Kid-Friendly Travel

One of our preschool moms, Edie, has generously given us some GREAT advice for watching the Holidazzle Parade in downtown Minneapolis. It's a little short notice for this year... it only last another week or s0, but the tips are good for next year, too.

The Holidazzle Parade is every Thursday-Sunday evening, from Thanksgiving to just before Christmas, at 6:30 p.m.

-I suggest going early, head for downtown around 4-4:30 p.m. Find a parking ramp with a green 'Do The Town' sign and park for just $4 for the entire night by entering after 4pm. If you spend $20 or more at a variety of stores or restaurants, they will validate your parking ticket for free parking. Check online for a list of participating locations.

-Go to Macys 8th floor Holiday display before, rather than after the parade to avoid some of the crowds. (remember it's free!) Catch dinner at a number of family friendly places near Nicollet or Hennepin before the parade or pack a 'picnic'. Lots of open spaces in the first floor of the IDS building on Nicollet.

-Head to save a spot along Nicollet by 6pm, earlier if you want a warm skyway spot. Take a blanket with you if watching outside, to either sit on or cover up with.

-Just before the parade starts, volunteers will walk the route with shopping carts to collect donations for local food shelves. There will also be vendors selling glow and light up souvenirs. I wasn't going to splurge for the $5 light-up wands, but 2 years later they still work and my kids are still playing with them. We reuse them each year!

-If you want to see the very beginning of the parade, go down to 12th Avenue & Nicollet. They'll have the parade floats sitting there before parade time. You can see the 'actors' get their lights turned on and load the floats. It's not for everyone, but I thought it was neat.

-I suggest Sunday or Thursday nights for the smallest crowds. Tickets can be purchased in advance for warm seats in heated tents along the parade route. These go fast and you need to plan well in advance. If you don't mind the Minnesota cold just go for free!
Hope these help. Have a great time!

Thanks again, Edie!!!

And here's a video from YouTube to show you what all the fuss is about!!


Copyright Stephany Wiestling 2006-2008. All rights reserved. www.kid-friendlytravel.blogspot.com

The Mall of America in Minnesota is a huge shopping mecca for people all over the US... scratch that, the world. Part of the appeal, beyond having hundreds of stores under one roof, is that in Minnesota, we don't charge sales tax on clothing. So depending on the sales tax rates in your city, that could be a savings up up to 10% right off the bat. Many non-US residents are taking advantage of the weak dollar by coming here with empty suitcases and filling them up with goodies! (Better hurry, though, our dollar is coming back!)

If you do come to Minneapolis/St. Paul for your holiday shopping, turn it into a shopping vacation and bring the kids. There's plenty to do in our great city for the rest of the family while you shop till you drop! Click here for a list of our favorite local activities.

Of course, everyone is looking to save money this year, so here's a limited time offer from Travelocity to help you take advantage of a holiday shopping vacation... wherever you choose to go.







Copyright Stephany Wiestling 2006-2008. All rights reserved. www.kid-friendlytravel.blogspot.com