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The 2022 Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour returns in August with four fun distances for that next bike adventure. All routes will travel out and back on the Mesabi Trail from the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm (MDC).
This year’s ride will be returning to one extensive tour on Saturday, August 20th, with four different routes out and back to eliminate the hassle & confusion riders felt from bike transportation requirements in past tours. All four tour routes (12, 32, 46, or 64 miles) will start and end at MDC, with two routes traveling east and the other two traveling west.
Partnering with the Minnesota Discovery Center, the center offers free admission to the museum for all riders and reduced fees for trolley rides & mini-golf. MDC is also home to the new Redhead mountain bike park.
On the Mesabi Trail Tour, the trail crosses one of the iron ore train tracks.
While you pedal (fully supported) along one of Minnesota’s premiere paved bicycle trails, you will encounter historic & scenic points of interest, food & music at rest stops, and a finish line celebration complete with a picnic lunch and more music!
Cost of riding the Mesabi Trail Tour in 2022
The cost of riding this year’s event (cost per weekend ride) is $45 for riders 17 years and older. The ride is still free for kids 16 and under, with a parent or guardian riding along.
The scenery is stunning along the Mesabi Trail.
Mesabi Trail Tour riders enjoy the scenery at O’Brian Reservoir.
Spring, Summer, or Fall, your riding experience on the Mesabi Trail is what great memories are made.
More information to plan your visit and lodging to the Mesabi Trail
The Mesabi Trail will reach 155 miles when complete, connecting Grand Rapids, MN, at the Mississippi River Trail to Ely, next to the Boundary Waters. For more information and lodging options, visit:
The trails here in Shoreview can be your playground for you and your bike – there’s nowhere you can’t go. This Twin Cities Gateway community here offers friendly road routes, trails, and sidewalks so you can take another bike journey wherever you wish. The city also offers some off-road paved trails to get closer to nature and all the beauty the community has to offer. You may even find some smaller paths worth exploring. It’s your adventure and it all starts as soon as you leave your hotel in the Twin Cities Gateway, and don’t forget Slice of Shoreview Days, July 22-24.
A perfect vacation headquarters, the Twin Cities Gateway is a cooperative of nine communities including Shoreview and just a few bike-friendly miles north of Minneapolis. Here you can enjoy:
Concerts in the Shoreview Commons
Shoreview’s Concerts in the Commons is the perfect way to get a pedal dancing rhythm for your #NextBikeAdventure.
This summer offers free entertainment outdoors at the Shoreview Community Center concerts. Each Wednesday, starting in June, the Center features an outside concert with a different band, each week starting at 7 pm. It’s free, so steer your bike over and get ready to tap your feet.
Rice Creek North Regional Trail
Get close to nature on all the paved trails winding through Shoreview.
With more than 50 miles of paved trail (see map) there’s plenty of riding for several visits. Although it is hard to see some trail markings, these trails offer many opportunities to take wildlife pictures and discover the area’s diverse landscape while catching scents of wildflowers. As you ride you will also see and hear plenty of birds of different kinds chirping away. Every once and a while the trail crosses over the creek and you may want to consider some fishing.
Other Activities
If you want to take a short bike ride over to nearby Spring Lake Park, you can also enjoy the Shoreview Sweetroll Skate Park. The SweetRoll is a tier-one skating facility on the north side of the Community Center. The park here includes a wedge, a spine, a fun box, a quarter pipe, grind rails, and a mini ramp.
Water park
If you’re looking for a fun way to cool off, you can bike over to the Shoreview Community Center for their tropical-themed water park in the Twin Cities Gateway. This three-story water slide-equipped park features a one-of-a-kind jukebox with over 100 songs ready to play along with a light show that sliders can enjoy as they twist and turn down to the bottom. At the main pool, you can also play volleyball and there is even an adults-only whirlpool and patio area.
Disk Golf
Disc golf opportunities are always a highlight in the many parks of the Twin Cities Gateway.
