Our kids were 5 and 3 when we visited last fall. We didn't know for sure what to expect so only bought the minimum to try out the coaster. Our kids LOVED it so much I wish I had planned some extra time here. When we go back in the future the all day pass will be so worth it!

The Coaster ride was super fun and a little scary during the quick turns. The line was crazy long with about 40 people in front of us. It took about a minute per person for the line to move...guessing. the scenery was amazing during the ride. It was fairly easy to get on and off the ride. Im a bigger person. My husband is very tall and he fit fine. It was easy to control the carts.

Not worth the money. Paid for the unlimited ride package (4x $50) and didn’t get to ride more than once on each ride. Lines are ridiculous! Over 1 hour per ride. Waited less time for a Disney ride. If they can’t handle the business they should limit the amount of people can visit each day! Money and time wasted!

Spirit Mountain is irresponsible for overselling adventure passes and single tickets for Friday October 17th. Wait time for the Alpine Coaster 2.5 hrs and the zip line 1.5 hour plus. Terrible customer experience and will not visit again during this time of year. Spent $200 for nothing. Save your money and time. Ridiculous.

went just to wait in line for an hour, then the ride closes for an emergency, then told to wait in the 2 hour alpine coaster ride before close, then wait another 45 minutes in line to get a refund. I feel for the employees, but going just to wait in line for 2 hours and get nothing out of it sucks. wouldn’t recommend going on a saturday, or getting tickets in advance.

If you buy tickets online it's cheaper. 10 for $100. We also got free mini golf. We did the alpine coasters over and over. I am plus size and I fit in just fine with no safety issues. I was also able to do the zip line

Waited in line for the coaster for 3 hours and then when we got to the front they closed the ride due to a malfunction that lead to a medical emergency. Then they wanted us to wait in the refund line. I would not recommend coming unless you want to waste your time.

Simply beautiful area, really amazing rock formations and river views. Thomas graveyard is a blast from the past, I really enjoy visiting the century old Graves and walking the less crowded trail. I also drove up to a few outlooks and enjoyed the drive from south to north.

The perfect location for a state park that isn’t on the North shore. Nestles right before you head into Duluth, with the Saint Louis ripping right through it. I’ve been here many times on my way to/ from Duluth but this visit was special. On a weekday, low visitors and peak fall colors. It was stunning. Plenty of places to pull over and park to view the views

Love this park. Great unique rock structures, plenty of rapids to see. Short gentle hike to get upriver. Less able hikers can take the well manicured path. More able hikers can take the roots and rocks path. Cool bridge over the river does bounce a bit.

We only had a short time to spend in the park. Took the road into the park and stopped at the Old River Inn. Walked over the suspension bridge and took some pics. For those with little ones, some of the rocks are slippery and sharp. Would love to go back and explore more.

Great place to visit or camp. Early August the bugs were not bad. 🦟🪰The campsite🏕 we were at was perfect. Flat, lots of space and close to both the water and the latrine. Each site was full so it was a bit loud at night. Tons of hikioptions for both short and longer distances. The swinging bridge was crowded even on a Monday late morning/ mid-day. There was a place you could plug in your phone charger🤳 by the bathrooms. Showers were nice, hot water. The naturalist did some fun info activities. 🦔 Best part was if you happen to forget your tent poles like I did you only have to travel 15 minutes to the nearest Walmart for a new tent. ⛺️

Spectacular and fascinating geological scenery. Extremely well-maintained park and friendly staff. The facilities at the park are more modern and easy to use. Trail options are plenty!

We loved our visit but were surprised when we showed up it said the park was full and to come back another time. We ended up taking the Munger trail in and we often were the only ones on trail so I'm not sure how it was "full"? Maybe it was just the parking lot?

I was really looking forward to going white water rafting, especially after speaking with the gentleman on the phone. He was patient, informative, and took the time to answer all my questions, which gave me a lot of confidence before we even got there. When we arrived, the three ladies at the sign-in shack were just as friendly and helpful. What stood out most to me was how focused they were on making sure everyone understood the process—not just for fun, but also from a safety standpoint. I really appreciated the way the staff in kayaks guided us, giving us clear heads-ups and reminders throughout the trip. That kind of attention helped a ton. The experience itself was absolutely exhilarating—riding through the rapids with friends was so wonderful. Our guides, Margo and Thea, were incredible. They were both friendly and supportive the whole time. At one point, during the last rapid, my friend lost his balance and fell into me, and almost knocking me out of the raft. Thankfully, Margo and my wife reacted quickly and grabbed me before I went overboard. Special thanks to Margo for that! Honestly, the whole trip was so much fun I was ready to go again immediately, but we had to check in our hotel and grab dinner. I just wanted to say thank you to the entire team, especially Margo and Thea, for making our first rafting adventure such a great one. We’ll definitely be back soon.

We had a blast rafting on Mother's Day! The water was cold, but the sun was out and we all had a great time. Some of us even swam for fun! The guides were very informative which helped ease the concerns that some of our group had. We had good, clear instructions which allowed our group to have en enjoyable time on the raft. We did the upper St. Louis river and flows were reasonably high!

I have yet to go to Swift Waters, but I can confirm the customer service is good. I did schedule for tomorrow and the weather was looking cold. My friend is sensitive to the cold but we were past the refund / cancel window. I called yesterday and left a voicemail. Today, a day before our reservation, Cliff with Swift Waters emailed me letting me know he cancelled the reservation and issued a refund. That’s great customer service, and we are excited to check it out later in the summer. Thanks Swift crew.

We had a wonderful Father's Day trip at Swiftwater Adventures! Our guide Fletcher was super knowledgeable about the St Louis River and our tour and the scenery was amazing! Highly recommend and we plan to ride the waves again. Thank you Swiftwater!

Could not have asked for a better intro to whitewater rafting then Swiftwater provided. It was fun, well organized, safe, and a perfect day trip. Cheers to the staff, especially Bruce, for ensuring we had a memorable experience.

What an amazing experience! We had an 8 year old with us and he did great, our guide Siri was very professional, respectful, and knowledgeable!! Recommend 10/10! We will be back!

Really fun! The only thing I am complaining about is the description on the website. Most of the guides are around 16 years old when on the website it said the guides had 30+ years of experience. Also there are different sized tubes, so if you get the bigger sized tube you aren’t going to feel as much rapids as the smaller sizes, which unfortunately was what happened with my trip. Also just to mention, there are like 5 rapids total. Still, I think it’s a decent price for what it was. Everyone’s super nice here.

Always have a good time going to the Black Bear casino. The buffet is very good, with rotating days. The deli is also very good, with great Waffles. The machines are fun, and kept clean. Never had a problem with staff. Attended my first real concert here on 6/13/25. Saw ZZTop. Had an amazing time!

I completely enjoy Black Bear Casino. The people that work there provide excellent, hometown customer care that you just don't get in large cities, yet you get that big casino feel with all the bangs and whistles! The food is great, and I believe my fun waiting staff has something to do with it, every time! I have fun playing, and it's a great night out for my fiance and I every time. Thanks Black Bear Casino, you do it right! (P. S. I've never stayed in a room due to being local, but I gave it all props anyway).

Wonder buffet. Prime rib was excellent, asked for rare, and that's exactly what I got. Staff was extremely kind and helpful when I stopped for the night to avoid driving in fog. I will stop here on my next trip up north.

We stayed there for 2 nights. Tues & Wed nights. We've never been there and will not return. It wasn't a big deal that there is no valet or bell hop, or restaurants open, or pull tabs were closed, and so was the bar. It was more about how unfriendly the entire staff was we encountered. Check- in staff didn't say a word to us, just literally handed us our room keys. When we finally were able to eat at the buffet, they asked us how we intended to tip our waitress!!! If we were going to put it on our card as we were paying to eat, or if we were leaving cash on our table!!! Not only were we not allowed to seat ourselves at the buffet but we waited at least 10 min before we were brought to a table, even tho there was no line!! We counted 4 different staff members step over a huge pile of piss at one of the buffet tables. We know it was piss since we seen an elderly man do it!! We found children's toys left under a chair in our room. How the house keeping missed such a big toy while "cleaning" I guess we'll never know. The staff is lazy and unfriendly. This was our 1st and very last stay. Very disappointing, we love getting away and staying at casinos. This is one we just won't be adding to our list.

This was our first stop on our vacation, one night. Great staff, check in was quick and easy. The casino is large, great selection of all the new slots, card tables. The gift shop has a great selection of snacks, necessity items and of course nice gift items as well with a friendly staff.

