May 18, 2012

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Minnesota’s ValleyFair: Fun on a Budget

Aside from Six Flags Great America in Gurney, Illinois and Cedar Point near Sandusky, Ohio, there aren’t very many theme parks located in the Midwest. These two theme parks can get expensive, too, and with the economy still recovering, people are looking for ways to save money everywhere. Saving money doesn’t mean cutting out weekend fun, though.

Shakopee, Minnesota, which is just a short distance from downtown Minneapolis, is home to ValleyFair, a non-expensive amusement park with a little something for everybody.

The park boasts thirteen different rollercoasters with names like Wild Thing, Steel Venom, and Xtreme Swing. For those who aren’t fans of roller coasters, there are some other rides such as Thunder Canyon, which is a smaller water rollercoaster and even a covered waterslide. ValleyFair also offers the traditional fair rides such as the Tilt-A-Whirl, The Scrambler, and a Ferris Wheel, as well as some other water rides.

If you’re planning to take children with you to ValleyFair, there are rides for them, too, including a smaller rollercoaster. Other rides include mini boates in the shape of barrels, as well as a multi-level treehouse and a ball pit.

Be aware that, while admission to the park and rides is cheaper that the larger amusement parks, the price of food can be a bit pricey. Meals for a group of four will generally cost anywhere between $20 and $40, so if you don’t want to spend that much, either eat before heading to the park or eat afterward. If you’re not up for an entire meal and would just like a snack or something sweet, there are vendors throughout the park that sell items such as cotton candy, caramel apples, and a variety of ice cream treats.

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Visiting the Underwater Adventures Aquarium

The Mall of America, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, is one of the largest malls in the entire world. It offers something of interest for just about everybody, housing over 500 different retail stores, a wedding chapel, a full movie theater, a challenging miniature golf course, an indoor amusement park, and one of the most popular attractions—the Underwater Adventures Aquarium. This underground aquarium is home to numerous exhibits and is sure to be a hit with everyone in the family, regardless of age.

You’ll see plenty throughout the aquarium, but the very first exhibit after you enter will introduce you to the aquatic life that is native to the state of Minnesota, which includes a variety of fish, snakes, and turtles. You can also read about the lakes and rivers located throughout the state.

The central part of the Underwater Adventures includes a tunnel made entirely of glass. In this exhibit, you’ll be able to see everything from sharks to schools of tropical fish to a variety of stingrays, making for some great photo opportunities. Be aware that the tunnel floor moves you along the glass, so make sure you have solid footing. Other smaller exhibits throughout Underwater Adventures showcase smaller species of tropical marine life, such as crabs, a variety of colorful seahorses, jellyfish, and a rather large octopus.

There are a couple different exhibits aimed at children as well, including a Finding Nemo area where fish from the film are housed. There is also an area called the Pirate’s Treasure Box. Because the aquarium is anything but standard, there’s even a ride to go on if you want to.

Throughout the aquarium, there are various exhibits which allow visitors to touch some of the animals. The species you can touch include crabs, starfish, and stingrays. If you enjoy the aquarium that much, you can tour the entire facility, set up a time to scuba dive, and even book a birthday party.

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Must-See Minnesota Events

Some people might tell you that the Midwest has some of the most varying weather in the entire United States. Those of us who live in the Midwest would have to agree wholeheartedly. From the subzero temperatures and multiple feet of snow in the winter to the humidity and thunderstorms of the summer, states like Wisconsin and Minnesota have definitely learned how to use those seasons and the accompanying weather to their advantage.

Minnesota holds a number of different festivals throughout the year, regardless of the season. If you’re planning to be in Minnesota at all during any of the following events, make sure you attend the festivals. You’ll see how the mix of midwestern weather can be more than fun.

For eleven days in late January, the St. Paul Winter Carnival attracts thousands of people willing to brave the cold temperatures for a little fun. Since 1886, the people of Minnesota have been participating in activities like ice and snow sculpting, ice skating, and even a traditional Native American pow wow with one of the local tribes. One of the most popular events at the carnival is the Torchlight Parade, which occurs at night through the streets of St. Paul.

In mid-July, Minneapolis is home to the Aquatennial, which pays homage to the many waterways in Minnesota. Since 1940, events such as beach volleyball, the triathlon, and the ever-popular fireworks display have been taking place throughout the city. Along with a huge block party, one of the most popular events of the Aquatennial is the boat race in which contestants create boats from milk cartons.

The Minnesota State Fair is perhaps the biggest event in the state, taking place for twelve days in August. With standard Midway rides, the Adventure Park for those who like different rides, as well as butter sculptures and Pronto Pups, this is truly an event showcasing everything that makes the state of Minnesota what it is.

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Enjoying Minnesota’s Wilderness

Not every vacation you take needs to be packed full of activities that, in the end, just end up running you ragged and possibly leaving you more tired than before you left for vacation. Contrary to popular belief, you can still have a relaxing vacation full of activities that you enjoy, and it doesn’t have to be in a big city, another state, or at some exotic beach resort in the Caribbean.