For those wanting a round of disc golf all you have to do is ride over to Hansen Park in New Brighton. With 12 holes, this disc golf course is complemented by stands mature trees amongst open spaces to skillfully connect with the baskets. It’s a great way to take a break from biking while still enjoying the amenities of Shoreview.
And don’t forget Slice of Shoreview Days
Consider biking to the Slice of Shoreview for a weekend of fun.
If you’re exploring the area in July, from the 22nd to the 24th, then you will be in time for the annual Slice of Shoreview Days. This celebration. is packed with fun for the whole family. There is live music, local arts, chalk drawing, a petting zoo, pony rides, a carnival, fireworks, and more.
Visiting Shoreview with your bike can be a memorable weekend you won’t soon forget.
It is incredible the things you don’t know about an area you have been pedaling around by bike for many years. Have you ever wondered why an old building or a street is designed the way it is? Maybe it’s not a top priority, and you have put off finding the answer. For me, that all changed when I had the opportunity to tag along on a special ride of the Hiawatha Bicycling Club.
The ride called the Magical History Tour was led and narrated by Joe Metzler, one of the club’s many ride leaders. An architect, Joe enjoys building landscape history and took us through neighborhoods in southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, and Edina.
Gather for the Magical History Tour in south Minneapolis.
A History Tour of south Minneapolis
With close to 20 riders, the history tour periodically made stops to share some of the unique facts about the buildings, streets, and structures along the way.
Joe, leading the group, heads north to the tour’s first stop.
Leaving the Lyndale Farmstead Park in south Minneapolis, MN, you will find ample street parking if you arrive by car. Our first stop was a few blocks away at a porcelain-steel prefabricated Historic White Castle. No. 8 building. From there, the history tour meandered a few blocks further north, straddling Lake Street to view a 1907 needle manufacturing site purchased by a greeting card company that renamed the building. Further along, the tour stopped at a fountain on the north end of Lake of the Isle. Originally built to honor fallen horses of World War I, it’s still a mainstay attraction to the parkway. After visiting a few homes, associated with Frank Lloyd Wright, Joe led us into St. Louis Park.
The first stop on tour was White Castle #8
On the history tours first, stop the group discovered several interesting facts about White Castle #8.
Located at 3252 Lyndale Avenue. in south Minneapolis, the Historic White Castle Bldg. No. 8 building was modeled after the Chicago Water Tower. Notice the octagonal buttresses, crenelated towers, and parapet walls in the picture above. The structure was designed to be dismantled and then reassembled when needed. However, after moving it the 3rd time to its current location, it was moved in one piece. See more on the history of this site here.
The Buzza Company building at 1006 W. Lake St, Minneapolis
Here Joe shares information on the many uses of the Buzza Building.
Located at 1006 W. Lake Street, this building was purchased and renamed after the second-largest greeting card company of the early 1920s. After the business folded around 1942, the building was then used by the War Department, followed by Honeywell, the veteran’s administration, and then by the Minnesota military district, dubbing it “Little Pentagon.” See more on the history of this site here.
Purcell-Cutts House, a prairie style masterpiece
After stopping at the Purcell-Cutts House, you will want to come back for one of the scheduled tours.
Located at 2328 Lake Place, the house is considered by many a Prairie Style masterpiece. The design of this 1913 resident was intended as a house for “modern American family life”. The home is now owned by the Minneapolis Institute of Art and is open for tours on the second weekend of each month. See more on the history of this home here.
Peavey Fountain on Kenwood Pkwy & W. Lake of the Isles Pkwy
The Peavey Fountain, a gift to Minneapolis for watering horses, is a gem to the Lake of the Isles Parkway.
Located at 2384 W. Lake of the Isles Pkwy(Grand Rounds National Byway), this was a gift to the city of Minneapolis in 1891 from Frank Peavey, a local grain broker. The fountain was to provide drinking water for horses. After World War I, the fountain was rededicated to honor horses from the 151st Field Artillery killed in action. See more on the history of this fountain here.
The Neils House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
A picturesque setting for a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home.
