Giants Ridge in Biwabik
photo by peter wong
Northwest
Â
Walker
The Traveling Art Pub places local artists in social venues across the state to teach groups of aspiring or recreational creatives. For example: an artist guiding attendees at Jack Pine Brewery’s taproom in Baxter as they paint replicas of a jack-pine forest scene. With a new permanent studio location in Walker, TAP now hosts its own private painting parties, along with other creative events exploring pottery and woodworking.
Â
Northeast
Â
Climbing wall at Giants Ridge
photo courtesy of giants ridge
Biwabik
Known as a downhill ski and golf destination, Biwabik now appeals to grapplers, with upscale resort Giants Ridge introducing a new climbing wall. Molded around real rock, the four-sided concrete tower offers more than 30 vertical feet of naturally formed fissures and pockets.
Â
Central
Â
St. Cloud
Vinyl is back in vogue at Uff-Da Records, where a surprising spike in demand driven by central Minnesota’s aficionados of the old-school sound has inspired the store’s recent move to a new, larger location after less than a year in its original space. The expanded digs offer a browser’s paradise of records, turntables, and local band tees, plus a small stage for in-store performances.
Â
Metro
Â
Oak Park Heights
After more than 20 years of talk, an act of Congress, a bill signed by the president, and multiple construction seasons, the St. Croix Crossing Bridge connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin opened last month. The dramatic new four-lane, mile-long bridge encountered various environmental and construction issues along the way but should improve the notorious delays inherent to the charming but less-efficient 80-year-old historic Lift Bridge in nearby Stillwater.
Â
Southern
Â
Tilt-A-Whirl car in downtown Faribault
photo courtesy of the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
Faribault
Some 90 years ago, Herbert Sellner put Faribault on the map by inventing the classic Tilt-A-Whirl carnival ride, which made its debut at the Minnesota State Fair. While many are familiar with the exhilarating-yet-stomach-churning ride made of multiple spinning cars, few know its local connection. Faribault recently worked to remedy that by restoring one of Sellner’s first Tilt-A-Whirl cars and displaying it downtown in front of Burkhartzmeyer Shoes. Former Sellner employees just refurbished a second car, sitting outside the State Bank of Faribault as of this summer.
