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SUMMER FUN WITH KIDDOS (2012)

IN NORTHFIELD

Useful websites for Northfield events + news:

- at

-Northfield Patch at

-Summer 2012 Community Services at brochures.pdf_view.cfm?id=611

*PARKS AROUND TOWN

Northfield has more than three dozen public parks, with 400-plus acres of land! Many have playgrounds and restrooms, most have picnic tables, and many can be reserved for group events. Here are a few favorites:

Hauberg Woods Park is a hidden park with a beautiful forest and trails. The forest lends itself to many secret hidden spots perfect for fairy houses. Also has a pond with numerous frogs and tadpoles!

Cherry Park also feels a little hidden, on a dead end street on the west side of town. Great pavilion shelter, shady, feels a little magical.

North Park has funky, unique climbing equipment, ropes and webs and spinning thingies. Lots of prairie grasses, beautiful in the fall.

Sechler Park has a big huge spiderwebby climbing structure (very safe), a spacious shelter, acres of sports fields, good bike paths, bathrooms, all the fixings. Closed to vehicles in the winter.

Spring Creek Park on the south side of town is a big place, and hosts Northfield’s in-house soccer program on Tuesday and Thursday summer evenings. An enormous play structure, ADA-certified and accessible, picnic pavilion and tables, ponds, restrooms.

Central Park on the east side has a playground, benches, lots of grass, a well-manicured garden, a stone performance space for summer theater, room for pick-up soccer and frisbee games, and old shade trees, and backs up to the Weitz Center for Creativity (small coffee shop—espresso, smoothies, sandwiches….)

Odd Fellows Park is a classic near St. Olaf, with big pavilion, complex playground, swings, shade, running room.

Caron Park (near Northfield) is a most amazing and kid-friendly 60-acre riverside park to explore! Beautiful trails and a glacial erratic rock formation! The park is a remnant of the Big Woods Forest Community, and is a terrific spot for nature study and sketching. Great creek stomping to the waterfall.

co.rice.mn.us/parks/caron.php

Anonymous park-like setting is another great hike for all: this one is just south of Northfield. Take Cannon City Blvd. (the intersection just south of Menards) and look for a pull-off on the right hand side, maybe a mile after you get onto Cannon City Blvd. and off of Hwy. 3. There is a sign there that explains hiking in regional parks (this is the far side of another great park, also poorly marked called "Cannon River Wilderness Area). Anyway, you hike in along boardwalks and get to this magic little private prairie. It is awesome.

Here’s a detailed directory of all Northfield Parks:

ci.northfield.mn.us/parksandrec/parks

*Dog Parks

Let’s not forget our furry four-legged kiddos. They too need their summer fun, so it’s not a leap to say that our town’s two off-leash parks are, well, a ball. The big one is behind Kmart on Highway 3 (actually in Dundas), with shade trees, picnic tables, lots of running room, and a stash of handy poop bags and water bowls. If your pooch gets all muddy, you can step across the parking lot to the backside of Countryside Vet, which leaves on a hose to give dogs a cooling spray-down. The other park re-opened recently and is also on Highway 3 and next to the Culver’s. Neither requires special permits, but bring only kid-friendly dogs who play well in packs.

*Outdoor pool + grounds

This is at Memorial Park (east side of town), the former playing fields for the old middle school. Now it features a terrific outdoor pool, with zero-entry, fountains, and a splash pool for really littles; a diving board, climbing wall, and social spaces for older littles; and lap swims for parents. Vending machines. Rentable canopies for birthday parties. Lounge chairs. Basketball area. Season passes or single swims. For other play, there’s talk of a public skateboard park going in and possibly an Ultimate Frisbee course. For now, a volleyball court is located north of the city pool. It’s actually rare to see any games going, but it's a nice court if anyone wants to get a game together. Some folks use it regularly as a giant sandbox and bring their own shovels and buckets.

ci.northfield.mn.us/parksandrec/pool

*Red Barn Pizza Farm

Red Barn Farm grows tasty, pesticide-free produce (some of which turns into pickles, salsa, and sauerkraut) and chickens for our area farmers markets and the CSA—and, lucky for us, for the farm’s Wednesday Night Pizza parties. Think homemade dough, garden veggies, local sausages, all done up in pies that come hot from the wood-fired outdoor ovens. The Winter family is transforming this formerly club-style operation into a full-fledged business, and plans to open for pizza evenings again at the end of summer 2012. Pack your own salads, sides, pies, and drinks to enjoy while you wait for your pizza, and don’t forget your picnic blanket or folding table and chairs.



*Northfield YMCA

No doubt you’ve heard that there’s a groundbreaking in the works for a marvelous YMCA—opening in 2013, behind the Target store. In the meantime, the Y continues to offer all sorts of fun summer and year-round stuff for kids, from park programs to adventure camps to sports teams. The annual Y KIDS TRI noncompetitive triathlon happens in July is a fun experience for the sporty ones.

programs

*Summer Organ Recitals

This is a longstanding series of free, noontime organ recitals in July and August, set for Wednesdays from 12:15-12:45. The 2012 line-up:

July 11: Skinner Chapel (Carleton College)

July 18: Boe Memorial Chapel (St. Olaf College)

July 25: First Congregational Church (300 Union Street)

August 1: Studio A,  Skifter Hall, Christiansen Music Building (St. Olaf College)

August 8: United Methodist Church (1401 S. Maple Street)

August 15: St. John's Lutheran Church (500 3rd Street West)

*Young People’s Theater Workshop (YPT)

For kids entering grades 3-12 through the Northfield Arts Guild, it’s a longstanding three-week program that teams up a creative staff of theater artists and educators to lead young thespians through the process of writing their own scripts, rehearsing, and performing dramatics and dance. This is a real gem in town—an intensive theater education hosted at Arcadia Charter School. It’s not what you’d call an economic bargain (at $300-plus a pop for the weeks), but you can’t beat this kind of experience for kids who aspire to the stage.



Northfield-to-Dundas bike trail

The one that goes from Sechler Park to Dundas is a nice ride for little legs and makes a good outing for bringing lunch, feels like a big trip for the small ones but is easy and low-key for the grown-ups. Once you get to Dundas, it’s fun to sit on the patio of the L & M bar/café sipping root beer floats, take in a Dundas Dukes baseball game, or mill around the park playground, before finishing the round trip.



ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/b/BikeTrailMap_Pamphlet_20090728.pdf

Baseball games

Speaking of which, it’s a hoot to just pick a random one when the mood strikes, like the Northfield Knights, Dundas Dukes, Miesville Mudhens, or Cannon Falls Bears—these are small, good-time, legion teams, and the games feel almost old-fashioned.







team/cannonfallsbears

Fishing the Cannon River

Especially in downtown Northfield. Ne’er a week goes by without attempting to catch (and release) the big one.

