Fun Friday
Good Morning we have made it through another week and now it's time to go on our weekly Friday adventure.
Can you guess where we are going this week? We are going to visit the state of Minnesota
1.) Mall Of America located in Bloomington hours of operation are 11am-8pm Don’t miss out on the Mall of America, which welcomes more than 40 million travelers annually from around the world. Shop at over 500 stores before refueling at any of the 50 restaurants. That’s not all; the kids will love the Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park and SEA LIFE Aquarium. Wear good shoes as the mall is massive, with plenty of digital maps for ease of navigation.
To get there, there are free shuttle buses from more than 50 hotels and the airport; the light rail will also take you directly to and from downtown Minneapolis.
2.) Gooseberry Falls State PArk located in Two Harbors This North Shore park is home to a spectacular four-level waterfall, scenic overlooks and is ideal for trout fishing.
3.) Aerial Lift Bridge located in Duluth Originally constructed in 1905 as an aerial lift
4.) Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center located in Duluth This maritime museum details the Great Lakes' history and the part they played in the shipping industry.
5.) Spam Museum and Visitor Center located in Austin hours of operation 9-5pm This 14,000 square foot museum features 9 SPAMtastic galleries with interactive games and photo opportunities. Admission is free to all visitors.
6.) Chain of Lakes located in Minneapolis Three separate lakes (Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet) all surrounded by pedestrian paths.
7.) Grand Portage National Monument On a hot sultry day in mid-July 1802, partners of the most successful fur trade company in North America, the North West Company, met in their majestic Great Hall at Grand Portage and voted to move their summer headquarters from the protected shores of Lake Superior’s Grand Portage Bay 50 miles north to the mouth of the Kaministiquia River. Almost from the time the vigorous Anglo-Scot Nor’Westers had organized at Grand Portage in the mid 1780’s an emerging United States wanted them out. The July vote would mean that 18 buildings constructed from native squared spruce, pine and birch and over 2,000 cedar pickets surrounding them would be torn down, transported north in company schooners and used in constructing the new Fort William far from U.S. soil. As early as 2,000 years ago, Indian Nations probably used Kitchi Onigaming “the Great Carrying Place” to travel from summer homes on Lake Superior to winter hunting grounds in the interior of Minnesota and Ontario. In 1729 Cree guide Auchagah drew a map for some of the first French fur traders showing them how to reach the "western sea" of Lake Winnipeg. Other Europeans would follow, in time, Grand Portage became the gateway into rich northern fur bearing country connecting remote interior outposts to lucrative international markets. Reopened in 1951 as Grand Portage National Historic Site, designated a National Monument in 1958, its nearly 710 acres lying entirely within the boundaries of Grand Portage Ojibwe Indian Reservation, the reconstructed depot celebrates fur trade and Ojibwe lifeways. Today as yesterday, the people, the cultures and the land have much to share.
8.) Lego Imagination Center located in Bloomington hours of operation are 11-8 Six thousand square feet of Lego models in the Mall of America.
9.) Summit Avenue located in Saint Paul if you like architecture then check out this street Old, wealthy St. Paul neighborhood with Victorian mansions.
10.) Quarry Hill NAture Center located in Rochester hours are 9-4pm Enjoy the beauty and habitat of southeastern Minnesota by hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing the meadows, flood plain and upland forests on the 8 miles of trails covering 329 acres. Park land features a former working quarry, the Rochester State Hospital Cemetery, and a 3 acre pond. The Nature Center offers interactive displays and exhibits of the area's wildlife and natural beauty including a 1,700 gallon native-fish aquarium. Public programs on Sunday's at 1:30 pm include cave tours, live animal programs and bird banding. Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals available seasonally.
11.) Como Park Zoo & Conservatory located in Saint Paul hours of operation 10-4pm Located in historic Como Park, this popular zoo, especially known for its California sea lion exhibit, also features a great cat display, gorillas and giraffes.
12.) Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo located in Byron hours of operation 5am-10pm This was a fun little outing while visiting family in Rochester, MN. The zoo is free but they very much appreciate donations as this is how they stay open. There were many animals here and all were all native to Minnesota which was unique. The paths are fairly easy to navigate with only one or two areas which are a little steep. The park is gorgeous! So many trees and vegetation. There's a campground for both tent & camper camping with electric hookups. There are also many trails for hiking and a river to fish in.
13.) Hull Rust Mine located in Hibbing The largest open pit mine in the world.There are retired guys on site who can geek-out on telling you everything you want to know. This is an operational mine that has been producing for 125 years. Down at the bottom of the entrance you can go straight/right and see part of the streets of the old town of Hibbing, which they moved roughly about 100 years ago because it was on top of the mine. There are info kiosks there with pictures.
14.) Pine Tree Apple Orchard located in White Bear Lake hours of operation are 10-5pm. Do you love fresh picked apples right off the tree then you don't want to miss your chance to stop here. We will be closed from July 2 until Mid August when we open for Apples. Please check our website for future information
15.) US Highway 61 located in Winona Considered one of the most scenic drives in America. This was one of the most beautiful drives I have been on.
