Midwest - ESPNZone type place in Minneapolis

My son is a huge fan of ESPNzone & my daughter is a huge fan of American girl. They both have birthdays coming up in the next two months & am thinking about a trip where we can do that for both as a present. I see that American Girl has a place in Minneapolis, so now I am thinking about making my wife happy with another trip to the mall (we went there about 7 years ago). It could be a good place to get the kids their school clothes for next year if we go this summer. Anyway, my question is are there any places in the area that would make my son (6 years old) happy? We went to ESPNzone in NYC last year & he loved the miniature bowling, air hockey, & basically all of the games. I don't think there is an ESPN zone in Minneapolis, so what place would come closest?

In downtown Minneapolis (near the Target Center) there is a relatively recent development called "Block E" (ask a local/cabbie if you're lost). It's a retail/entertainment area with restaurants, shopping, movie theater, bars/lounges, etc.

There you will find a GameWorks (http://www.gameworks.com/) which would probably satisfy your son because it has a lot of video games and there is also some food, although you'd be better off to eat at one of the other nearby restaurants (Hard Rock Cafe is very close, FWIW).

Be mindful that this area of downtown can get very crowded at night, especially with a Timberwolves game (although, probably not bad this season...) or concerts in town. GameWorks does sell alcohol and is 21 and over after 9pm, I think. The area is easily accessible via the light rail line that extends down through the airport and to the Mall of America. Might save you some hassle with parking...

In downtown Minneapolis (near the Target Center) there is a relatively recent development called "Block E" (ask a local/cabbie if you're lost). It's a retail/entertainment area with restaurants, shopping, movie theater, bars/lounges, etc.

There you will find a GameWorks (http://www.gameworks.com/) which would probably satisfy your son because it has a lot of video games and there is also some food, although you'd be better off to eat at one of the other nearby restaurants (Hard Rock Cafe is very close, FWIW).

Be mindful that this area of downtown can get very crowded at night, especially with a Timberwolves game (although, probably not bad this season...) or concerts in town. GameWorks does sell alcohol and is 21 and over after 9pm, I think. The area is easily accessible via the light rail line that extends down through the airport and to the Mall of America. Might save you some hassle with parking...


That definitely looks like it could be good. I have saved the website & will run it by the wife this weekend.

There's also an NBA City at the Target Center, though I've only been in there once, it looked like there were some game things there.

For a 6 year old, I would just stay at MOA. Between Nickelodean Universe (formerly Camp Snoopy), the adjacent LegoLand, and the sharks at underwater world, there's plenty to amuse a little boy while Mom & Daughter hit the American Girl store.

Most importantly (as a father of 3 young daughters, you can trust me when I say this) don't get suckered into going to the AG store with them. It's much less painful to see the bill for that cr*p when it's already a fait acompli.