SUMMER FUN WITH KIDDOS
In Northfield
Picnic spot on the bike trail, and beyond
The one that goes from Sechler Park to Dundas (just at the beginning of the little wooded section of the trail, closer to Dundas than Northfield) is a nice ride for little legs and makes a good outing for bringing lunch, feels like a big trip for the small ones but is easy and low-key for the grown-ups. From there, it’s fun to bike on over to Dundas and sit on the patio of the L & Mbar/café sipping root beer floats.
Baseball games
It’s a hoot to just pick a random one when the mood strikes, like the Northfield Knights (northfieldknights.com), Dundas (dundasdukes.com), or Miesville (miesvillemudhens.com)—these are small, good-time, legion teams. Feels almost old-fashioned.
Fishing the Cannon River
Especially in downtown Northfield. Ne’er a week goes by without attempting to catch (and release) the big one.
Prairie & Wood Day Camp
Held in the Carleton arboretum. It's mornings for the younger set (age 4-7) and afternoons for the little bit older (8-12). This year it's being overseen by the YMCA,good staff training, and the focus is on environment, field trips, nature, fun learning. $95 for M-F.(northfieldymca.org/day-camp/prairie-wood
Hogan Brothers
It’s lovely to walk down to Division St. in the evening and get ice cream to go and then sit by the sculpture/wading pool in Bridge Square.
Northfield Public Library
Great reading programs!This summer there is a visiting artist series on Thursdays at 11:30 with pizza afterward for kids who do their little reading program at home, plus book clubs for tweenies and teenies and storytime for littler ones. And the Wednesday 7:00 pm Books & Stars in the parks is lots of fun too. ci.northfield.mn.us/library
July 4 in Northfield (annual)
Criterion bike races in downtown.It's nice to watch, wander about with no big agenda and drink cold coffees (depending on weather...).They also have a kid race which is one lap.Sign up on the spot.
Japanese garden at Carleton
This is a favorite spot to hang out, bring some tea & crackers and tell stories, and dream. It's a great setting for make-believe activities (wear a costume, bring a couple props). You can park on Maple St. & 1st St. right where the new Carleton dorms are, then just stroll behind the big old dorm right there on Maple. You’ll stumble upon the garden.
Stonehenge in the Carleton Arb
The little rock and oak tree gathering in the Arb (enter at the very end of E. 2nd St, go down, cross bridge, come up, and take the second path to the right and keep going right. We go there for little child-sized ritual and fun (climbing, hugging, and talking to the old oaks and big rocks), light a candle, say a little prayer for the earth (or whatever).
Free music performances at Carleton
Because they're free you and kids can walk out early if wanted, and often there are small treats like cheese or cookies afterwards concerts and art opening. Each year St. Olaf seems to do a short opera, about one hour at the end of J-Term, and it’s free. (carleton.edu, look in the events section)
(You can get campus maps of the Carleton Arb and campus at the bookstore in the student center Sayles-Hill, or at carleton.edu)
Walking on St. Olaf campus
Or running or skipping or jumping…. Spin around the beautiful hilltop, through the little landscaped areas, and under the Wind Chime Memorial by Boe Chapel. Also, you can wander through Flaten Art Museum in Dittman Center, or get a snack in Buntrock Commons. It's all very close together. stolaf.edu
Farmers Market
Try bringing a couple blankets and picnic, munching on market fare, there's sometimes music, kids play on the play equipment. Lots of people show up and it's a cool community gathering. Old friends and new! northfieldchamber.org/farmersgeneral.php
Montessori Children's House
Located right by the middle, high, and Bridgewater schools. This is a daycare/preschool, and they offer atwo-week program for pre-schoolers in the summer. (mchnorthfield.com)
Kurry Kebob
Out on Highway 3. Try birthday dinners. Kids love the nan! And also it seems to be the case that kids under about age 8 or so don’t get charged for the daily lunch buffet at Chipati’s in the Archer House downtown.
Brick Oven Bakery
The free bread samples always help in the middle of running errands. (brickovenbakery.com). Across the street is the Northfield Gymnastic Center, affordable classes and coaching to get the jeebies out, plus a weekly open gym for $5.
Apple Picking
Lots of orchards around here, including Fireside on Hwy. 19, but try the one on 320th St. (the turn is about a mile north of Dairy Queen—don’t know the official name of this place). On the last weekend before a hard freeze, it’s free picking! You can fill your dang trunk. This orchard is just across the gravel road from Open Hands Farm (Erin Johnson & Ben Doughtery). The farm operates as a CSA and you can buy memberships for weekly pick-ups and field self-picks. There are usually several kids running around playing at the farm during member pick-up times, and learning about farming, agriculture, and food. openhandsfarm.com
Silkie’s and Lorence’s
For asparagus, strawberry, and raspberry picking.
Music Together at the Arts Guild
This is a great program with a very thoughtful methodology that seems very simple and obvious but that has brought music, rhythm, rhyming, etc.into many lives at so many levels. Kids Art and Mini Kids Art are always terrific get-messy mornings for kids up to kindergarten during the school year too.