Prairie & Wood Day Camp

Held in the Carleton College Arboretum. Kids explore the prairies, woods, bogs, and waterways around the area, do environmental arts and research, play games, and take field trips to farms and parks. Half- day camps run 8:30-11:30 for ages 5-12. $95 for M-F. Prairie & Wood is a program of the Northfield YMCA.

archives/3437

*Historic Stanton Airfield

Kids really love this little grass-strip airfield, right between Northfield and Cannon Falls. It’s home to the Minnesota Soaring Club, mostly a hobby group of retired guys and their small planes and gliders who do pick-up flights using a home-built control station, centuries of collective experience in the air, and some cooperative wind. There’s great nostalgia here, from the old-fashioned pop machine to the walk down memory lane photo gallery on the walls. There’s a play set, picnic tables, lush grass, and lots of chance encounters with pilots that will excite young imaginations. Also: a free fly-in with dozens of planes, pancake breakfast, and all sorts of prototype models every Father’s Day.



Ice cream cones

Hogan Brothers, Bittersweet, and Cocoa Bean all scoop several flavors—it’s lovely to walk down along Division Street in the evening with a cone in hand, then sit by the fountain or waterfall in Bridge Square.

Northfield Public Library

Great reading programs! The summer reading program goes June-July, and there are booklets that kids of all ages can use as guides and motivators (if they need it) or just for a fun way to keep track of what they’re reading for posterity’s record. Every Thursday at 11:45 those who’ve met their reading goal get treated to pizza at the library. Check it out.

And of course, on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Books & Stars happens at parks around town, with Booker the bookmobile at the curb and live music on the stage. Especially don’t miss Justin Roberts’ annual gig at Central Park.

ci.northfield.mn.us/library

July 4 in Northfield (annual)

Criterion bike races in downtown. It's engaging to watch, wander about with no big agenda and drink cold coffees (depending on weather...). They also have a kid race which is one lap, for which you can sign up on the spot.

CARLETON COLLEGE

carleton.edu

*Walking: Rocks + Benches is a stone-and-log structure beside the big Skinner Chapel (faces First Street)—fun for kids to climb on and a good picnic spot. Riding bikes around campus is fun for beginners since there are few driveways and little traffic (except students absorbed in their smart phones ) to look out for. The Carleton main library has a taxidermed penguin named Oscar, and a great couchy nook with a serious collection of children’s classic and illustrated books—a restorative pit stop, for sure! Also, there is a giant outdoor chalkboard that is fun to find—somewhere in the vicinity of the library (anyone know the exact building?)

*Goodsell Observatory Open House at Carleton: First Friday of every month (cancelled if cloudy). The start time is listed in the Northfield News, as it varies with the season and when darkness arrives. Summer is a terrific time to catch these events, though winter visits are sometimes more compatible with kids' bedtimes (the building is not heated, so choose a warmer evening or bundle up). Once in the building, you wait (in the dark) in line to climb up a ladder to see into the two huge indoor telescopes. Students and professors are there to talk with you about what you see. There are also a few smaller telescopes set up outside and ready to explore night sky with college-student tour guides who love to answer kids’ questions.

carleton.edu/departments/phas/astro/index.html

Japanese garden: This is a favorite spot to hang out, bring some tea & crackers, tell stories and daydream. It's a great setting for make-believe activities (wear a costume, bring a couple props). You can park on Maple & First streets where the newish Carleton dorms are, then just stroll behind the big old dorm right there on Maple. You’ll stumble upon the The Garden of Quiet Listening.

apps.carleton.edu/campus/japanesegarden

Stonehenge: The little rock and oak tree gathering in the Arb (enter at the very end of East Second Street, go down, cross bridge, come up, pick some raspberries along the path, then take the second path to the right and keep going right. Families like to go there for little child-sized ritual and fun (climbing, hugging, and talking to the old oaks and big rocks), light a candle, say a little prayer for the earth (or whatever). Bring a kite, too—the wind is often just right on these fields.

*Weitz Center for Creativity: New in 2011, this is a new town-and-gown hotspot. The building used to house Northfield Middle School, and is now home to dance, film, and live theater venues, an exhibition gallery, classrooms and studios, and a lively lobby with small café (see the website for a calendar). The Weitz adjoins Central Park, with its playground, picnic tables, and summer outdoor theater productions put on by the Northfield Arts Guild.

apps.carleton.edu/weitz



*Racquetball courts

If you have access as a faculty or staff family, it’s fun to reserve a court at the rec center and get a bin of tennis balls (both free) and go crazy on the court—throwing, kicking, and sliding on the tennis balls. The race center is super-friendly to kids—just no running on the stairs. Kids also like to watch students on the climbing wall at the rec center.

ST. OLAF COLLEGE

tolaf.edu

Walking: Or running or skipping or jumping…. Spin around the beautiful hilltop, through the little landscaped areas, and under the Wind Chime Memorial by Boe Chapel. Also, you can wander through Flaten Art Museum in Dittman Center, or get a snack in Buntrock Commons. It's all very close together. Birdwatching and running on the soccer fields at St Olaf is a hoot. The entrance to the college’s arboretum is on the corner of Greenvale and Lincoln avenues. It's a fun hike and goes around a small pond and onto the soccer fields. Usually by the time parents get there the kids are ready to get out of the stroller and play.

Dining: Some of us like to bring the kids to eat at the St. Olaf dining room at Stav Hall. It’s affordable, the service is Bon Appetit, a share of the food is locally grown, organic, hormone-free meat, and all food waste is composted at the STOGROW student farm. For an even finer-dining time, try the Kings’ Room when it’s open during the school year.

stolaf.edu

stolaf.edu/visiting/dining.html

Montessori Children's House

MCH offers a rich, month-long summer program during June and a beautiful music week in August, for preschoolers. The house’s back yard is park-like, with live animals, a dry creekbed, all sorts of climbing and fantasy structures, and lively gardens beds.



*Prairie Creek Summer Day Camps

Northfield’s public elementary charter school offers a spirited, progressive series of week-long summer camps in June. Kids in first-sixth grades spend the warm days in the meadows, woods, and waterways of Prairie Creek’s Big Backyard, gardening, cooking, eating, studying chemistry, playing games, and making field expeditions to area farmers’ markets and produce farms.



Brick Oven Bakery

The free bread samples always help in the middle of running errands. Across the street is the Northfield Gymnastic Center, affordable classes and coaching to get the jeebies out, plus a weekly open gym for $5.



*Fossum Family Farm Alpacas

Stop out for a frolic with this 70-plus herd of alpacas and a visit to their small shop that features alpaca-wool crafts and clothing. These are awesome animals, and the family welcomes kids to their corner of paradise.

fossumfamilyfarm.

*FARMERS MARKETS

Try bringing a couple blankets and picnic, munching on market fare, there's sometimes music, kids play on the play equipment. Lots of people show up and it's a cool community gathering. Old friends and new!

