The magic of a wintertime Stillwater is not to be overlooked (full blog coming soon). We spent a couple nights in this awesome city and had a blast - lots of indoor options to keep the kids (and us old parents) fully entertained. We had a BLAST! Agenda included:
🎮 Matt’s Basement Bar for boba teas, bubble waffles and old school Nintendo games
🍕 @meltpizzacompany for a phenomenal double pepperoni Detroit-style pizza
🚂 @freighthousemn for amazing food, a couple beers and a warm, welcoming environment on the water
🪵 Washington County Heritage Center for some beautifully-displayed history and education
📚 @stillwaterpubliclibrary - huge kids and teen section with plenty to do and an upstairs outdoor terrace that overlooks the city
☕️ @mikeandkatsotherplace to enjoy unique decor and handmade coffees, syrups, and quality everything
🔍 @stillwaterescapeco for a challenge that’ll bring the whole family together (we escaped with 3 minutes left!)
🛥️ Walk across the Lift Bridge - this never gets old. And now there’s Christmas lights up everywhere 🎄
🖼️ Embrace a cultural change of pace with a visit to the MN Museum of American Art (MMAA) @mnmuseum, located in the architecturally brilliant Endicott Building of downtown St. Paul. The MMAA has recently expanded, tripling its space and inviting in a wide array of American art from a variety of backgrounds, each telling their own unique story.
My husband and I visited for a Saturday day date and found ourselves awed - photographs, tapestries, collages, oil paintings, sculptures, and some remarkable graphite sketches that sing to my Art Major heart. Not to mention the stained-glass ceiling and stone arches made us feel like we were in the presence of true artistic greatness.
If you or your family have a genuine respect and appreciation for the arts, be sure to check out the new wing of the MMAA. Museum hours are Thursday-Sunday from 10am-4pm and admission is FREE. Once you’ve taken it all in, stroll two blocks to @lostfox_lowertown where we grabbed a few appetizers (order the queso) and a drink.
It’s summertime! Are you ready for lemonade stands and road trips and fishing and backyard campouts and pizza farms and strawberry picking and and and and and…check out our 25 Summer Bucket List ideas to keep everyone busy and happy all sunshine long! ** link on blog
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It’s snowing elves!
If you are looking for a last-minute Elf idea, you could try what my sister tried this morning. Or not 😂
🍂 🎃 Our family has decided that fall is the greatest time to visit Valleyfair - for so many reasons! 1) It isn’t the level of busy it is in the summer months 2) The Halloween decor is out of this world and 3) TRICKS AND TREATS!!From now until October 29, Valleyfair Tricks and Treats is happening every weekend, included in the price of admission. So not only do you get to experience all the amazing rides, but you can visit multiple lands of spook, ick, and candy throughout the park. Collect candy, watch shows, listen to spooky stories, dance, craft, visit the witches in their Enchanted Soirée, or just ride all the rides while enjoying the festivities surrounding you.Thanks to Carrie the Moment Sales + Events for being the provider of all things fun! Be sure to get your tickets to Valleyfair now. Seriously, best time to visit!https://www.valleyfair.com/events/tricks-and-treats?utm_source=park_instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ctm_tricks_treats_tracking_8.29_thru_10.29&utm_id=23SAS
📍 Pebble Beach ~ Split Rock Lighthouse State ParkNo matter how many times our family travels up the North Shore, we always make time to stop at Pebble Beach in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. There you’ll find an incredible array of flat stones for skipping on the water, along with some of the best views of the Split Rock Lighthouse. The iconic lighthouse is one of the most visited in the nation, and was used as an aid in navigation on Lake Superior from 1910 to 1969.The beach is a great stop during all seasons. While in Summer you can skip endless rocks, Winter can also be magical, watching the ice crashing along the shore. Have you been here before? What’s your favorite stop along the North Shore of Minnesota?💰 Cost $35 Year-round vehicle permit$26 Additional year-round vehicle permit$30 Year-round motorcycle permit$7 One-day vehicle permit$5 One-day group permitMinnesota residents with disabilities that have a Federal Access Pass or a Minnesota-issued disability license or hang tag can get a $12 year-round permit. Disabled veterans and active duty military personnel can get discounted or free vehicle permits.🗺️ DistanceApproximately 3 hours from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area or 1 hour from Duluth. Minnesota State Parks and Trails
We spent a full, long day at the Minnesota State Fair yesterday and it was fun as usual. I thought I'd make a quick list of some of the free activities we did with the kids.
1. Home run derby at the twins tent.
2. Axe throwing in the scouts a tent.
3. Pull up contest in the Marines area.
4. Play in the ball pit in the selfie building.
5. Take pictures and build blocks at the TPT building.
6. Watch the amateur talent show.
7. Play in agriculture building.
8. Drink all you can drink milk. (Ok not free but cheap)
8. Hang out in the selfie building for some air-conditioning and picture opportunities.
10. Cool off in the misters.
11. Be a farmer for the day at Little Farm Hands.
12. Play at rainbow systems playgrounds.
13. Spell your name at alphabet forest.
14. Shoot hoops, or throw baseballs at the Xfinity tent.
15. Try and win a prize from Mazda playing mini golf.
Bonus: not pictured but always a classic hanging out at the birthing barn or at any of the animal buildings.
What's your must dos at the Minnesota State Fair?
Any trip up the North Shore with our family would not be complete without a stop at Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen. I seriously dream about their dark chocolate caramels, peanut butter meltaways, and coconut haystacks. All of their candy is handmade (the way it should be) and cooked in small batches in copper kettles. Now in its 17th season, the store is open seasonally from April to December. In addition, they also take online orders starting in November… just in time for the holidays. Have you ever been here before? Great!Lakes Candy Kitchen greatlakescandy.com
Did you know Minneapolis still has a working street car? We rode the over 100 year old trolley for the first time yesterday with our youngest son and had a blast. The ride itself is a short 20 minutes but well worth it for the experience and smiles. 😃 The cost is $3 per person and it makes a nice addition to a night spent around the Lake Harriet area. Be sure to stroll around the lake when you’re done, pick up some ice cream from Sebastian Joes nearby in Linden Hills, or enjoy some refreshments from Bread & Pickle while watching sail boats on the lake. Find more information about the trolley at trolleyride.org