Rice County Steam Engine Meet (annual)
An annual event every Labor Day weekend.This is a two-hour tractor parade complete with color commentary.There's also a working steam engine that drives a thresher or a saw mill, a blacksmith shop, country-style eats, and a flea market. It’s in a dedicated field on the west side of Hwy. 3 south of Menards. ricecountysteamandgas.com
No one so much as mentioned Jesse James Days—coincidence?
Around Northfield
Hi-Quality Bakery in Cannon Falls
When you go to Cannon Falls to the little beach at Dakota County Park, head into this bakery—it’s way superior to the Northfield version. Apple bars and basic raised glazed donuts are family favorites.
The bike trail from Cannon Falls to Welch/Redwing
It’s beautiful. Start across from Econo (you can buy wheel passes there at the store) in the city parking lot. A nice ride goes about 6 miles to a shady rest area complete with benches, picnic tables, bike racks, and a porta-potty! (maybe it was 6 miles round trip?). You can pack a lunch or snacks and then bike back—the trail is relatively flat so this was fairly kid friendly—but be sure the tires are in good condition and have some canned air!
Riverbend Nature Centerin Faribault
A big favorite spot is the turtle pond. You can hang out on the bridge, with snacks of course (!) and it's like being in the middle of an I Spy book with all of the turtles, tadpoles, and other creatures. RBNC does great summer programs for pre-schoolers and up (beginning with one-year-olds) and maple sugaring in the fall and full moon hikes, too.They have an indoor bird observation area that has sound brought in from the outside, where you can see a large variety of birds and there is a nature-themed play area right next to the birding area.Finally, the "Kids in the Wild" play area has sticks and stones to move around and build dams when there's enough rain. rcbn.org
Faribault Public Library
The children's section is bigger than Northfield's, their story time is really fantastic, and they have a neat, wooden doll house always accessible and set up to play with. faribault.org/library
Party Bound, in Lakeville
21034 Heron Way, about 10-15 north of Northfield. It’s bouncy place galore (and a real monotony-breaker in the middle of winter!) $6 per child for their open jump times. partybound.net
Cannon Falls Fourth of July Parade (annual)
This is similar to Jesse James days, but maybe a bit smaller (and shorter).It starts before noon, so get there early to avoid closed roads and find a spot (check the Cannon Beacon site for info at cannonfalls.com).
Cannon Valley Fair
It happens over the Fourth of July weekend every year including spectacular fireworks starting at dusk.cannonvalleyfair.com
Dakota County Fair, in Farmington
Hands down the best county fair around. There’s an old-time village, fountain drinks, lots of farm animals and horse shows, tasty pie, lovely prairie and flowers, and rides up the wazoo. If the thought of tackling the state fair is too daunting, head over here. In 2009 the dates are August 10-16. dakotacountyfair.org
Greenhouses and Nurseries
Donahue’s in Faribault, North Star Nursery in Faribault, the daylily fields in Lonsdale, Farmington Greenhouse, Pahl’s Market in Apple Valley, South Cedar Nursery across from Bachman’s on Cedar Ave., and Bachman’s.
UMore Park, up the road near Rosemount (just up the road)
The is one of the University of Minnesota’s Outreach, Research, and Education sites. It’s 5000 acres, full of landscaping and flowers and trial gardens. The annual open house in 2009 is Thursday, August 20 from 4:00-8:00 p.m., with family activities, birds from the Raptor Center, research animals, sweet corn and meats/cheeses from the U’s lab and dairy, a hay wagon tour, and farm equipment. umorepark.umn.edu
Randolph Chicken BBQ
This is amazing! The fire department has this fund-raiser annually in mid-August.The whole town and people from all around show up for fresh sweet corn cooked in an old railroad-car steam engine and the best chicken grilled on racks over cattle water troughs! This is the best corn and chicken I eat all season and it comes with slaw, beans, roll, and drink.There is also a street dance and a craft fair.
Summit Golf Course
Between Northfield and Cannon Falls. PAR 3...every day deal: $10 for 1 adult/2 kids free. summitgolfclub.com
A great hike at Caron Park
Take a very short hike to a reliable waterfall at this park (between Northfield and Cannon City on 29).Great creek stomping and if you continue across the bridge and up the hill you'll find a huge glacial erratic (giant boulder left by glacier) in the middle of the woods. A two-year-old can hike it easily. co.rice.mn.us/parks/caron.php
Another great hike
This one is just south of Northfield. Take Cannon City Blvd. (the intersection just south of Menards) and look for a pull-off on the right hand side, maybe a mile after you get onto Cannon City Blvd. and off of Hwy. 3.There is a sign there that explains hiking in regional parks (this is the far side of another great park, also poorly marked called "Cannon River Wilderness Area).Anyway, you hike in along boardwalks and get to this magic little private prairie.It is awesome.