Northfield Farmers Market

Riverside Park on Seventh Street (11:45 am -1:00 pm on Tuesdays + Fridays and 9:00-11:00 am on Saturdays, June-October)

Riverwalk Market Fair

Downtown Northfield (9:00 am-2:00 pm on Saturdays, June-October)



Various Minnesota Farmers Markets

fm/Minnesota

STRAWBERRY + RASPBERRY + APPLE PICKING

(and coming soon: Blueberries from Little Hill Farm)

Pick your own—fruitful fun, and the produce tastes better when it’s hand-harvested.

Silkey Gardens



Lorence’s Berry Farm



Fireside Orchard & Gardens

(huge variety of apples, plus homemade mini-donuts!)



*Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) + other Local Farms

If you haven’t joined up yet, CSAs are the place for families to be on summer days—harvesting greens and flowers, checking out the chickens, picking up the week’s fresh menu, and learning about our immediate rural economy. There are lots of organic/sustainable small-scale farmers around Northfield—with offerings of field vegetables, pasture-raised meat, honey, milk, wool, and so much more. Open Hands Farm, Simple Harvest, Big Woods, Spring Wind Farm.. the list is tantalizing: take a look at our area’s field-to-mouth map!



Greenhouses + Nurseries around here

Donahue’s in Faribault, North Star Nursery in Faribault, the daylily fields in Lonsdale, Farmington Greenhouse, Pahl’s Market in Apple Valley, South Cedar Nursery across from Bachman’s on Cedar Ave., and Bachman’s.

Rice County Steam Engine Meet (annual)

An annual event every Labor Day weekend. This is a two-hour tractor parade complete with color commentary. There's also a working steam engine that drives a thresher or a saw mill, a blacksmith shop, country-style eats, and a flea market. It’s in a dedicated field on the west side of Hwy. 3 south of Menards.



Defeat of Jesse James Days (annual)

Parade, shoot-out, banquet, horseshoe hunt, bands, greasy fair food, craft fair at Central Park, steak fry, Bridge Square bingo—hey, it’s good for tourism, and sometimes us townies have fun too. Weekend after Labor Day, the final kaboom of summer



DAY TRIPPING—NEAR TO NORTHFIELD

*Sogn Valley Craft Fair

Crafts, art, and local and artisanal foods in a beautiful country setting, the rolling hills of the Sogn Valley. Usually takes place in October. It's on a family farm and there are lots of food options set up in the barn and live music for listening and dancing. Free admission and free parking.



*Burnsville Performing Arts Center

This place is great, and they occasionally have something really fun for kids (terrific acrobats, for instance). Outside there's a terrific fountain park with waterfalls and water that shoots from the ground. Kids wade, families watch and picnic. The center has events and concerts also (including movies in the summer). Across the parking lot is the Mediterranean Cruise Café—really good food.



*Cliff-Fen Park on Cliff Road in Burnsville

Check out the crazy great wooden play structure. Also volleyball, picnic area, walking trails, all the right park amentiies.

ci.burnsville.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=312

*Burnsville Fire Muster (Annual)

This 25-year-old celebration happens for five days in in September (usually the same weekend as Jesse James Days). There’s a fire truck parade, community parade on Sunday (LOTS of candy), carnival, demonstrations, fireworks, local food, etc .



*Skateville in Burnsville

Truly an experience. Skates for every size foot, a soundtrack you haven’t heard since puberty, silliness abounds.



*Crystal Lake in Burnsville

Nice big park with sandy beach, water play area, picnic spots, walking trails, great for a lazy summer afternoon.

index.aspx?NID=329

*Summer Camp at Children's Country Day School in Mendota Heights

Hands down the most amazing preschool EVER! They offer a "summer on the farm" camp, with animals (lots of animals) and gardens, swimming in the pool and pony rides. The staff is top-notch, and the playground is Arbor Day certified. Parents who know can't speak highly enough about this place. For preschoolers.



*RAD Zoo—Reptile + Amphibian Discovery Zoo in Owatonna

Who knew? It’s a new-ish place (2009) with friendly and knowledgable staff, opportunities to touch and feed some of the animals—150 different kinds, including alligator, python, frogs, turtles, fish—and shows like “Everglades Encounter.” You can reserve a pavilion for a party, and plan your visit to time with feedings.



Rice Lake State Park just east of Owatonna

If you have a canoe, kayak, or small boat, take it to this shallow lake known for waterfowl and good birdwatching. No fishing on this lake, as the lake isn't stocked with game fish and it is too shallow for the most part. Nice, quiet, small, shallow lake to leisurely row around.

dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/rice_lake/index.html

*Great Serengeti Water Park + Cabela’s in Owatonna

Don’t head to the cities for a fun indoor waterpark—go south about a half-hour to this one at the Holiday Inn in Owatonna. It’s got all the fixins’ but isn’t too crazy—two slides, a lazy river, zero entry on one side, pool basketball, slides and fountains for toddlers, a hot tub. Plus you can pretty much spot your kids at all times. And while you’re at it, swing into Cabela’s next door for a swarthy safari around all the strange taxidermy tableaux.

waterpark.asp

retail-stores-owatonna.shtml

*Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley

OK, so the dolphins are gone—bummer. But it’s probably for the best, for the animals anyway. There’s so much more at the zoo, as most of us already know. It’s a rain or shine, hot or cold, energetic or tired place that suits all moods, weather, and seasons. Mostly though, don’t forget the BUTTERFLY GARDEN in the summer, from mid-June to September. It’s a spectacular sight for sure—hundreds of North American butterflies and moths, with 40 species all free-flying around the house, setting down on plants and people. Kids can hands-on study the life cycles from caterpillar to cocoon/chrysalis, to winged adult, and also do a scavenger hunt with a butterfly ID sheets. It’s all included in the price of admission. If it’s been raining, the houses closes to let the insects’ wings dry for awhile.



Valley Grove Church in Nerstrand

Built in 1894, it sits smack on top of everything and you can see the rolling hills of southern MN for miles. The church itself is small, white clapboard, and on the National Register of Historic Sites. Big oak trees, a lovely yard, vintage headstones many of which are inscribed in Norwegian (good for making rubbings with kids). The original minister went on to help found St. Olaf College. Recommended lazy picnic spot. You can get history, directions, and take a photo tour at the website.



Hidden Falls Trail at Big Woods State Park in Nerstrand

Everyone who’s been there really likes this area by Nerstrand. It's a good one for little kids because it's not horribly long, but it is interesting for little eyes and little legs. And the waterfall at the end is very worth the hike, great pools for dunking. (It's the first photo in the slide show on the website).

dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/nerstrand_big_woods/index.html

Hi-Quality Bakery in Cannon Falls

When you go to Cannon Falls to the little beach at Dakota County Park, head into this bakery—it’s way superior to the Northfield version. Apple bars and basic raised glazed donuts are family favorites.

