This place is in an amazing asset to the Twin Cities. It's one of the few places you can get a…read morevariety of different backyard chicks. They have a great selection of chicken supplies, mushroom growing kits, bedding for animals, and plants. It's definitely worth shopping here instead of finding things cheaper online (e.g., Amazon, Chewy) to help support this amazing local small business.

This place is such a sweet little surprise. It's fun to shop their garden area for unique plants,…read moreflowers, pots and gifts. In the spring they have chicks for sale and it's a fun time to stop in and see them. They have so many helpful books and how to guides for gardening, chickens, pickling, cheese making and canning. The ambiance is so sweet and fun to shop in this quaint shop. The only thing that could be improved is their customer service. They aren't all that friendly or welcoming. But I'll keep shopping here.

Wonderful family-owned farm located on the bluffs of the Minnesota River near Henderson, MN…read more Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to visit but a good friend sent me 2 pints of their wonderful, 100% pure, organic maple syrup! Rich, amber in color and caramel-y! Yum! This lovely farm sells Farm products of veggies, berries, whole chickens, eggs and that maple syrup seasonally to individuals, restaurants, grocery stores, schools, and the occasional farmers market...if you're lucky, you'll be able to get your hands on some of their syrup during Spring as they sell out quick! Support this small, family-owned farm in Minnesota! Great products!

This is the 3rd year we've cut our own Christmas tree at Nelson's. I grew up next to 2 Christmas…read moretree farms, so this is a special tradition for me. I'm also familiar with Nelson's, my sister used to work there when she was in high school (some time ago). To get a tree - they have both cut your own and precut (on the side of the building) , they also deliver within 30 miles their website says. To cut your own - 1. Go to the main building, get a map, a saw (if you don't have your own), and twine. They will tell you where to go, as does the map. 2. Follow the map to your desired type of tree. 3. Cut away! 4. Kinda tie the tree to some part of your vehicle, and gingerly drive back to the building. 5. Pay, return the map and/or saw, and buy anything else that your heart desires. 6. Someone will help to securely tie your tree to your vehicle if you need it (yes, please!). 7. Drive away! The Nelson people are friendly and helpful - even helping get your vehicle unstuck when driving in the snow (happened to us last year).

We found it. Kind of by accident but we found our new favorite orchard! And let me tell you, its a…read moreDANDY! After visiting another orchard in the area, we were craving some doughnuts which we were not able to get. We happened to notice a sign for Nelson Apple Farm and figured we would stop by and check them out as it was only a few minutes away. As we pulled in we noticed the apple trees, a little area where you can see some animals and a shop with their sign. There were a few people inside. As we walked through their shop we couldn't help but do some shopping. Homemade salsa's, jams and preserves, syrup, and all sorts of goodies. Oh and of course a nice table of apples. Some people had what looked like a tray of State Fair apple doughnuts. We were told that they were not doughnuts, they were apple dandy's. I don't know what an apple dandy is but we ordered some with our purchase. We also had to get a caramel apple as those are some of our favs. Within a few minutes our fresh fried apple dandy's came out. Oh my! This will ruin your craving for an apple doughnut. Light and crispy on the outside. The inside was airy, almost like a popover. But wait, there is a thin slice of apple inside. This adds some freshness and even more flavor. Cinnamon and sugar on top makes this such a tasty treat. We enjoyed these so much we made another trip south a few weeks later. This time we were there earlier and watched as they made the batter and cooked our apple dandy's. So divine! We did get some more apples and goodies but it's those apple dandy's that we were craving. Reading more about Nelson Apple Farm we love that they are family owned. They have been in business for almost 50 years and Veteran owned. Thank you for your service and thank you for those apple dandy's! We have found our new favorite orchard and will be back again soon. If nothing else, just to get more apple dandy's!

This was my first time visiting Everly farm and it was a nice time. The view from up the hill was…read morebeautiful and I loved the variety of wines they offered. There was a little wait to get seat if at the winery so I just sat at the bar and didn't have enough time to order food. I know they've been opened for a little while so next time I'm hoping to try their pizza.

Went to pick out own apples at this orchard. They were really good in apple pie! Very friendly…read morestaff. Just a LOT of bees!! Be careful if you are allergic. Had lots of fun though.

This is a hidden gem on the Northside of Mpls! You can find this garden off to the east side of…read moreWirth Beach park. It is flagged by a large adirondack chair beautifully painted with so many MN staples, like the state bird. See if you can find at least 10 of them! There are many pollinators and flowers growing here as well. My kids have helped tend to this garden over the years and enjoyed giving back to the community. Anyone can also support in a variety of ways by purchasing food grown here, pulling weeds, watering, etc. Just ask during a sale day and offer your help in any way possible.

Great garden for kid groups. It sells fresh fruit and veggies in the the summer. Great staff that…read morelove what they are doing!

