5 Localish Adventures over MEA Weekend
If you are the calendar boss / director of humans that refer to you as “mom, dad, auntie, uncle, grandma, grandpa, nana, queen”, here are a few bucket list plans to help keep your MEA & future long weekends fresh and fun!
1. Twin Cities Park Tour: Our mentro area has some phenomenal parks!
Crowd favorite is Minnehaha Falls – head down the stairs and catch a good view of the water fall and venture on down the path about a ½ mile to a wading area and another ½ miles down to the river front. The trail is an easy hike. Stop at Sea Salt Eatery for lunch….if seafood aint your thang, head across the street to DQ for some hotdogs and of course some ice cream. And don’t forget your pup! The Minnehaha dog park is just south of Minnehaha falls. Get your dog license here.
Baker Park, located 30 minute west of Minneapolis, instantly feels like your in the country….because you are. Surrounded by acreages of corn fields, this one brings me back to my farm girl roots. Baker Park has a pretty new playground, miles of bike paths, a dock for some fishing and if you are up for a little extra adventure, you can tent it up at the campground. Have your own boat? There is a public launch at the north end of the park.
2. Feel like Driving?
Try a waterfall tour. Follow @planetwithsarah on Instagram for her
top waterfall recommendations.
Gooseberry Falls is one of our favorites
and you can easily make a weekend trip out of it by staying @ Larsmont
cottages. Pet Friendly, indoor pool,
outdoor hot tub, on Lake Superior, on-site restaurant, full kitchen in each
cabin, firepits on the lake shore, lots of space for running around, bike
trails and a kid favorite: S'mores kits!
TIP: If you are heading up to
Gooseberry, you will drive by Duluth’s Canal Park which is definitely worth a stop
for some lunch & to check out some boats!
Minneopa Falls - just outside of Mankato is on our bucket list. Not only do you get to see waterfalls, but buffalo too! And if you are making the trip near Mankato, take a stop in the cute town of St Peter for some shopping on your way there & stop in Mankator for fried ice cream @ “La Terazza”
3. Feel like driving further?
Road Trip it to Chicago! On the Chi-town must do list:
- Navy Pier
- See the Bean
- Eat Pizza
- Catch a game @ Wrigley Field
- Aquariam Tour
- Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower
- Architecture boat tour on the River
4. If long drives are not your thing, there are plenty of really local options:
- MOA has shopping, food, Sealife Aquarium, Flyover America & Nickolodeon Park with rides for all ages. Here’s a $$ Saving Hack: Stop at Costco and grab some lunch along with the unlimited wrist band for Nickolodeon park ($35, normally $45). Or head to Nick park after 5pm for discounted wrist bands ($30 last I checked). For details and links click here
- The MN Zoo Jack-o-lantern Spectacular will
be in full effect! Get to the zoo a bit
early to see some animals and walk the New Treetop Path. Get your tix here: https://mnzoo.org/jols-2023/
- Valleyfair Tricks & Treats – only open Saturdays and Sundays this fall. All of the kids were dressed up and some adults too! There were definitely more young kids at the trick or treating section, but all kids at heart are welcome to participate.
- Mini Golf is making a major comeback and we are here for it!
>Big Stone in Minnetrista has a sculpture garden,
goats and other animals you can feed.
>Walker Mini Golf (located on top of the Walker
Art Museum) requires a reservation….so book ahead and plan a stop in the museum
>Can Can Wonderland has indoor mini golf, arcade
games & a full restaurant / bar. **Fri/Sat
after 9pm = 21+ only. Closed Mondays
and Tuesdays
>Not open over MEA – but in case you can get
there before Oct 1 – The Links at Dread Scott
>Putt Shack Coming Soon: This isn’t open yet, but we cannot wait until
it is. Locations opening in North Loop and Edina!
5) Fun @ Home is a real thing and here are a 2 ideas that don’t include electronics and 1 that does….because it is hysterical
- Watcha-ma-kal-it Box: Gather random household items (that can be
disposed of) and put them in a shoe box.
For example: paper clips, cardboard from toilet paper roll, empty Gatorade
bottle, qtips, dental floss, pencils, saran wrap and baggies, etc
Provide glue, scissors, paper and tape. Let kids create to their hearts desire - This was taken from Gleason Lake Elementary Projects. - Great American Home Bake-off: if you love baking shows, this is right up your alley. Our personal favorite cooking show is “Nailed It” where contestants try to make a cake that looks like an inanimate object….like a fridge or a book. So we will be doing the home version over MEA 2023. WARNING: This could get messy.
- Jackbox.tv Tee-KO: Jackox.tv is an app that you download on your tv. T-KO is one of the games you can purchase in the app – it is part of party pack 3. Each player requires a phone or tablet that connects to wifi. Watch a full tutorial of the game here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUhu3IOK_Ks
We are always looking to add to our adventure bucket list, please let us know what you have planned!
~Angie Toomey
