There are so many fun things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul, making the Twin Cities the perfect midwestern family getaway. From the famous Mall of America (there's an indoor amusement park!) to thousands (seriously, thousands) of lakes to explore, you're guaranteed to find kid activities to entertain everyone in your family.

Seasons are for real in Minneapolis and St. Paul, leading to glorious landscapes in the fall and spring, when families flock to the area's outdoor offerings. And when the "Mini Apple" becomes a frozen tundra (in, say, January and February), there are plenty of fun things to do in Minneapolis indoors, as well as those lakes to skate on in the open air. 

The Twin Cities offer the best of both worlds, where big-city energy meets scenic landscapes and nature. Families chasing outdoor excursions can kayak on the Mississippi and bike on miles of winding trails, while those craving culture can take their pick of world-class museums and restaurants. And they don't call it "Minnesota nice" for nothing—you won't find a warmer population of people, despite those wintertime subzero temps! 

Plan your midwestern getaway with our list of things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul with kids. For more family vacation ideas in this part of the US, check out our Midwest Family Travel Guide.

El Paso, Texas, located right on the border with Mexico, is a multicultural town that's very family-friendly. Known as the "Sun City" due to its exceptionally high amount of sunshine, El Paso is very diverse, and you're just as likely to hear Spanish spoken there as English. The city celebrates its diversity with downtown museums (many of them free!) and a reputation for some great Tex-Mex cuisine.

Whether you come to El Paso as part of a Texas road trip or en route to Big Bend National Park, this town has plenty for families to explore, including a brand new, state-of-the-art children's museum. Here are 20 top things to do in El Paso, Texas with kids, including family-friendly El Paso restaurants and hotels. Check out our Ultimate Travel Guide for more vacation ideas!

Florida, known for its amazing theme parks, welcomed another one when Great Wolf Lodge in Naples recently opened. With a 92,000-square-foot indoor water park and 500 guest rooms, this Naples, Florida hotel and attraction is one of the largest in the Great Wolf Lodge family...and the only one in Florida. (Great Wolf Lodge has 23 indoor water parks across the nation, including its most recently opened spot in Connecticut.)  The Naples destination is a total blast for families—aside from water rides, the resort offers plenty to do, from a thrilling ropes course to a bowling alley and arcade! 

So what sets Great Wolf Lodge Naples apart from its other locations? Our family took the plunge (literally!) and stayed at the water park for a fun-filled weekend. Read on for details from our adventure!