We went here a few years back, and will be going back this September. We are so excited! There are so many beautiful spots here at Lake Itasca. We went to the headwaters first and walked across the Mississippi, which was just really awesome to think about. We left the stroller in the car, because obviously you can't take it over the rocks and things by/in the river. When we finished there (there are just pretty things to see there, and it's cool to walk in the river), we stopped by the visitor's center, which has some neat information in it. Nothing too exciting for kids, unless they're much older. We liked it. Then, we stopped off at a couple of scenic places. There was one where we went down a bunch of steps out to a viewing platform (it was small). From where we were, we could see the water and the beautiful woods. It was gorgeous. If you are about the view and a little bit of history, this is a great place to take the kids!

If you've never been to the Mall of America, you've never experienced anything quite like it! Just driving up to the mall is awe-inspiring! There is a parking lot for each state, which you can park in, and it will help you remember where you parked. The place is simply HUGE! Every store you can ever imagine is in the mall, plus there are many unique shops. Of course, the biggest difference in the mall is that there is an indoor amusement park. The indoor roller coaster is something to be seen! We didn't get to ride it (the first time I went I didn't want to...I was a teenager, the second time my husband and I had our first daughter, and she was only 1). There is, though, PLENTY to do there at the mall to take up an entire day. You could easily go early in the morning and spend all day there. If you rode a ride and took in a few other activities, you probably won't even see the whole mall! We had a great time, and are going to go back this September, as we have three kids now, and they will all enjoy it. I can't wait!

The Dallas Farmer's Market is a pretty cool place. There are lots of booths down there, and lots of nearby places to buy plants, etc. For as many booths as there are, though, we have never found a huge variety or anything unusual. The prices are ok, and there are some pretty vegetables there, but you also don't really feel like it all comes from actual local farmers...probably because it doesn't. We like to find the stuff that is from local farmers, then buy the rest at the store (for a lower price!) This is a neat area to walk around with kids!

We went to this place, having "heard" (ha!) lots of things about it. It really was nothing special. I had a stroller with two kids in it, and had a lot of trouble on the inside part getting around. The inside is not that big, and features mostly reptiles. When we went outside, I was optimistic for myself and my stroller because of the ramp leading to the paths that you can take to observe the wildlife. I am sure that for older children, this would be great fun, but the paths were not at all stroller-friendly, so we didn't even attempt them. I am sure that the paths were beautiful and you could see lots of wildlife on them, but it wasn't for us at that time! Nothing to write home about!

The Dallas World Aquarium would get 5 stars, but it is quite expensive! There is a glass tunnel that you can walk through/sit and watch in that is awesome. The kids wanted to stay in there for forever. There are sharks that swim over your head...sharks you've never seen before, and other big creatures. There is also a glass wall downstairs that the HUGE manatees swim right up to and press up against. The kids absolutely loved it! The place is laid out to where you just follow the path, and basically see everything there if you stay on the path. It feels like you are in the animals' environments, and some you can just walk right up to...like the sloth, which the kids think is awesome. Some people say that the smell is bad, and there is a smell, but I'm thinking...what do you expect with practically an indoor zoo? It isn't overpowering...there, but not bad. Would recommend!