The little beach at Lake Byllesby near Cannon Falls

Closest local sandy swim beach? It's between Northfield and Cannon Falls, and there are a few campsites there too. This is the beach on the north side of the lake. Swimming seems to be best earlier in the summer, before the water levels get low and the water gets yucky—Byllesby is a part of the Cannon River. co.dakota.mn.us/Locations/Parks/Byllesby.html.

Bike trail from Cannon Falls to Welch/Redwing

It’s beautiful. Start across from Econo (you can buy wheel passes there at the store) in the city parking lot. A nice ride goes about 6 miles to a shady rest area complete with benches, picnic tables, bike racks, and a porta-potty! (maybe it was 6 miles round trip?). You can pack a lunch or snacks and then bike back—the trail is relatively flat so this was fairly kid friendly—but be sure the tires are in good condition and have some canned air!

Canoeing or kayaking the Cannon River

You can rent in Cannon Falls. Options are 10 miles (1.5 hours) or 18. Canoe, kayak, raft, bike. They’ve got a shuttle service, jackets, and paddles included in the rental fee.



Riverbend Nature Center in Faribault

A big favorite spot is the turtle pond. You can hang out on the bridge, with snacks of course (!) and it's like being in the middle of an I Spy book with all of the turtles, tadpoles, and other creatures. RBNC does great summer programs for preschoolers and up (beginning with 1-year-olds) and maple sugaring in the fall and full moon hikes, too. They have an indoor bird observation area that has sound brought in from the outside, where you can see a large variety of birds and there is a nature-themed play area right next to the birding area. Finally, the "Kids in the Wild" play area has sticks and stones to move around and build dams when there's enough rain.



Faribault Public Library

The children's section is bigger than Northfield's, their story time is really fantastic, and they have a neat, wooden doll house always accessible and set up to play with. library

Party Bound in Lakeville

It’s bouncification galore: slides, castles, wind tunnel, obstacle course. Open playtimes are $6/child (socks required), plus it’s rentable for parties.



Dakota County Fair in Farmington

Hands down the best county fair around. There’s an old-time village, fountain drinks, lots of farm animals and horse shows, tasty pie, lovely prairie and flowers, and rides up the wazoo. If the thought of tackling the state fair is too daunting, head over here in August.

UMore Park up the road near Rosemount

This one of the University of Minnesota’s Outreach, Research, and Education sites. It’s 5000 acres, full of landscaping and flowers and trial gardens. The annual open house features family activities, birds from the Raptor Center, research animals, sweet corn and meats/cheeses from the U’s lab and dairy, a hay wagon tour, and farm equipment.

umorepark.umn.edu

Fire Department’s chicken BBQ in Randolph

This is amazing! The fire department has this fund-raiser annually in mid-August. The whole town and people from all around show up for fresh sweet corn cooked in an old railroad-car steam engine and the best chicken grilled on racks over cattle water troughs! This is the best corn and chicken I eat all season and it comes with slaw, beans, roll, and drink. There is also a street dance and a craft fair.

Summit Golf Course

Between Northfield and Cannon Falls. Par 3 course for kids 16 and under is $2 when they come with a playing adult! That’s a deal, folks. Adults are $10 for 9 holes all week.



Fossil digging at Wang’s Corner near Dennison

Right in our backyard: Take 246 east through Dennison (246 becomes 9). At the intersection of 56, turn left or north. Pull over on the right side of the road almost immediately where you see the pale exposed sandy rock. The road is busy but you have lots of space to park and move away from the road to explore. Take a towel, trowel, and bucket to collect. It is very rocky and it makes it easier to sit on the towel. 

winona.edu/geology/MRW/MNglance/Mn_Fossils.pdf

*Big Stone Mini Golf and Sculpture Garden in Mound

Not sure any of us have been there, but it tops the list: looks too cool for words.



*Cascade Bay Water Park in Eagan

Outdoors! A half-hour from Northfield, this is an awesome complex of pools, slides, fountains, and a big old lazy river for inner-tube floating. Open early June-late August from 11:00 am-8:00 pm. Kids over 42 inches cost $10 ($8 after 4:00 pm), kids under 42 inches cost $8 ($6 after 4:00 pm), and lovebugs under 18 months old are freebies.

live/article.aspx?id=40933

Caponi Art Park in Eagan

Easy drive for a great time. There are all sorts of performances on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. in the summer—puppets, international music and dance, drumming…. Sunday nights at 6:30 you can take in plays from Shakespeare to moderns, which pairs nicely with a picnic and woods walk. It’s a difference performance series every summer, with all sorts of surprises. And the setting is one big art set.



FARM FUN

Cedar-Summit Farm outside New Prague has many grass fed moo cows and often calves with a formal tour that includes a peek at the dairy operation and a sample of ice cream.



Johnson’s Buffalo Ranch near Lonsdale/ New Prague has majestic animals with terrific social skills and highly pettable pelts. You can purchase meat here, too.



Shepherd's Way outside Nerstrand offers tours that include tastes of the farm's award-winning, hand-crafted artisan sheep cheeses for a small fee.



Hyland Lake Park in Bloomington (Bush Lake Road)

Ginormous playground! If you have kids who love to climb and explore playground equipment, you have to check this Bloomington park out! Known to some as "Chutes and Ladders," this 16,000 square foot playground and climbing structure makes a great family outing. Hyland also has canoeing, picknicking, a swim beach, and lots of other outdoor options.



Lake Marion in Antlers Park in Lakeville

Has a small but pleasant beach front, a shady picnic area for picnics, and a terrific contraption that we call the "water table" (a small configuration of pipes and water trays at kid height, that can be filled with water and sand, then emptied , then filled and emptied—providing hours on hours of engagement for the kiddos (go figure!). ci.lakeville.mn.us/environmental-resources/lake-marion

Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake

There is a nice lake with swimming beach and picnic area here (it’s just west of the movie theater on I-35). There’s a campground, picnic area, swimming beach, even golfing.

Cannon Falls Fourth of July Parade (annual)

This is similar to Jesse James days, but maybe a bit smaller (and shorter). It starts before noon, so get there early to avoid closed roads and find a spot. Check the Cannon Beacon site for info.

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*Rice County Fair in Faribault (annual)

In July—this is -a very manageably-sized fair. Kids love the petting zoo, the animal barns, the corny entertainment, the food, and the bungie-cord jumping ride.



DAY TRIPPING—FURTHER AFIELD

*Minnesota Historical Center Sites

High praise for the Oliver Kelley Farm (Elk River), Mill City Museum (Minneapolis), Historic Fort Snelling (Twin Cities). Anyone can go (there’s a reasonable entrance fee) and you get a better deal by joining the Minnesota Historical Society.



*Bluegrass Festival (annual)

August 9-12, 2012 in Richmond, MN. It’s the 33rd annual Minnesota Bluegrass + Old-Time Music Festival with round-the-clock pickin and fiddling, contests, kids tents and workshops, with a campground right there in the thick of the impromptu and stage jams.

