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 Magnificent skiing experience |
6600 Peller Ave South Minneapolis, MN 55033 United States +1 651 436 5245 / +1 800 328 1328 http://www.aftonalps.com/ |
The scenic St. Croix River Valley and Afton State Park provide a spectacular backdrop for a magnificent skiing experience. Afton Alps offers some of the best skiing conditions in the Midwest by combining state of the art snowmaking equipment and modern grooming equipment, ensuring 100 percent coverage throughout the season. Forty runs of varied terrain for the beginner, intermediate and advanced skier provide bumps, jumps, steeps and groomed white carpets. If you're a first-timer, you can attend the ski school and let them teach you how to ski or snowboard. For the snowboarding fan, check out the half-pipe and terrain park. There is a tubing park for exhilarating rides down the slopes. The four chalets provide comfort and warmth while 18 quad ski lifts allow non-stop access to your favorite slope. The three rental shops have all the gear you need for a great time in the powder. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Picturesque St. Croix River Valley |
6959 Pellar Ave South Minneapolis, MN 55033 United States +1 651 436 5391 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/par... |
Afton State Park lies along the bluffs of the picturesque St. Croix River Valley just a short trip southeast of the Twin Cities area. Visitors will find 1,700 acres of near-primitive grasslands and dense forests. In fact, access to much of the swimming and camping area is by hiking only. High vantage points provide stunning views of the river and surrounding areas. Badgers, red fox and deer thrive in this magnificent reserve, while hawks and eagles soar above. The Visitors Center provides interpretive exhibits and necessary information about the park. Fishing is allowed from shore or canoe and the swimming beach is well maintained. There are 5 miles of horseback riding trails, 4 miles of paved trails for biking, 19 miles of well-groomed cross country skiing trails and 20 miles of well-marked hiking trails. If you enjoy downhill skiing or snowboarding, visit the nearby Afton Alps Recreation Area. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Metropolitan ski area |
15400 Buck Hill Road Minneapolis, MN 55306 United States +1 952 435 7174 http://www.buckhill.com/ ski@buckhill.com |
From the humble beginnings of one slope and a towrope to the current 12 runs and 9 ski lifts, Buck Hill has been a hit since day one. Just minutes south of both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, this metropolitan ski area has the reputation of being one of the finest either side of the Rockies. With state-of-the-art snow making equipment, Buck Hill is able to open as soon as the mercury begins to drop and stays open well into the early spring. The variety of slopes will satisfy novice to expert skiers. Snowboarders will enjoy the challenging half pipe and snow tubers have exciting slopes to call their own. Equipment rental and ski lessons are available. The slopes are well lit, allowing exciting night skiing. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Jeffrey Long  |
 Photo: Jeffrey Long |
 Photo: Ben Adams |
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362-acre urban refuge |
12615 County Road 9 Minneapolis, MN 55441 United States +1 763 559 8891 http://www.hennepinparks.com/o... |
Commonly called French Park, this well-maintained member of the Hennepin Park System is located on the north end of Medicine Lake. A 362-acre urban refuge used primarily for recreational activities, it also has beautiful natural features. A long winding inlet of the 900-acre lake bisects the park. Beaver, muskrat, mink and turtle live here, while great egret, black crowned night heron, belted kingfisher, geese, ducks and spotted sandpiper nest or feed in the area. White-tailed deer, red fox, woodchuck, cottontail rabbit, great horned owl and red tailed hawk frequent the area. Cross-country ski trails are mowed for hikers in the off-season. There is a sandy swimming beach with restrooms, changing rooms and a snack bar. There are volleyball courts, a public boat launch and a picnic area with tables and grills. Park visitors can rent bicycles, rowboats, canoes, paddle boats, fishing poles and in winter, cross-country skis. In winter the frozen lake becomes a skating rink and kids go sledding on the hills. A fee is charged for parking and can be paid on a daily basis, or an annual pass, good at all county parks, may be purchased. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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360 scenic acres |
10360 West River Road Minneapolis, MN 55444 United States +1 763 424 8172 http://www.hennepinparks.com/o... |
