For residents and visitors of the Twin Cities, it can be hard to see outside the blinders that are the metro’s first place parks, award-winning eateries and breweries, and traveling Broadway shows. But there’s life outside the confines of Minneapolis and St. Paul, specifically in their neighbors to the south, and they’re worthy of your attention.
Great River Road Trail
Delicious, palate-delighting wine may be closer than you think. Sprinkled among a pair of scenic highways in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa that meander alongside the spectacular Mississippi River, the Great River Road Wine Trail features 11 wineries for you to get your sip on. Spend a day, a weekend, or a week (why not?) observing, swirling, sniffing and tasting more than 100 wines produced in one of the world’s newest wine regions. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any sweeter, connoisseurs who sample from all 11 wineries and complete their “passport” will be rewarded with a free Great River Road Wine Trail glass.
Commonweal Theatre
Since its inception in 1989, the region’s premier theater company in Lanesboro, Minn., has been bringing soulful stories to life with their heart, creativity and world-class talent. Run by a collective of artists and administrators, this not-for-profit organization values collaboration, community, diversity, artistic integrity and making educational opportunities and live theater accessible to as many as possible. And with a wide-spanning genre list including comedies, dramas, musicals, classics and contemporary plays, there’s sure to be a show to strike your fancy.
Marshall Golf Club
For fun in the sun and a breath of fresh air, grab your sticks, tees and spikes for a round on one of the top courses in southern Minnesota. The Black Knight himself, Gary Player, has even stopped by to swing and putt his way through one of Minnesota’s best kept secrets. The 18-hole course stretches its way over 6,601 yards and is accompanied by tight, tree lined fairways, and water hazards and bunkers accompany most holes challenging golfers to bring their A game.
And for even more back nine’s, visit these other golf getaways found throughout the state.