The Neils House is located at 2801 Burnham Boulevard and is one of only two homes in Minneapolis designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Built-in 1950-51, this home was the only house Wright designed that used marble wall cladding or “culls” leftover from other building projects. See more on the history of this home here.
Tour riders found a charming neighborhood round-a-bout before the next stop.
The history tour moves on to St. Louis Park
Pedaling to the southwest into St. Louis Park, the group of inquiring minds used the south spur of the Cedar Lakes Trail to stop at a park. Here they viewed the beehive barbeque and a tower in the background dubbed “Peavey’s Folly.” The next stop on the ride was to Mcdonald’s #93. This restaurant located in St. Louis Park was the second to open in Minnesota in 1958.
More info on the tour
In Lilac Park, the group viewed one of the remaining Beehive Grills here.
Lilac Park (originally part of Roadside Park) at SE corner of Hwy 7 & Hwy 100, St. Louis Park
The last of five parks along “Lilac Way” (now Hwy. 100), these parks were originally built in the late 30s by WPA artesian stonemasons. The fireplace here, along with another located in Graeser Park, are the only two remaining beehive fireplaces in the nation. Find out more here.
Riding out of Lilac Park back to the Cedar Lakes Trail.
Peavey-Huglin Experimental Concrete Grain Elevator east of Lilac Park of Trail
Due to skyrocketing insurance rates from the constant threat of wooden grain terminals catching on fire, Frank Peavey had the Peavey-Haglin Experimental Concrete Grain Elevator built-in 1899. The 122-foot structure was dubbed “Peavey’s Folly” by skeptics who expected it to crack and explode. Now a National Historic Landmark it is on the grounds of the Nordic Ware company, just east of Lilac Park. Find out more here.
McDonald’s #93 at 6320 W. Lake St, St. Louis Park
In 1958, this location was Minnesota’s second and the world’s 93rd McDonald’s ever built. At the Gala Grand Openina linehat stretched more than a city block long, waiting for hours to be served. You can find more info here.
Having fun on the Hiawatha Bike Club bike tour.
The history tour now rolls into Edina
Now pedaling along Minnehaha Creek, the group discovers how Edina got its name when stopping at a mill site that once operated here. Another interesting stop was the Grange Hall. Both the building and organization were established to improve life on the rural farm and a place to socialize. This practice was helpful for the women at the time who had little opportunity to interact with others outside of the farm. After visiting a few more historic buildings in Edina, the ride now turned back to the northeast, following the old Minneapolis Streetcar (right of way) that once stretched all the way to Lake Minnetonka.
More info and stops along the tour
The stopped here at the Grange House.
Grange Hall at 4918 Eden Ave, Edina
Even before Edina incorporated as a village the Grange Hall served the area with many historic events, including the final decision to name Edina. This is one of the few remaining Grange Hall structures standing in the State of Minnesota today. You can find more info here.
Cahill School at 4924 Eden Ave, in Frank Tupa Park, Edina
One of Edina’s oldest surviving buildings, built-in 1864, the Cahill School continued to serve children of all ages until the 1950s. It is one of the few remaining one-room schoolhouses in the State of Minnesota. Find more info here.
Stop at the park where the old Edina Mill remnants can be seen
Edina Mill at West 50th St and Browndale Ave, Edina
The Edina Mill was one of the first gristmills to be built on the Minnehaha Creek between 1855 and 1876. The mill and the tiny settlement around it were originally named Waterville Mills. After being sold in 1869, the new owner gave the mill and the city its present name. Edina was a nickname the new owner had for Edinburgh, Scotland, that appeared in a poem written by Scottish poet Robert Burns. Find more info here about the mill and how Edina progressed.
The Grimes House is the oldest house standing in Edina.
Grimes House at 4200 W 44th St, Edina
Built in 1869, it is the oldest house standing in Edina. Stopping by and viewing it from the str is a rare, well-preserved example of cottage architecture from the early settlement period. The Grimes who settled here also established a 16-acre ‘Lake Calhoun Nursery, which is the present-day neighborhood of Morningside. Find more info here.
