Need fun Family hotel ideas

We are planning to drive up to Minneapolis for a long weekend this summer to see the Star Wars exhibit at the science museum. Can anyone suggest a fun but reasonable place to stay with two kids age 7 and 4. I found some hotels with indoor waterparks - are these worth the money? Any suggestions for anything else to do while we%26#39;re in town? I%26#39;d appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

Need fun Family hotel ideas

there%26#39;s three waterpark hotels

by the mall

downtown @ the depot

up on 694 north of downtown

you may want to find a economical hotel downtown, and then just get a day pass for one of the hotels - the depot might have the right mix of slides based on age

you can take a paddleboat ride on the mississippi river - that%26#39;s always nice

http://www.minneapolisqueen.com/

Saturday and Sunday

12:00 noon - 1:30 p.m. or 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Sightseeing and Lock Cruise $16.95

Need fun Family hotel ideas

My kids love the waterpark hotels. You can usually get the waterpark passes included in the hotel rates. This would be a great choice with kids of these ages.

Just a few blocks from the Science Museum is the Childrens Museum. It%26#39;s aimed at the 8 and under set.

Don%26#39;t forget the Mall of America with Nick Universe. That is a must-see. Have lunch or dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. The Waterpark of America hotel - Radisson Bloomington is very close to the Mall of America.

There are two zoos - Como Zoo and the Minnesota Zoo.

I recommend the Radisson Mall of America by far. I live about 2 hours from the cities and I go to the Radisson often because I get great deals. The hotel is beautiful, the service is great and the on-site restaurant has delicious selections. I%26#39;ve been able to get great prices that include the waterpark passes, which I understand can run $40 per person. The surfing simulator has been a huge hit for us. Then of course there%26#39;s always the MOA across the street as well as IKEA.

When are you trying to go and for how long?

Oh, forgot to mention Valleyfair.

http://www.valleyfair.com/

Thanks for all the great ideas! We are coming at the end of July or beginning of August for a long 3 night weekend. As far as the waterparks go, it looks like the Radisson near the MOA is much more expensive than the Renaissance at the Depot....is the Renaissaince okay to stay at and the Depot waterpark fun? I forgot all about IKEA being there, I%26#39;ve always wanted to check one out! Thanks!!!

July 31-Aug. 3 - There is a rate of $182 per night at the Radisson including taxes and a waterpark pass per person per day. Let me know if you need help.

Wow, $182 a night? I can only find $260 plus on their website with waterpark passes - where did you find that?

Tour companies have blocks of rooms via travel agents.

the waterpark by mall of america will have more %26#39;bigger kid%26#39; rides, vs depot. your 7 year old may enjoy that better.

I went with my brother%26#39;s kids a few years back to depot park and had fun - not too crowded, water not cold. two things I%26#39;ve heard about mall of america waterpark.

if you stay at depot hotel, the light rail stop is near by, you can take that to mall of american %26amp; ikea.

also, you could stay at other hotel downtown, and just walk a few blocks to depot waterpark - if you find a good deal elsewhere, and just get daypass