I visited the Black Bear with family to eat at their buffet. WOW! It was amazing. The prime rib was great. A lot of great food. Good service for as many people as we had. Played blackjack and I have never played with free splits and doubles. It made for a great game. Winning always helps as well. Everyone in my family won. The casino was clean and is very fun. We will return when in the area.

Checked into kiosk for Thurs all you can eat buffet. Waited too long and when we finally got into eat, the crab legs were a disappointment ( we have had crab legs all over the US.) They were over steamed too much. There was also no buns or bread. Over all driving 3 hours we would 2 out of 10...

Our stay last week was fantastic! The camping sites are large with plenty of foliage between them for added privacy. It is a great park for families with lots to do including swimming, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and hiking. There is also a geological center at the ranger station to learn about agates and other rocks found in the area. The campground host, Joy, was AMAZING when we had a reservation issue. What a tremendous asset she is to the park! The little town of Moose Lake is less than a 10 minute drive away with everything you could need (except for a big box store). We will definitely be returning!

We have been in Minnesota for over five weeks, and we have visited 13 of the 64 state parks so far. All of them have been jewells, and Moose Lake State Park is no exception. The visitor center has the best geology exhibit that I've ever visited (and I've been to a lot). The timeline exhibit and the specimens of rocks and minerals on display are dazzling. This truly is worth the stop to see this. The park is beautiful. We did a 2 mile hike around Wildlife Pond. Don't pass up seeing this park. Even if you only have time to visit the visitor center. The staff on hand was friendly and helpful with our questions.

Hiking, biking, camping, learning about agates, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming are all great activities you can do at Moose Lake State Park. This is a great place for families or anyone who wants to enjoy natural surroundings, peace and beauty in a safe and serene state park. Staff and Park hosts were very helpful and friendly. Every space was clean and well-maintained. There were very few people camping when we arrive on a Wednesday. This is a great campground to avoid crowds. We would definitely stay here again. It is not far to get to Jay Cooke and Banning State Parks as well. We especially enjoyed access to the Willard Munger Trail. It is so convenient to have quick access to Moose Lake for supplies or food.

Moose Lake State Park is a solid state park with well maintained trails, a great beach and picnic area, great campsites, excellent fishing and boating on a fairly large lake, and great nature all around you. As far as Minnesota state parks go, it's not one of the more exciting or unique parks that the state has to offer. The trails are easy hiking with nicely maintained and wide open paths, but I prefer the trails in parks that are a little bit less accessible and have some difficulty and terrain changes. This is a great park if you have little kids and a stroller. The fish is pretty top notch here too.

Cool little state park. The Agate and Geological Center was fun to check out.

Small state park that is very easy to access off interstate 35. There's only a few miles of hiking trails and a small drive-in campground (three loops). Our site, number 5, was on an incline which was extremely annoying for pitching a tent but ended up saving us from floating away during the downpour of rain. The toilets aren't very easy to access, kind of a walk, but were very clean (no hand sanitizer in the primitive toilets). The campsite host was extremely friendly and kind. We rented a canoe/paddles/life preservers and enjoyed paddling around Echo Lake all weekend. It's a very popular lake for fishing and tubing. Some of the folks in motorized boats weren't respectful and sped through creating massive wakes for the kayaks and canoes. We spent a lot of time at the beach and experienced several large family groups that were fishing and swimming with highly inappropriate behaviors. I tend to always rate state parks very high, but the negatives overshadowed the positive at this park. The park rangers were awesome - huge shout-out to the lady rangers that helped with firewood and the canoe!!

This is a fantastic little park right of 61. The trails are easy and wind around the little lakes in the park. Make sure to stop by the agate center when it opens up again for an excellent lesson on the geology of Minnesota. The beach on Echo lake is very nice too! The Hiking Club trail is on the other side of the road from the Ranger Station - make sure to check out that half of the park!

Lots of history here! Very nice place with friendly staff/volunteers. Gift shop has very affordable souvenirs. They close for the winter season biy have a Christmas event in December and a craft fair in February with lots of vendors. Can't wait to check these events out!

We found this place to be very educational....and extremely beautiful. We learned a lot about fur trading and life in this area back in the 1800s....and cannot wait to come back for the Rendezvous celebration next Summer, to learn even more about this place. The staff was incredibly friendly and very knowledgeable, and we had a great time. We highly recommend stopping here for an awesome day.

The history of this place is amazing. You definitely left feeling like you experienced the era in full embrace. The staff were all friendly and knowledgeable! Thank you all for a great experience. ✨

I found this gem of a place on a whim. If you're into history or modern homesteading and wanting to look for ideas on how things used to be done, this is the place. Original artifacts and a few replicas. Settler, and maybe more importantly, native history. Big area with lots to look at do. Dog friendly on a leash and out of buildings.

The Christmas celebration here was amazing! Horses, wagon rides through the woods, frosty, Santa, live music, campfire, home cooked soups, best hot apple cider, the list goes on! Kids even got to shop on their own at the elf house for gifts. Everyone here was kind and welcoming. We will definitely be making this an annual tradition.

This a great experience covering the early fur trade days. They have recreated fort on orginal site, trapper cabin, great history on logging and fur trapping/trading. BONUS, If you visit in late July, they have a annual Rendezvous. GREAT FAMILY FUN. People dressed in period clothing, living in tents, cooking on open fires. Black powder shooting, axe throwing, canon fire demonstration. There's food, vendors selling local wares, blacksmiths. Great time

My son got married there on May 20th it was really a beautiful venue. The staff was easy to work with and very accommodating. Would recommend to anyone looking for a wedding venue. Also an interesting historical site. Lots of information. Fun place for all ages.

This review concerns the chalets avaliable for rent in the RV park. We stayed there at the midweek rate of $79. It was a excellent deal. The chalet was very clean and had a small fridge, microwave and oven and 2 TV's The attached deck features a picnic table and you can request a grill from the office. You do need to bring your pots, pans, plates, glasses, silverware, ect. (Maybe a roll of TP) The central air work great. A shuttle runs regularly to the casino. A very pleasant stay.

Love this place! Sometimes it pays out, sometimes it doesn't. That's just life! I love that you can't smell smoke all the time. There's a separate place for smokers. There's a 24 hr (minus one hour) place to get snacks /milk /8x8 brownies, desserts, for the people who want to eat something more than chips in their hotel room. Pics are from the walk up restaurant, the pop /chips place, and the actual gift shop. And from room 853!

Went for an outdoor concert. Sound was great. Will definitely see another show there hopefully soon!

Very cold in some areas and heated in other ones. The machines are not easy to win. I celebrated my birthday there, the casino gave me only $5 not even a discount for food or drinks. The atmosphere neither fun or bored.

Had so much fun at Grand. My sister in law and I ate at Stories cafe. We split a hot turkey sandwich and it was so big ,we couldn't eat it all. We had lost at everything before we ate and after ,I won $1500 on cats machine.

I never have grand play, but the Gazette says I do. Maybe I just dont know how to access it anymore. I never win either...so I haven't been going much. If I could at least play for a while it would be better, but my money is gone in a short amount of time.

Very nice place but slots very tight. It's the design if the new games. One person hits but the 50 people that played prior can't get a line hit or bonus. I had a free bonuses and they were not good.

One of the better put together local museums I've visited. Great time capsule for telling the tale of the Great Hinkley Fire.

Amazing museum halfway to Duluth from Minneapolis on I35 (MNDOT signs will point you to it which is helpful) Went on a slow day and was given a personal tour by a volunteer which was great especially since the volunteers are locals and are more than happy to answer any questions and talk about the region. Museum is much larger than I thought it was and was able to spend over an hour before I saw everything which was a very welcome surprise. Took as many pictures as I could but they don't really do the museum justice in showing how in depth and large it is. Also great prices in the gift shop. If your on I35 towards Duluth definitely check it out.

The history is heartbreaking, but comes to life with this tour and short film.. the burn smell is still present in the remnants found on display... very interesting to see such items.. the gift shop was great. The upstairs living quarters were the cherry on top... so true and authentic to them times, very extraordinary lil museum, HOLDING DUCH GRAND HISTORY. A MUST SEE AND KNOW, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR A NATIVE MINNESOTAN !

This place is incredible!!! as a Minnesotan, born and raised you always here legends about the fire, but this was so much more then that!!! this is a must see stop!!! Go get lunch at tobeys then an hr, hr and half here at the museum and DONT forget to go see the mass grave and memorial!!!! seriously this is a must see!!!!

