****5/7 UPDATE: All spots are full & registration is closed.****

Rain or Shine | Dinner at 6:00pm

Course: Blue Ribbon Pines

Leave your balls at home, this is a disc golf tournament

Cost: $35. You must register. No sign-ups the day of the event.

- Commemorative disc golf
- Dinner from Divine Swine Catering – roasted pig, turkey and sides
- Round of golf on the 27 memorable holes
- Surly beers will be $2 & all proceeds will go to the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability
- No cash awards. This is a beer event, not a competitive golf event

*This is the only place to register*

*There’s only 135 slots open. First come, first serve.”

• Only 10 spots left…
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• Smoke in a Bottle
• You Didn’t Win a Pair of ABR Tickets, but Jen Did…

April 29, 2010, 02:11pm :: Posted by Kris in beer events, breweries

Surly Open | MNBeer – Beer from the Twin Cities, Minnesota …

The arts are defined in many ways. A Center for the Arts offers theater, concerts, film, and more. The Kaddatz Gallery, Charles Beck Gallery (at the M State) and Lake Region Arts Council expose visitors to the talented work of local and regional artists.

When it comes to history the Otter Tail County Historical Society does an excellent job of preserving and sharing this region’s history. They have a beautiful museum that captivates audiences. The aging baby boomers are actively seeking to know more about their ancestors and heritage. And throughout the county the history of Fergus Falls and the area is celebrated in things like the Phelps Mill Festival, interpretive signs along the Otter Trail Scenic Byway, historic homes and more.

For the tourist who wants more excitement (either as an observer or a participant) Red Horse Ranch Arena and BMX Track are obvious additions to hiking, biking and boating. The beautiful City Parks are super for relaxing or letting off some pent-up energy. Every Thursday night during the summer visitors enjoy free Concerts in Roosevelt Park. Maybe geocaching is something you enjoy – you’ll find many hidden caches in the Fergus Falls area.  Or consider attending GeoFest Midwest on September 25th. Other crowd-pleasing events are the 80s Prom (March 20), Half Marathon (June 5), Summerfest and Hangar Dance (June 11-12), Phelps Mill Art Festival (July 11-12), Hoot Lake Triathlon (July 25) and the PRCA Rodeo (August 12-14).

There’s no doubt that people visit Fergus Falls for many other reasons as well – shopping, visiting relatives, golfing, festivals. Those who live in Fergus Falls consider themselves fortunate to live in a community that is a desirable destination for tourists. They are welcoming and look forward to sharing Fergus Falls with you.

Are you looking for a beautiful place to spend your vacation?  Do you want to swim, fish, sail or shop?  If these are the goals you have then you will certainly want to spend the time in the beautiful area of the Otter Tail Country Tourism Association which covers the area east of Detroit Lakes and south of Pelican Rapids.  The area has some of the most beautiful lakes in all of Minnesota.  Along with the beautiful lakes you will meet some of Minnesota’s most hospitable people from those that work in the tourism industry to those that run the shop and stores you will visit while in the area.

The communities included in the Otter Tail Country Tourism Association are:
Ashby
Battle Lake
Bluffton
Clitherall
Dalton
Deer Creek
Dent
Detroit Lakes
Elizabeth
Erhard
Fergus Falls
Henning
 New York Mills
Ottertail
Parkers Prairie
Pelican Rapids
Perham
Richville
Rothsay
Underwood
Urbank
Vergas
Vinning
Wadena
These communities offer you a wide variety of activities for you in which to participate.

Ashby will provide you with a great place to hike, bike or snowmobile in their newly completed Memorial Park as well as the trials around the lakes.  This community has Pelican Lake and Lake Christina within easy reach from the town.  Lake Christina offers plenty of public hunting area so even if you aren’t a fisherman you will find this a perfect place to hunt for your waterfowl hunting.

Battle Lake will provide you with something totally different than what you have probably participated in on other vacations…the Turtle Races which are held every Thursday throughout the summer.  With a variety of resorts in the area you will be able to find the perfect place to spend your vacation.  The community has activities all year around for you to enjoy so regardless of the time of year you choose to visit you will find something fun to do.
Bluffton offers you and opportunity to visit a truly little town with a heart.  Although there aren’t any lakes in it’s limits it does have some businesses for you to stop in and visit and learn about the establishment in 1903 of this little community.

Clitherall was first settled in 1865 by seven Mormon families and grew from there.  With a population of just 118 this community won’t win any big city awards but you will certainly enjoy it and remember it if you can visit in November and attend the annual Testical Festival.  Yes, Testical Festival! 
Dalton is known for the annual Threshing Reunion held the first weekend after Labor Day. The event begins on Thursday and ends on Sunday with a community-wide Church service. You may also want to visit for the Summerfest Celebration on the last weekend in June.  There are lots of activities going on that you will enjoy while you take a break from fishing.

Deer Creek is another small community with great people so stop in to visit.

Dent offers you great fishing and super choices for resorts to stay at while in the area.  Being able to pick your resort to fit your desires is something that will make checking out Dent well worth your time.

Detroit Lakes has more than 400 lakes within 25 miles.  Visiting the stunning forests, sparkling water, great fishing, and wetland sanctuaries along with the mile long sand beach make Detroit Lakes a favorite with many visitors to Minnesota.

Elizabeth offers you a choice of lakes to fish and participate in water activities.

Erhard has one of the traditional 4th of July celebrations that you are invited to come and enjoy.

Fergus Falls is a place to come and enjoy canoe, boat, water-ski, swim or fish, windsurf or sail, Fergus Falls and the surrounding 1,100 lakes has something offer everyone of every age to enjoy.

Henning offers not only a solid religious base with 7 churches but also entertainment with the golf course to relax with a game.  Take the opportunity to fish the lakes, enjoy boating, skiing and snowmobiling.

New York MIlls was founded by the Finnish settlers in 1874 and the heritage is still present today.  Many of the people of the community still speak Finnish which is a delight to hear!

Ottertail is one of those communities that welcome you any time of the year but in the winter the village is home to 313 people but when summer comes the population grows to over 1000.  With all there is to do in the lakes area around Ottertail you will be glad you came here to vacation.

Parkers Prairie has Lake Adley Park which provides a public access boat ramp for summer fishing and is also a popular ice fishing spot. Come wrestle with a walleye or break out the waterskis for some summer fun on the lake!

Pelican Rapids is the home to the “Worlds Largest Pelican.”  You can enjoy a summer celebration during Turkey Days or do some candle light cross-county skiing in Maplewood State Park in the winter.  There is a lot to do in the community along with the fishing, biking, swimming, hiking and more.
Perham offers you a variety of options for fun, even though the community is small it is packed with fun!  Visit the History Museum or Verona’s House of Dolls when you aren’t golfing or spending time on the water of one of the 1,000 lakes in the area.

Richville is a community that was established in 1904.  Although it isn’t a large village it makes up for it in hospitality.  Stop in for a visit, you may want to stay for your whole vacation in one of their resorts.

Rothsayis the Prairie Chicken Capital of Minnesota.   The 13 foot high, 18 foot long Prairie Chicken weighs in at 9,000 pounds and was designed by Rothsay’s own artist Art Fosse.  The community is also big on sports so come and watch a baseball game or other sporting activity in one of the parks during the summer.  In the winter you can go to one of the two skiing and snow boarding facilities within easy drive time of the community.

Underwood is the home of the Foss Log Cabin which was built over 100 years ago.  Fort Juelson is the 120 x 100 ft structure with 4×4 foot thick walls to protect the residents from Indian attacks.

