Winter time at the Zoo – could there be a better time to see Polar bears? The Como Zoo is home to this beautiful animal and home to a little spring in the Conservatory. What a wonderful way to spend a day. It’s all free but they do ask for a freewill donation of $2, which isn’t too much to ask. There are also all the other animals to see but they will be inside the warmth of their indoor homes.

There are daily events and happenings so make sure and check out their website

28th Running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Jan. 28th-Feb. 3rd

31st Annual Freeze yer Gizzard Blizzard Run and Icebox Days
Jan. 12th- 16th

St Paul winter carnival 2011
Jan. 27th – Feb. 6th

Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza
Jan. 22nd

Other things to do this winter:

Como Zoo and Minnesota Zoo are open all winter

Cross-country skiing (Nordic)

Snowboarding

Ice skating

Snowshoeing

Downhill skiing

Sledding

Snowkiting (wear ice skates, snowboard or skis and hold on to a large kite that acts as a sail)

Minnesota Arboretum

Everyone is always thinking about spring, summer, and fall but winter in Minnesota has so much to offer. And since winter can seem so long why not enjoy what it has to offer…all it has to offer.

Let’s start our winter season in Duluth at the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Mainly a spectators sport there are many things for you to enjoy: Gala dinner and silent auction, cutest puppy contest, and a change to try some winter camping with the experts! And of course there are many outdoor activities in the area: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and seeing the frozen sites along the North Shore.

Check out the website and read the story about John Beargrease and the history behind this Minnesota tradition.

Grimm Farm

Victoria, MN

Grimm Farm, is a place that most of you have probably never heard of, but it’s the home of one of the greatest agriculture discoveries in the US – winter hardy alfalfa.

Wendelin and Juliana Grimm moved to Carver county in 1859 from Germany and brought with them a small box of everlasting clover seed. Over the next 15 years Wendelin would plant the seeds and save seeds from the plants the survived the winter (called seed saving) which resulted in the first winter hardy alfalfa in North America. Today, Grimm alfalfa is the source for all alfalfa grown in the United States.

Today all that is left of the Grimm Farm is the house that the Grimm’s built in 1876. The house sits in Carver Park Reserve (part of the Three Rivers District park system), which offers a lot for a good day outdoors. They also have special programs at the house during certain times of year where you can get a look at what life was like in the late 1800’s and see the inside of the house that Grimm built.

Grimm farm is located in Victoria just a short drive west of the Minneapolis, so if you’re in the area bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a day at the park. The park is open 5am-10pm daily.

Hidden away in southeastern Minnesota is the tiny little town of Fountain, Sinkhole Capital of the World! If you’re not sure how sinkholes form, geologists explain that they occur when the underground rock strata—typically limestone—that has been formed into cave-like honeycombs, crumbles under the weight of the earth. But that’s not the only thing Fountain is known for – it’s also the west end of the Root River State Trail, a 42 mile long multi use trail.

Fountain is also home to a nice little Mexican restaurant, Los Gables. The atmosphere is nice and the food is good and it is very close to the start of the trail and if you’re camping in the area it’s a nice little place to go.

We camped about five miles out of Fountain close to The Old Barn Resort, which is a good place to go if you like to tube the river, canoe, kayak, fish, golf, eat, drink, rent a bike, tc. They have it all – they even have a very nice camp ground for tent or RV camping.

Southeastern Minnesota has a lot to offer the outdoor’s person and even if you’re not that into the outdoors they have lots of antique shops and specialty shops in the area. The area is gorgeous with the bluffs and the beautiful Root River. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone…so get out and enjoy!

The Sanctuary at The Local

931 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN

I first read about The Local around St. Patrick’s Day…about how they had sold the most Jameson Irish Whiskey in the world for four straight years. Being part Irish myself, I knew I had to try this place. I had been looking for an excuse to eat here and finally last week I got my chance; a friend from Pennsylvania flew in!

We arrived at happy hour on a Thursday night to a large crowd of young business professionals (lots of people in suits and ties and dresses). We, of course, were dressed in our Thursday best (jeans and tennis shoes) but were not turned away. My first impression was WOW…you feel like you just stepped off the streets of Minneapolis into a pub in Ireland. The rich dark wood, the large windows, the ‘rooms’, and the smell of good Irish food all made you feel as though you had been transported to Ireland.

