Courtesy of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Beat the end-of-winter blues with one of these Minnesota outings that’ll make you feel like you’re in the tropics (or time-traveling to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Minnesota past)—all without an expensive plane ticket.
Literary Luxuries
Escape into a great book by a Minnesota author. Some of our picks with beautifully immersive spring scenes include “On the Banks of Plum Creek” by Laura Ingalls Wilder, “Main Street” by Sinclair Lewis, and the charming picture book “Crinkle, Crackle, CRACK: It’s Spring” by Marion Dane Bauer.
The air was fresh and clean and damp. It smelled like spring. The sky was blue, with large clouds sailing in it. All the snow was gone from the soaking wet earth. Up on the high bank, Laura could still hear the creek roaring. … Beyond them, the land that Pa had ploughed lay black and wet. Pa looked at it and said, ‘It won’t be long now till I can get the wheat planted.’ From “On the Banks of Plum Creek” by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Must-Read
Nadine Abery, general manager at Birchbark Books in Minneapolis, recommends Minnesota author Diane Wilson’s “The Seed Keeper” as her spring book pick. Set in Minnesota, the historical novel follows four women’s journeys through life, loss, growth, grief, and traditions. “You will rethink your relationship with the natural world and the land around you after reading this book,” Abery says. birchbarkbooks.com
Courtesy of Birchbark Books
Get Heated
Evoke the energy of a tropical spring break without a plane ticket.
Breathe deeply in the salt cave at Just For Me Spa in Stillwater, then plunge into the warm mineral pool for a peaceful swim.
Let your mind and body relax with a modern bathing ritual at Watershed Spa in Minneapolis, which features a scrub, a soak in the pool, a steam room, a sauna, and finally, a cold plunge for reinvigoration.
For a traditional Scandinavian sauna experience (which includes both the dry-heat sauna and a cooler plunge in a pool), check out Cedar + Stone Nordic Sauna in Duluth, the Hewing Hotel rooftop in Minneapolis, or Sisu + Löyly Nordic Sauna on Lake Superior in Grand Marais.
Courtesy of Cedar and Stone
Pretend you’re near the equator, walking in a lush jungle, at one of the warm and fragrant conservatories in the Twin Cities, like the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, the Meyer-Deats Conservatory at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, or the Tropics Trail at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley.
Walk in the Woods
Take part in forest bathing, an immersive experience of meditative, observant walking that originated in Japan—and that has recently been trending here in Minnesota.
International Day of Forests
This Saturday morning walk at Cleary Lake Park in Prior Lake is led by David Michael Motzenbecker, a certified forest therapy guide. March 21, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Cleary Lake Park, 18106 Texas Ave., Prior Lake; priorlake-savage.ce.eleyo.com
Earth Day Forest Bathing
Forest therapy guide and environmental educator Mel Schneider leads a public walk to honor Earth Day; or book a private walk for your group at a park in the Twin Cities. April 26, 2-4 p.m., Reservoir Woods Park, 1950 Dale St., Roseville; wildwandersmn.com
Courtesy of Mel Schneider
Forest bathing walks at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Join fellow “bathers” and wander the wooded paths of the arboretum with expert guidance. arb.umn.edu
Retreats at Silvae Spiritus
This Northwoods lodge in Finlayson is one of the first wellness retreat centers in the country intentionally created with forest bathing as its focus. Staff offer forest bathing walks, sauna sessions, reiki healing, and more. silvaespiritus.com
Spring into Creativity
Visit one of these exhibits where nature meets art.
Como Zoo Conservatory’s Spring Flower Show, this year focusing on the myths of Persephone and her connections to flowers and fruit—especially pomegranates. March 20-April 26
Galleria hosts Fleurs de Villes FLORA, a free, fashion-forward spring showcase featuring 15 fresh floral couture installations by Twin Cities designers, displayed throughout the shopping center for self-guided viewing. April 10-19
Art in Bloom, the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s annual festival where florists create interpretations of paintings and other works from the museum’s permanent collection. April 23-26
Courtesy of Minneapolis Institute of Art
