One of my last stops during the #MNGFO2017 (Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener) was the Olde Brick House in St. Cloud. While I came for whiskey and chips, it was central Minnesota’s only traditional Irish Pub’s history that stole the show. At the corner of Sixth Avenue and First Street South, the building dates back to […]
Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens are two distinct, adjacent gardens on the banks of the Mississippi River northwest of the intersection of University Drive and Kilian Blvd near SCSU. Both showcasing the most beautiful parts of a Minnesota summer, Munsinger Gardens on the lower east bank of the Mississippi River was originally the H.J. Anderson sawmill during the […]
For as long as I can remember, this historic, hole-in-the-wall, messy, legendary St. Cloud staple has been on my bucket list. Val’s is famous for their generous portions of greasy fries, sugary shakes and made to order burgers. Home in a 490-square-foot building that was originally a Pure Oil gas station, Val’s Rapid-Serv opened on […]
The #MNGFO2017 took place in St. Cloud this year and because the town straddles the Mississippi River, it only makes sense to spend some time on the water. Boating, sailing or even rowing the mighty Mississippi can be incredibly difficult because of the large boulders, down trees and obstacles hidden below the undercurrent. The colossal […]
The next stop of my #MNGFO2017 adventure was Anton’s. A family-owned steakhouse in Waite Park that is a cross between a riverfront log cabin and a full service speakeasy. Which totally makes sense given that it is right off Sauk River and was an actual speakeasy during Prohibition. Built in the 1920’s by Cy Brick, […]
One of the best parts about the Governor’s Fishing Opener is seeing the hidden gems of the host community. The first of many for the St. Cloud area is the Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in Waite Park. The granite quarries opened over 100 years ago, seeking out the Saint Cloud Red Granite, a stone […]
Whenever I plan to stay in a different town, I always make finding a bakery a priority. Coming into St. Cloud for the 2017 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener, I immediately began my quest. Lucky for me, the Dutch Maid Bakery off St. Germaine Street on the east side of the city fit the bill. As […]
It is my personal belief that that only way to make it through mid-weekdays, happily, is by chocolate. You may disagree, and that’s okay; more chocolate for me. Speaking of, I give you Mademoiselle Miel in St Paul. Founded in 2011 by Susan Brown, MM moved to its current location, a small storefront and showroom […]
Airy, warm, cozy Minnesota days like today deserve a beautiful place to spend them. Enter MERCY at the Le Meridien Chambers hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Nestling into the former home of Marin Restaurant & Bar, and D’Amico Kitchen before that, Mercy is named after youngest daughter of co-owners Abby Rakun and Chef Mike Rakun’s. The […]
With Valleyfair opening soon it seems like the perfect time to tell you about their brand-new ride. Located just next to where the Enterprise, now retired, was. Soaring in at a whopping 230 feet, the North Star is the second tallest ride in the park, with the Power Tower in first at 275 feet. Easily […]