*Pow Wow Trail

Lots of celebrations on the pow wow trail this summer, from Leech Lake to Prairie Island to Pipestone. Many are traditional, with the general public invited. Grass dancers, fancy dancers, drum groups, honorings, always a good time for all.

mnpowwow.php

*Tuesday Kick Around in Stillwater

Every Tuesday evening along the St. Croix River waterfront, right at the food of the historic lift bridge, there’s family fun with a craft fair, picnic fare from local restaurants, live entertainment (music, puppets, theater), and a free kids movie on the big outdoor screen. And how about this: sounds like silly summer fun: why not go for the day, rent a pontoon boat and cruise around the St. Croix? Seems like all this would be a great outing for out-of-town guests, plus Stillwater is such a summer town there’s always action along the river, a good bite to eat, people watching galore.



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*Taylor’s Falls for a Day

As we know, the St. Croix is a pristine river, scenic and healthy and great for canoeing—the best glides go along the backwaters where birds pass in migration and beavers, otters, deer and eagles keep you company. You can get a boat pretty cheap at Taylors Falls Canoe + Kayak Rental, and launch at Minnesota Interstate State Park—a satisfying trip last between 2-7 hours, and you can follow up with a trip to Franconia Sculpture Park, in Taylor’s Falls—a 20-acre park chock full of wild outdoor sculptures and installations, very lively and innovative. Open 365 days a year, with programs and tours. They’ve got Kids Make Sculpture Workshops for $25, but it’s free to get into the park all the time. Don’t miss free Kids Night on August 11, 2012 (5-9 pm) and the free Community Collaboration Hot Metal Pour on August 4, 2012 (10-8 pm) Taylor’s Falls is about 45 minutes northeast of the Cities.

things-to-do/1949/details.aspx



*Red Wing and the Bluffs

The town Water Park has 2-for-1 on Tuesday, Friday Night 2 Buck swim after 4:00 pm, and Sunday Family Day $1 for all swimmers and $1 hot dogs. The Anderson Center, a writing and arts facility and residency program, has an extensive art collection: Picasso, Chagall, Dali. Nice place for a scenic walk. Have a bite at the Smokey Row Café/Jenny Lind Bakery, then head to Frontenac State Park about 10 miles south, and has breathtaking views of Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River. There is a 0.7 mile trail in the park that brings you to a secluded beach right on the lake for swimming and picnicking. Tons of eagles in spring, nice group camp, sites aren’t so terrific. The town of Frontenac is fun to see, like going back in time. Also the beach down at Lake Pepin is ok (we always suspect about swimming in the Mississippi...). And take a couple of hours to hike on Barns Bluff in Red Wing—it’s got several different types of ecosystems to explore and a great view north to Prescott and south to Lake City with lots of eagles and other birds (free!)

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dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/frontenac/index.html



Wabasha for soaring, spinning, splashing

It’s an enjoyable big day trip or overnight, and a real good way to see the bluffs and the Mississippi River’s mid-state stretch. The National Eagle Center in Wabasha has a viewing deck, fascinating displays, and live bird shows along this active nesting and migration pathway. And wait! Don’t even think about missing LARK Toys, a true gem—a fantastic toy store with a hand-carved carousel,, rooms of vintage and retro toys, a books store, a candy shop, live llamas, a blue waterfall, mini-golf—geesh!)





Miesville

Get your fine selves over to Miesville Ravine County Park—a secluded little Eden along the north side of the Cannon near Welch, with great hiking and nice picnic area. You can take in a Miesville Mudhen’s baseball game and dine at Wiederholt’s Supper Club or get one of those divine burgers at Kings Bar.

co.dakota.mn.us/LeisureRecreation/CountyParks/Locations/MiesvillePark/default.htm

*Rockford, Iowa

(2 ½ hours from Northfield) When in doubt, head south to Northern Iowa for a great fossil hunt. You can take what you find—and the area is huge! Lots of fun.

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*Decorah Iowa

(2 ½ hours from Northfield)

Great stop for Upper Iowa river kayaking/canoeing, plus you gotta stop at the Bily Clocks Museum in Spillville—absolutely amazing!

outdoor-diversions.html

business/bily-clocks-museum-and-antonin-dvorak-exhibit.html

business/bily-clocks-museum-and-antonin-dvorak-exhibit.html



Flandreau State Park in New Ulm

This is a day or, better yet, weekend excursion—it’s about 90 miles southwest of Northfield. This park has a great sand-bottomed swimming pool. The beach is wonderful, great for kids from toddlers on up, makes a good day trip or a weekend if you want to camp at the park and take in the sights in New Ulm too. And also in New Ulm, after you take the mandatory tour of the Schell Brewery and dance your lederhosen off, be sure to the Wanda Gag’s childhood home-turned-museum (she wrote Millions of Cats and other classic children’s books).

dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/flandrau/index.html

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*French Regional Park in Plymouth

Along the north shore of Medicine Lake, this park’s got lots of trails, a shallow sandy swimming beach (there’s a trolley to get there!), fishing pier, creative play area. It's quite fun. Also, there’s a lighted cross country ski trails in the winter.

parks/french-park.aspx

Biking along the Minnesota River

Park underneath the Cedar Ave. (Hwy. 77) bridge, which you get to by exiting onto Hwy. 13 east and winding down to the river. The trail goes all the way to the Sibley House. It’s a hard packed dirt trail, great for kids, and again dogs and very peaceful and very scenic.

*Cottage View Drive-in in Cottage Grove

You heard me—that’s Drive-in, as in Drive-in Theater. Yep: they’re still on earth, and a great one is just up the road. Last time we checked, some fun kid flicks like Three Stooges, Madagascar, and Harry Potter were showing. No checks, no credit cards, no ATM on site: bring cash, people-for getting in and for that popcorn you’ll want to eat while reclining on the hood of your mini-van. There seem to be at least two other drive-ins within striking distance, too.

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*CAVES! Niagara Cave in Harmony and Mystery Cave in Forestville

Niagara is right by Lanesboro, about an hour and a half from Northfield. It’s a fascinating geological attraction, with an hour-long guided tour past a 60-foot waterfall, stalactites, calcite flowstone, fossils, and yes, a wedding chapel. It’s 48 degrees down there, so wear layers. Sadly, no bats. You can put this together with an outing to Lanesboro—biking, an overnight, other fun family stuff. Mystery is at Forestville State Park, a super place to camp and also to visit the restored 1800s village operated by the Minnesota Historic Society

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dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/forestville_mystery_cave/index.html

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen

There’s a new theme every summer—in 2012 it’s Dirt-o-Rama: Intriguing Tales from the Underground. The arb hosts regular performances, tours, and programs in their gardens. Don’t miss the memory-making Hedge Maze. And there’s a terrific sensory garden that kids love, a Japanese garden, herbs and veggies, specific collections of things like evergreens and peonies, and great classes on how to harvest rain, how to plant a waterwise garden, and so on. A reasonable cafeteria with outdoor seating, too!

arboretum.umn.edu

*Mis-sis-sippi

Go for a visit to the Lock + Dam system along our stretch of the Mississippi River: #1 is in the cities (by the Grand Rounds bike trail), #2 in Hastings (right on the regional trail, great for a bike ride or hike), #3 near Red Wing on Prairie Island. There are observation points—it’s very fun to watch the boats and especially the barges go through the locks during the shipping season. ‘

SOME TRAVEL-WORTHY DINING

The Ranchero in Webster

About as throwback as you can get, with red-and-white checked oilcloth on the tables, stag horns on the walls, schnitzel and cabbage, and extremely efficient service. Firday night fish fry. Sunday brunch. Weeknight sauerbraten. Lordy.



