Minneapolis is a big place and it’s road work season! What neighborhood will you be staying in? I recommend Highland Regional Park in West Bloomington, which is near 2 big lakes with a walking trail system. There are also off leash dog parks all over the city and you can find them listed at bringfido DOT com. This site also offers discounts on pet friendly hotels. All the regional and city parks have leash enforcement and pooper scooper laws with bag depots and disposal sites. Wherever you’re staying, you find parks and regional trails. It’s still cold at night here, so if you want to visit the zoo, go in the middle of the day. The animals are kept warm and sheltered on cold nights. Lots of public gardens listed https://www.minneapolis.org/things-to-do/nature-outdoors/public-gardens/ The gardens are my hangouts, but its been unusually cool this spring, so I haven’t spent a lot of time yet. Have a great visit!

Your suggestions and Link is exactly what I was looking for.
I know all about road construction- as they say in Chicago we have 2 seasons- winter and construction.

I found an Airbnb near the MOA that met our needs with the pup. Not that the MOA is a destination- but on a rainy day - maybe check out the aquarium.
We definitely want to check out the parks and the gardens look amazing.. do the gardens allow dogs?
We do want to visit any memorial sites for George , Renee and Alex to pay our respects.
We are big on supporting small businesses so spending time at family businesses and restaurants are a must do while we are there.
Again thank you for your reply- it’s much appreciated.

Maybe consider a short trip eastward toward the St. Croix River (Wisconsin - Minnesota border). It is one of the original eight rivers designated by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of (co-sponsored by our own late senator and vice president, Walter Mondale and senator, Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin). You can rent a canoe below Taylor's Falls and travel any distance you choose (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/starter_kit/paddle.html). The river is clean, sandy, and great for swimming throughout its entire length. The Mississippi River through both St. Paul and Minneapolis is unique too. The Stone Arch Bridge (https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/historical_sites/stone_arch_bridge/) and St. Anthony Falls mark the furthest north barges could travel on the Mississippi River. The pedestrian bridge is a wonderful place for pictures and close to public areas along the riverfront. The Mississippi River through the Twin Cities is designated as a National River and Recreation Area and partially managed by the National Park Service. The MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge is neat too (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota-valley/visit-us/trails). It protects almost 15,000 acres of land along the MN River in the heart of the Twin Cities.

If the weather is less than ideal, you could always visit the Science Museum of St. Paul and the History Center (home of the Minnesota Historical Society).

I’m up for a canoe trip but the pup may have other ideas. lol… and the wife- well she swears she will never be in a canoe with me again since we bumped into a large boat one time on lake Geneva Wisconsin . It was only one time…
When you say a short trip to the east- is that an hour or 4 hour drive from an area near the MOA?

a short drive from the cities. It's worth it, even if you don't buy anything, but you will.
Arguably the best fish and chips anywhere can be found at the Anchor.
Kramarczuk's for some interesting bites. It gets crowded at lunch time.
If you like baseball, the St. Paul Saints have a beautiful field in downtown St. Paul. Good baseball, and they don't bend you over on the prices like the MLB does.
Visit the Weisman Art Museum. It's a Gehry design, so worth the visit just to see the architecture.
A ride along the Minnesota River Valley road is fun.
Take a glider demonstration ride with the Minnesota Soaring Club in Stanton.