The tour circles back into Minneapolis on the old streetcar route
If you look carefully, while out in front of the Grimes house, you can see traces of the old streetcar right-of-way that provided public transportation, back and forth, from Minneapolis, through Edina, and out to Lake Minnetonka.
Streetcar Right of Way through the Linden Hills Neighborhood, Minneapolis
You can still see remnants of the old streetcar right-of-way line through this neighborhood. The Linden Hills neighborhood was at the end of the line for commuters coming from the inner city of Minneapolis. Then in 1905, the line was extended out to Lake Minnetonka, making Linden Hills a transfer stop between the two rail lines. See more info here.
A brief stop in an area once covered by cottage homes.
Chadwick Cottages at 2617 W 40th St, Minneapolis
The two cottages here were originally built by Loren Chadwick in 1902 and combined in 1972 as a single dwelling. The individual cottages were typical of the size homes built in the early 1900s as a resort area. This is the reason the neighborhood was known as “Cottage City.” See more info here.
Stopping on this bridge, where the streetcar tracks run below modern-day trolley passes by.
Interlachen Bridge at William Berry Dr. over streetcar tracks, Minneapolis
The oldest reinforced concrete bridge in Minnesota covered by a stone veneer. The bridge was built using a system patented in 1894 by a Swiss engineer. Steps on the west side lead down to a streetcar stop known as the Cottage City stop.
Pond Cabin Site/Lyndale Hotel Site at 3450 Irving Ave S, Minneapolis
Overlooking the eastern shore of Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) the Pond brothers built a cabin when they came to Minnesota to convert Native Americans from the Dakota tribe to Christianity. Then on this same site in 1877, the Lake Calhoun Pavilion (later named the Lyndale Hotel) was built with the streetcar line passing by. In the ECCO neighborhood in Minneapolis, the original streetcar alignment crossed 36th St. on an overpass. It continued along the top of the bluff, passing the Lyndale Hotel and overlooking the lake on what is now a walking path. The resort was a popular stop offering guests a dancing hall, billiards, and a variety of recreational activities centered around the lake. Find more information here.
Even with cool temps in the mid-forties, everyone was smiling as they returned to the starting point.
This brought this Magical History Tour back to the park where the ride began. Joe says, he has a couple more Magic History Tours in mind that he plans on leading, through the club next year. If you would like to go on one of his rides, check the Hiawatha Bicycle Club ride calendar periodically.
When exploring Bloomington, the Mall of America (MOA) is just one of many travel treasures to visit. Along with MOA, venturing out on a bike can make it easy to see more south metro attractions. And, with designated bike routes and commuter paths along the area streets, it’s easy to spend several days seeing the sights here.
Bicycling to MOA from American Boulevard.
When visiting Bloomington, the MOA makes an excellent multi-modal gathering point to see all the treasures here. Starting at the Mall’s north parking lot and pedaling east, it is less than a mile and a half to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Center. Along the way, you can stop by the Northwest Airlines Museum to learn more about Minnesota’s aeronautical history.
If you like watching big planes land and take off, it is fun to take the northern bike route to the viewing station at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. To the west, less than five miles, saddle up the family for a day’s adventure at the Works Museum. Along the Minnesota River Valley, mountain bikers and hikers alike will find hours of fun to the south.
Add to the fun, exploring Bloomington by bike.
On the north side, one of many bike parking racks at the Mall of America.
A revolutionary place for shopping, entertainment, and attractions, John Emerson says it best, “I like using the MOA as a meeting point when biking around the south metro. It’s nice, and I can come a little early or stay after a bike ride, get some shopping in, or grab a bite to eat. Plus, getting to and from the Mall is easy with the bike-friendly sidewalks, access to light-rail, and ample bike parking.” We agree with John, and the Mall makes the perfect multi-modal commuting hub to explore Bloomington on two wheels.
When exploring Bloomington, the sidewalk/trail running parallel to American Boulevard works well as a bike commuter route along the 494 Freeway strip from the Mall of America’s north parking lot. Once at the Mall, you will find bike racks near most of the main entrances and lockers inside for changing clothes.