16.) Prairie School Bank located in Owatonna Built in the early 1900s this financial institution features stained glass, murals and ornate chandeliers. This is still a functioning bank but they welcome visitors and pictures at your leisure. There's a historical marker across the street in the park that gives a good overview if you can't make it inside. The stained glass windows are exceptional in the twilight.
17.) Pottery Museum of Red Wing hours of operation are 9-5 I knew nothing about pottery before I visited so it was a learning experience. It was very interesting to see the change in pottery and function over the years. It started as functional large jugs and crocks and ended up over time with beautiful, hand painted dinnerware. They are supported from donations and their gift shop. The guides are excellent.
18.) Watkins Museum and Store located in Winona The museum is tucked away in a space between two of the larger parts of the complex. The sign pointing to it did not stand out. The museum was smaller than expected. However, if you grew up in the 1950s (and before) and had a "Watkins man" visit your home, a visit to the museum will bring back many memories. A niche museum dedicated to the Watkins brand, but the company is/was an iconic part of the nation's retail history. There is a store where you can purchase items to take home.
19.) Veit Automotive Foundation Educational Museum located in Buffalo- Collector cars, gas pumps, memorabilia and grounds. A Great view of 1930s thru 60s automotive at its best. Many very unique and forgotten items.
20.) Glockenspiel located in New Ulm This 45-foot, free-standing, musical clock is one of a rare breed.
21.) Minnesota's Largest Candy Store hours of operation are 8am-7pm Jim’s Apple Farm is family owned and operated. The family has lived and conducted business in Scott County dating back to the 1930’s. The retail site at 20430 Johnson Memorial Drive is supported by apple orchards and produce fields in Jordan and Belle Plaine. Jim’s Apple Farm is a family business that has been operating at its current location for over 4 decades. We are a seasonal business, open Mid-May through November, focusing on candy, apples, fall produce, baked goods, jigsaw puzzles and gift shop items. In addition to our own products, we offer many others that are raised or made locally by our neighbors.
22.) Wayzata Depot-Wonderful Wayzata Train Depot with many artifacts. Volunteers are train enthusiasts. Miniature train delights the children. Beautifully landscaped, with seating for enjoying Lake Minnetonka and boat dock.
23.) Lanesboro Historical Museum-The displays are on three floors and very well done. The displays are on three floors and very well done.the display on the upper floor of vintage medical equipment used by doctors and dentists in Lanesboro. There was a 1940s dental x-ray machine, an early 1900s medical light/lamp and a 1940s travelling EKG machine. The person working there was very friendly and you could tell the pride that the volunteers take in the museum.
24.) Herreid Military Museum located in Luverne hours of operation are 8-5pm HERREID MILITARY MUSEUM…honoring all who served. The HERREID MILITARY MUSEUM shares the personal stories of brave men and women from Rock County and the surrounding region as they responded to the nation’s call and entered the military to protect our freedoms. The museum opened its doors in July 2009 with the focus on the stories of WWII. The displays complimented the stories that were told in 2007 Ken Burns’ documentary, “THE WAR.” This epic documentary took six years of research to tell the stories of citizens in military service and on the home front from four American cities (Mobile, Al; Sacramento, CA; Waterbury, CN; and Luverne, MN). The museum expands on the stories with exhibits featuring artifacts, photographs, video documentary, memorabilia and written testimonies. In addition to WWII, there are displays of Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, Korean War, Vietnam, Cold War and the War on Terror.
25.) LARK Toys located in Kellogg hours of operation are 10-6LARK Toys, with over 20,000 sq. ft. to explore, is one of the largest independent specialty toy stores in the country. Voted "Best Toy Store in Minnesota." Highlights include: hand-carved wooden carousel to ride, LARK-made wooden toys, games and puzzles, quality developmental toys, science and nature, arts and crafts, large book store, café, handmade fudge, ice cream and candy, miniature llamas, antique toy museum, and an 18-hole outdoor mini-golf course.
26.) Northwest Airlines History Centre located in Bloomington Excellent little museum located in the Crowne Plaza Hotel! The museum walks you through the history of the airline and some of the history of the MSP airport. The exhibits have vintage plane models, uniforms, and even flight advertisements. The curators are very knowledgeable and kind - even worked for the airline. Air travel enthusiasts, history buffs, or Minnesota natives will all enjoy this museum
With over 500 things to do in the state I am sure you can always find things to do. With tons of specialty shops, bodies of water and waterfalls galore there really is something for everyone all over this amazing state. Don't forget to go find all the huge statues along the way as there are plenty of them all over the state.
I hope that you have enjoyed this week's tour and come back next week for another amazing adventure. Remember to always be kind as it costs nothing and if you see someone without a smile stop and give them yours a smile is contagious.
Written by: BeautifulChaos318