The Hinckley Fire Museum is an absolute treat. Driving interstate 35 there’s an official highway sign referencing. For years I’ve seen that sign without stopping. It’s amazing. $5 cover gets you into the gift shop and museum. The focal point of the museum is a short documentary about the fire which is dated but perfectly adds to the feel of the place. The person running the place was in full railroad attire and incredibly helpful and kind. Carl was great. The museum has a few artifacts of the era, some living quarters decorated for the time, and a great gift shop. If you’re going with a sense of adventure and charm you’ll be thrilled.

Amazing and informative museum about a very tragic and historic event in Minnesota history. Staff was so friendly and helpful in answering questions and pointing out rooms or displays of importance! The short video perfectly encompasses what the museum is about. So glad I stopped in to learn about local history.

Nice little stop. Interesting to learn the history about the Hinckley fire. The 17 min video summed it up nicely and contributed to the experience.

Beautiful SWA. One of the best visitor centers. This place is taken care of and it shows. Heavy mosquitos, flies and flying bugs of all types in July/Aug. Bring a bug headnet, long sleeves and pants if you want to enjoy your time.

Beautiful wetlands and a variety of birds and wildlife. The self guided auto tour was great!

Incredible visit, very helpful staff, visitors center is one of the best we’ve visited. They recommended a tour route for us, including points of interest which were more active in September. We got some items in the gift shop before we left. We were able to see many different birds and turtles from our vehicle! Northern Harrier, Great Blue Heron, Trumpeter Swan, Sandhill Crane, Lessor Yellowlegs, Bald Eagles, and much more in just one visit! Great photography opportunity, bring your telephoto lens and binoculars!

Beautiful place to spot wildlife, perfect for a day trip from the Twin Cities. There is an extensive self-guided tour and some trails for hiking as well. Don't forget the bugspray in summer!

2022 marks the 15th consecutive fall we have visited Crex Meadows to watch the Sand Hill Cranes that stop here on their migration. This is without a doubt the best viewing experience to be had. While Kearney NE offers better amenities and paved roads along the Platte River, Crex has well maintained dirt roads, throughout the more than 30,000 acre refuge that allow a closer view of these elusive birds. Be sure to check in at the visitor center for an update on the best viewing locations and time your trip for either sun-up or sun-down

Beautiful place, very large and great habitat for wildlife. Came here to see birds and was not disappointed.

Rustic campground is open in the fall. Put toilets and fire rings and picnic tables. Wonderful wildlife viewing area. Huge focus of Sandhill Cranes pass through.

Nice museum. Good info and the kids could run!

Snake River Fur Post is worth the stop. The guided tour was very fun and knowledgeable. Our tour guide made time for us to answer questions before giving the answer and was very detailed. I definitely recommend the guided tour.

Snake river is a woderful safe place for family it can make the worst children happer and or mindful and they learn so much about disaplin and love and how to servive the oddest stiuations the world has to offer OST to VETs we all have some memorys that get us through hard times thank you so much for all you did A&S

This is one of the Minnesota Historical Society's sites in east central Minnesota, a rebuilt fur trading post from 1804. We had the place to ourselves when we were here. The guide was very knowledgeable about the area and the era and there were many authentic artifacts on site from the times. The story about how beaver-felt hats were so popular for a short period of time made me realize how fickle fashion really is. Worth a drive from the Twin Cities, Duluth or pretty much anywhere!

Awesome stop along our travels. Our guide did such a great job showing us around and filing us in on all the have to knows about the fur trade business. Our kids had fun learning about past MN history.

A real cool place to see what the early 1800 were like, they had a authentic fur traders post with all the things that the store sold . it took us about 2.5 hours to go thru the guided tour. The guide was dressed in traditional clothing and was very informative.

A hidden Gem. This stop, a Minnesota Historical Society Site, does an excellent job of telling the story of the fur traders who stayed here much earlier in our history, as well as the interaction with native tribes from the area. A great visitor center loaded with information, and a short walk away, the Post titself (remade from original documents. Our kids, ages 12-17, thought it was a great stop. Allow a couple of hours to soak it all in. Historical Members get in with their pass.

LOVE this winery, especially the Detroit style pizza that was served on Saturday during our visit. The cook and staff were so friendly!!!! The savory pizza complemented the Cabernet very nicely. The pizza was incredibly tasty and the golden crusted cheese on the edges enhanced the flavor! We will definitely be back! My husband even said it was absolutely worth the drive and he doesn’t even drink wine. Great selection of drinks for every palette! Thank you for such a pleasurable experience!!!! I'd give 10 stars if it was possible. 🤩🍷

We came here very early, almost as they opened. I thought it might have views of the river. It does not, but it has views of vast fields and the vineyard. We didn't stay indoors because it was a gorgeous summer day but theybhave a nice dining room inside befitting the "chateau" name. Outdoors, they have a patio up front and a covered dining area in the back, where we chose to plant ourselves. I got the wine tasting sampler where they give you 5 tokens that you can use to sample _any_ wine on the list! I like that because I really wanted a slushie but I wanted to sample the wines that I might try to bring home. The lady at the counter was super nice and I tried 2 white wines, a dessert red, a rose and the slushie! We also had flatbreads and the meat and cheese board. If we had come later, the live music would've made it perfect. I really like that they serve light food here because that's part and parcel of a good winery experience...

Must visit winery! My husband and I stopped here for an afternoon & loved this spot. Beautiful views and scenic spots outdoors, yet the inside was equally as charming with the chateau vibes. Wine was excellent - especially the full bodied reds (Marco V). Would 10/10 recommend!

Had a great time for a few hours at Chateau St Croix Winery on a Monday. The staff was wonderful and explained everything to us about the wines and ports. Great recommendations. They do serve food and they have plenty of light options available. Including cheese platters. They have Happy Hour on Fridays! Outside there is cute Al fresco dining at the entrance patio and covered area in the back. Location is spot on with Google maps, but very few signs prior. Parking is free and plentiful Highly recommend a stop and a tasting!

This is a beautiful estate, and hey, they serve wine! It's got an old-school castle 🏰 vibe. They give you tokens for tastings so you can take your time and grab your next drink at your leisure. We hopped around and sat in all the different areas each time we started a new tasting. Overall, it was a very good experience and we will visit anytime we are in the area.

Anna and Irv are so amazing and the sweetest people you could ever meet. The wine is amazing and they have beer. The food is great doesn't matter if you have sweatpants or a suit they welcome everyone. Please come check them out and support them. Awesome and relaxing atmosphere.

Two stars mostly for the chaos and rudeness of two employees. Came in at a very busy time on a Saturday, 9/6, and it seemed pretty chaotic and it was unclear who to go to for what. At one time there were four employees behind the wine bar and no one at the food counter to take our slips. Waited a good ten minutes and had to wave down the cook who was standing behind the wine bar. She is NOT very pleasant at all, rude and offered no apology or concern about how long we had been waiting. Keep in mind, we already paid AND tipped. Suckered. Inquired on pizza because there's no list of flavors. A woman with dark hair helping us called over another employee, Jan, who tossed an ad for pizza at us, but still no list of what kinds offered. When asked what kind of pizzas there were, Jan just walked away. The woman helping us seemed embarrassed and apologized and suggested we ask the, Neena, the cook. When we came up to get another sample, Jan made us go back and get our dirty glasses to reuse. The food prices are up there, good food when we finally got it, but having to be your own server/busser at those prices is pretty lame, ESPECIALLY when they expect tips! So all they're doing is pouring wine and it's that chaotic??? Two girls seemed to be on it, the other two (Jan and the cook) looked to be in the way and again, rude. Really good wine, though. Probably won't return and sit in as there seems to be little structure, the rudeness is unwelcoming, and in a place like with the prices they ask, we don't expect to wait on ourselves or clean up. Might pick up a bottle of wine here and there.

This is a great relaxing boat tour. From the moment of arrival we were greeted with friendliness. During the boat tour the narrator has some good jokes and bits of historical information. We saw a beautiful bald eagle - which,apparently, is common to see in this area. If you're coming up this way, it's a great boat tour to join. We would do this boat tour again.

Wonderful boat ride. Great history. So amazing what the glaciers did. Love story about blast island. Saw a couple bald eagles. Would highly recommend. We did the sundown tour.

Bring a jacket and warm clothes. The tour is great, especially in the fall. The boat is roomy and has a bar. There is a small set of bathrooms, if needed. The staff is good. Parking is a little strange, but not hard to figure out. We recommend this tour! A fun way to see the river side of both Wisc and MN, cliffs and dalles.

I had always driven past this place as a kid and always wanted to stop and try it out. Now with my family we finally went it was a great experience. With young kids, I wanted to find something they would love and our two year old LOVED it! There is great seating on the lower deck that is enclosed or on the open upper deck. We went on a Sunday in early June which was a great choice so it was not too busy. There is plenty of space to walk around on the two decks to see all the views so there you’re not out of luck if you don’t get a good seat. A staff remember commentated parts of the trip was great to learn about the interesting landmarks and history of the area. Great experience!