If you want to satisfy the nature lover in yourself or in your family, you can do it and still relax. One of the most beautiful locations in the Midwest is the northeastern corner of Minnesota, right along the border of Canada. This area, consisting of over one million acres of crystal clear lakes and wilderness, is known as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (or, the BWCA for short). These lands draw over 100 thousand people from every walk of life each year.

The BWCA offers a multitude of outdoor activities and adventures for people of any age. Fishing is one of the most popular activities in the area. With so many lakes and rivers (over 1,000), as well as a multitude of different species of fish, everyone will enjoy the endless opportunities that come along with fishing.

One of the best things that the wilderness provides is numerous lodging options. There are numerous lake-side resorts and places offering your choice of rustic cabins to sleep in. There are also campgrounds where you can park your RV, pitch a tent, or rough it and sleep in a sleeping bag under the stars.

Ely, a smaller town, is only s short distance from the BWCA and offers even more activities. Stop in at the International Wolf Center and learn more about wolves, or walk through an art gallery. If you want to get away from the wilderness for a day, Ely is sure to offer a little something for everybody.

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Visiting the Railroad Museum at Lake Superior

Duluth, Minnesota is known for it’s cold temperatures and fantastic college hockey team, but the city is perhaps most famous for its Railroad Museum, which is located on Michigan Street, just off the shores of Lake Superior. The collections at the museum consist of both steam and diesel engines, as well as street cars and other items. If someone in your family is a fan of old trains, this is the perfect place for him or her.

The first railroad in Minnesota was built in 1862 and ran from the city of St. Paul to St. Anthony, which is now known as Minneapolis. “William Crooks” was the name of the first locomotive in the state, and it was constructed by the Paterson Locomotive Works company. This first engine can be viewed at the museum, as can railcars from companies such as Haskell & Barker.

In 1887, the world’s first snow plow was built by the Leslie Brothers and Cook Locomotive Works and was used by more than one locomotive at a time in order to clear away snowdrifts. This piece of machinery, as well as the McGiffert Log Loader, which was used to place logs onto flatcars, is available for viewing at the Railroad Museum.

In 1890, the Duluth Railway Company introduced the streetcar. These were used to replace the slower horse and buggy carriages. Streetcars ran along wires, which powered them with 600 volts of electricity. They stuck to tracks that ran throughout the towns.

The Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota is full of history in both the numerous displays of ages-old machinery, but also in the explanations and informational displays accompanying them. If you’re heading to Duluth to visit relatives or just for a different kind of vacation, then be sure to stop at the museum and learn about a phenomenal part of Minnesota’s history.

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A Very ” InViking” Minnesota Inn

It’s no secret that the Vikings are an enormous part of Minnesota’s history and that these people still permeate the state’s cultural identity today. Holding steadfastly onto the Viking traditions and ways of life, The Nordic Inn Brew & Bed offers visitors a taste of all things Viking. A little known fact about The Nordic Inn is that the establishment used to be a Methodist church.

Located in Crosby, Minnesota, people come from miles around to sample the popular Scandinavian styles brews that have made the inn such a famous place. Around the inn—especially at the bar—you’ll find plenty of old Viking attire. Why not don some and get in the spirit? If the traditional garb isn’t enough of a taste of the Viking way of life, you’ll also need to trade your wholesome American dollars in for Kroner—the traditional currency of the Viking people.

Founded and manned by Steinnar Elmerson, you’re sure to receive the best treatment possible. He offers Viking tales and jokes of the adult variety, yes, but he also cooks an amazing amount of food, even if you’re eating alone. Signature dishes include meat and potatoes, as well as side dishes and, of course, pie for dessert. Combine this with some of the pale ale that The Nordic Inn is famous for, and you’ll have a meal fit for a (Vi)king.

No two rooms at the inn are the same, making them great conversation starters. There are only five rooms available, the neatest perhaps being the room in which a bed is built directly into a Viking ship.

If you’re looking for an experience that’s vastly different from that of a regular hotel or a normal bed and breakfast, then give The Nordic Inn a try!

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The Minnesota State Fair: Highlights

If you’ve never been to Minnesota and are planning to go, plan your trip around the Minnesota State Fair, which is normally held over a week every August. Drawing in thousands of people each year, this enormous event is one of the best ways to learn about and experience the culture in Minnesota. Some of the most popular items at the fair include butter sculptures, Pronto Pups, which are similar to a corn dog, and the log rolling competition, among other things.

Dubbed “The Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the Minnesota State Fair has been providing unique looks into what makes the state so great since 1854 (which is five whole years before Minnesota even became a state). The fair takes place in Falcon heights, which is right in the middle of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and is the second largest state fair in the United States, second only to the Texas State Fair.

Because of the sheer size of the Minnesota State Fair, it’s nearly impossible to see the entire thing in one day. If you’re having troubles deciding what to see, take a look below for some ideas.