If you are coming in by Metro Transit (bus or light rail), use the lower ramp on the east side. There are plenty of bike racks next to the bus station to secure your bicycle. For more information, see MOA services and map.
Northwest Airlines History Center Museum
Riding east from the Mall, a tour rider can stop at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, where the NW Airline Museum is located.
One of the many displays at the Northwest Airline Museum.
Located one mile east of the Mall of America, the Northwest Airlines History Center Museum is worth checking out. Here you will find Minnesota’s hometown airline of the past. Visiting, you will see over 4,000 aviation artifacts from 1926 to 1998 to sift through. Plus, a gallery of photos hanging in the hotel hallways to enjoy as you make your way to the museum. It is easy to spend a couple of hours looking at the various collection here!
What you may discover at this home-town airline attraction
According to the Minnesota Historical Society’s review, you will find records on air routes, aircraft accidents, hijackings, and more. Also, see information and video on Northwest’s involvement in World War II. In the airlines, correspondents section discover communications with aircraft manufacturers and aviators like Amelia Earhart. There are also newspaper accounts of the 1989 takeover of NWA Inc. and the company’s brush with bankruptcy.
To find the museum in the Crowne Plaza Aire MSP Hotel at Two Appletree Square, take the elevator in the lobby to the 3rd Floor. As you make your way to the museum, enjoy the photos along the hallway. If the weather isn’t conducive to bicycling to the museum, consider using the light rail from the Mall of America. The Hotel is across the street from the 34th Avenue Blue-line station.
When Exploring Bloomington take in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Visitors Center are overlooking the river and wetlands below.
A short distance east of the airline museum and across from the Hilton Hotel is the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Visitors Center. Its grand stature overlooking the river valley below offers a castle-like presence. Inside it feels more significant than the average visitors center, and it is. It has everything, including information on the wildlife that calls the refuge home. In the theater and interactive exhibits, kids of all ages can learn about the wonders of the natural world. Several large murals are made out of tiny pictures of animals, and can also be found inside.
Step outdoors, right behind the center; you will find a stone observation deck with two telescopes. Here it’s easy to focus on flora and fauna across the river valley while relaxing in the center’s natural surroundings.
When exploring Bloomington, take a walk and get close to nature.
If you are up for a walk and want to get close to nature, take a hike on one of the well-managed trails in the refuge. Walk at your own pace and stop periodically to reflect on the serenity of nature. As you explore some of Minnesota’s environment, you will find sitting areas scattered along the path to pause and reflect.
Long Meadow Trail
At some point, if you walk far enough, you’ll connect to a dirt road known as the Long Meadow Trail. This multi-use trail takes you up the river valley to the old Cedar Bridge and beyond. Along the path, you will pass by fields that grow long grass; trees that now and then shelter you from the blazing sun; waterfowl floating in the wetlands; and a bridge that takes you over the Minnesota River. If you’re lucky enough, you might even pass by an artist seeking inspiration from what’s around them and putting it on canvas.
Maps and Q-sheet make it easy to find these attractions from the MOA
With free admission to get into these two attractions, commuting by bike can add to the fun and memories. First, look at the map on pages 40-41 of the 2022 Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then copy the turn-by-turn Q-sheet for your next bike adventure to the NWA Museum and Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Center.
Exploring Bloomington from the MOA to the MN Valley Wildlife Center 0.0 Cross the north MOA parking lot 0.2 Right on East American Boulevard (sidewalk trail or street) 1.1 Cross 34th Ave. NW Airlines Museum/Crown Plaza Hotel (SE corner) 1.3 Entrance to the MN Valley Wildlife Center (across from the Hilton Hotel)
The Works Museum can engineer fun for the whole family
Plenty of bike parking is available at the Works Museum.
A five-mile bike ride west of the Mall of America in Bloomington brings you and your kids to the Works Museum for some mind-expanding fun.
In the interactive Experience Gallery, your family can experiment with simple machines, structures, and shapes with sensors, imaging, and optical technologies. Your kids can touch, try and build as they explore how things work.