The Trout Scream Cafe in Welch

Strange name, but cute little place in the little town of Welch (near the Welch Village ski center) is a worthwhile destination for great organic Wisconsin-grown ice cream. Takes about 25 minutes to drive there. The cafe is across the street from a canoe and kayak rental place and about a 1/8 mile from the southern MN bike trail that winds past Welch Village.

biz/trout-scream-cafe-welch

*Harbor View Café in Pepin, Wisconsin



*Pizza Farm in Stockholm, Wisconsin

(Tuesdays 4:30-8:00 pm—lots of farm animals, fun to walk the veggie fields, often live music, enchanting drive)



*Wiederholt’s Supper Club in Miesville



TWIN CITIES

Useful websites:

kids-things-to-do-usa/minneapolis/mn

ANNUAL EVENTS: Irish Festival on Harriet Island (St. Paul--annual) is August 10-12, 2012. Good music, dancing, food. Festival of Nations at River Centre (St. Paul—annual) is always the first weekend in May. Amazing food, dancing, music, bazaar. Children's Festival in Rice Park (St. Paul--annual) is always in early June. May Day Parade at Powderhorn Park (Minneapolis—annual) is always May Day Sunday. Craziest local parade, with bands, huge puppets, floats, a brigade wearing only kale, local pols, fancy dancers, peaceniks, unicyclers, oodles of multiculti. Spearheaded by the Heart of the Beast theater company.

*The Works Engineering Museum

Bloomington

New digs has made the Works even more inviting. They now offer a room full of hands on take away activities (my kids have made straw rockets, flashlights, compasses, and cars there). There is a K-nex race track, Be-bots, blocks for building large structures, a zoetrope and more. Rarely busy, always fun.



*Leonardo's Basement

Minneapolis

Look for their open houses and community events. This is a group that does fantastic, creative, progressive activities. Families have gone to open builds where five-year-olds are using power drills to make styrofoam boats. They also have many great-looking classes and an adult group called Studio Bricolage that offers Rube Goldberg making nights and blacksmithing classes.



*Axman Surplus

St. Paul

This is hands-down the best place by far to spend grandma and grandpa's birthday money. Everything from rubber chickens to surgical tubing to tiny plates. $10 will get you alligator clips, battery holders, LEDs, buzzers and switches for endless fun. ax-

*Minnesota Transportation Museum/Jackson Street Roundhouse

St. Paul

Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10am-4pm, year-round, $5 - $10 Upcoming Tots and Trains Wednesdays are: 5/23, 6/6, & 6/20



*Circus Juventas Youth Circus

This is the premier performing arts youth circus in the nation, right here in St. Paul. Juventas offers circus training arts and performance for kids ages 3-21 in a safe, noncompetitive setting. All school year, plus great day camps in the summer. Acrobatics, aerial, balance, bicycle, juggling, low and high wire, trapeze, clowning, hoops, silks, trampoline. We can’t squeal enough about the astounding, dazzling summer shows under the Big Top: in 2012 it’s Showdown from August 2-19. You will not regret taking in this spectacle, which always features the most advanced performers doing all sorts of breathtaking feats.



*TWIN CITIES PARKS

Eloise Butler Wildflower Refuge and Quaking Bog

Minneapolis--Theodore Wirth Park

This park has it all: great biking trails as part of the Grand Rounds, attached to a great series of parks, and lots of great nature within city limits. Plus the quaking bog!

midwest/MinnesotaValley

Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge

Bloomington

Complete with hiking trails, observation station, knowledgeable field officers, and lots of wildlife.

midwest/MinnesotaValley

Crosby Park

St. Paul

Nearly 7 miles of paved trail, great for a walk, run, or ride. The ways are mostly shady bottomlands along the Mississippi River, with marshes, picnic spots, and good fishing holes.

ci.stpaul.mn.us/Facilities.aspx?page=detail&RID=26

Hidden Falls Park and Mississippi River Bluffs

Nearly 7 miles of paved trails here, too, with perhaps the city’s best frontage along the Mississippi. Really quite magical.

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*TWIN CITIES FARMERS MARKETS

St. Paul Farmers' Market is on Saturday and Sunday—and it's nice because it has enough hustle and bustle to be exciting, but at the same time, it's got a quaint feel to it. We love to head up there on a weekend morning, check everything out at the market, get a snack and either stroll along the Mississippi River, Meers Park, or right next to the the KTCA building, there is an adorable park for kids. It has a pirate ship, etc. and the kids love it. The Minneapolis Farmers Market is open everyday from 6:00 an-1:00 pm—it’s a feast for the eyes and palate, teeming with food, plants, and crafts. We really love the Mill City Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8:00 am-1:00 pm. Why? Local, sustainable, organic, artisan, art, street food, grass-fed, free range, chefs, crepes, Asian, salty tarts. It’s right by the Guthrie Theater

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*Mall of America

Rides, shopping, what more could a preteen want? Oh, plus an aquarium, movie theaters, dining—well, geesh, you’re from here so you know the drill.



*Vertical Endeavors

Minneapolis

Some of us have already climbed at this new facility, right on Eat Street in Minneapolis, and it’s awesome. Lots of walls and skill levels, plenty of instruction if you want it, shoes and equipment rental, bouldering and top rope and auto belay, lessons and climb clubs, group reservations. It’s 28,000 square feet of wall and soft landings. Even a 3 year old can do this. Opened in 2011, and there’s a good one in St. Paul too. Chang Deli nearby has tastiness.

minneapolis/index.html

Edinborough Park

Edina

Fabulous indoor playground with climbing "Adventure Peak" and jumping house. Great place for an indoor picnic with tables and a small waterfall. This is an indoor, four-story climbing and sliding structure, and there is also an open gym with a bouncy house, balls, and those gym scooter-chairs. It's $6 per child but you can stay as long as you want (must wear socks).

index.php?section=edinborough-park

Science Museum of Minnesota

St. Paul

The travelling displays, the permanent exhibits, the live (and often explosive) demos are awesome. There is also a spot in the museum called the Collector’s Corner. It’s a trading post for kids—best thing going in the place! Kids can bring in samples of things they find in nature (pine cones, rocks, shells, bugs) and that they’ve done a little research on. The staff person at the counter discusses this with them, then awards trading points for the kids to use right then or bank on their account. Wow: they can barter for polished agates, antlers, skulls, shells. It’s a big old power trip for the kids, with some science in the mix.