My wife and I are new to the area and were celebrating our anniversary. We felt the price was very reasonable and enjoyed the local history. The crew was engaging and friendly. The ride was quite smoothe. Getting to see the rock formations that named the area was a real highlight.

Julie and the crew were awesome! Such a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends. The river views were fantastic, and I loved learning more about the area’s history. Big bonus that it’s dog-friendly too. Highly recommend!

We did the dueling pianos evening tour. It was so great! Aces & 88’s Dueling Pianos show was funny and so entertaining! Highly recommend doing the musical tour. Having the scenery and fresh river air as the backdrop for the show was awesome!

Stopped by after work, this place was recommended by coworker. I’m visiting from Houston and I love sight seeing. It was not busy during my arrival on a Wednesday around 7pm. Paid 7 dollar for day parking. You can always enter through the Minnesota side also and the parking uses the same tag. Plenty of parking and I notice there’s a couple of park benches along the way. Trails were very nice, easy for folks of all ages to trek. You can explore the rocky area at your own risk, I wouldn’t recommend it for kids unless you feel comfortable. This place is really beautiful and I wished I had more time to explore. Mother Nature is a true artist.

One of my favorite parks. The stairs on the bluffs trail look like they need some love, but otherwise great views, lots of trail options, can ride the paddle boat for a fee (as of my post, it's dog friendly as well at no extra charge). There's canoe/kayak rental and a shuttle bus that will bring you back. Lots of options. Campground is less than a mile down the road from town.

9/29/25 2pm. A nice and interesting State Park to visit along the St Croix River. Typically busy, but not on this Monday is why we went. Barely anyone there and as a result lots of parking. It was unseasonably hot, 85, so we didn't do a lot of walking around like we usually do. The unusual rock formations in the park are a contrast to the rugged jagget rocks and cliffs along the St Croix River.

Absolutely lovely trails!!! Kept up very nice and is clean! They have very accessible restrooms as well. This is definitely a trail to come visit if you're in Minnesota or Wisconsin. The views are breathtaking and the people who visit the area are also so very kind!

I had never heard of Interstate State park and have lived mostly in Minnesota most of my life. So, for me personally on this Labor Day adventure the enjoyment for me was seeing a part of Minnesota I didn't know exist. I'm overweight and out of shape so was a bit intimidated by a lot of hiking. I did though see the visitor center and go a short way down the potholes trail near the visitor center. I was very impressed by what I saw and there were lots of people there and it was a short but fun enriching experience. It was nice to commune with nature and see these potholes. I'm truly amazed by the glacial potholes. I found inspiration for my fitness goals maybe to hike there someday. I will hopefully return and do a longer hike, camp etc. I really liked it there though and it was beautiful late summer weather. I highly recommend anyone check out this place.

We've been there many times and it's gorgeous there. The paths and trails are clearly marked and the parking is easy. The camping is fun and they have great spaces to set up tents. I highly recommend checking it out. Plus it's near Stillwater where there you can shop or grab some food.

A great park! Interstate State Park actually has two parts. I hiked the Walter Mondale River trail along the St. Croix River to the Wisconsin side and then hiked around the potholes, etc. These pictures are on the MN side. I would suggest hiking shoes so that you can climb up on the ledges and rocks. There is a very nice picnic area and a boat launch where people put in their canoes and kayaks. I did not stay at the campground.

The crew is so friendly and easy to work with! Great experience overall and price point for rentals is fantastic! They also gave me points of interest to check out, from exploring to dining after I was done kayaking too!

We have taken this trip for the past 4 years and this year I had the pleasure of having my family with me. We had a group of 20 people. An entire fleet on the water! The crew at riverwood patiently waited for us and shuttled us all to the drop site. We all had a great time in our kayaks and conoes going down the river and when we came to the end of our trip there were multiple people there to help us unload and take our equipment. We boarded the shuttle back directly to our cars. It was ,as always, a fantastic time and we will be back next year if not again this year!

This experience was amazing! The blue bus driver Aron was super talkative and nice to engage with on the way back. Overall the kayaking was super smooth and enjoyable. Would recommend.

The experience takes almost all questions out of the equation. There is parking where the pick-up spot is. They shuttle you to interstate park and pick you up down river at the Osceola landing. The experience doesn't feel rushed because they allow you to be on the river as long as you would like, provided you make their last shuttle pickup time for the day. The pricing is very cheap for the experience you get. Have been several times over the course of the last few years.

The river was beautiful and everyone at the company was friendly. Pick up and drop off was a quick and smooth process. Would use them again! The trip down the river took us 2 1/2 hours

Amazing experience!! The staff are so nice. Captain Joel is so kind and made me feel very comfortable as he drove me through town to Intestate Park. The ride was a nice way to get a look at this peaceful town. I also appreciate the staff that helped me brought back the kayak, I realized it was quite far from where they parked so he had to carried it quite a distance and the staff that waited to drive me back. Next time I will ask if I could leave a tip for the team. Definitely will come back again soon!

We had a wonderful experience with Riverwood! My friend and I each reserved a single kayak. The shuttle was on time, the guys at Riverwood were all super friendly and genuinely wanted us to have a good time. Comfortable, stable kayaks, easy-to-follow directions, and the St. Croix River was gorgeous. They let us know about a good picnic spot about halfway through and we found it easily. We took our time and really dragged out the rest of our time on the river because we didn’t want it to end. Riverwood had staff waiting for us at the end point to help us disembark, and we rode back to the parking lot (a 2 minute ride) with the same friendly person (Captain Kevin). Highly recommend for people of any age.

We had such a great experience there. Pizza was yum. Though we missed veggie pizza option there. Seatings are spacious and tables too. Train goes fast , not very slow. My kids enjoyed this ride. Staff there was so humble and jovial. We would definitely go there again in fall . Thank you

We loved this experience. I took my toddler and she had a blast, it was so cool to look in all of the different train cars. Can't wait to go again in the fall! 😍

My family of 3 decided to do the ice cream event this past Saturday. When we purchased our tickets, it said to arrive 15 minutes early and the train was going to leave the station at 1:15. We arrived at 1 and parking was very slim. We ended up parking on a hill and had to walk to the location. When we finally made it to the station, there was no direction on what you should do. We finally asked another family and they didnt know where to go either, so we just stood in line for tickets, even though we had our tickets already. Once we were next in line to be helped, a woman who worked there gave us three tickets and said nothing. Then we were called up to the window and the man asked for our name that tickets were under and gave us 3 more additional tickets? They didn't tell us where to go, so we followed the crowd. We noticed section 1 was very busy, so we stood around section 3 & 4 to wait. The train didn't arrive until 1:45 - remind you, no one said a word about the train being late. We finally boarded the train and found open seats. I highly recommend that if you have a bigger family to get there early because seats fill up fast and many families were separated. The ride to dresser was maybe 15 minutes? Not much of a view. Just woods and open fields when you came closer to town. When we arrived at Dresser to receive our ice cream (which we thought was from an ice cream shop) instead it was store bought ice cream, but they did have a selection - cones, popsicles and more. We stood at the Dresser station for 15 minutes. My family decided to get back on the train once we were done with our ice cream and I'm so glad we did because the bigger families were boarding early to get seats together. We went back the same route, so the same views. They we're very unorganized and lacked communication. My 11 year old was very bored. If you have younger children, maybe 5-6 or younger, they may enjoy it, but my preteen was not impressed. We have the fall experience booked for the middle of October, hopefully that one is better!

Beautiful views of the st Croix, historic items, passing through the various vintage train cars, and museums- super fun. There is only a.c. in first class, where the pizza partys and such are so if you take the vintage or scenic train tours on a hot day make sure to plan for that. There's a café car with gatorades, waters, sodas and beers. You can fill out a post card while your visiting and theyll send it for you!

Went today with the family to ride the pizza train at 11am. Got there early as instructed but we waited a while to board as they were still setting up and waiting for the pizza to be delivered. Finally got seated at our table but let me just say, it really only accommodates 4 adults. Not sure how a child is meant to fit there much less 5 adults. I’d recommend parties of 4 + adults get two tables. We got our pizza once people were seated but as we were missing a plate we waited for Sandy to get us another plate and the rest of our water bottles. He never came back and we had to ask another employee if they could help us. The pizza is not good and is barely lukewarm by the time you get it. Had I known the pizza wasn’t great, I would have passed on purchasing a ticket that included pizza. As for the train ride, it was a huge letdown. 30min out with just trees for a view and a brief pass over the river. Then you wait 30 min, in the middle of nowhere, while they pass out brownies. These brownies were lackluster and I didn’t appreciate how they were practically slapped down on top of our pizza boxes. We weren’t offered plates or additional napkins for them either. Honestly, the lack of service alone is enough to tell people to steer away from this place. The train then heads back the way it came (30min). All in all, grossly over priced, terrible service, and lack of views. I would not book again.