We were seated in “The Sanctuary”, a little room in the back with a beautiful fireplace. It was nice because it was a little quieter (not much) back there and we were close to the bathrooms (thank goodness). I ordered the sausages and mash which was very good and just the right portion. It was a little salty, but that was washed away by my Boddingtons Pub Ale. My friend and husband had steak and mushroom pie (like Sheppard’s pie), which they both said was also salty. We did try the ‘Big Ginger’, their signature drink (which helped them sell the most Jameson). It was very good and refreshing.

Even though the food was a little salty, I enjoyed my first visit to the Local and I’m looking forward to sharing the experience with more of my friends and family! Maybe St. Patty’s Day 2011? Visit The Local website for more information on their menu, rooms, and events.

Here are a few hot spots to make sure you hit while at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival:

• Turkey Drumsticks – These Renaissance Fair favorite are the perfect Medieval food to chow down on while walking around the festival. The skin is deliciously roasted and the meat is absolutely tender. A must have.
• The Tortuga Brothers Show – These guys are a riot. While a bit crude at times, the show is fairly family friendly and it is something the whole family will enjoy. The show lasts about 45 minutes and is well worth it. From stunts and jokes to audience participation required skits, the show is fast-paced and overall one of the most enjoyable shows at the festival.
• Soup in a Bread Bowl – Although this may not sound like anything special, believe me, on a cold day in September in Minnesota, the hot beer-cheese soup in a bread bowl is one of the most coveted items at the festival. The line often stretches the farthest back, even though it is available at multiple locations throughout the festival. A great choice for people of all ages and tastebuds.

So if you’re in Minnesota during September and October, a trip to the Renaissance Festival is a fun Saturday or Sunday day out with the family. And although it can get fairly expensive if you decide to eat and shop there (there are hundreds of store fronts that sell artisan crafts of all kinds includind swords and authentic chain mail), you can also have an inexpensive day out as well – it’s all up to you!

Located in a busy area of St. Paul near the Excel Energy Center is Cossetta’s Italian Market and Pizzeria. Whether you are getting ready for an event at the Excel Center or just out for an evening in St. Paul, Cossetta’s is the perfect place to fill your belly with delicious Italian cuisine for a very affordable price.

From delicious pasta dishes and pizza made fresh every day to cold salads and sandwiches, Cossetta’s has it all. The food is served cafeteria style so you can pick and choose which dishes you want to try and you get to eat very fast – even when there’s a line out the door (which is 9 times out of 10).

The pizza is a favorite of many, however, my favorites are the classic Italian sandwich (it is seriously to die for, especially the blend of meats) and the Italian beef sandwich. The dining room is two levels and has plenty of seating even for big crowds.

The best part is that if you don’t have time to stay and eat or if you just want to try and recreate the Italian dishes on the menu they have a full market that has a variety of meats, cheeses, and other Italian ingredients that are sure to tickle your tastebuds long after you’ve left Cossetta’s. This is a great place to eat with families as well. A dinner for two with drinks was under $20, which makes it affordable and delicious.

I usually do not make it to the State Fair every year, but the last couple of years they have had some great acts come to their grandstand, which makes it completely worth the trip. The following is a list of must-sees, must-dos, and must-eats for when you go to the Minnesota State Fair:

• Australian Potatoes – Whether you have them plain or with sour cream, nacho cheese, chili, or all of the above, they are excellent. The crispy outside and the soft, warm inside are enough to warm you up on a cool September day and when it is hotter than blazes out, they also make a fantastic lemonade that will keep you cool.
• Grandstand Shows – The Minnesota State Fair has been booking some big names over the last few years including KISS, Brandi Carlile, Jeff Dunham, Rush, and many more. With so many big names and fairly inexpensive ticket prices (although the concert ticket cost does not include entrance into the fair) the state fair grandstand is a great place to see an outdoor show.
• Alligator on a Stick – Alligator is one of my must-eats when I go to the State Fair. The alligator stand is located near the grandstand and their main attraction is the deep-fried alligator nuggets. However, my weakness is the alligator sausage on a stick. The alligator meat is seasoned perfectly with just a hint of spice and when you dip in in their hot sauce it’s magical.
• Miracle of Birth Barn – The Minnesota State Fair has a barn that is dedicated to showing baby animals as well as their births. This is a huge attraction at the fair for people of all ages. For many people this will be the only time they will get to see farm animals in such an up-close and personal way. Fun for kids and adults alike.

Of course there are many more attractions and food stops to be made at the Minnesota State Fair, but those are a few of my all-time favorites. Feel free to post your own favorite stops at the fair so that we can all enjoy something new next year!