Urbank is little but interested in welcoming you to the village.

Vergas is the “Home of the Loon.”  The loon is Minnesota’s state bird.  There is a 20 foot replica of the loon in the city park, get your picture taken to remind you of the wonders of Minnesota and a true Minnesota vacation.

Vinning has “The Biggest Small Town Celebration in Otter Tail County” is held in Vining the 3rd Saturday in August. Watermelon Day is a annual Vining tradition. Watermelon is served free! This annual celebration hosts 70 to 100 arts and crafts vendors, a petting zoo for the kids, live music, bingo, a parade and a street dance at night.

Wadena has the Alley Arts Institute with the ?Murals of Minnesota.”  The community is also surrounded by lakes which make for a great place to have your summer vacation.  If you are a winter vacation person then Wadena has something for you too, you cna do cross-country skiing and snowmobiling on Wadena’s extensive well groomed Black Grove Park’s trails.  Come on over!

The whole area is a historic look at the establishment of this area of Minnesota.  Whether you are just interested in the water activities available in the area or want to check out the history of the area you will find all you desire in this beautiful area of Minnesota. 

You have been able to read a brief bit about the communities that make up the Ottertail Tourism Association but what you haven’t experienced is the beauty of the lakes.  Visualize yourself with a beverage, sitting on the shore at sunset watching the cares of the world float away in the beauty of the water and the coming of evening.  Or rise early as watch the sun come up and bring the area awake with the soft light tugging the sleepy area into full glory.

Come to see what makes this a place so special that you will schedule your vacation here year after year!

There are lots of lakes in Minnesota but when you are looking for lakes, a great bike and hiking trail, festivals, golf, and more then you want to visit Park Rapids.  Northern Minnesota is epitomized by the landscape in Park Rapids.  The lakes are beautiful, the people friendly and helpful and there something to do regardless of the time of the year.

You may want to take a hike or bike ride on the Heartland Trail which is a 49 mile paved trail which winds through lakes and forests from Park Rapids to Cass Lake.  This is ideal any time of the year, in the winter get your cross country skis out and the rest of the year enjoy either hiking or biking along the trail.  Enjoy seeing the natural beauty, the animals and listening to the silence afforded by nature.

If you think that a Minnesota winter means you have to stay inside you really need to visit Park Rapids with your snowmobile or skis and get out there!  Groomed trails make the rides easy and fun. There is great dining in the area, there is a large number of wonderful resorts and lodges all waiting for you to come and be welcomed.  Sit in front of a fire in a lodge, meet with friends, discuss where you are going to ride tomorrow and then get a great nights rest in the quite of the area.

Enjoy the contrast of time with the Main Street which is like a step back in time, but at the same time the technology available throughout the area which will keep you in touch with everything you want.  You can fly into the international airport or drive from your home.  You will find everything you want in Park Rapids.

Park Rapids is located near the Headwaters of the Mississippi River and Itasca State Park.  Just 23 miles north of Park Rapids on US 71 you will be able to walk across the beginning of the Mississippi River which flows on a 2,552 mile trip to the Gulf of Mexico.  This is a memory that your family will talk about for years. 

Try canoeing on the Crow Wing River.  The Fish Hook ad Shell Rivers in the Park Rapids area provide the access to the Crow Win River for your scenic route.  You can go on for miles or you can take a shorter ride, depending on your desires and skills.

There are hundreds of species of birds, including the largest population of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states.  With thousands of acres of forest, hundreds of lakes, bogs and prairie to support the diversity of the birds you can spend many hours just enjoying the beauty they provide.  Park Rapids is the Loon Capital of the USA.  If you have never heard a loon you will certainly enjoy them, they are the state bird of Minnesota.

Just think of the wonderful fishing opportunities you have in the area with more than 400 crystal clear lakes, rivers and streams within 25 miles of Park Rapids.  What ever you want to catch you will be able to find them in the lakes around Park Rapids.  Are you a Muskie, walleye or northern pike fisherman?  How about lake trout, bass, blue gills and other pan fish?  There is nothing quite as wonderful as freshly caught Minnesota fish!  The experience of catching a fish and bringing it in to clean and eat is one that every child should experience with their family.  Then the guides can take the adults (and older kids) out to catch the big ones.  What a fabulous experience.

Are you a rodeo fan?  The Park Rapids is the place for you to be!  The Annual Park Rapids PBR is well known and respected for bull riding where all star cast of the greatest bull riders and bucking bulls in the world participate.  See how the cowboys hang on to the wild bucking bulls to win the prize of the day.  This is certainly not a sport for the timid but it is something that you will enjoy watching.

All year Park Rapids offers you a wonderful get-a-way.  Come, visit, who knows, you might end up never wanting to leave!

Looking for something different and fun to do the day after Thanksgiving?  If so, go to Aitkin and watch the Fishhouse Parade.  Here you will find people ready to celebrate the coming of winter in Minnesota…and Ice Fishing!

Fish houses are loaded onto trailers, put in the back of pick-up trucks or any other type of transporting that can be dreamt up and headed for the 365 frozen lakes surrounding the area.

The Parade begins at 1:00 pm the day after Thanksgiving and shows the sense of humor of the people of the area and also how serious they are about ice fishing.  You will see ice fish houses decorated in the wildest, wackiest ways possible with each one trying to be more extreme and humorous than the next one in line. 

Not every town can claim to have ice fishing houses take over their main street but Aitkin can, at least for the day.  Regardless of the weather, the fish houses are on the roll, ready to begin the celebration of winter.  Over 7,000 people come to witness the parade and enjoy the other activities the community hosts during this time.  Don’t miss it, you’ll not believe what you see.

Enjoy the food, music, craft sale and Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus who help to make this a special day for everyone.

IF you have never been ice fishing it is something you may want to give some consideration to.  After all, where else would you sit on the ice, dig a hole and drop a line in the ice cold water to catch some of the best fish you have ever tasted?  There are lots of "secrets" to ice fishing, just ask anyone that participates and they will be able to tell you what works for them,  You can catch crappy, walleye and all sorts of other tasty fish from your ice house.

Some of the ice houses have everything you could want to make your experience comfortable.  They may not be big, but they will help you have a great time on the ice.

Information on the Parade: Aitkin Chamber, 114 Minnesota Ave. N., Aitkin, MN 56431

Phone: 218-827-2316
 

Enter the world of the parks in Apple Valley and you will have the opportunity to try your hand a Dogsledding and Skijoring as well as an array of other activities for both the summertime and wintertime.

Dogsledding and skijoring (a winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog (or dogs) or a motor vehicle) are both becoming a growing sport that not only involves you and the elements but your canine pets.

Dakota County (Apple Valley area) offers over two miles of snow-packed dogsledding and skijoring trails at Lake Byllesby Regional Park.  Try it, you’ll love it.

There are also miles of groomed, dual-tracked, cross-country ski and packed ski skating trails in the parks.  You can either bring your own equipment or rent 
it at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center in Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

Is fishing a passion for you?  If so, your can do both summer and ice fishing in select lakes in Dakota County parks.  Try your hand at catching everything from Sunfish to Northern Pike.  You can use rods and tackle for free at Lebanon Hills Regional Park through the Fishing in the Neighborhood Program.

Summer fishing locations

Lake Byllesby Regional Park
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Holland Lake Trailhead
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, McDonough Lake
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve
Thompson County Park
Winter ice fishing locations

Lake Byllesby Regional Park
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Holland Lake Trailhead
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Schulze Lake Trailhead

Take a hike in the parks.  There are over 50 miles of summer and winter hiking trails through the park system.
 