The Workshop in the museum is a new creative space for families. This space is perfect for the youngsters in your home. Especially for those who like to sew, build things, or create art — the ideal place for a bonding exercise with your child. The art department classes here will help you and your child produce a stop-motion animation video together. Another level allows you to create your own LED sign, and there are many more classes to select.
The Works Museum is located at 9740 Grand Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420.
Maps and Q-sheet make it easy to find the Works Museum from the MOA
Getting to the Works Museum by bicycle can add to the fun and memories when riding a bike there. First, look at the Bloomington bike map in the Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then copy the turn-by-turn Q-sheet for your next bike adventure to this museum.
Please note – the following route offers a combination of roads with parallel bike/walk paths and quiet neighborhood streets.
From the MOA north side entrance to the Works Museum!
0.0 Cross the north MOA parking lot 0.2 Right on East American Boulevard (sidewalk trail or street) 0.9 Left on 12th Avenue 1.2 Right on 82nd Street 1.4 West onto trail across Smith Park 1.6 Left (south) Park Street 2.1 Right on 86th Street 2.5 Left on 3rd Avenue 3.0 Right 90th Street (Bloomington Aquatic Center) 3.2 Left on Nicollet 3.6 Right on 93rd Street 3.7 Left on Blaisdell Avenue 3.9 Right on 95th Street 4.2 Left on Grand Avenue 4.5 Cross 97 ½ Street into the Works Museum
Watch the planes at the MSP Aircraft Viewing Station.
The MSP Observation Area for those wishing to watch the big planes land and take off.
Another fun opportunity to ride your bike from the Mall of America includes a visit to the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport Viewing Station.
From the MOA to the MSP Aircraft Viewing Station!
0.0 Cross the north MOA parking lot 0.2 Right on East American Boulevard (sidewalk trail or street) 0.9 Right on 12th Avenue 1.6 Right on Diagonal Boulevard 1.9 Left on Bloomington Avenue 2.4 Right on 86th Street 2.6 Left on Old Cedar Avenue 2.9 Right 66th Street across Cedar Avenue 3.0 Left (south) Longfellow Avenue 3.5 Left Cargo Road 4.0 MSP Aircraft Viewing Station
Check here for more fun activities, attractions, and hotels to bike to when staying or visiting Bloomington, MN.
Named for the turbulent Mississippi River waters at the confluence of Coon Creek, the city of Coon Rapids is a fun place to explore on a bicycle. One of the nine communities in the Twin Cities Gateway, it’s a perfect destination for a bike vacation using the Coon Rapids 10-mile bike loop. Here you will find many connections to hundreds of miles of trails. The Coon Creek Trail and the Mississippi River Trail are two greenway systems here that allow you to pedal safely throughout the area. So, if you enjoy biking along rivers and creeks, we have some ideas for you, starting with the Coon Rapids 10-mile loop.
The 10-mile bike loop is fun for all levels of riders.
The Coon Rapids 10-mile bike loop
Leaving from the outer parking lot of the Muddy Cow Restaurant or a nearby hotel, the route travels in a clockwise direction. Pulling out onto Springbrook Drive, this tour safely crosses Coon Rapids Boulevard. Once across, we suggest using the paved trail that runs parallel to the street due to heavy traffic. After crossing 85th Avenue, about two miles into the loop, consider stopping at the Springbrook Nature Center.
Many roads here offer trails that parallel for added comfort and fun.
Now pedaling along the south side of 85th Avenue, at East River Road, cross the street at the stoplight and use the sidewalk on the west side, up to 85th Lane. Here enjoy the quiet neighborhood streets that connect you to the Mississippi River Trail (MRT). At 86th Avenue, continue straight ahead on the MRT between two residences, and the real fun begins. Then, as the trail drops into the forested vegetation along the bank of the Mississippi River, it’s a whole new experience.
The visitors center here makes a great rest stop.
Following the trail along the river to the Coon Rapids Dam, you will pass several trail T’s in the park, offering more loop options. One loop in the park circles Cenaiko Lake where you will find many people fishing for trout.
