Friday, April 22, 2016

Start Your Spring off Right

Add heading.jpg
Start your spring on the right foot by getting active now. St. Cloud has much to offer in the way of entertainment and activity. Check out our ideas for enjoying spring in St. Cloud, and get out and enjoy the fleeting, but satisfying warm weather and sunshine this spring.

Start the adventure at home. Spring cleaning is a great way to transition into the spring and summer seasons. Clean, organize, and refresh your home, and get rid of excess clutter by selling gently-used goods to Clothes Mentor, Threads, Plato’s Closet, Once Upon a Child, Books Revisited, and LGS Electronics, or donate items you no longer need to Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, ReStore, Treasure Chest, Goodwill,  or Catholic Charities.

Explore the Greater St. Cloud area. Pull your bike down from the rafters and dust it off! Central Minnesota is full of bike trails perfect for any active family. Explore the Beaver Island Trail along the Mississippi River. For a short trip, visit Plum Creek, a trail built and maintained by the Mid-Minnesota Cycling Club. Explore the sights with the extensive Lake Wobegon Trail in St. Joseph. This trail will lead you through many small and charming towns with a number of retail shops and Mom-and-Pop snack spots. If you are looking for a more intense workout, the Lake Wobegon Trail is excellent for rollerblades, as well.

Canoe the Sauk River. Reconnect with the warmer side of nature and canoe the 18-mile stretch of the Sauk River. Travel past the area’s landscape past farmland, green pastures, and wooded riverbeds. With an easy current, this stretch of river is excellent for beginners and canoers wishing for a relaxing morning or afternoon.

Check out the Food and Beer Scene in St. Cloud. Central Minnesota has many diverse options for meals and drinks. Visit The White Horse, Star of India, Mexican Village, The Pickled Loon, or St. Cloud’s beloved Val’s for a tasty meal. The craft beer scene has hit central Minnesota in a big way. Visit Cold Spring’s successful Third Street Brewhouse, Lupine Brewing at the site of the old O’Hara’s Brewpub and Restaurant, or St. Cloud’s new Beaver Island Brewing Co. In fact, Beaver Island Brewing is partnering with Pioneer Place to bring St. Cloud its first Mai Bock Festival, an event in which people can enjoy German food, games, beer, and live music.

Engage in Culture. Get out of the indoor rut of winter and revitalize your mind by engaging in art and culture in St. Cloud. Visit the Stearns History Museum, Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Museum, or the historic homes of downtown St. Cloud for a glimpse into the past. Enjoy the St. Cloud Symphony’s upcoming show, “The Next 40 Years,” for a taste of Mozart and Brahms. Check out special Spring exhibits and events like the Minnesota Art Educations: Local Experience, Global Connections at Paramount Theater & Visual Arts, author visits and spotlights at the Great River Regional Library, and JD Jorgenson: Time and Place at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University Fine Arts Series.