Summer Hiking Trails
 
Big Rivers Regional Trail, Trailhead
Lake Byllesby Regional Park, Trailhead 
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Jensen Lake Trailhead
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Mountain Bike Trailhead 
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Schulze Lake Trailhead
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, Trailhead 
Spring Lake Park Reserve, Schaar’s Bluff Trailhead 
Thompson County Park, Trailhead 
UMORE Park
 
Winter Hiking Trails – Winter Trail Conditions

Big Rivers Regional Trail, Trailhead 
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Jensen Lake Trailhead 
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Ski Skate Trailhead 
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Schulze Lake Trailhead
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, Trailhead 
Spring Lake Park Reserve, Schaar’s Bluff Trailhead 
Thompson County Park, Trailhead 
UMORE Park

If you enjoy riding horse then bring yours to ride on one of the over 10 miles of beautiful, wooded trails on the over 2,000 acres of parkland in Lebanon 
Hills Regional Park.  You do need a pass to use the Horse Trailhead.

Now head for Big Rivers Regional Trail and enjoy your Inline skating hours.  The paved trails will give you a wonderful place to enjoy the activity.

If you are into the “newest” type of sledding then you will want to try the kicksled (or spark).  This is a small sled consisting of a chair mounted on a pair of flexible metal runners which extend backward to about twice the chair’s length. There is a handlebar attached to the top of the chair back.  This is something that you can do with friends or by yourself.  A kicksled can only be used on hard, slippery surfaces like ice or hard packed snow.  The kicksled is common in Norway, Sweden and Finland, especially where roads are not sanded or salted.  Think of it as the winter bicycle.

Kicksleds are available for rent at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center.

These are just a few of the activities you can enjoy while visiting the Apple Valley area.  For more information on what the parks have to offer and which park has what call:

Parks: 953-891-7000

Members of the National Football League (FGL) Northern Division of the National Football Conference the Vikings play their home games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis.

For years the Vikings played at the outdoor field in Bloomington, a suburb of Minneapolis, but at the end of the 1981 season they moved their games from the Metropolitan Stadium to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

The team is currently owned by Zygi Wilf, Sumit Bains, Jeffrey Wilf, Leonard Wilf, David Mandelbaum, Alan Landis and Reggie Fowler. The Vikings have been conducting summer training camp at Minnesota State University, Mankato since 1966. From 1961-65 they held camp at Bemidji State University.

The team logo is of profile of a blond Norseman or a white Viking horn.  The colors for the team are purple and white. 

The Vikings first appearance in the Super bowl was in 1969.  The Vikings have been to four Super Bowls, IV, VIII, IX, and XI.  They have not won any (yet)

Viktor the Viking, a muscle-bound, blonde-haired and mustachioed character wears a Vikings’ #1 jersey and an oversized Vikings’ helmet with protruding horns and a small yellow nose guard is the Viking mascot today.  There have been others but this is the newest one.

“Skol, Vikings” is the fight song of the Minnesota Vikings. It was introduced around the time the team was founded in 1961 and is always played whenever the team scores as well as half time and the end of regulation.

Grab your Helga hat and join in with the other fans that display their support for the Vikings during the games.

During home games at the Metrodome, the Vikings Gjallarhorn is loudly played and sounds often after the team has a big play or scores a touchdown. In addition, a flash cannon fires upon Vikings touchdowns.

The lease for the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome expires for the Vikings in 2011.  There has been a move to have a new stadium built in the same site, using existing stadium infrastructure to keep costs down.  There is a desire to use “green” technology in the new construction.

It is believed that building a new home for the Vikings will dramatically improve the fan experience at the games.

The current stadium has a seating capacity of 64,121.

Driving directions to the stadium: From the East (St. Paul, Eau Claire)

Traveling westbound on I-94, use the 5th Street exit into downtown Minneapolis.  Proceed down 5th Street where, at Chicago Avenue, parking is available in all directions.

From the West (Wayzata, Willmar)

Traveling eastbound on I-394, use the 6th Street exit into downtown Minneapolis.  Proceed down 6th Street through downtown core.  Parking is available in all directions.

From the South (Austin, Mason City)

Traveling northbound on I-35W, use the 5th Avenue exit into downtown Minneapolis.  Proceed down 5th Avenue to 6th Street.  Parking is available in all directions.

From the North (Duluth)

Traveling southbound on I-35W, use the Washington Avenue exit into downtown Minneapolis.  Turn right on Washington and proceed approximately a half mile.  Parking is available along Washington between 3rd and 10th Avenue.

From the Southeast (Rochester)

Traveling northbound on Highway 52 / 55, stay on Highway 55 to downtown.  Parking is available in all directions.

From the Northwest (St. Cloud, Fargo)

Traveling eastbound on I-94, use the 4th Street exit into downtown Minneapolis. Proceed down 4th Street through the downtown core to 5th Avenue.  Parking is available in all directions.

Tickets: Metrodome Ticket Office
500 11th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – Noon (home game weekends only)
Sundays, 10:00 a.m. – End of game (home game weekends only)

You can also get tickets from Ticketmaster.

There are three lots available for Purple Tailgate parties.  They are between 34e St. S and 4th St. S between 5th Ave. S. and McGrew.  You must have a pass to use these parking lots so check with the ticket office to get details.

Shore-fishing opportunities abound at lakes like Geneva and Victoria, where public fishing piers are but the starting point for lifelong memories. The Alexandria Chain of Lakes is a hotbed for bass anglers, and provides an endless supply of places to dip a lure. If seclusion is your thing, check some of Alexandria’s smaller lakes – Brophy, Cowdry, Louise, and Mina, among them – but be ready for some fast fishing action.
 
Some lakes (Lobster and Miltona) are known for their muskie fishing; some for their bass fishing (Le Homme Dieu, Geneva, Darling, and Ida); and some for their walleye fishing (Carlos, Latoka, Mary, and Reno). And if it’s crappies, sunfish, or northern pike you’re after, it’s hard to go wrong on any of the area’s lakes, which can accommodate watercrafts from canoes to house boats.
 
But satisfaction isn’t limited only to those whose idea of a good time on the lake includes rods and reels, hook sets, and fried fish on the shore. Alexandria’s waters are the perfect place to pull a water skier or a tuber, ride around on a jet ski, or cruise the lake and hit a lakeside restaurant for lunch or dinner. Alexandria is a destination for meetings, conferences, and events, and its multitude of hotels and bed and breakfast spots provide the perfect homes away from home for a week or weekend. The area also includes hotel-styled resorts as well as resorts where lake-side cabins afford an up close and personal view of the water.  

The draw of Alexandria’s waters is undeniable and strong, but for those who so choose, vacations here – be it winter, spring, summer, or fall – can be so much more. Frozen lakes draw the ice fishermen who set out their fish houses and create mini ice-top communities, while snow-covered trails offer travel routes for cross-country skiers and snowmobilers.
 
The city itself has a cozy downtown area filled with unique stores that offer everything you need while you’re in town, and everything you need to remember your trip. And hospitality isn’t just an industry, but a way of life. Whether you want a quick bite before you walk into the movie theater or shopping mall, or a sit-down dinner that reminds that special someone (even if it’s you!) of how important they are, Alexandria’s restaurant scene has you covered.
 
The Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum maintains the history and traditions that live on and exist because of the water, while the Runestone Museum and Douglas County Historical Society afford the opportunity to learn about the area’s heritage and how a variety of cultural influences made Alexandria the city it is today.
 