  • The Princess Kay Butter Sculpture: When the winner of the Minnesota Dairy Princess Program Pageant is chosen, “Princess Kay” is the title she gets, but she also has a 90-pound block of butter sculpted to look just like her. This is one of the most popular fair attractions.
  • The Space Tower: If you’re one who loves scenery, try taking a ride to the top of this 340-foot tall tower for the best views of St. Paul and the Twin Cities. Don’t forget your camera!
  • The rides at Adventure Park: If you want the standard list of fair rides, you’ll find them on the Midway (and Kidway for the youngsters), but if you’re in the mood for something a little different, stop at Adventure Park. There you’ll find like the Ejection Seat—a ride where you’re strapped into a seat secured with bungee cords and sends you flying through the air.
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Dayton Takes the Finish Line in Minnesota Governor’s Race

U.S. Senator Mark Dayton of Minnesota.
Image via Wikipedia

In the recent election runoff for governor in Minnesota, Democrat Mark Dayton and Republican nominee Tom Emmer waited anxiously for the results to come in. A recount had to be administered from votes across the state, and in the final draw Dayton came out ahead of the competition. His lead was so slight in the beginning that officials felt a recount was in order. This meant that 2.1 million votes had to be gone over again. The recently released results from the 87 counties within the state come a month after the election was held. The recount results were not dramatically different from the original election night results, leaving only a slight difference in the 9,000 vote lead that Dayton had over Emmer.

Emmer has served three terms as a member of the state legislature. He gave his concession speech, politely conceding the win for the Democrats and stated that he would not challenge the results further in a court of law. He showed support for Dayton by saying that keeping a governor out of office any longer would not be beneficial to the state as a whole. He recognized that the people of Minnesota have made their final decision and he respects that.This type of situation is nothing new in Minnesota, as a recount had to be done in the 2008 election.

Mark Dayton, at 63 years of age, served a single term in the United States Senate. He chose at that time not to run for reelection. His first attempt in 1998 to run for the governor’s seat was unsuccessful. In the 2010 election, he finally found his niche when he took both the primary and then succeeded in winning the general election. Minnesota can now look to the future as their new governor takes office, hoping that he will be able to work with the government in bringing the economy back up and creating more jobs.

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Finding New Freedom – Coming to Minnesota

Germans came to Minnesota for a wide variety of reasons near the middle to the end of the 19th century. They were seeking freedom from political pressures, freedom to practice religion without persecution and to escape military conscription. The political scene in Germany at this time was extremely unstable, with the constant changes in the government and its policies. This drove many to come to the United States to find land and the opportunity to start a new life, with Minnesota as one of their many destinations. This country had land in abundance and heading west meant new opportunities.

The land that many Germans chose to settle on was already inhabited by a variety of Native American peoples, including the Dakota, Cheyenne, Lakota and Cree tribes. These areas had been annexed by the federal government under treaties which were often broken. This is particularly true in the case of the Dakota land, where broken treaty causd the tribe to rise up and fight back, leading to the United States and Dakota War of 1862. This tribe was later removed from the area and placed at Fort Snelling.

Settlement societies cropped up in the Minnesota territory, advertising to encourage more Germans to come to the United States and celebrating the many advantages they would find when they arrived. This caused a crop of new immigrants, most of which were German. They could buy land within the territory for four costs ranging from $2.50 to $8.00 per acre. Today, the areas they settled in lie in the southern part of the state and includes such towns as Gibbon and Sleepy Eye. They also settled predominantly in the counties of Gibbon, Winona, Nicolett, Benton and Morrison.

Bringing their culture with them along with their families, these German immigrants have left a strong legacy behind for us. Their story is still relevant today, and speaks of the courage and new lives that they fostered in this state.

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Minnesota’s Weather Challenges

Minnesota offers its residents and visitors a wide variety of weather throughout the year, especially during the winter months. The northern section of the state reaches freezing lows in January, and enjoys a constant layer of snow from December into the midst of March. Temperatures are slightly milder in the southern part of the state during winter, with a high of 25 degrees on most January days. The summers can carry highs in the eighties and lower seventies when you are near Lake Superior.

Minnesota’s weather history has shown extremes in temperature and precipation totals during the winter. One such event is the great snowfall that occurred in St. Paul during the 1880 to 1881 winter season. The event started with a modest 10 inches in late October, ending with a high near 140 inches that lasted from March into early summer. Having eleven feet of snow surrounding your home for that period of time must have been interesting to live with. This was later called “The Great Snow Winter.”

Along with receiving significant amounts of snow, Minnesota also had periods of extreme dryness in its history. This happened in 1829. The event was laid out in records kept at Fort Snelling. The months of May and June received only eight total days of rain the entire time. The summer came in with record heat, and this continued on into the winter, with no snow in sight. Then the temperatures plummetted in February when a series of two week lows hit the state, with numbers as low as – 20 and – 30 degrees.

The weather could also hit extremes on both ends of the scale, with little to no rain in June of 1863 to deadly frosts that attacked crops in July and August. Throughout its history, Minnesota weather has challenged the residents of this state. But it has also helped to build a hardy character into the people who live here.

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