What a fun adventure, like stepping back in time. Each train car has it's own charm, plus bbq lunch. As we passed by crossings, friendly folks waving!

The staff was super helpful and friendly, and they all seemed to enjoy their jobs. We took the short ride to Dresser and were treated to a nice lunch before heading back. It was such an enjoyable day because everyone there was so nice and as I understand most of the staff are volunteers. Thank you to you all.

A wonderful find during the winery tour. They do wine chip for your flight instead of a singular flavor flight, which for me is delightful. Keep your eyes open as the passenger because you might pass it. Harvest Host for you RV people are welcome.

Quite a nice place! Very laid back- they treat you well no matter how you're dressed. Jen helped us out and explained how things worked. We had a GROUPON coupon which saved us good money. We tried 12 different wines, bought out limit of two. Plenty of interior seating, and they do not try to rush you on the tastings. We took a stroll outside as well... They have a neat little boutique outside, as well as a sales area inside. If you like to feel a little pampered, ten this is the place for you. No pressure to buy. The wines will sell themselves. It was a great, Sunday afternoon stop. They are a harvest host member also... 👍👍

The hospitality was incredible! They were so nice and accommodating. Even went as far as to find a coffee cup with a handle for Grandma who recently had a stroke for her rootbeer. And the wine was delightful to boot! We'll definitely be back! Thank you so much!

It is a very nice winery with lovely hosts and atmosphere. They have patios with fire pits outside with beautiful scenery. As well as a room with chairs and couches . We missed out on seeing the sheep. But they are there amd friendly so I'm told. As well as a disk golf course. Everyone was super friendly.

Amazing wine options, and a super helpful staff. We love coming to this winery and any events that they have. They have their wine tasting room with an additional room off to the side with lots of tables and couches to sit and relax while chatting. They also have a gorgeous outdoor space with a patio and fire almost always going. Their Vineyard is gorgeous with lots of animals walking around. They are dog friendly, and also have a sniff spot right near their parking. They have lots of parking but on super busy days like this Saturday’s that have events, you can park right off of Highway 95. One of my favorite parts is getting to take home the wine tasting cup after you’re done, and if you bring it back you get $$ off your next tasting. One of my favorite places to bring friends and enjoy a day out

We went here for a bachelorette party, and it was so much fun! The staff went above and beyond for our party. I love all the little extras they have available here; the teepee, the yurt, the cute shop and patio, plus some very adorable sheep!!! We had such a fun weekend exploring the winery! 😁

This winery is amazing! Not only does it have spectacular wine, there's also lots of stuff to do here. I was here for a bachelorette party and we all had a blast walking around the beautiful vineyard, playing disc golf on their course through the property, relaxing in the Yurt, sitting by the fire outside, and petting the adorable sheep that are roaming around! There's also an adorable boutique onsite. The wine flights are very reasonably priced AND you get to keep your wine glass! And if you bring it back you get a discount on your next flight! My current favorite is a tie between the Razzle Dazzle and the Hot Brianna which is a jalepeno infused wine that pairs great with pizza! Overall this winery is amazing and very accommodating and the owner Elizabeth is absolutely the sweetest!

Went to watch the horse races. Didn't go inside to gamble. Free admission which is great for families. Wanted outdoor seating. Only a few tables down front and way at the end of seating. Small selection of tables with a $10 table charge and a $15 minimum spend on food and drink. The rest of the area was metal benches. Very uncomfortable. The screen was very small, announcer was not loud enough. Hard to read unless you were at those $10 tiny tables It was ok for free.

I got to ride in the pace car since RA was hosting This Old Horse for a charity thing. We also sponsored a race. RA is so much cooler than Canterbury. There is something more sophisticated to pace start and then trot, keeping two hooves on the ground at all times. Plus the horses are absolutely RIGHT THERE. Smaller. Cooler. We love going there.

Every time I bring someone new to Running Aces, they have a great time and want to plan their next visit. I'm here often in the summer. Bring some bug spray if you will be outside around dusk, and maybe a sweatshirt or jacket on cooler nights.

Running Aces is an exceptional venue, and the management and staff are truly outstanding. We recently held my dad’s Celebration of Life there, and they went above and beyond to make it a beautiful and seamless event. The food was delicious and plentiful—we never ran low on anything. The bartenders and staff were incredibly friendly, attentive, and accommodating. The setup was perfect for our needs, and everything was handled with care and professionalism. I highly recommend Running Aces for any type of event—it was the perfect place to honor our loved one.

Very nice, family oriented atmosphere, affordable. Romantic destination.very entertaining and stimulating and very accommodating of my task trained service dog.

Spectacular venue. Family friendly, clean and great bar. Hotel was amazing and the racing was well done. Can't say enough. It was a great stay and cool place to find while traveling on business!!

A night with family for the Bundles of Love Charity Night. Fun time was had by all.

If going to hike to the falls at this park it is steep but solid wide trail! With plenty of benches to stop and take breaks along the beautiful walk to see the falls. We hiked with a little 12 year old doggy and a 7 year old it was perfect! Wonderful bridge and a look out at the falls. The look out is a serious amount of steps but very well maintained and again doable for most able to walk. Just take your time and enjoy the hike.

A super popular state park with a wonderful waterfall spot, as well as a campground, nature center & recreational lake with beach areas. Several hiking trail options to access the falls. Lots of people walking along the rocks of the falls to enter the water or simply put feet in the cold water. It can get very busy on holiday weekends with parking teas filling. We ended up having to leave the main entrance of the park to drive to a separate parking area for the Burkhart Trail. Definitely a must see park!

This is a great park to hike. The paths are easy to walk, handicap accessible (not sure on the northern silver trail or the pink trail), and most of the trails are compacted earth. I should note, the silver trail to the falls is VERY steep, it'll give you a workout.

Beautiful fall hike to see some local waterfalls. The hill to go to the Falls from the closest parking lot to the entrance of the park has a very steep incline. It was hard to get back up that hill after hiking around. Also, it’d be nice if they had more restroom and or outhouse opportunities for people that are hiking.

This was a great, off the radar and quiet park. Really nice hiking trail around the lake and the waterfall is very cool. The stairs up to the lookout are worth the effort. Lots of open space on dam end of lake. Really enjoyed the variety along the trails.

Willow State Park is such a beautiful spot for a quick nature getaway. We recently visited on a Friday afternoon in August, and the highlight was definitely the waterfall. The walk from the parking area to the falls took us about 15 minutes. The trail is mostly paved, which gave us good traction, but be prepared—there are some very steep sections that can get your heart pumping. The combination of shaded areas and open stretches made the walk enjoyable, and along the way you can hear the rushing water getting closer, which builds the excitement. When we arrived, the falls were absolutely gorgeous—powerful yet peaceful, surrounded by lush greenery. It’s the kind of place that makes you pause and just take in the scenery. That said, a word of caution: the rocks around the falls are covered in moss and can be extremely slippery. Our daughter unfortunately slipped and hit her head, which was scary. We’d definitely recommend sturdy, non-slip shoes and taking your time if you decide to explore the rocks. There were about 50 people around the falls when we went—enough to give it a lively atmosphere but not so many that it felt overcrowded. Families, couples, and even solo hikers were all enjoying the view. A fun feature worth mentioning is the bridge setup: there’s a built-in phone holder positioned perfectly for selfies with the falls in the background. It’s a clever and convenient touch that makes capturing the memory a breeze. All in all, Willow State Park is a gem. The short hike makes it accessible to most visitors, the scenery is stunning, and the amenities—like the selfie station—show that the park is thoughtfully maintained. Just remember to watch your footing near the water and you’ll have a safe, memorable trip.

This was our first visit the weekend of Labor Day. The falls were gorgeous. There was plenty of room to space out from other families, we even brought a blanket to sit down on the rocks and had a picnic with our Littles. My only complaint would be the walk back up to the parking lot was brutal for my four and five-year-old. However, it was nice to have a bench here and there periodically to pause and take a break. Overall, a beautiful place to visit.

What a lovely town with many trails, eateries, & shops. The historic lift bridge is for pedestrians & bikes only; lanes are marked as such. During the peak touristy months the bridge raises every 30 minutes to allow boaters to pass beneath. It’s only a short disruption of time & fun to watch. A great way to watch how the bridge operates up close.