For all it offers throughout the year, Alexandria has many day and weekend events that celebrate some aspect of life in the area. Thousands of ice anglers enjoy camaraderie while they do their best to land the biggest fish and win one of hundreds of prizes during the annual Ice Fishing Challenge.
 
In the days after the ice leaves the lakes, but before the calendar says it’s summertime, the Awake the Lakes Festival brings Alexandria residents and tourists alike to a celebration of another season of sun-drenched fun on the area’s lakes. A month later, the world-famous Vikingland Band Festival draws thousands of spectators to Alexandria’s main street to watch as high school bands from Minnesota and beyond compete for the title of Grand Champion. The Resorters Golf Tournament highlights the spectacular golfing that’s available at many courses in the area, while the Douglas County Fair features a multitude of entertainment, food, and educational options that make it the tenth-largest fair in the state.
 
If you’ve been to Alexandria, consider returning to continue the experience. If not, it’s all here waiting for you. Either way, welcome.

Situated among some of the most beautiful lakes in the world is the community of Brainerd and the other towns that make this area a special place to visit.  You can go to Pine River, Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, Breezy Point, Nisswa, Crosby, Deerwood, Lake Shore, Merrifield, Pillager, Baxter and Brainerd and be enthralled with the beauty and uniqueness of each and every one of the places.

Take a drive around some of the lakes that are in the area and you will see some of the most beautiful sites imaginable.  Along with the beaches and the fishing you will be able to enjoy places like the Brainerd International Raceway or take a ride on the Mississippi Bell paddle-wheel boat.  If you have the kids along and want to do something with them that will have all of you enjoying time together how about playing some miniature golf?

You can visit the Franklin Art Center and see the creative genius of over 30 artists creating things in pottery, stain glass, paintings and photography.  Maybe you will find a passion to begin some of these artistic endeavors yourself.

Take some time and visit the Crow Wing County Historical Society and Museum and learn about the history of the area from the confines of the old County Jail and Sheriff’s residence.  Here you will be exposed to exhibits about the logging industry, American Indians of the area and how the railroad changed the face of this area of the nation.

Now if you really want to learn more go to the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and visit the exhibits that trace the history of the Mille Lacs Bank of Ojibwe, and how they lived in the days when the land was theirs to enjoy.

Stop in and visit the Minnesota Resort Museum in Pine River for a look at how the life on the lakes has changed over the years. 

A visit to the Breezy Point area will give you a great opportunity to play some first rate golf or if it is winter to do some great ice fishing, snowmobiling or skiing.  In the summer not only is there great golf but the bike trails will have you glad you are out in nature looking at all there is to see while getting your exercise.

Crosby is in the folds of Serpent Lake which wraps around the town.  These lakes were formed from mine operations that were stopped.  Here you can enjoy great fishing, go scuba diving, camping or biking.  Maybe this is the place that you want to just sit back and relax and enjoy the peace and the beauty of the area.

The Whitefish chain of lakes were connected for the loggers to move logs and beams from one location to another. There are 14 lakes in this chain that will keep you busy the entire time you are in the region if you choose to enjoy them all.  Crosslake offers you the opportunity to experience all of them and return to a lovely community with great restaurants after you are done fishing or boating.

Elmer Park in Deerwood will give you a chance to see Leaping Deer.  The park is located at the site of the old Deerwood Railroad Depot. They invite you to join them for Summerfest every year.

If you like hiking and walking in the forest lands then you may want to spend some time at Lake Shore where the trails are just waiting for you to enjoy the scenery.  The community is surrounded by seven lakes so if you have a desire to go boating or fishing when you aren’t hiking or walking all you have to do is drop your line in the water and enjoy the rewards.

The little town of Merrifield offers you the opportunity to visit some unique businesses and meet some extremely friendly, gracious people.

Nisswa is a place that most people that travel to the northern part of Minnesota have either been to or have heard about.  The area is great for fishing, boating, golfing and shopping.  Nisswa comes from the Ojibwa  world "messawae" which means "in the middle" or "three", the town site and Lake Nisswa are the middle of the three interconnected lakes.  Here you are not far from the water or the beautiful wildlife that lives in the area.

Get ready for some great fun in Pequot Lakes!  Come for Bean Hole Days, the craft fairs or the parades and you will see just how the people of the community enjoy themselves and entertaining visitors.  Pequot Lakes is a little bitty town with a great big heart.

Talking about little you will find that Pillager is even smaller than Pequot Lakes but they have their own charm and attractions such as the Pillager Trading Post and Antiques store.  You will be able to spend some time here just browsing through all there is to offer.  Sitting just 10 miles southwest of Brainerd the community will welcome you as a visitor and encourage you to come back often.

Pine River sits in the White Pine forest area and is truly a beautiful place.  The Pine River flows through town to add to the enchantment of the area.  The population of Pine River is just 928 but the enjoyment you can find here will certainly be memories that will carry you forward as you go into the "city" and face the confusion, stress and noise that are absent in Pine River.

Then there is Baxter, a town of 5,555 + people that know how to enjoy living in the beautiful lakes region.  The town was the site for the manufacturing of railroad ties for many years.  Today you can find a lot to do from fishing to golfing in the area.

There are hundreds of opportunities for you to enjoy while you are in the Brainerd area and some of the loveliest resorts or maybe you want one that is just cozy, if you are looking for a great Minnesota vacation then you seriously want to consider coming to this area of the state.  Minnesota tourism is a way of life for the people of this region; they know how to make you feel at home and yet pampered at the same time.  Doesn’t get much better than that!
 

If you are a fan of the model railroads and would enjoy seeing a top rate display then you really want to visit the Northern Lights Model Railroad Association & Museum.  Here you will be able to see Lionel and HO scale model trains in a 32 foot by 17 foot room.  This building also has a telegraph office with a bay window and a public viewing hall. 

Outside you will find 300 ft of standard gage railroad track with a restored Great Northern Railway caboose for you to see.  An operating block signal and motor car house are located just east of the building.

Also on display is a Fairmont W60 series A Derrick Car which has been restored and is fully functional.  The derrick could handle loads of up to 3,000 pounds with a boom that reaches up to seven feet from the center of the track. The deck provides space for hauling timbers or other loads, as well as a working platform when the derrick is at a job site. The boom swings a full 360 degrees with a two-speed hoist.

The Casey Holt Junction has something for every age, from the model trains to the “little tyke” train to give the little ones a ride on the train, they love it!

Two other pieces that are on display are the Push Car and the Gang car.  The Gang Car usually held four member of the maintenance or what was called a Way crew.

The layout track is all DCC or computer controlled with a double dog bone track plan and no ‘duck-unders’. The layout has the capacity to allow 99 engineers to operate at one time independent of one another. A public viewing hall is located on the North side of the building.

Phone (when someone is in the building) 218-773-6668

Location: 219 20th Street NE
East Grand Forks, Minnesota

There are tours of pioneer buildings, steam engine threshing machines, museum displays and demonstrations along with a wide range of other opportunities for a great family time.

While on your tour you will see the Nesbit House which was built in 1871 by David Nisbet. The James Lee family moved into the house in 1880 and purchased the land in 1885.  (Mrs. James Lee was Christina Nesbet).  The house stayed in the Lee family until 1944 when it was sold to the Peterson’s.