Como Zoo & Conservatory

St. Paul

The zoo doesn’t even compare with the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, and might be a little sad in the winter, but it's a nice change every now and then. There’s a wonderful restored wooden carousel in its own pavilion, and the conservatory is such a rejuvenating place, like a spa! Also in summer, the carousel pavilion opens—cheap rides on a vintage carousel.



Children’s Museum

St. Paul—downtown

All the greatest displays, classes, goopy art activities, music, etc. for little people.

Bell Museum

Minneapolis—U of M

Check out the "Touch and Feel" room! Very well conceived and staffed by a very knowledgeable, friendly grad student. This is natural history the way it should be—comparing collections of bones/rocks/butterflies/bugs. Kids are encouraged to sketch what they are seeing. “My son really liked the dioramas in the rest of the museum too, but the kids room is where I'd spend the bulk of my time.” Note that a membership at the Minnesota Science Museum is reciprocal here, and gets you in free.



Bakken Musuem

Minneapolis—on the lakes

Everything in this quirky wacky spot is related to electricity. It’s the old home and lab or Earl Bakken, who founded Medtronic and invented the first pacemaker. There’s also a beautiful little garden that features medicinal and physic plants.



Lake Harriet

Minneapolis

Walk around the spectacular lake, have an ice cream cone, look for the fairy house in the tree on the south side of lake, see at concert at the bandshell, throw rocks on the sandy shores, watch sailboats…



*Linden Hills (Minneapolis neighborhood)

Wild Rumpus Bookstore, Creative Kidstuff, Bibelot, Sebastian Joe's ice cream. Lake Harriet Trolley is nearby, public branch library, park with splash pool, bandstand for summer night music.

Bryant-Lake Bowl

Minneapolis—Lyn-Lake

Monday nights is "cheap date night" at Bryant-Lake Bowl in Minneapolis (the deal is two entrees, a bottle of wine and two games of bowling for $28). The atmosphere is bustling and the 50's alley has two or three lanes with bumpers for the kids, the place is family friendly but with good food and beer/wine for the grown-ups.



Minnehaha Park + Falls

Minneapolis

Including the Sea Salt Eatery—a seasonal café with indoor and outdoor tables, mainly fish and seafood, affordable, very casual and tasty tasty. Lots of foods kids would like, such as fish tacos, calamari rings, po-boy sandwiches. It's right at the main pavilion at Minnehaha Falls, which is a lovely park that's got a series of waterfalls kids can hike along and then a creek and pool area at the bottom for exploring. You can rent these funky bicycles—contraptions that looked like they could seat 6-8 people with 2-4 of them pedaling and a sort of canopy over—might be a silly and non-coronary-inducing thing to do with grandparents.

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Lake Nokomis

Minneapolis

There’s a small beach on the east side of Lake Nokomis. It's very family-ish, with a roped off swimming area and lifeguards. It's much smaller than the bigger beach on the west side of the lake, so it feels cozy and that makes it easier to see where the kids are. It's about a block west of E. 50th St. & 28th Ave. S. That corner has a nice coffee and treat cafe you can stop at on the way to the beach.

Linden Hills

Minneapolis

This is a nice neighborhood to wander around with kids. There's a wonderful kids bookstore, Wild Rumpus, that often has live animals like an angora chicken and wacky bunnies and cats, hanging out; a Sebastian Joe's ice cream shop; a Creative Kidstuff toy store; Café Zumbro for an easygoing breakfast; a public library; and other nice shops plus the Linden Hills Co-op (a Just Foods membership is transferable there). Lake Harriet is easy walking distance toward the east, and a big playground (with a wading pool) is a few blocks to the west of the shopping area, which is approximately around 44th & Xerxes Ave. S.

OTHER GREAT OUTINGS IN THE CITIES

Music + Movies in the Park (Minneapolis)

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Splash Pools + Beaches (Minneapolis)

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Canoe the chain of lakes (Minneapolis)

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Minnesota Center for Book Arts (Minneapolis)



Walker Art Center + Sculpture Garden (Minneapolis)



American Swedish Institute (Minneapolis)

ASI/Home.html

Children’s Theatre Company (Minneapolis)



Guthrie Theater (Minneapolis)



Dodge Nature Center (St. Paul)



Fort Snelling (St. Paul)



Minnesota State Capitol (St. Paul)

places/sites/msc

Cathedral in St. Paul & the Basilica in Minneapolis

Padelford Packet Boat Company (St. Paul)

Lake Harriet Trolley



St. Paul Saints + Minnesota Twins baseball



minnesota.twins.

Renaissance Festival



from 150 THINGS TO DO IN MINNEAPOLIS

• Walk around Lake Harriet at sunset so you end up at the band shell for a little summer music. Then head up the hill to Sebastian Joe's for ice cream (two scoops, of course).

• Enjoy lawn bowling on the roof at Brit's Pub.

• iPod out of juice? Head on over to one of the five major Minneapolis parks anytime during the week to hear live music, part of Minneapolis Music in the Parks.

• Sit on the deck of Tugg's Tavern in Saint Anthony Main in the summertime—enjoy a stuffed burger and lemonade while taking in the skyline and riverfront views.

• Play bocce ball at the Nomad World Pub, or outdoors at the many Minneapolis parks.

• Canoe and look at the beautiful houses along Lake of the Isles.

• Shop and eat your way through Mill City Farmers Market on a Saturday morning.

• 450 different types of food served up deep fried, in a bucket, wrapped up and even on a stick warrant a trip down to the Minnesota State Fair.

• View the largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi every July, then head to the Soap Factory for the annual Ten Second Film Festival.

• Catch some curb and watch the Art Car Parade in Uptown.

• Stroll through a Japanese peace garden and the country’s second oldest public rose garden, located on picturesque Lake Harriet—on Minneapolis's Chain of Lakes.

• Watch the world go by at an outdoor concert in Peavey Plaza.

• Get a bird's eye view of downtown Minneapolis from Prohibition, situated on the 27th floor of the W at the Foshay Tower.

• Enjoy sidewalk dining at dozens of restaurants along downtown's Nicollet Mall.

• Float down the Mississippi on the Mississippi Queen.

• Rent in-line skates in Uptown and glide around Lake Calhoun.

• Sit under the stars and watch a movie in Loring Park.

• Hop on a Nice Ride bike at one of the 65 stations and explore the city on two wheels of eco-friendliness.

• Nosh on pomme frites and sip great beers at Café Barbette's Bastille Day Block Party.