This park is 360 scenic acres spanning both sides of the Mississippi River. The showpiece of the park is the 1,000-foot dam built in 1914. The small town of Coon Creek was located in what is now the park and during the construction as many as 1,000 men worked here. Deer, red fox, raccoon, woodchuck, weasel, rabbit and different varieties of squirrels live along the banks, while mink, muskrats, beavers and turtles inhabit the river. The park is a hot spot for fishing, which can be done from shore, boat or platforms on the dam. Walleye, northern, bass and crappie are common.The Visitor Center includes live animal exhibits, an aquarium displaying native fish, an observation deck, information center and restrooms. Three main trails total 4.5 miles and traverse all habitats within the park, groomed for cross-country skiers in the winter.Skis, snowshoes and canoes are available for rent. Picnic tables and grills are plentiful. Campsites are available, including a separate primitive site for canoeists. A handicapped accessible walkway across the dam connects the Hennepin and Anoka County sections of the park and provides an excellent view of the river.A fee is charged for parking and can be paid on a daily basis, or an annual pass, good at all county parks, may be purchased. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Sheryl Meier |
 Photo: James |
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Historic setting for indoor ice rink |
225 Third Ave South Minneapolis, MN 55401 United States +1 612 375 1700 http://www.thedepotminneapolis... |
When the last train left the Milwaukee Road Depot in 1970, a monstrous structure occupying multiple city blocks was left behind. Seemingly doomed to meet the wrecking ball, the National Register of Historic Places stepped in and declared it a Minneapolis landmark. As the building was being used primarily for overflow parking, ARC Ice Sports & Entertainment, Inc. of McLean, Virginia brought forward a plan for an indoor ice rink and restaurant in 1995. Now there are shops, restaurants, a hotel, a fully enclosed water park and an indoor ice skating rink. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Katy Szapa |
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Impeccably Kept Trails |
8800 Chalet Rd Minneapolis, MN 55438 United States +1 763 694 7800 http://www.hylandski.com hylandski@threeriversparkdistrict.org |
The 1,000 acre Hyland Lake Park Reserve is home to one of the best ski and snowboarding facilities in the Twin City area. Just 25 minutes south of downtown Minneapolis and five minutes west of the Mall of America in Bloomington, the Hyland Hills Ski Area is known for some of the best snowmaking and grooming in the Midwest. The cross-country skiing and snowshoe enthusiast will find 18 miles of impeccable trails, while the downhill skier and snowboarder will find a variety of slopes to challenge the expert and thrill the novice. The trails and slopes are well lit, providing an exhilarating atmosphere for night skiing. Ski and snowshoe rental is available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Good Old Outdoor Fun |
10145 Bush Lake Rd Minneapolis, MN 55438 United States +1 763 694 7687 |
Camping, biking, skiing, canoeing and good old outdoor fun can all be found at the Hyland Lake Park Reserve south of Minneapolis. The Richardson Nature Center contains numerous exhibits and information about this 1,000-acre urban, woodland reserve. The nature trails are dotted with overlooks and observation decks allowing observation of deer, pheasant, ducks, geese and a variety of songbirds. There are 7 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of paved bike paths. The Hyland Outdoor Recreation Center contains a snack bar, gift shop and restrooms. The center rents bikes, rowboats, canoes and paddleboats in the summer and skis, snowshoes and skates in the winter. The hiking and biking trails are groomed in the winter for cross country skiing and snowshoes. A large picnic area, a small fishing pier and boat launch are situated in the lake area. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: romadden84 |
 Photo: Alan Seaver |
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Natural habitat is the emphasis |
13000 Zoo Blvd (at County Road 38) Minneapolis, MN 55124 United States +1 952 432 9000 / +1 800 366 7811 http://www.mnzoo.com/ e.ehmke@state.mn.us |
Spread across about 500 acres, natural habitat is the emphasis in this vast zoo. The animals are here but they often have wide-open spaces in which to roam, so be patient when looking for them. To aid in the spotting of animals, visitors may ride an overhead monorail. Five themed trails lead visitors around. The Minnesota Trail focuses on animals native to the state while the Tropics Trail include encounters with Komodo dragons, leopards and gibbons. The Northern Trail features wolves, moose, musk oxen, Siberian Tigers and wild Asian horses. An IMAX is also onsite. Admission: USD12 adults USD8.25 seniors USD7 children (3-12). Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Faruk Ates |
 Photo: Paul Huber |
 Photo: Paul Huber |
 Photo: Justin Teerlinck |
 Photo: Robin Mogendorff |
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Midwest Sporting Complex |
1700-105th Ave NE Minneapolis, MN 55449 United States +1 763 785 5600 http://www.nscsports.com NSCEventServices@citillink.com |