Location: Highway 220 N & 20th Street NE,(219 20th Street) East Grand Forks, MN

Phone: (218) 773-3952

The Chippewa County Historical Society of Montevideo has created a space for you to step back in time and visit a 23-building museum complex.  Here you will be able to experience what life was like before all the modern conveniences of today.  You will be able to visit a church, school, dress shop, law office, print shop, fire department, post office and also the historical homes in the park. 

Walking through this area you will learn about the hardships and joys that the citizens of the era experienced.  Visualize yourself being a resident of this community, what you would have to live without and what you would have to learn to be able to survive and live in comfort.

The Historical Society has done an admirable job in keeping history alive in this delightful place.  Visit it the next time you are in the area, you won’t be disappointed!

Tour information call: 320-269-7636

Hours: 9 – 5 Monday – Friday, 1 – 5 on Saturday and Sunday.

Admission: Adults $4,  Child 6-17 $2 and Child under 5 Free.

The Swensson Farm Museum has 17 acres of farmstead including a fabulous timer-frame barn for you to visit.  There is also a grist mill (or what remains of it) and hand cut granite monuments.  The 22 room brick farm house is situated on a foundation of local granite.  The home is included on the National Register of Historic Places.  The home has its original furnishing to add to the pleasure of the visit.

This farm gives evidence to the contributions made to Minnesota by the Scandinavian immigrants to the state.  Olof Swensson (from Norway) came to America in 1872 and built his house for himself and his wife in Montevideo. 

Phone: 320-269-7638

Location: County Rd 6, Montevideo, MN 56265

Hours: Hours:

Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day  Sun 1pm-5pm
 

Located in the Superior National Forest in Northern Minnesota is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which contains over one million areas of wild land. It is one of the most popular places in the world for outdoor lovers to come and experience the true wilderness.

More than 200,000 people visit each year and travel along the more than 1500 miles of canoe routes and stay at the more than 2000 campsites scattered through the area. The land is covered in forest, with pine, cedar, fir, and spruce making up a large part of the flora.

A canoe trip allows you to witness firsthand the vast array of wildlife in the area. Bears, bobcats, geese, loons, lynx, and bald eagles are just a few of the many animals that make this area their home. You also stand a good chance of seeing wolves in the wild, as this area contains the largest population of wolves in the United States.

With so many different rivers and lakes to choose from, you should make up your own route, portages and all, before you head out to the area. This will give you a better idea of what you can expect.

When you are planning your trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, or BWCAW, be sure that you have the correct permits for the time that you will be in the area. You also want to make sure the permit specifies the entry point you will be using – there are many different entry points in the BWCAW. Also, be sure you have the proper gear for your trip. This includes, but isn’t limited to water, food, survival and first aid gear, sleeping bags, and life jackets.

All the regular rules for traveling through the wilderness and camping apply. Be sure to put out the fires at your campsite with plenty of water and make sure they are fully out before you leave; use dry, fallen wood for your fire; keep your food covered tight and away from camp to avoid attracting animals.

If you are traveling with a group, you need to be aware that the BWCAW allows up to 9 people and 4 canoes (or any watercraft) per group. The canoes each needs to be registered as well, either in Minnesota if you are a native, or your own home state.

You are allowed to bring your dog, but it must be on a leash while portaging and needs to be kept under your control at all times. Also, make sure you clean up after your animal.

A canoe trip through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one that you will never forget.

Forest Headquarters
8901 Grand Ave Place
Duluth, MN 55808
 

There is history in this small town in southern Minnesota and the surrounding area that will bring back memories for those that take the time to visit.  For instance, there is the one room school that taught kids west of Amboy for many year, in fact, up until the 50’s it was still going strong.

The school was the site of a whole social and educational experience for the kids that attended there, under many teachers but the most notable was Dorothy Fraze.  She not only taught but directed plays and got involved encouraging the kids to be the best they could be.

The school was built in 1881 for $337.86.  The builder of the school (who is no longer known) made sure the quality was good, since the building was moved into Amboy in 2006 to be added to the charming downtown area as a museum for residents and visitors to enjoy. The school was painted before it was moved to a location 1 block off Main Street.  The old school had to be purchased from the owners of the land it was located on in the country but Mitch and Margo (Johnson) Oatmen sold it to the city for $1.  

During the early years the school was used every other Sunday as a place for the First Presbyterian Church to hold its services.

The Treasurer’s ledger for 1879 has been located to show the cost of doing business as a one room school in this time. The cost of operating the school for the year 1880 was $193. 84 The teacher’s wages for 1880 was $154.00 and the bills for wood and school supplies were $17.70. A pail was purchased for $ .25 and crayons where purchased for $ .20,  The school was repaired for another $13. 00.  

The names of some of the early teachers were Frank White; Annie Dobie; George Conrad; Jennie White; Julia Malmin; Mary Reynolds; J W Heritage; Melvina Wilde; Nriss Louis and of course, Dorothy Fraze.

The original cost for building constructed in 1881 and finished in 1882 was $337.86

Inside the school are some of the original desks and it has the same bell in the tower that rang for years to summon the kids to class. There are pictures of the students from the school’s “glory days” hung beside the pictures of the restoration for those that want to see if they can find themselves. Some of the kids that attended the school were Dennis Starkweather, Dough Startweather, Jim Johnson, Donna Smothers, Dwayne and Ray Smothers, Norman Glaubitz, Jim, Bob and Nita Irvine,Charlotte Curry, Dorthy and Helen Howieson, Laura Louks, Kathy Hall, Joan & Helen Stenberg, Harland Haroldson, Lyle Johnson, Lyle Curry, Durwood Irvine, Woodrow Irvine, Pete Dirkx, Cecil Dickey, Leo Pederson, Gordon Johnson and Russ Johnson.

If you attended the school or have memories of going to the school for one of the Christmas plays or other activities, please post it on our site so we can share them with the readers.

Location: 1 Block south of Main Street, Amboy, Minnesota

If you are interested in attending the Ridge School Program please contact Joan Morrison at 507-674-3358 or drop her an email at jmglaub@hickorytech.net

Voyageurs

Way up there, next to the Canadian border is the town of International Falls.  You probably hear about it on the news quite frequently during the winter as having the coldest temperatures in the nation.  The people in International Falls are a wonderful group of people that love the diversity of the seasons and enjoy not only the summer activities but the winter ones as well.

Come to International Falls in the summer and spend some time at Voyageurs National Park.  This park has over 200,000 acres of interconnected waterways, islands, campsites and wildlife in breathtaking beauty.  You should bring your own boat or canoe, rent a houseboat or take a tour and see what this entire sublime park has to offer.  You could spend a very long time here and never see it all.

The average summer temperature at the park is 60 degrees F to 80+ degrees F; winter temperatures range from below 0 degrees F to 20 degrees F.

Voyageurs National Park is a great place to snowshoe in the winter.  If you don’t have any snowshoes but want to try it you can borrow a pair from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for free.

Approximately 150 black bears live in Voyageurs National Park.  If you leave the black bears alone you can truly enjoy them and their escapades but please do your part in providing the environment where bears can live with minimal human interference.  When camping property store your food in a park bear-proof locker or hung fourteen feet from the ground and four feet from a tree.  Bear proof lockers hold two standard coolers.

Put in a bear-proof locker anything that has an odor such as toothpaste, bug repellent, soap, garbage and etc.

Store or hang items that a bear might think is food, such as fuel containers and water jugs.

Cook food away from your tent.  Food odors linger on the material of your tent and may attract the bears, be smart, be safe, cook away from where you sleep.

There are many, many other tips that you should know when you are planning to camp in the Voyageurs National Park, go to their website and read up so you are prepared.