The Coon Rapids Dam and Visitors Center
At the visitor’s center at the Coon Rapids Dam, you will find more information on the area and its history. The dam is another popular fishing location and a crossing point for cyclists riding the Three Rivers Trails throughout the Twin Cities Metro.
Riding across the Coon Rapids dam always offers a refreshing mist of cool air.
Turning north to Coon Creek
Riding up Egret Boulevard, you can ride in the bike lane or use the parallel pedestrian path.
Now at the Dam, the 10-mile Loop leaves the MRT and heads north out of the park on Egret Boulevard. You can ride the designated bike lane or use the pedestrian path paralleling the street on a bike-friendly road. Continuing north after crossing Coon Rapids Boulevard, at Robinson Drive, you will find the Coon Creek Trailhead. On the trail and after crossing the creek, the 10-mile loop takes a right at the trail T. If you want to add a few miles to your ride, here is another option. To your left, the trail will take you up through the Erlandson Nature Center and, further along, connects to Bunker Hills Regional Park.
The smells, sounds, and views of nature as you pedal
Now pedaling south alongside Coon Creek, enjoy the smells, sounds, and views of nature. This stretch of the trail is a tranquil wilderness setting as you pedal along the stream through the forested canopy. After crossing over a creek bridge one more time, pass under the railroad tracks for another option. Stop for a round of bumper boats, go-karts, or miniature golf at Lilli Putt before heading east and completing the 10-mile Loop.
Enjoy the smells, sounds, and views of nature along the trail.
The trail runs parallel along Coon Rapids Extension and Boulevard for the last few miles of the route. Back at the parking lot, or your hotel, check out nearby eating establishments and plan another bike adventure in the Twin Cities Gateway Area.
With spring here, we wanted to share another bike/birding hotspot we have enjoyed over the years. Check out several bike trails in the north suburbs of the Twin Cities Gateway this spring and summer. While ground-truthing the maps in the latest MN Bike/Hike Guide, we noticed many birding haunts in the community of Shoreview, MN. And a fun bike-friendly destination that you may want to add to your True North list of places to explore.
An area once inhabited by Dakota and Ojibwe tribes, today the Shoreview community has many parks along its lakes with bike trails. These parks provide both residents and visitors a place to enjoy bird watching. Areas you can spot an impressive list of songbirds, hawks, and waterfowl.
Looking for some new birding spots to explore? The Twin Cities Gateway has you covered, starting with a local apple orchard. From there, we have identified several additional birding hotspots worth checking out.
A Birding Hotspot – Victoria Valley Orchard
A birding hotspot to see hawks is at the Victoria Valley Orchard in Shoreview.
As warmer weather will soon be upon us, many bird nesting sites can be found in the Victoria Valley Orchard’s apple trees. This is a good place to spot many seasonal birds and hawks. Like many groves around the country, orchards are rich in nesting habitat as the birds forage nearby. Here are a few of the birds that have been observed here: the Baltimore Oriole, Blue-Winged Warbler, Chimney Swift, Osprey, Red-Shouldered Hawk, several species of sparrows, and the Scarlet Tanager.
Location: The Victoria Valley Orchard is located at 4304 North Victoria Street, in Shoreview, MN. You are welcome to wander the orchard throughout the year to spot the different birds that live or pass through here.
Commercially for apples, they are only open from early September through mid-November if you would like to buy some of the 19 varieties they grow there. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.victoriavalleyorchard.com/.
A Birding Hotspot – Snail Lake
A birding hotspot can be found along most of the paved bike trails that meander through the parks in Shoreview.
Another birding hotspot on our tour in Shoreview is the trail along Highway 96. This trail borders the north side of Snail Lake. One of two areas to observe the birding activity is at the grassy area just off the trail. With a few potholes and a line of trees partially blocking the view of the lake, you may spot several varieties of warblers. Plus, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the Red-Shouldered Hawks. A variety of other marsh birds that use this area can also be seen here.
Location: The trail location is on Highway 96 and across from the Shoreview Public Library. There is a public park at the south end of the lake for another viewing location.