Another Hidden Gem: Noerenberg Memorial Gardens Review…read more Noerenberg Memorial Gardens is another secret I should have discovered sooner! As someone who lives nearby I stumbled upon it while planning a bike ride and it felt like I found a hidden oasis. The gardens really do live up to being a place of tranquility and fresh air and are a far cry from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The accessibility of the Noerenberg Memorial Gardens is a big plus. Being close to the Dakota Rail Regional Trail makes it a great destination for cyclists. I highly recommend incorporating it into a bike ride. The ride itself adds to the experience, you get to transition from the activity of cycling into the peacefulness of the gardens. This seamless transition makes for a more immersive and rewarding visit. The garden itself is beautiful. The attention to detail in the landscaping is obvious and it's visually stunning and calming. What struck me most was the quiet. Being right next to a busy road and yet it's so quiet. It's amazing how well the gardens filter out the noise and you can fully immerse yourself in the sounds of nature: birdsong, rustling leaves and maybe the gentle lapping of the nearby lake. It really feels like stepping through a "portal of tranquility" and instantly washing away stress and feeling peaceful. The atmosphere is what sets the Noerenberg Memorial Gardens apart. It's a place for quiet contemplation, a space to breathe deeply and reconnect with nature. Whether you want to read a book, meditate or just wander and take in the beauty around you this garden is the place. Feeling surrounded by beauty is both uplifting and restorative. Beyond the aesthetics the gardens offer learning and inspiration. Discovering places like this is valuable learning regardless of whether school is in session. Seeing the different plant species, appreciating the artistry and just soaking in the peacefulness can spark curiosity and deepen your connection to the natural world. It's a reminder that learning can be found everywhere and not just in a classroom. The Noerenberg Memorial Gardens are more than a garden but it's an experience. It's a must see for anyone looking for a peaceful escape. Proof that nature can heal and inspire and a reminder to slow down and appreciate what's around us.

Located right by lake Minnetonka, the Noerenberg Memorial Gardens is a intriguing memorial which…read moreI had the opportunity to partake in a walking tour offered by Three Rivers Park. Through walking through and visiting the eye-catching boathouse architecture and the historic barn which is part of the estate, I learned about the history of the memorial which was originally developed around 1890 by Frederick Noerenberg, a brewer who was one of the first entrepreneurs to establish a year-round home at Lake Minnetonka. Although the family house was torn down and the will was to just preserve the estate the overall feel of the property is still defined by the non existent house. A little disappointed that there are no actual garden with flowers, but the landscape is still stunning and calming that I would like to revisit on my own time.

Small but peaceful! First time visiting the Japanese garden and it didn't disappoint. Super well…read moremaintained and great walk space. Look forward to visiting again!

This is such a cute little place behind a community college located in Bloomington, Minnesota. We…read morevisited on a nice autumn day and it was perfect for a photo shoot. Once inside the garden, you feel like you're in a different country. They also have beautiful koi fishes in the pond that you can feed using the fish food you can purchase from the dispensers outside the gate. It's so unique! If you haven't gone, please do!

FAMILY FUN DAY at the The Bakken Museum!!! We had an unexpectedly great time. Each of us enjoyed a…read moredifferent aspect of this unique place: - My teen son loved the interactive, tech-inspired exhibits - I loved the beautiful Gothic/Tudor architecture and the history of the families that lived in the mansion throughout the years -Hubby loved the calming outdoor spaces and medicinal gardens - Our tween daughter loved her scavenger hunt for Lego people that were hidden throughout the museum From their website: The Bakken Museum inspires a passion for innovation by exploring the potential for science, technology, and the humanities to make the world a better place. Located on the West shore of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis, the museum features interactive exhibits for all ages and exceptional STEM education programs. Make movies in the Spark exhibit, meet the mother of science fiction in Mary & Her Monster, and test out some of Ben Franklin's favorite experiments in the Electricity Party Room.

A total gem - The Bakken Museum hits hard, not only from…read morethe buzz of learning something new but from how fresh everything feels. Never thought I'd skip this spot for years, even though it's near my usual bike trail. Not just another exhibit hall - it sparks real wonder, like flipping on a light in a dark room. You walk out seeing things differently, especially those hidden powers running behind everyday life. Finding it tucked where it is? Unexpected. Sure, I've passed by loads of times, pedaling right past without stopping. But now? No way am I sleeping on it again. Right when I walked in, it hit me - this place was different, almost magnetic. No question about it, the highlight had to be the West Wing Mansion. It's more than just walls and floors - it's like a snapshot from the past, carefully kept alive. As I moved through the graceful halls, packed with old tools and exhibits, history came alive. Best part? Learning stuff didn't feel forced - it flowed naturally with everything around. The museum isn't about flashy displays - it shows what makes each item tick, telling stories of wild breakthroughs or the clever people who made them happen. Then comes power - yeah, electric juice. Those sections on how electricity works? Totally mind-blowing. Sure, I liked science before, yet this place cranked up my curiosity big time. They break down tricky ideas using simple words, fun visuals, so you actually get it without zoning out. One moment I'm looking at basic ideas, next I'm stuck on complex setups - each exhibit pulled me in. Not just scanning signs, but actually sensing electricity through sound, touch, sight. Walked out knowing way more about how this invisible push shapes everything - from turning on lights to nerves firing in your arms. Totally didn't expect to run into something that matched a story from my English lesson. Keeping details quiet so you can discover it yourself, yet realizing then and there: stories, creativity, facts - they're all tangled up in real life. On top of that, it deepened how I saw things, making the experience stick in my mind like a real-life story. What stands out is how well everything's put together - clearly, care went into reaching different kinds of people. At The Bakken Museum, you get what good exhibit planning looks like in action. Things to touch and try, but nothing flashy or fake-feeling; facts served straight, never too much at once - it just works. Workers knew their stuff, genuinely excited, which lifted the whole vibe. Curious about how science shaped life? Head to The Bakken Museum - it'll grab your attention no matter who you are. It might just do it better than school, it sure did for me! This isn't just for nerds or kids; it's for anyone who likes surprises. You'll learn stuff without feeling like you're studying, laugh a bit, maybe jump when something zaps. Honestly, few places deliver this much fun with electricity - real and metaphorical. Skip waiting around like I did. Just go.