Directions to the Park: By Plane: there is a small airport located in International Falls.  Taxi service and rental cares are available there.

Car: Voyageurs National Park is approximately 5 hours north of Minneapolis-St. Paul on I-35 and Hwy 53. 3 hours north of Duluth on Hwy 53 and 4 hours south of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Boat: There are public launch ramps available at the three park visitor centers on Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake and at the Ash River Visitor Center.  Numerous resorts also offer boat access into the park.

Open: The park is open year around.
Visitor Center Hours are: Rainy Lake Visitor Center: 218-286-5258
Open Year Round
Jan 1 – May 23 Open Wed-Sun 10 – 5
May 24-Sept 30 Open 9-5
October 1 – Dec 31 Open Wed-Sun 10-4

Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center 218-875-2111
Mid May – Sept. Open 9-5 daily
Closed October 1 thru Mid May

Ash River Visitor Center 218-374-3221
May 24 – Sept 30 Open daily 9-5
Closed Oct 1 thru mid-May

If you have ever been on a snowmobile you know the joy of having the snow fly under you, the beauty of the fresh white snow allowing you to go to places you wouldn’t normally be able to get to.  You know the power, the thrill of an Arctic Cat.

Now you can take a tour of there they are made.  Arctic Cat snowmobiles have been manufactured in Thief River Falls for over 35 years.  The plant is listed as having one of the top 250 plant tours in the nation in the book entitled "Watch It Made In The USA: A Visitors Guide To The Companies That Make Your Favorite Products." 

Plant tours are FREE of charge and offered weekdays at 1 pm.

They are located in the Industrial Park in Thief River Falls at

601 Brooks Ave. S.

Phone: 218-681-8558

Now you’re talking Minnesota Lakes region!  The Leech Lake region is surrounded by littler lakes filled with fish, natural beauty and other activities to keep you entertained while on vacation.  Leech Lake is an area that is not over developed, it retains it’s natural charm, beauty and challenges.

No mater what you want to do during your vacation you will find it in the Leech Lake Region from ice-fishing and skiing in the winter  to fishing, swimming or golfing in the summer this area will fill all your wants.  In the fall you can  hunt or look at the natural beauty of the changing of the seasons. 

Take the trip to the heart of Minnesota and see what real beauty is all about in the Leech Lake Region!

Contact the Leech Lake Tourism Bureau for more information
205 Minnesota Ave.West
Walker, Minnesota
Phone: 218-547-6207

Bemidji

If you are looking for great fishing, canoeing or perhaps cross country skiing in the winter or ice fishing the place to be is in Bemidji.  This community has so much to offer from the beginning of the Mississippi River (where you can actually walk across the river!) at Itasca State Park to the over 400 lakes within 25 miles of town.

The resorts in the area offer you a great stay, or you can choose to stay at a campground and really get next to nature.  There are many choices in the area for your consideration.

Bemidji has over 500 miles of snowmobile trails and 160 km of cross-country ski trails so if you think this area isn’t a winter vacation spot you should think again!  Don’t miss out on ice fishing here, this is a great sport.

Bemidji is also known as the Curling Capital of the USA.  Curling is hugely popular in the northern states and in Canada where the throwing of the stone and sweeping the ice is not only a great sport to participate in it is also a great spectator sport.

Bemidji has a number of events throughout the year for your to join in celebrating from the Dragon Boat Festival which is held the first week in August with a parade of teams, evening music and lots of food vendors to the Night We Light Celebration which is the day after Thanksgiving when the Christmas lights around town are turned on, there is an evening parade, wagon rides, fireworks over the lake and more things for good family fun.   HAVE THE BEMIDJI Polar Days which is a week long event with food and winter sports events including golf on ice, Annual Logging Days where you return to the historic lumberjack era, watch horse teams work and admire the ancient logging skills.  The of course there is the Minnesota Finlandia Ski Marathon which is held in February.

Bemidji Tourist Information Center
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji next to statues of Lumberjack Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.  Open year around.

Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day
Mon – Fri 8 – 6
Sat. 9-6
Sun Noon – 5

Labor Day to Memorial Day
Mon – Fri 8 – 5
Sat 10 – 2
Sun Closed

Have you always wanted to challenge yourself in the great outdoors?  Do you love to canoe?  If the answer to these questions is yes then you may want to consider a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota.

The BWCAW is a special area located in the northern third of the Superior National Forest in Northeastern Minnesota.  Approximately 1.3 million acres in size, it extend nearly 150 miles along the International Boundary adjacent to Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park and bordered on the west by Voyageurs National Park.  The BWCAW contains over 1200 miles of canoe routes, over 1000 lakes, 15 hiking trails and approximately 2000 designated campsites.  Wilderness offers freedome to those who wish to pursue and experience of expansive solitude, challenge and personal integration with nature.  Becasue this area was set aside in 1926 to preserve its primitive character and made part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1964, it allows visitors to canoe, portage and camp in the spirit of the French Voyageurs of 200 years ago.  Enjoy the Experience!

The BWCA is a true wilderness experience, without motors, no electricity, no telephone lines, and no roads to the inner lakes.

The BWCAW does a lottery type application for a permit so read up on their site to make sure you follow the directions.  After the lottery is completed the first cme, first served reservation processing will start via interactive website wich means that reservations are processed and confirmed immediately, or you can fax or mail them.  There is a $12 non-refundable reservation fee required for each permit. If an overnight permit is being reserved, a $32 deposti will be collected regardless of group size.

MAIL
BWCAW Reservation Center
P.O. Box 462
Ballston Spa, NY 12020

FAX
(518) 884-9951

PHONE 1-877-550-6777(Toll Free)
TDD 1-877-TDD-NRRS (Toll Free)
International 1-518-885-9964
(Feb. 1–Sept. 30)

Do you want first hand experience on what it was like to live in a logging camp in the 1900′s?  At the Forest History Center you will have the opportunity to experience life by walking back in time to Northwoods #1, an authentically recreated white pine logging camp complete with cook shack, bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, office wanigan, filer’s shack and horse barn.

You will be able to stop and visit with the cook, clerk, bull cook, blacksmith and other lumberjacks who may be in camp.  Would you like to try your hand at sawing or perhaps pet the Percheron draft horses?

You can wander down to the 1901 Mississippi River Wanigan, drop in on the 1934 Forest Service patrolman and get a bird’s eye view of the forests from atop the 100 foot fire tower (be ready for the climb, it’s not for the weak of heart of those that don’t like heights.)

Explore the visitor center’s interactive exhibits and browse the fits shop featuring items unique to northern Minnesota.  Stroll the nearly 5 miles of accessible trails and wind throughout the beautiful forests and along the river’s edge.  If you want a special nature program you need to call ahead to find out when they are being held.

The hours of operation for summer, 2010 are:
Tuesday throught Saturday 11am to 4pm – June 8th through Labor Day Weekend (yes, we are open the entire Labor Day Weekend)

Summer Adm. rates: $8 Adults (18 to 64) $6 Seniors (65+) and active military and students with ID – Children (6 to 17) $5.00 , children 5 and under free, MN Historical Society Members Free.

Winter hours: M-F 9am to 4pm – Adm Adults $4, Sr.A $3, Children $2.50.

Location: 2609 County Rd. 76, Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55744

Phone: 218-327-4482

This tour is something that is truly interesting.  It takes you through the whole paper making process with the watery pulp that eventually becomes paper to the big presses that flatten it out.  It’s quite a site to see.

The mill was founded in 1901 in Grand Rapids.  Blandin Paper became UPM-Kymmene’s first North American mill in October of 1997 and is one of northern Minnesota‘s largest employers.

