


Phillips Community Center
About
Phillips Community Center is a fantastic year-round indoor aquatics facility that offers something for every swimmer in the family. With water slides for thrill-seekers, shallow areas perfect for little ones gaining confidence, diving boards for adventurous kids, and dedicated spaces for swimming lessons, this public pool makes for an affordable and fun family outing regardless of the weather outside.
Highlights
- ✓Exciting water slides that kids can ride repeatedly
- ✓Diving boards for kids ready to take the plunge
- ✓Shallow play areas perfect for building water confidence in young children
- ✓Year-round indoor swimming regardless of Minnesota weather
- ✓Family-friendly environment with lifeguards on duty
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive right when they open on weekends (10:00 AM) to avoid the afternoon crowds and have more pool space for your family
- 2.Bring water shoes for kids as the pool deck can get slippery, and pack your own goggles since they're often pricier at the facility
- 3.Check their schedule online before visiting as they occasionally close sections for swimming lessons or special events
- 4.Weekday afternoons (Monday-Thursday, 12:00-3:00 PM) are typically the quietest times if you have flexible schedules
- 5.The community center offers other activities beyond swimming, so consider exploring the gym or community rooms if your kids need a break from the water
Best Time to Visit
Weekday early afternoons (Monday-Thursday, right after noon) offer the quietest swimming experience. Weekend mornings right at opening (10:00 AM) are also great for families wanting more space. Avoid Friday evenings and weekend afternoons when local families pack the facility.
What to Know
This is a public community center with affordable admission rates typical of Minneapolis Parks facilities. Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood. No food is sold on-site, but there's a lobby area where families can take snack breaks with items brought from home.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round, making it an especially valuable destination during Minnesota's long, cold winters when outdoor pool options aren't available. Hours may vary during holidays, so check their schedule before planning holiday visits.
Nearby Eats
Midtown Global Market (about 1 mile away) offers diverse, kid-friendly food options from around the world in a casual market setting. For classic American fare, Rainbow Chinese Restaurant & Bar nearby has a family-friendly atmosphere with a menu that appeals to kids.
More Activities Near Minneapolis
SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium
SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium offers an immersive underwater adventure in the heart of Bloomington's Mall of America complex. Kids can walk through a spectacular 300-foot ocean tunnel with sharks swimming overhead, get hands-on at interactive touch pools with sea stars and anemones, and meet thousands of fascinating sea creatures from seahorses to stingrays. The indoor setting makes it a perfect year-round destination regardless of Minnesota's weather.
Minnesota History Center
The Minnesota History Center brings the North Star State's past to life through hands-on exhibits that let kids touch, play, and explore rather than just look. From trying on vintage clothing to climbing into a real grain elevator, children actively engage with history through interactive displays that make learning feel like play. With its impressive 4.8-star rating and reputation for outstanding family programming, this museum strikes the perfect balance between educational and entertaining.
Children's Theatre Company
The Children's Theatre Company is one of the nation's premier professional theaters dedicated entirely to young audiences, bringing beloved stories to life with Broadway-quality productions, innovative staging, and age-appropriate storytelling. With an impressive 4.8-star rating from over 1,400 families, this Minneapolis gem offers everything from classic fairy tales to contemporary stories, ensuring kids experience the magic of live theater at its finest.
Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the nation's largest and most beloved state fairs, offering an incredible mix of agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, live entertainment, and legendary fair food. While the main 12-day fair happens each August, the fairgrounds host family-friendly events year-round including craft shows, educational programs, and seasonal celebrations that give families reasons to visit in every season.