We just took our first walk across the bridge. It was really nice to walk across this historic National Register of Historic Places bridge on a warm breezy summer evening! The cars and traffic jams at the bridge are now distant memories.

Stillwater is great for a day trip or even a few hours. We went to the water front and watched the bridge go up and down and the boats go by. There is lots of seating by the water, easy inexpensive parking, many eateries and activities by the water. We had a fantastic afternoon. We also went two blocks from the water to the Teddy Bear Park which I also reviewed at five stars.

Super cool and lovely town! Can tell they take good care of everything and weather was pristine! Not a bad hike from the city, and would recommend going here for a day trip!

Definitely a nice little stroll! Bike and scooter friendly 🙏 travel from MN to WI

Great place to get the kids out and feel the Fresh air! It is an amazing place. Plenty of spots to sit and eat the Best Ice Cream in town! Yum! Parking is a bit hustle but worth it! With gas price through the roof, this place gives you the best nature has to offer! Get out and enjoy the View and Fresh air!

Lift bridge and the entire waterway has a really lovely, laid-back pace now that the vehicle traffic has moved to the new bridge.

This park is perfect for your kids 1 to 5 maybe 6 there's teddy bears everywhere which is so unique and different they are made of stone so definitely watch your children but my twins had a great time climbing and going downsides.

Really nice park. A gem situated in a unique spot off the side of a hill. Adorable structures in teddy bear, trains, storybook and abc-style themes, which allowed for many levels of play development. The ground was soft, and there were many places to climb. There was a nice pavilion to sit in. There were two bathrooms there. One was occupied the whole time I was waiting, so I used the men's and the women's was still occupied after but it was fine. Each one had baby changing areas so that was nice.

This is hands down the most beautiful park in the state. Kids love it and well I love it too. Grab a coffee and enjoy your kids having a blast.

A cute small park with slides. Dangerous rocks kids climb on and could very very easily fall off and get badly hurt. No swings. Biggest problem is parking. Good luck with that. Its hell trying to find anything. I think after driving 30 mins , I wasted more gas driving around another 20 minutes trying to find a place to park.

Excellent place to take your children. Has unique train themed playground as well as multilevel tree. Also a faux rock wall with tunnels and some climbing. Giant teddy bear to pose for pictures and a smaller one as well. During summer I believe they have portable potties on site as well. Parking is across the street in a free lot. The street it is on is steep so keep am eye on your little ones.

Very cute park! My son had a great time.

Definitely on the small side, but my 2-year-old had fun exploring the low trains and ships meant for toddlers (she wasn't sure what to make of the giant teddy bear statues) for about an hour. I appreciated the enclosed nature of the park where it's nearly impossible to lose sight of your kid. We explored downtown Stillwater and the river a bit afterwards on foot, which was fun.

Great apple cake and apple donuts. They also sell jams, honey and maple syrup. You can walk along some apple trees and to a pumpkin patch. You can pick your own pumpkins, but cannot pick your own apples. The apples are pre-bagged in the store. There is also a corn maze. Not dog friendly. Free entry.

Welcoming environment. The line for the store was long but went VERY quickly. They staff has a great system setup for keeping everyone moving and satisfied. Scenic apple orchard walk.

High quality apples and a variety of baked goods and cider. Busy place but they keep the registers going fast. This is another White Bear Lake landmark. Watch out for the limited hours! They close early.

YOU CANNOT PICK YOUR OWN APPLES. It's really just an store that sells apples and has a picnic area. Also has a corn maze but only from 1 pm to 3 pm on Saturdays to Sundays.

We had our annual apple orchard bicycle ride today — great area to ride in. I had my heart set on a piece of apple pie. HOWEVER, what they define as apple pie is 2 inches square and a bare 1/2 inch thick, like NO apple pie I or Mom or Grandma ever made (unless making BARS), plus their prices are sky high — like buying at the grocery store when no middleman and the crust had a list of chemicals in the ingredient list, so definitely not homemade and tasted like LARD. NO good prices on anything and not affected by DJT tariffs. Buy your pie at any store and get a REAL piece of pie and skip Pinetree. Oh, and no cafe since Covid so there is that as well.

Best store if you're looking for Apple goods. They are getting cheaper every year it seams. The rollovers were the best, but now they've gotten very skimpy on the filling and frosting. Still worth going if you want good food.

Always a Fall staple to the Minnesotan experience! We love to visit with our family from out of town and show them a beautiful Minnesota day.

Where strangers become friends!! Best church with oper and welcoming folks. If you are looking for a church that will use your talents and celebrate you, this is the one.

The first time my husband and I walked into Chain of Lakes we knew we found something special. The community is so welcoming and inclusive. Pastor Paul teaches acceptance and love - of all people, of people of all faiths and of people in every stage of their faith journey. These values are incredibly important to me. Bring part of this community where people genuinely care and become friends and also actively engage in helping fight homelessness has added to the joy in my life. I highly recommend stopping in for a Sunday service or community event - you just might find the friends you haven’t met yet and community that shepherds you on your faith journey.

We live in The Lakes and were happy to find this church opening close enough that we can walk there (ok, maybe not in the cold winter). We have found it inspiring because the people there are so welcoming and it is also a very outward focused church. We have new friends of all ages and KINDNESS MATTERS!

My wife and I were looking for a LGBTQ+ affirming church so we could raise our family in a church that felt loving and inviting. At the time, we had a list of several churches in the area to try out. We first attended Chain of Lakes after seeing their Fall Fun Fair advertised, and were blown away by how welcoming the congregation was. We never did try out any of the other churches on our list. COL quickly became our home and the people there have become our friends. The people at COL have never wavered in making us feel welcome, worship is fun, our daughter loves learning in the nursery, the congregation is growing young, and we couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this community.

Wonderful church that is welcoming to everyone. Great space for families to grow in their faith. Come and join us!

I was carrying some “faith baggage” that was really weighing me down. My latest church experience had ended poorly. Then my husband was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and his slow, 4 ½ year decline made me question my faith. After he died, I attended a few different churches in the area before I finally walked through the doors at Chain of Lakes. I knew within the first 5 minutes that this place was different. No less than 5 or 6 people happily greeted and welcomed me before I even reached my seat. I have been attending services regularly, and I have found a place where all people are welcome wherever they may be in their faith journey or their life journey. If you need a place of love and acceptance, you will find it here.

I first started attending Chain of Lakes Church because my parents are members. It wasn't long at all before I had found my own place there as the people attending are so genuine and live out their faith leading with their hearts. I have found fulfillment doing and learning things in a supportive place and can't wait to see what the future holds for this wonderful, caring and loving group of people.

It was such a great time! It was my first time here and I took a friend skiing for the first time who has never seen snow like this before. It was a bit pricey compared to other skiing resorts I've visited before in several other states that have just as many paths or more. They did not have all the lifts running. The staff who was working there was very friendly and would always encourage or compliment my friend on improving each time she came down the path. (Even though she fell almost every time) Overall, it was a great experience but may consider going somewhere else that isn't so expensive.

Love coming here from the cities just 30 min down the road. Facilities have def gotten nicer since I’ve been here last (2018?). All the staff were super friendly and helpful and made our day better. Just be aware that not all the dining is open during the week! Had a great time tho!

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Afton Alps, I witness an incident that occurred on the chairlift at The Highlands, that raised serious safety concerns. A group of teenage boys were on the lift, and one of them dropped a large clump of snow from above the trail where riders were below. Fortunately, it missed the rider, but the situation could have ended dangerously. When I confronted him, he mocked me and even challenged me to go to the terrain park. Then I went to report the incident to the staffs. Despite alerting a ski patrol member, the response was dismissive. When I provided detailed information, including a video of the event, the staff seemed indifferent and questioned what action was needed from me. I expressed my frustration, questioning Afton’s commitment to safety, and implying that the resort is more focused on profit than customer care. Just unbelievable! When safety is compromised, especially in such a dangerous situation, it’s concerning when an organization fails to take action. Accountability is key, and it’s troubling when there’s a lack of response, especially when I had went out of my way to provide evidence. It’s tough to support an organization that doesn’t seem to prioritize the well-being of its customers. I hope that my experience can bring attention to the issue, and others can take notice as well. And parents, if these were your children, do better!

I just want to say everyone was great. We had a great experience, all the staff is wonderful! The instructors were outstanding, specially the instructor that helped my brother-in-law, Juan. I didn’t catch her name, but she was so kind and patient with him. It was truly an unforgettable experience! Thank you!

Not as crowded as the other resort in town. Great snow making and park set. Wish they have more terrain variety.