• Catch a flick at the Riverview Theater and then set up camp with some drinks on the patio of the River View Wine Bar.

• Attend a Sunday morning non-denominational service at the Lake Harriet Bandshell.

• Go back in time on the Lake Harriet Streetcar.

• Attend the free family day at the Walker Art Center.

• Kayak, canoe or slide row St. Anthony Falls with the people at Above the Falls Sports.

• Walk through the Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center.

• Learn something from a book—and the architecture—at the Minneapolis Central Library.

• Hear inspirational music at the Basilica of St. Mary, the oldest basilica in the country

• Enjoy a Tourtiere (French Meat Pie) after Sunday service at Minneapolis’s oldest church: Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

• Take a day to see nearly 100,000 items on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

• Take a backstage tour of the Tony Award-winning Guthrie Theater.

• Take home something with a Latin flair from Mercado Central, a market on Lake Street with more than 40 Latino businesses, in the old Sear Building. Fantastic!

• Cross the Stone Arch Bridge and take a stroll through St. Anthony Main.

• See a show, puppet-style, at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre.

• Learn about Minneapolis history and explore mill ruins at the Mill City Museum and Mill Ruins Park on the Mississippi Riverfront.

• Rent a canoe and float on Lake of the Isles.

• Hop on a Twin City trolley for a city tour.

Splash around in a 15,000-foot water park, then ice skate indoors at The Depot.

• Take the whole family for "kids eat free" day (Sunday) at popular local restaurant D'Amico & Sons.

• Bike or run on the Grand Rounds route in Minneapolis on a sunny weekend afternoon.

• Take the walking path out of Boom Island, down to St. Anthony Main, and across the Stone Arch Bridge, following the Mississippi River back to Boom Island.

• Catch a glimpse of blooming talent at the Children's Theatre Company, the Tony Award-winning theater for youth.

• Canoe down Minnehaha Creek, then view the fabulous Minnehaha Falls.

• Learn Scandinavian customs and traditions in a historic mansion, the American Swedish Institute.

• Spice up your breakfast at the well-loved, Cuban-flavored Victor's 1959 Café.

• Fish for walleye at Lake Nokomis and Musky at Lake Calhoun.

• Learn and have fun while you're at it—take a Magical History Tour on a Segway.

• Cool off in a revamped 50s gas station at Liberty Frozen Custard.

• Be pampered for cheap at the Aveda Institute in Northeast Minneapolis.

• Ask the Lake Harriet elf a question, via note (he lives in a tree). Come back the next day to find the answer.

• Challenge your creativity at Paper Source in Uptown.

Skate where the ice never melts—inside at the historic Depot in downtown Minneapolis.

• Learn to in-line skate inside the Metrodome.

Explore the inner author in you at Open Book literary arts center in the Warehouse District.

• Walk the skyways downtown.

• Catch performance artists from around the world at Cedar Cultural Center in the West Bank.

• Warm up with the comfort rotisserie cooking at Brasa.

• Take in 5,000 years of art and culture at the always-free Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

• Take photos of St. Anthony Falls from the Guthrie’s Endless Bridge that jets out over the Mississippi.

• Venture out during the intermission of a show at the Guthrie Theater to savor a view of the riverfront.

• No matter the season, take a brisk walk around Lake Harriet.

• Go to a sporting event—from roller derby and broomball to baseball and basketball.

• Chow on fabulous, budget-friendly sushi at Wasabi, Origami, Fuji-Ya.

NOTES, TIPS, AND OTHER JUICY ORPHAN TIDBITS

Geocaching!

Geocaching is a treasure hunting game that uses a GPS unit. Highland Park in Edina has free GPS units to lend. They've programmed in about five caches that are within easy walking distance (and one that you can canoe to using their rental canoes.) It's a great intro to the activity. If you like it, Northfield Parks and Rec has GPS units to rent and there are caches at the Carleton Arb, at St. Olaf, and even in downtown Northfield.

Rainy Days on the web

SAM animation at

SCRATCH at scratch.mit.edu

Khan Academy at

Museum Adventure Pass

If you’ve got any way to get a Hennepin County library card (we like us borrow a relative’s or friend’s mailing address to apply) the best deal ever is this pass that offers free admission for 2 people to all sorts of museums and cultural spots in the cities (Bakken, The Landing, MIA, Foshay, a big fat list). You just pop into a metro branch of the library and pick up the passes, then you’ve got 7 days to use them. Sweet deal.

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CAMPS

Some of our kids head out to day and sleep-away camps in greater Minnesota in the summers. Here are a few they’re off to:

Settlers Camp at Good Earth Village near Rochester

This is through St. John's Lutheran church in Northfield—the same camp that comes to town and puts on a Sunday evening-Thursday day camp in August. Bethel Lutheran, Emmaus, Rejoice Lutheran, and St. John's are working together to put the camp on this year. There is a separate but related "Vacation Bible School" that goes on during that week but for different times for preschoolers-early elementary.

Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji

This is the premiere language and cultural immersion program in the US. For decades, CLV—located in the woods up north—has offered an arm’s length list of languages for young people: Arabic, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, you name it. They’ve got day camps for ages 4-sixth grade, pre K programs, and villages for ages 7-18.

Leadership Camp (Minnesota Farmers Union) at Sibley State Park

For more than 60 years, kids ages 8-18 have been coming to this camp in the summers—a 5-day/4-night camp that fosters self-confidence, cooperation, and leadership skills. All this in the context of fun active stuff like boating, group recreation, theme nights, cooking and gardening, arts and crafts, animal care, and study co-ops, legislation, and agriculture.



Ney Nature Center in Henderson

This is a 400-plus acre Environmental Learning Center and county park on the bluffs of the Minnesota River—right next to the old town depot and village site. Woodland, native prairie, river bottoms, crop land, frog pond, ravines, wildlife, historic farmsteads, Native American history, geocaching: great stuff for our Northfield kids coming to the Ney Center’s day camps (K-5) or for families at the Fall Festival (on October 20 in 2012).



THANKS! TO ALL THE FOLKS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS LISTING

Linda Gallagher, Amy Pagel, Amy Nielsen, Suzie Nakasian, Mary Poole, Stacey McGowan, Kari Tyne, Anne Berry, Adrienne Falcon, Michelle Martin, Amy Haslett, Carolyn Joyce, Jennifer Koenig, Christine Sartor, Allison Jaranson, Carol Myint, Cynthia Kauffeld, Lizzie Lathrop, Angie Ekern, Arjendu Pattanayak, Marianne Moser, Heidi Rubenstein, Anne Haddad, Dori Grandbois, Kris Layman, Stephen Mohring, Heidi Welsch, Christy Hall-Holt, Amy Goerwitz, Cathy Oehmke, Nancy Dennis, Josie Rawson.

And hey, did this list set off any light bulbs? We’re glad to add more items to the next list, so send them right over to josierawson@

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