Greenway, Luce Line, LRT, Gateway, or Regional Trail. Call your local Parks and Recreation office and get information on trails.
33. Go to Bachman’s Greenhouses, especially the one on Lyndale Avenue South where guided tours are available.
34. Request songs on your favorite radio station.
35. Go to the Old Log Theater in Plymouth.
36. Go fishing. Call the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), to see if you are eligible for a FREE license for the disabled; otherwise the cost is $18.
37. Collect aluminum cans for money.
38. Go to garage sales. Thursday is the prime day for sales.
39. Shoot pool or throw darts at Eddie’s Billiards or go to another location that offers billiards. Shooters Billiard Clubs are all alcohol free.
40. Take a long relaxing bath or shower. Use bubble bath in the tub.
41. Take a class through Community Education. You may be eligible for financial aid.
42. Take a craft class at Michael’s, Joanne Fabrics, or Archiver’s.
43. Buy craft supplies at Crafts Direct. It’s a little cheaper than the above stores.
44. Do some painting, drawing, or sketching.
45. Rearrange your furniture.
46. Barbeque.
47. Read the Sunday paper and cut coupons. Rainbow offers a double coupon day on Wednesdays.
48. Call a friend and make plans.
49. Go to summer concerts. Most cities or band shells have free outdoor concerts in the evenings or on Sundays.
50. Do some creative writing or journaling.
51. Start or finish a scrapbook from a past vacation or special event.
52. Look at Want Ads for Estate Sales and go find bargains.
53. Do some long needed house painting or repaint a room for a change. Check out the paint at Home Depot.
54. Go sledding in winter. We have many great hills, such as at Elm Creek Park northwest of Osseo, French
55. Park in Plymouth, or Theodore Wirth Park in Golden Valley.
56. Sort out clothes into give-aways and keepers.
57. Organize and rewrite your recipe files.
58. Clean up around your house for a garage sale.
59. Save your loose change for a vacation or something special.
60. Shop at any of the thrift stores for bargains.
61. Shop at Big Lots for really cheap things you need.
62. Wash your car and wax it.
63. Clean out the garage.
64. Visit the Farmer’s Market for fresh produce, flowers, or crafts.
65. Go out to various fields to pick your own apples, berries, or pumpkins.
66. Bake or cook.
67. Attend open houses for homes that are for sale to get decorating ideas.
68. Cut coupons and remember to take them to the store!
69. Take your dog for a walk or to the dog park. It may be good place to meet other people.
70. Go for a scenic drive.
71. Climb around the rocks and picnic at Interstate State Park in Taylor’s Falls.
72. Go to the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul ($8 admission).
73. Visit the Walker Art Center (FREE on Thursdays after 5 p.m.).
74. Ride the light rail to the Mall of America.
75. Join a health club. The YMCAs and YWCAs have scholarships available if you qualify.
76. Go to the Holidazzle parade on Nicolett Mall during late November and December (FREE).
77. Go to festivals in your local community.
78. Tour the Mill City Museum on the Riverfront.
79. Join the Rovers Outdoor Club. Annual membership is $25. They sponsor outdoor social activities and biking and offer canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and other trips. You can participate in the activities that you like.
80. Go to the Science Museum (cost $1 if on Disability; show proof either with Section 8 papers, a Minnesota Healthcare card, or an EBT card).
81. Visit the Weisman Art Museum on the East Bank at the University of Minnesota (FREE).
82. Rollerblade on the Metrodome’s concourses during the winter. You can obtain discount coupons on the internet.
83. Go to Game Works in Block E.
84. Go to Valleyfair. Check for discounts and coupons. Sometimes Rainbow and Cub have coupons.
85. Tour the Ikea store. It is a huge and sells cool things.
86. Go to the Minnesota Zoo, which is open year round.
87. Go to the State Fair. Check the paper for bargin days. If you belong to a Drop-in Center, you may be able to get tickets from them.
88. Walk at any local mall for exercise during inclement weather. Walk for a time or wear a pedometer.
89. Go to Barnes and Noble or Borders, sit in the comfy chairs and drink coffee and read.
90. Check out Half-Price Books in the strip mall on Highway 100 in Excelsior or the Book Hive at Highway 169 and 36th Avenue in New Hope.
91. See a movie and have dinner at the same time at New Hope Cinema Grill, which is now open in New Hope, off Medicine Lake Road and Winnetka Avenue.
92. Rent a movie.
93. Volunteer your time somewhere. Volunteering adds structure to your day and is rewarding. Hands On Twin Cities lists many volunteer opportunities.
94. Go ice skating, either in your neighborhood at free outdoor rinks or at a local indoor rink or at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis.
95. Sign up for a sports league through your local Parks and Recreation department. You can call your local city office to get a schedule mailed to you.
96. Play paintball.
97. Go to a local park and read a book, people watch, take a nap, or listen to music.
98. Walk around the St. Anthony Main area and go over the St. Anthony bridge, a very cool area.
99. Go snow tubing, skiing, or snowboarding at one of the local hills.
100. Snowshoe at a park. Rentals are available at Three Rivers Parks.
101. Shop for used sporting goods at Play It Again Sports.
102. Walk the skyways in downtown Minneapolis, 12 miles worth!
103. Walk around the Minneapolis Uptown Art Fair in August. They display lots of cool art.
104. Go to the Taste of Minnesota in July for free entertainment at Harriett Island in St. Paul.
105. Go to the Winter Carnival. Look at the snow and ice sculptures and participate in the other sctivities it offers.
106. Go ice fishing.
107. Volunteer for the Twin Cities marathon, which is a great motivator to start exercising!
108. Join a church group. Some sponsor activities.
109. Go to the Stages Theater in Hopkins or volunteer to get free tickets.
110. Go to a Twin’s game. You can get cheap seats for $6.
111. Walk through downtown Stillwater. Browse at the antique shops and eat ice cream.
112. Go to the Children’s Museum (FREE on the 3rd Sunday of every month, hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
113. Tour the Bell Museum of Natural History (Free on Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m.).
114. Walk around St. Anthony Art Fair, which takes place the 3rd weekend in June.
115. Watch the Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade in July on Hennepin at 8:30 p.m. Join in the other activities throughout the week. Call for a schedule of events.
116. Join the Minneapolis Hiking Club for different three- to five-mile hikes at various parks around Minneapolis. For information, call 230-6475 ($15 for a yearly membership; join hikes for free).
117. Attend the Freedom Jazz Festival at Minnehaha Park in August. Hear live jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues (FREE). Purchase food or bring a picnic.
118. Watch the River Rats Waterski club at 6 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, off Broadway at West River Road and 22nd, near the Broadway Pizza sign (Free).
119. Take a historical walk down St. Paul’s famous Summit Avenue and look at all of the historic mansions – including the Govenor’s mansion.
120. Go lawn bowling at Brit’s in downtown Minneapolis.