Fossil digging
Right in our backyard:Take 246 east through Dennison (246 becomes 9).At the intersection of 56, turn left or north.Pull over on the right side of the road almost immediately where you see the pale exposed sandy rock.The road is busy but you have lots of space to park and move away from the road to explore.Take a towel, trowel, and bucket to collect.It is very rocky and it makes it easier to sit on the towel.Here's an easy guide for fossils additional sites: winona.edu/geology/MRW/MNglance/Mn_Fossils.pdf
Valley Grove Church, in Nerstrand
Built in 1894, it sits smack on top of everything and you can see the rolling hills of southern MN for miles. The church itself is small, white clapboard, and on the National Register of Historic Sites. Big oak trees, a lovely yard, vintage headstones many of which are inscribed in Norwegian (good for making rubbings with kids). The original minister went on to help found St. Olaf College. Recommended lazy picnic spot. You can get history, directions, and take a photo tour at the website. valleygrovemn.com
Hidden Falls Trail at Big Woods State Park
Everyone who’s been there really likes this area by Nerstrand. It's a good one for little kids because it's not horribly long, but it is interesting for little eyes and little legs. And the waterfall at the end is very worth the hike. (It's the first photo in the slide show on the website: dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/nerstrand_big_woods/index.html
If you’re into geocaching, there are a few caches in the park—one is easily found without coordinates: dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/geocaching/parklist.html.
The little beach at Lake Byllesby
Closest local sandy swim beach?It's between Northfield and Cannon Falls, and there are a few campsites there too. This is the beach on the north side of the lake. Swimming seems to be best earlier in the summer, before the water levels get low—Byllesby isa part of the Cannon River.co.dakota.mn.us/Locations/Parks/Byllesby.html.
Free Water Park, in Apple Valley
Near Galaxie Ave. east of LA Fitness/Culvers.
apple-valley.mn.us/PARKS/Facilities/Aquatic_Center/main.html.
Canoeing or kayaking the Cannon River
You can rent right in Cannon Falls.Options are 10 miles or 18, and it can take 1.5 hours to do 10 miles. cannonfallscanoeandbike.com
The Cannon River Wilderness Area
Great for any length of walks/runs with kids and dogs. There’s a nature trail, too. co.rice.mn.us/parks/cannon.php
The Ranchero restaurant, in Webster
About as throwback as you can get, with red-and-white checked oilcloth on the tables, stag horns on the walls, schnitzel and cabbage, and extremely efficient service. Lordy.
Regional and Local fun farms
Cedar Summit Farm (cedarsummit.com)is outside of New Prague, and has many grass fed moo cows and often calves with a formal tour that includes a peek at the dairy operation and a sample of ice cream. The tour costs maybe $1 I believe.
Bison farm(johnsonsbuffaloranch.com) is near near Lonsdale/ New Prague.
Shepherd's Way (shepherdswayfarms.com) is outside of Nerstrand,and tours include tastesofthe farm's award-winning, hand-crafted artisan sheep cheeses for a small fee.
Fossom Family Farm (fossumfamilyfarm.com) has alpacas; it’s located just outside of Northfield on 320th St.
Finca Mirasol(Amy Haslett & family) is just outside of Northfield on 315th St. ( Chickens! And the most fun is when chickies are tiny in the spring. A new flock will arrive the second week of August, 2009.
Day Trips & Overnights
Hyland Lake Park in Bloomington
Ginormous playground! At 10145 Bush Lake Rd. If you have kids who love to climb and explore playground equipment, you have to check this Bloomington park out! Known to some as "Chutes and Ladders," this 16,000 square foot playground and climbing structure makes a great family outing.threeriversparks.org
Caponi Art Park, in Eagan
Easy drive and great time of day to enjoy (Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.) Upcoming programs include: Wayang Kulit: Shadow Puppets of Java, Indonesia on July 21, when Indonesian artist Joko Sutrisno will present a short story from Mahabarata through the Javanese art form of Wayang Kulit. Intricately carved and painted puppets cast stylized shadows of heroes and demons on a screen AND Dragons, Flutes and Monkeys: Ancient Chinese Folklore on July 28, when you can take a tour of ancient Chinese culture with traditional instruments and folklore. Storyteller Rhonda Lund brings the dramatic characters to life through storytelling, while flutist Zhang Ying adds musical accompaniment with bamboo, clay, and bone flutes. caponiartpark.org
Franconia Sculpture Park, in Taylor’s Falls
A bit more of a hike, but if you tack a couple of other stops onto the circuit it’s worth the trip. This is a 20-acre park chock full of wild outdoor sculptures and installations, very lively and innovative. Open 365 days a year, with programs and tours. They’ve got Kids Make Sculpture Workshops for $25, but it’s free to get into the park all the time. Don’t miss the free 2009 HOT METAL POUR from 10:00-6:00 on Saturday, August 1. The park is 45 minutes NE of the Cities, in the St. Croix River valley. franconia.org
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, in Chanhassen
There’s a new theme every summer—this year it’s Waterosity. The arb hosts regular performances, tours, and programs in their gardens. There’s a terrific sensory garden that kids love, a Japanese garden, herbs and veggies, specific collections of things like evergreens and peonies, and great classes on how to harvest rain, how to plant a waterwise garden, and so on. A reasonable cafeteria with outdoor seating, too!arboretum.emn.edu