There are two paper machines that have an annual capacity of about 370,000 short tones (336,000 metric tons), manufacturing No. 5 grade of paper with basis weights ranging from 30 to 40 pounds.  All paper manufactured by Blandin is lightweight coated, names for its clay-based glossy coating that makes it attractive as a publication paper.

Free guided tours of the mill are offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 – 3, from the first Wednesday in June through the Friday before Labor Day.  Tour guides escort small groups through the mill on a continuous basis.  The tour also includes a video of the papermaking process. 

No children under 12 are allowed.  No open-toed shoes are allowed.  No cameras are allowed.

You will need to have the ability to climb some stairs to go on the tour.  Also, the paper mill is very warm to be prepared for the heat.

Location: 115 SW First St., Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55744

Phone: 218-327-6682

This lighthouse was first lit on April 14, 1892. The Two Harbors Lighthouse was built to provide safe passage into the harbor and as a result Two Harbors became the major shipping point for the iron ore from the Mesabi Range in the early 1900′s.

Four buildings on the lighthouse site have artifacts in them that are open for visitors to view.  The Gog Signal building houses artifacts from the early fishing industry, things that you probably have never seen up close before.  There is also a gift shop. 

The Assistant Keeper’s residence has exhibits on area ship wrecks, the development of Agate Bay and a late 1800′s residence exhibit.  The Keeper’s Quarters has been restored to the early 1900′s period and operates as a Bed and Breakfast; the attached light tower is open for visitors.

The pilothouse from the Frontenac shipwreck is also situated on the site for you to see.

The Two Harbors Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It is now a  Bed and Breakfast.

Location: 3rd St. and South Ave., Lighthouse Point, Two Harbors, Minnesota 55616

Cost: Adults $2.50; Youth 9-17 $1 and Children 8 and under are Free

Hours: May, June, Sept, Oct – Mon – Sat. 9 – 5 Sunday 10 – 4.  July & August Open 9 – 7 Monday – Sat.

The life of an iron ore miner is something that few will ever have the opportunity to experience but here you can try it on for yourself, if even for just a little while.  At the Hibbing Taconite mine you can take a tour on selected Wednesdays and Thrusdays at 12 noon from June 23 to August 19.  Tours depart from Ironworld Discover Center and take approximately 2 hours.

You will experience the day of a miner when you slip into the steel toe boots and put on the hard hats.  You will be able to watch the miners up close and get a feel for their massive equipment (and you thought highway construction equipment was big, wait until you see THIS stuff!).  Check out the 30 yard capacity shovels, they are so big that a 4×4 truck could fit inside their buckets.  They load overburden into 3 story 240 ton mining trucks, that’s right, 240 TON!  Wee 80 car trains pulled by 3 locomotives filled with taconite pellets cruise near 500 ft deep iron laden canyons.  Discover 100 ton maintenance trucks, large drilling rigs and huge bulldozers.  What an experience!

There will be a knowledgeable guide to narrate your adventure.

Group tours and school groups are welcome.  These should be by reservations.

Reservations: Ironworld at 800-372-6437.

Children must be 10 years of age or older and accompanied by an adult.

Admission: Call for detail: (Dates and hours will vary.) Tours usually run in the summer months.

If you have ever wondered about the world of iron ore mining, the hard work, the machinery and all that goes into bringing the ore to the consumer then you may truly enjoy a trip through this museum.

It gives you and opportunity to actually climb aboard equipment used to mine the Mesabi Range, the mining trucks, see the 1907 steam locomotive or tour replicas of an underground mine and visit a mining town. 

In 1910 the Atlantic Steam Shovel was one of the fastest steam shovels ever made, there is one at the museum that you can sit in and imagine what it was like to actually dig into the hard earth to extract the ore.  This type of steam shovel is the same type that was used to help dig the Panama Canal.

Directions: Exit off Hwy 169 across from Ironworld by McDonald’s onto Ironworld Rd.  Follow .1 mile to the stop sign.  Take a right onto Hwy 73 North.  Follow 73 North for .6 miles until you see the museum sign.  Turn left by the water tower.  The road will curve to the right.

Admission: Monday – Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 1-5 is $4 for adults; $3 for children 5-17; $3.50 for seniors, and children under 5 are Free. 

Open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Location: 701 West Lake Street, Chisholm, Minnesota 55719

Phone: 218-254-5543

When you think of fishing on the big lakes in Minnesota you probably wonder how you will be able to find the fishing spots that will award you that big one to take home or to get a picture of and then throw back.  Well, maybe you want to consider one of the many charter companies that know the lakes, that can provide you with the necessary equipment, you’ll be on a boat the right size for the water (the big lakes can get pretty rough and a little row boat probably isn’t what you want to be in when that happens). 

If you are fishing on a lake like Lake Superior you can be trying for Lake Trout, Salmon and Walleye.  What a thrill to catch one of them in the big water.

The vessels will probably provide you with all the amenities of home with great staff and knowledge to share.

There are many, many charter services in the region, choose your lake or area and then choose the charter service and enjoy a fabulous fishing experience in the over 11,000 lakes of Minnesota!

Mille

Mille Lacs Lake has something for everyone from fishing and swimming in the summer to snowmobiling in the winter.  Maybe you want to cross country ski.  It’s all available at Mille Lacs Lake.

There are a number of activities available in the area besides fishing or sitting and relaxing on the beach or at the cabin.  Perhaps you want to go to a casino, well, Grand Casino Mille Lacs is available for your entertainment with live video roulette, craps and blackjack, video poker and keno.  Perhaps you want to play bingo or pull tabs; this 85,000 sq. ft. entertainment center has something for everyone, even kids.

Maybe you want to go golfing.  There are a number of courses around Mille Lacs Lake which fit the needs of every level of skill from the beginner to the PGA pro there is a course to suit your needs.

There are concerts in the area and comedy clubs too.  Maybe you want to spend the evening with a romantic dinner and night of dancing, you can find that too. 

There is so much to do in the Mille Lacs Lake area, it’s no wonder that people love to visit the area, and whether it is to the big lake or some of the smaller lakes in the region you will enjoy the beauty of northern Minnesota!

Take the time to visit this 150 mile "loop" which features an area rich in tradition and beauty ­ from more than 1,000 lakes and wildlife-filled wetlands to 19th century flour mills and spectacular roadside scenery. This scenic byway is designated for its cultural, historical or natural significance. One of Minnesota¹s 20 byways the Otter Trail Scenic Byway includes 23 sites, several with interpretive signs and many with trails, picnic facilities and opportunities to view wildlife.

Here are some highlights of a typical tour…

Visit the Otter Tail County Historical Society Museum. It is laid out in an interpretive style with a 1916 Main Street, wildlife exhibit, agricultural exhibits, period rooms, etc. Drive south to the edge of Fergus Falls. Visit the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center and walk the trails.

Continue on and drive the countryside through Dalton, past many lakes, over rolling hills. Head for Inspiration Peak, second highest point in Minnesota. What a great view! Drive to Vining to take a picture of the "shoe", and then take a photo of the "Indian Chief" in Battle Lake. Off the route, about 1-1/2 miles, visit one of Minnesota’s newest State Parks – Glendalough.

As you continue up the road past Otter Tail and Rush Lakes you will come to Perham which offers many specialty shops; visit the doll museum located at the Chamber of Commerce building on main street. Head west and stop at Maplewood State Park. In the fall, the trees are spectacular! Stop in Pelican Rapids to see the pelican at the falls.