For Midwest skiing it is pretty good. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Everyone from the rental shop to the restaurant staff were great. Great way to spend a day.

I'd probably give Afton a 3.75. Skied with my daughters the other day. Dare I say our home hill Snowcreek has better vertical? It's close. Anyways, there are a good amount of runs here but they are all pretty easy. The blacks didn't offer much challenge but offered some good cruising. There was a nice route that goes through a pipe with a nice jump at the end. We did that over and over. The terrain park was a bit too ambitious for us, they could use some smaller stuff varied in. Pretty much everything was expensive. I did appreciate being able to park at less crowded chalets and ski right down with the epic pass. The runs were groomed and in good shape after raining a couple days earlier. The merch store is strong. Good stuff in there. Solid resort just expensive without too much variety in terrain. Welch Village is a better value and better skiing, especially when the back bowl is open.

What a beautiful state park in MN located right on the St Croix river! There are plenty of trails to choose from even when it is busy you can find yourself alone on a trail. The lower path the river is flat a beautiful while some other trails have elevation gain. Definitely a state park that shouldn’t be missed!!

Such a gorgeous place for camping and hiking! My wife and I went this last weekend for a night, and we had a blast hiking down to the river from our tent site. Only downside was that I accidentally booked the backpacking site without considering how far we’d have to hike to it from the car after arriving at 10:30pm, but we figured it out. Nice fishermen along the beaches and in their boats as well.

It’s a calm and peaceful area with the best views of nature. A perfect spot for camping ⛺️, hiking, or just a relaxing walk. I went with my friends, and we really enjoyed the sounds of nature — it felt so refreshing

We recently went on a bike ride around Afton State Park, and overall it was a mix of beautiful scenery with some frustrating challenges. The natural beauty of the area is undeniable—the rolling landscape, peaceful setting, and wide-open views make it a wonderful place to spend time outdoors. We were especially surprised that there weren’t any bugs during our visit, which made the ride much more enjoyable. The highlight of the evening was definitely the sunset—it was absolutely spectacular and made for a perfect backdrop to end the day. Unfortunately, the trails and parking lot left a lot to be desired. The paved trails are in very poor condition. In fact, they were some of the most uneven, cracked, and bumpy trails I’ve ever ridden on. It was difficult to relax and enjoy the ride because we had to constantly watch for rough patches and broken pavement. The parking lot wasn’t in great shape either, which added to the overall impression that the infrastructure here has been neglected. My biggest complaint is the lack of upkeep on the paved trails. Considering visitors pay for passes, it feels like some of that money could and should be reinvested into making the park more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. A fresh paving job would go a long way in improving the biking experience and encouraging people to keep coming back. In short, Afton State Park has incredible natural beauty, but the poor condition of the paved trails really takes away from the experience. If the park could put some resources into repairing and maintaining them, it would easily become one of the best biking spots in the area.

Afton State Park, nestled along the scenic bluffs of the St. Croix River in Minnesota, offers a beautiful blend of rugged natural beauty and family-friendly recreation. Whether you're an avid hiker, a camper, or someone simply looking to escape the city for a day, Afton provides a peaceful and picturesque retreat.

Nice variety of trails, ample parking. Trails signs are a bit confusing, didn't find the Hiking Club secret word because we took the wrong path but found our way back eventually. Good excuse to go back and try the trails again, theyre beautiful. Riverfront paths, picnic areas, scheduled events and a visitor center with a bathroom. Pokémon stops too. I recommend.

I honestly love Afton State Park. It offers such peace. It is primitive, but still has access to a toilet and water, which is great. The different hiking routes are great to explore. Be prepared to get sweaty!

Always busy but always worth it. Great food to try and something for everyone. This was the first year we actually parked at the fair and I would recommend it if you have small children who won’t sit still on the bus for park and rides. While it’s pricy event parking $25. There were tons of spaces and easy out at the end of the day

2025 MN State Fair ✅ Really loved Giggles' Campfire Grill smoked salmon on a stick with the cream cheese cracker 😋 Of course had my favorite two classics: Deep Fried Olives and Veggie Fries. 🫒 Other honorable mentions: deep fried ravioli, Pot of Gold potato dumpling, Walleye fries, “Three Piggy Pals” on a Stick, fresh lemonade, deep-fried ranch, fried green tomato, pronto pups and all of the beer🍻

The Minnesota State Fair isn’t just an event—it feels like a tradition you step into the moment you walk through the gates. The mix of sizzling food stands, live music drifting through the air, and the buzz of families and friends creates a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. I tried a mix of the classics and the new: cheese curds that were perfectly gooey, Sweet Martha’s cookies fresh from the oven, and one of the “new foods on a stick” that surprised me in the best way. Beyond food, the animal barns, creative seed art, and giant vegetables gave it that fun, quirky Minnesota charm. Yes, it’s busy, and yes, you’ll spend more than you plan—but the fair delivers an experience that blends nostalgia with something new every year. My tip: come early, pace yourself with food, and don’t miss the evening when the lights of the Midway bring the whole place alive.

Had a WONDERFUL time at the Great Minnesota Get-Together!! Things to eat and Places to Visit: #1. PEACHYS-Amish Donuts. I recommend getting there as early in the morning as you can as lines get extremely long super fast. (OR Bring an extra $20 and pay someone in the front of the line to get your donuts. Quick and easy!) #2. MOUTH TRAP CHEESE CURDS. Always a great item to get at the fair. Fresh and delicious every time! #3. CORN. CORN AND MORE CORN #4. Fried Catfish - (in food building) Super good Catfish strips. Walleye balls were kind of bland. But overall good Cajun taste. #5. Visiting the Miracle of Birth Center. So many cute babies and good learning opportunities for kiddos. #6. DNR Fish pond. Need a moment to relax? This is the place to be. **Remember to grab a Bargain Book! Tons of great coupons!** Those are just some of the things I really enjoyed this year at the fair!

So much to do. If food isn't your thing. They have the Midway with rides/games, the Eco building to learn how to be a less wasteful person, so many farm animals, or maybe you're a fine arts person. There is something for everyone at the fair.

The fair was great as always but the lines were a little chaotic unlike some years. Being able to have cash or card is wonderful. Just sucks that not all vendors do that.

It's such a great experience! Farm animals, art, creative activities, a parade, great food and people watching. Looking forward to next year!

Great experience for first visit for 2025 Christmas Carol. Actors/artists were very good. But the audio is not very clear if you don’t have the headset if the artists are speaking dialogues to the opposite side. But else the evening was wonderful.

We went to see the Cabaret and I was blown away! I loved all of it! Such an auspicious message. Well done play, gorgeous venue. My only complaint is the upper deck was closed, at the end of the "arm", ( the amazing cantilevered extension on the building overlooking the river)

The staff was helpful and professional and their August 2025 production of Cabaret was life changing! We’ve come back to see it a second time and it was just as magnificent.

Cabaret was an incredible show! The caliber of the cast, singing, dancing, emotional expression, accents, costumes, set design, everything was fantastic. What a musical! So timely and sobering!

Saw "Primary Trust" with my wife. We both laughed so much but cried about as much. A play that truly celebrates humans at play in a play. A love letter to Black men and men in general who spend a lot of time in solitude. I am incredibly grateful to Guthrie Theater for featuring such heartful stories. I'm also a fan of the building, itself. I love this place, for real, and can't wait to see more shows. This was my second time there and I finally remembered to leave a review.

I had the honor of photographing this beautiful wedding at the Guthrie theater and it was such an awesome spot to host a wedding! The location has so many nearby spots for photos and also the staff is truly amazing, I couldn't recommend them more! I look forward to photographing there again!

We saw Cabaret this time. Like always we enjoyed the show. Before the show we went up to the 9th level to the yellow observation area. Always love going to the shows here

We absolutely adored this museum (and I am really not a museum lover). We loved the quirky introduction Video that gave an overview of the city throughout the years and how the flour mill fit into the economic growth of the city. All of the “artifacts” were so nostalgic and brought back so many fun memories of days gone by! Our kids 17, 14 & 11 loved all of the interactive activities (not just cool for little kids). My daughter and I loved putting together the large wooden block puzzle. The highlight though is the tower tour…think Tower of Terror without the drop and the terror haha! It was set up in a similar fashion with nostalgic scenes of the flour mill how it would have looked in its prime and also people’s accounts/voices that actually worked there, sharing their memories! It was so intriguing! Do not hesitate going to this museum! It was such a fun and unique experience.

