The Money Life Network has a series called “Frugal things to do when you’re in…“ featuring free or cheap things to do.

From the Minneapolis-St. Paul list:

• Lake Calhoun: A great place to go for the day to enjoy some sun, a canoe ride, maybe some beach volleyball and a nice walk around the 3+mile lake. It is the place to see and be seen in the summer months (FREE)
• Minnehaha Falls: The falls are a natural wonder, and definitely a must visit for shutterbugs. In the area surrounding you can take nice long walk from the falls down to the Mississippi river. Beautiful! (FREE)
• Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: A 1,047-acre garden and arboretum about 20 minutes outside of Minneapolis. Because of it’s natural beauty this is often a chosen as a great spot for weddings and for just getting some great pictures. (15 and under free, $7 adults. Free all day Thursday in the winter, and free on Thursday evenings from 4.30 p.m. until 8 p.m. or sunset in the summer)
• Lyndale Park Rose Gardens at Lake Harriet: Lake Harriet in south Minneapolis has a beautiful Rose Garden that has been blooming every year since 1907-1908. It’s a popular place for weddings, photography and peaceful reflection. If you’re going to Lake Calhoun anyway, stop by the Rose Gardens, it is just a short walk away. Also, right across the street is a beautiful Japanese Gardens (FREE)

Also on the list, Como Zoo, MOA, Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, Sculpture Garden, MIA, food, sports, museums, etc. etc. Full list here.