Now wind your way southeast back around some of the 1,048 lakes to Phelps Mill. Stop in to view the milling equipment. Have a picnic in the park and get an ice cream cone across the street. Finish your drive back into Fergus Falls. The trail being a circular route, you can start and stop anywhere.

Minnesota Military Museum – Camp Ripley, Minnesota

Nowhere in Minnesota are the experiences of military men and women so vividly captured and interpreted as at the Minnesota Military Museum.  The museum aims to enhance public understanding of how armed conflicts and military institutions have shaped our state and national experience.  The museum also functions as a major repository in  Minnesota for historical artifacts and records.  Indoor and outdoor exhibits depict the stories and contributions of Minnesotans who served in all branches of service or on the home front, in time of peace and war, from our early frontier years to the present.

On permanent display:

America at War – America’s major wars since Minnesota became a state in 1858:  Civil War, Spanish American War and Philippine Insurrection, the World Wars, Korean War, and Persian Gulf War.  Exhibits illustrate the causes, conduct, and consequences.

Forts on the Frontier – How Minnesota’s early forts and garrisons played an important role in maintaining peace and encouraging settlement on Minnesota’s 19th century frontier.  Includes a scale model of Old Fort Ripley, 1849-1877, a former army outpost within the boundaries of present day Camp Ripley.

State Forces – The story of Minnesota’s state armed forces – most notably its National Guard – is highlighted from pre-Civil War militia days to the present.

The Arms Room – The development of military small arms in the 19th and 20th century.  Pistols and revolvers, rifles and carbines, sub-machine guns, machine guns, edged weapons, ammunition, and more.

Location: 15000 Highway 115, Little Falls, MN 56345-4173Phone: 320-616-6050

Open daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. during the months of May through September. Open Thursdays and Fridays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. October through April.

Minnesota is known as the home of the great Paul Bunyan and his oxen Babe.  They make thier home at Paul Bunyan Land at This Old Farm Pioneer Village 7 miles east of Brainerd on highway 18.  Paul Bunyan is the world’s largest talking animated man, he has been talking to people for over 50 years! Then of course there is Babe the Blue Ox who is Paul’s best friend, they’ve been together the whole time.  Now, along with those two there is Sport, the Reversible Dog.

At the park you will also have the opportunity to ride the roller coaster, the mini himalaya, the Space Shuttle, Kiddie Boats, The Merry-go-Round, the Ferris Wheel, Zumur, Tilt A Wheel, the railroad, Space Probe, Dodgem cars, Coke bouncer, Balloon Room, Kiddie Kanoe, Apple Ride and the Flying Cages.

At the same location is Birch Ridge Village, a walk through history by looking at all the antiques this family has collected over 4 generations.  You will enjoy the experience and the young people will learn about how life used to be.

You will want to check out the Haunted Corn Maze if you are in the area in the fall.  From dusk to dark it is just a fun maze but from dark until the last group gets through (last group enters at 10 PM) the Gouls, Goblins, Maniac Chainsaw Killers, Lichen, Vampires and alike come out from their place of hiding to search for thier nightly fill of screams and terror filled cries for help. Bring your friends and watch as the scream in terror.

The newest Paul can be found at the Brainerd Lakes Area Welcome Center on Hwy 371 South. Permanently seated outside the Welcome Center, Paul is eager to greet the children and adults that will stop to visit for generations to come.

Location:
17553 State Highway 18
Brainerd, MN 56401

Phone: (218) 764-2524

Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day 10 – 6

Common misspelling of Brainerd – Brainard, Brainird.

Admission cost: Children 17 and under: $12.95; Adults $10.95; Senior Citizens $9.95 and Two and younger Free

Common mi 

St. Cloud has one of the outstanding colleges in Minnesota with over 175 academic programs, having more than 1000 international students from 90 different countries enableing students to get a world wide experience and learn about other cultures right on the college campus.  There are approximately 16,000 students attending the college.

The college sits on 100 acres between downtown St. Cloud and and the Beaver Islands, a group of more than 30 islands that form a natural maze for a two-mile stretch of the river.  

They are the second largest university in Minnesota and yet have a faculty to student  ratio of 19.1.

The college is located on the Mississippi River and was founded in 1869 and was granted University status in 1975.

Location: 720 4th Avenue South – St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301-4498

Phone: (320) 308-0121

You can visit the home, built in 1906, where Charles Lindbergh spent his boyhood summers and some winters at the home on the Mississippi in Little Falls. 

The historic site includes a completely remodeled Visitor Center, with new exhibits, films, and a gift shop, as well as an interpretive trail along the river.

At the site you will be able to sit in the cockpit modeled on the Spirit of St. Louis, get to know more about his life, his thoughts and his work as an environmentalist.  You will see the VW that he drove across 4 continents and the motor to the boat that he and his father used to boat on the Mississippi River.

Two miles south of Little Falls on Lindbergh Drive you will come to the Charles Lindbergh State Park and the house that he grew up in.  You can tour the home furnished with it’s original furnishings.  Maybe you will dream a dream as big as his and achieve something wonderful.

Charles Lindbergh flew his famous flight across the Atlantic in 1927. 

Hours:
Summer
Memorial weekend through Labor Day: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues. through Sat.; noon to 5 p.m. Sun. Closed Mondays (open Monday holidays).

Phone:
320-616-5421

Admission:
$7 adults, $6 senior citizens, and $5 children ages 6-17. Free for children under age 6 and MHS members. Different fees may apply for special events.

E-mail:
lindbergh@mnhs.org

The zoo is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. 

There are 445 species at the zoo and 2,449 animals.  Learn all about the animals at the Minnesota Zoo! Explore the Zoo’s Minnesota Trail, Northern Trail, Tropics Trail, Discovery Bay, and the new Wells Fargo Family Farm on a virtual tour; then plan to come and spend the day with them.

Metronic Trail includes exciting exhibits for raccoons, coyotes and gray wolves, together with long-time residents like beaver, otter, puma and lynx. Smaller Minnesota favorites, like turtles, frogs and salamanders, are featured in the exhibit’s “trailhead,” a warm and welcoming lodge. Along the Trail, guests experience a variety of Minnesota landscapes, ranging from views into a beaver pond, a walk alongside a northern forest glade and a bird-watching perch in the treetops.

The Northern Trail showcases the cold, long winters of Minnesota with Amur tigers frolic in the snow or in their moat, depending on the season. Mexican wolves, woodland caribou and the stately moose display their ingenious adaptations for survival. A walk along the 3/4-mile trail provides the opportunity to enjoy the seasons, or, view the entire trail in climate-controlled comfort from the Monorail.

Tropics Trail has the world of the rain forest where lush, green foliage and beautiful orchids envelop guests along a winding path. Playful lemurs, inquisitive gibbons and agile tree kangaroos are just a few of the animals waiting to be discovered at each turn.

Discover Bay is awesome!  Over 1.1 million gallons of water provide a home for sharks, rays and other marine life. Guests can actually touch sharks, sea stars, and sea anemones in an interactive estuary and tide pool. The Atlantic bottlenose dolphins put on quite a show—literally! Learn about dolphins’ natural behaviors during the Digital River Dolphin Show held daily in our 800-seat Dolphin Stadium.

The objective of the Wells Fargo Family Farm is to create a place for Minnesota Zoo visitors to become part of a community of people, plants and animals striving to maintain balance with nature.

Location: 13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124

Phone: 952.431.9200, 1.800.366.7811
24-hour information line: 952.431.9500