Can we just talk about breakfast for a second? Early summer mornings need hot coffee, heavy portions and quick service. This is where Copper Lantern in St Cloud comes in. Originally opened as the 14th Country Kitchen in the Minnesota-Wisconsin franchise in 1966, the restaurant featured the $.80 Country Boy Burger with fries and cole […]
Do you love caffeine, ice cream and the 1990s / 2000’s television show, Friends? If that’s a resounding, YES! then Central Perk in St. Cloud was a must. Orange couch included, the coffee shop is off St. Germain Street in the Regency Building, across from the Paramount Theatre in the former home of the old […]
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 […]
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 […]
Up next on the #mnbucketlist is Sammy Perrella’s Pizza and Restaurant, a decades-old regional pizza chain. Sammy’s is one of my favorite places for pizza, specifically the one in Brooklyn Park. Say what you will about chain restaurants – Sammy’s is the place for authentic Italian cooking. Started 61 years ago as a small café […]
Minnesota’s road trip season is upon us and with that comes the inevitable refueling, rests to stretch your legs, bathroom breaks and fast food pitstops. Whether you are headed up to the cabin, have a car filled with camping equipment, a boat attached fishing ready, or if you’re headed out of town just for an […]
Remember me talking about becoming a tourist in your home state? Well, I have a number of ways to do it, and this is one. Stop in to rest stops, and other travel centers, like this one. I know there are all sorts of reasons to use rest stops, clearly, although I go to them […]
Paramount Theater in St Cloud Off St Germaine Street offers a Theater (of course), an Arts center, a Gallery, exhibitions, art classes and its also an event center. It opened on Christmas Eve of 1921 and has been a city staple. With generations of entertainment at the theater including Vaudeville acts, operas, concerts, Broadway road […]
Next up on the bucket list is Jules Bistro off St Germaine Street in St Cloud. It’s a cute, artistic, vegan and vegetarian friendly eatery that’s right next to the Paramount Theater. The tables are littered with notes from children (see above for my favorite one, ironically from 8 year old Jessica), and lots of […]
Brigitte’s Café in St Cloud in is a bit of a dive, but so worth it. If you’ve ever been here, you might remember Brigitte Olson (the lady in the caricature on the menu!) who was famous for her big, huge earrings – she has since passed away but Brigitte’s is still very much hers. […]
This one is perfect for the bucket list today since it’s on the way up to #Whispering Pines Resort. Sadly, the last weekend up there for the year. Riverside Park and the St Cloud Dam. Located on the Mississippi River, walking distance from the Munsinger Gardens and the Clemens Gardens, just across from the SCSU […]
Since the summer slowly leaving, making room for fall, I thought I’d pick something for the bucket list that showcases the most beautiful parts of a Minnesota summer, the Munsinger Gardens and the Clemens Gardens in St Cloud along the Mississippi River, near SCSU. These #gardens are spectacular. If you haven’t had a chance to […]