We had a way better time than we expected. The elevator guided part of the tour was neat, good information. Great views of the falls, river and stone arch bridge from the observation deck. Enjoyed seeing the history and learning a bit about the flour milling process. No complaints and the street parking was simple, paid $5 I think for 2 hours, which was plenty to do the museum.

Set on the scenic banks of the Mississippi River, Minneapolis’s Mill City Museum is a striking fusion of industrial ruin, architectural innovation, and regional history—and easily one of the most memorable cultural destinations in the Midwest. From the moment you approach the museum, you’re greeted by the towering remains of the Washburn “A” Mill, once the largest flour mill in the world and the beating heart of Minneapolis’s late 19th-century identity as the “Flour Milling Capital of the World.” The iconic “Gold Medal Flour” sign still sits proudly atop the historic grain elevators, a nostalgic beacon linking the city’s modern energy to its industrious past. The structure itself is a work of art: a masterclass in adaptive reuse. The museum integrates preserved stone ruins of the original mill—some walls charred and scarred by past fires and explosions—with sleek glass-and-steel walkways and modern installations. From the outdoor courtyard and the massive glass façade etched with mill schematics, visitors are literally walking through history, surrounded by ghost traces of what once was. Inside, the museum captures the ingenuity and grit of Minneapolis’s industrial age. The preserved machinery, gears, pulleys, and antique steam engines are fascinating in their own right—but they’re made more compelling by thoughtful interpretation. From vintage tractors to flour sifters, each artifact tells a story of labor, technology, and transformation. The immersive exhibits, such as the Flour Tower elevator show (which re-creates the life of the mill), add a dramatic and cinematic dimension to the visit. A particular highlight is the view from the observation deck. It offers sweeping panoramas of the Mississippi River and the Stone Arch Bridge, with its elegant curves and pedestrian-friendly path, linking past to present. It’s a spot that invites reflection—on the river that powered the mills and on the city that rose from them. The museum doesn’t just celebrate machinery—it celebrates people. Exhibits thoughtfully highlight the lives of mill workers, immigrants, and women who shaped the milling industry, making this not just an architectural experience, but a deeply human one. Whether you’re a history buff, architecture lover, or simply looking for a unique and enriching afternoon in Minneapolis, Mill City Museum delivers. It’s a rare place where ruins speak, machines hum stories, and the Mississippi keeps flowing—as it always has—just outside.

Fun museum with lots to look at and an amazing viewing deck. The elevator tour was quirky and enjoyable, only running about 10 minutes long, leaving lots of time to explore the rest of the museum. Everyone working there was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I'll definitely be back!

This was a good museum. I especially liked the elevator tour. You travel up and down the building in an elevator to see the different floors and hear stories of what it was like to work in the mill through recordings of actual workers. The view from the top floor is excellent.

I've been twice, once with a friend when we took the more in-depth tour of the mill, and then as a chaperone for a class of first graders. From grinding and sifting wheat to exploring the force of water from the falls, their hands-on exhibits are very kid friendly and interesting for adults, too! And the walking tour was very well done. Learning about the history, the economic impact, and the tragedies through what is left of the original mill's machinery and facilities is meaningful. The view of the river from the 9th floor deck is the cherry on top.

Very good museum with some wonderful views of the Mississippi River. Be sure to take the elevator to the top for the views. The inside displays explain the history of the area and about the flour powerhouses of their time. Well worth several hours of time to visit.

My husband works the food truck All square and the family comes out to celebrate the Vikings and to give our 5 year old son who is dealing with mental challenges a chance to be surrounded with the Vikings fans and to see the fun and love everyone brings. His so In love with the Vikings even though we're from new Orleans. He has even made his on Go Vikings song. One day, he wishes to go to a game but first, we have to get it to the point he is clam so he can sit through and watch it. We all had such an amazing day on Sunday.

First time visiting Target Field and we had a blast. Start with parking, so easy. Parked in Ramp B and walked right into the park. Love the layout and the vibe and smell of brats cooking was everywhere! The staff was very helpful and friendly, just the way it should be. Great views from our seats. We'll definitely be coming back!

Recently went to a Twins game while I was in town. Loved the stadium which has a cozy, hometown feel. The videographers did a great job of capturing the game and keeping the fans entertained. Not a bad seat in the place. Food was great and options are plentiful.

Always a great experience! There’s a fantastic variety of food options and plenty of bars, making it the perfect place to meet up and catch up with friends. Parking is convenient with Ramps A, B, and C just a short walk away. Entry and exit are smooth thanks to the multiple gates, so lines never feel overwhelming. One of my favorite spots is the Truly On Deck bar. It has a spacious indoor area with plenty of seating available when you purchase food or drinks—great atmosphere and views!

What an amazing arena, with wonderful vibes. Although things can be pricey, so to cautious or full! Many food stands, and many drink options. Had an amazing time with our kids. They have a family section where they don’t not permit alcohol drinks in the area, so I truly loved that. Many beautiful views. Nice music and good game! GO TWINS!

Very nice stadium 1st base side was completely covered when gates opened. Field boxes were amazing. Food was good prices were average. Would definitely recommend. We even had a lounge for the box seats.

Excellent field to catch a game at! We have been to the stadium multiple times with a variety of seats and all have had great views. This weekend we had third base dugout seats for Friday with access to the third base lounge which was very clean, easy to access, and had great food with a variety of options and a full service bar. Saturday we sat in section 138 in right field with great views and multiple food vendors right by us. A great option at Target Filed is the ability to bring in your own food and a 32 ounce bottled nonalcoholic beverage. We chose the subunit cup which we got to refill the whole game and we certainly got our monies worth. We did purchase alcoholic beverages and they we the same cost we pay at any other concert or sporting event so we went prepared for the cost. They did have 612 day as we were there on a Saturday and it was a great value for drinks, snacks and a hot dog. They offer many cost points for all families so if you are looking for something fun to do in the summer I highly recommend a Twins game at Target Field. We did get the pleasure of watching Nelly in the post game Friday night and see Buxton hit 4 the cycle on Sat! We arrived early and got the Buck Truck Bobble head. Great weekend, great venue!

Appreciate the Minneapolis Skyways. Great idea to connect buildings together allowing people to walk when it’s bitter cold or on a hot summer day. It’s always fun to watch the buses pass through. Been lost in the skyways many times but always found my way out. Five stars for keep it clean and continuing to make available for everyone.

The skyways are wonderful way of travel in the city, but what is the point if they close the skyway at 6 PM Monday through Friday and it is not even open on weekends. the skyway should be open Monday through Sunday till 10 PM, if not later open the skyways and stop making excuses that the skyways are closed because of vandals if that’s the case, then let each building security be responsible for monitoring the skyways. I would make more use of the city, especially in the evenings if I could go through the skyway system, but I’m not about to walk the streets in the middle of the night, you folk seem to be more concerned about vandalism in the skyways than the safety of Minneapolis citizens walking the streets, open the skyways and stop with the excuses

We live in downtown Minneapolis. We love the skyway so we can go around without being outside in cold or hot weather. The only problem is that it is mostly closed on weekends, and for downtown residents, it is a huge inconvenience.

I'm surprised Nicollet Mall has a higher Google rating than the Skyway. Nicollet Mall has very little if any redeeming qualities. Not a 5 star rating as there are some issues with the Skyway, but the Skyway is great overall and unique. There's not another American city that has something as expansive as Minneapolis's Skyway and other cities have tried to copy/mimick the Mpls Skyway. Some of the main complaints I've seen in these reviews: Hours. Well, the Skyways are owned by the individual buildings they go thru, there's not one individual owner. So those building owners need to decide whether it's worth it to hire security and other personnel to be on staff during down hours and days. They've decided there's not enough foot traffic to justify the expense. And I can't blame them. The Skyways main clientele is the downtown officer worker, even now in 2025 that is still the case. And public restrooms: Well, there used to be public restrooms, but certain people ruined it for the rest of us. Lots of drug use and other nefarious activities. Then, when people starting dying of overdoses in the public restrooms in the SkyWay that was the last straw. Not worth the liability for the building owners. And I can't blame them. So, blame the junkies for lack of public restrooms in the Skyway.

Good for shopping eating I r just an inside stroll downtown without ever leaving the climate controlled skyway

ordered 3 lunch special. They delivered one but still charged me for the other two. No one answers the phone cant get doordash to help. So this place robbed me and I have no way to contact them. Thanks Skyway

Tried to use it to get closer to our hotel 4 blocks away during a surprise thunderstorm at 5pm but due to the lack of maps and notices of closures we twice wound up having to retrace our steps back to where we entered and back out into the rain. Seems like it is planned for locals who know from experience where they are and whether it is useful to get where they want to go. Can't imagine why they don't have more maps to help tourists navigate.