"The dad's eye view is a little above and behind the kids': above, so you can scan the horizon for danger and excitement; behind, because adventures are best led by the kids." So says writer and amateur photographer Michael Hartford, who has followed his twin boys and their mother up historic water towers, down secret streets, and through Twin Cities landmarks, both lauded and little-known, with vintage camera in hand. over the years, the destinations have changed, from zoos to markets to museums, but the point has remained the same: to play and learn and explore together.

In Dad's...