The National Sports Center/Blaine Soccer Complex hosts numerous state, national and world events on its 180-acre site. The U.S. Olympic Cycling Trials, International Special Olympics and USA Cup Soccer have all taken place here. Each year hundreds of youth soccer teams from all over the world make their way to this facility, just 30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, to participate in the USA Cup. With 52 outdoor soccer fields and an indoor facility, the site is in constant use for practices and tournaments. Besides soccer, the field house is used year-round for basketball, volleyball and track events. There are four separate ice rinks built to Olympic and international competition standards, plus the nation's only all-weather wood cycling track nestled neatly in an inclined velodrome that is not for the faint of heart. There is seating for 12,000 people to enjoy the outdoor events while the velodrome bleachers can handle 2,000 fans. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Have a seat and relax |
109 West 4th Street Minneapolis, MN 55101 United States +1 651 266 6400 http://www.stpaul.gov/depts/pa... bob.bierscheid@ci.stpaul.mn.us |
Rice Park, a public square since 1849, serves as an outlet for anyone who needs to relax or downtown workers who just want to eat lunch away from their desks. Make a wish in the giant fountain that dominates one corner of the park. Faced by the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, the main St. Paul Public Library, Landmark Center, and the St. Paul Hotel, the park is a peaceful, shady haven. Free concerts held in the summer are a joy to all. Winter brings the ice sculptures carved for the St. Paul Winter Carnival; you can watch the carvers in action and enjoy them afterwards. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Brian Houska |
 Photo: Mark Estes |
 Photo: Erica Mauter |
 Photo: Cassandra Lidgerding |
 Photo: dadslinger |
 Indoor and outdoor rinks |
2661 Civic Center Drive Minneapolis, MN 55113 United States +1 651 792 7191 (Hotline) / +1 651 792 7007 (Office) http://www.ci.roseville.mn.us/... |
Built as both a public and a practice rink (many Olympic hopefuls train here), the Roseville rink provides recreational skaters as well as world-class athletes a state-of-the-art facility. The arena has both indoor and outdoor rinks. The oval opened in 1993 and is the country's largest outdoor sheet of ice. It is 110,000 square feet and contains a 400-meter track for speed skating. The outdoor ice season opens about November 1 and runs through mid-March, weather permitting. During the warmer months, the outdoor rink is used by in-line skaters and skateboarders. Ice and in-line skates are available for rent. Skating hours vary week to week and season to season. Call the hotline for information regarding open ice and in-line skating, as well as the hours set aside for hockey. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Largest and oldest winter carnival |
Various Venues Minneapolis, MN United States +1 651 223 4700 (Saint Paul Festival & Heritage Foundation) http://www.winter-carnival.com/ rviking@winter-carnival.com |
The nation's oldest and largest winter festival is held over a 10-day period in late January-early February each year. King Boreas and his Vulcans reign over the fun. Rice Park in downtown St. Paul is home to the elaborate ice sculptures created each year. Special events include parades, a winter playground, a giant snow slide, an ice carving contest and a treasure hunt for the special Winter Carnival medallion, which is worth thousands of dollars to the winner. Many events are free to all. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Andy Cosgrove |
 Photo: Sara Drenner |
 Photo: Andy Cosgrove |
 Photo: Sara Drenner |
 Photo: stephanie |
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Greatest area of skiable terrain |
26685 County 7 Blvd South of US-61 off Highway 7 Minneapolis, MN 55089 United States +1 651 222 7079 http://www.welchvillage.com info@welchvillage.com |
Located just 45 miles southeast of the Twin Cities, Welch Village Ski Resort is nestled in the wooded hills of the Cannon River Valley. Established in 1965, the once-modest operation now has the greatest area of ski-able terrain in the state. Welch Village includes a vertical drop of 350 feet and 40 runs. Served by three quad chairlifts, four double chairlifts and one triple chairlift, skiers are able to get back up the slopes just as fast as they descended. There is a Mity Mite towrope for kids enrolled in the learning center. There are two terrain parks, one for the novice and one for the experienced snowboarder. Recently rated one of the Top Ten Midwest Ski Resorts by SKI Magazine. The chalets have three food service areas plus an adults-only section. Skis and snowboards are available for rent. Ski and snowboard lessons are also available. Family and group rates are also available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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