Birding Hotspot – Sucker and Vadnais Lakes
Now heading further east along Highway 96, our next two birding hotspots takes us first to Sucker Lake. Then, across County Road F, the trail takes you into Vadnais Lake’s park area. Both these lakes and the park areas are a part of the Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park and are reservoirs for the St. Paul Regional Water Authority. These lakes are fairly deep, and the wetlands are composed of extensive tamarack and shrub swamps with large marshy areas. Here, the forest area is mainly mature pine plantations with some oak woods for nesting Pine Warblers and Red-Shouldered Hawks. A variety of marsh birds use the shoreline here. Along with the fall migratory waterfowl activity of both lakes, this area is also good for migratory warblers and Red-Breasted Nuthatches.
Location: Just south of Highway 96, take the Rice St. exit from I-694 and go north. The north access and parking are east of Rice St. on Sucker Lake Road. The south entrance is east from Rice St. on County Road F, then north on Sucker Lake Road.
Another birding hotspot is in Grass Lake, where paved bike paths pass through some of the open meadows.
Birding Hotspot – Grass Lake
Another birding hotspot in Shoreview is Grass Lake, which is also a part of the Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park system. The main vegetation here is the deepwater cattail marsh with floating mats, on both the east and west shorelines of the lake, patches of oak can be found. There is a mixture of swamp shrubs and grasslands that are prevalent on the north side of the park. Here at Grass Lake is where Marsh Wrens, Osprey, and Red-Shouldered Hawks commonly nest. Common Loons are often seen in the spring and summer, and many sparrow species stopover here during their return migration.
Location: Grass Lake is reached by turf and paved trails from the parking area off of Gramsie Road. The parking lot can be reached by taking the Victoria St. exit from I-694 and going north to Gramsie Rd., then east to the MacKubin Rd. Intersection. The entrance is on your right.
For more information on these birding hotspots and others, contact Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department at (651) 748-2500 or www.co.ramsey.mn.us/parks for more information.
A 12.5-mile Bike Loop to Shoreview’s Birding Hotspots
For those interested in riding their bicycle to the above parks described, we have identified an easy path to take to have optimal bird-watching capabilities. Please download both the Shoreview Bike Map and the 12.5-mile Turn-by-Turn Routeto begin your bird-watching journey by bike to see some of Shoreview’s birding hotspots.
As tourism opportunities open up again, I wanted to revisit Hutchinson, MN, and their map on pages 46-47 in the MN Bike Guide. A bike-friendly community with a hometown feel and small-town charm, Hutchinson is worth checking out. A short drive west of the Twin Cities, it’s one of those areas where it’s easy to lose track of time as you enjoy all the fresh air. Arriving in town, you have several biking options around lakes and parks nearby for added recreational pleasure. Enjoy pedaling around rather than driving your car here; you will have no trouble creating some new memories while riding your bike in Hutch.
Riding the Luce Line Trail through Hutchinson on the Jaycee’s Water Carnival, June 8th.
Aside from mountain biking, trail riding, and touring, the countryside offers more opportunities than you can cover in one day. Besides, you can immerse yourself in the local arts created by those who inspire the natural beauty around them. Spend some time learning about the town’s history. Or, if you are looking for a unique place to eat or a gift to take home, there are plenty of opportunities waiting for you to discover.
Minnesota’s hometown feel is in bike-friendly Hutchinson
Located a little over an hour from the Twin Cities, the community here is also known as ‘Minnesota’s Hometown.’ It’s a great place to escape the often road-rage inducing atmosphere of the big city. Here you can ride the Luce Line State Trail to clear your mind and let the calm country scenery work its magic.
Nothing is better than McCormick’s Family Restaurant in Hutchinson to start your day and plan your ride. Voted the number one place for Eggs Benedict in Minnesota, their pancakes and waffles are good too.
When it comes time to take a break from pedaling, there is no shortage of attractions to keep your adventure moving forward. Hutchinson has its share of one-of-a-kind eateries, and if you’re looking for some more action outside, you can try your hand at some paintball.
Riding opportunities in and around Hutchinson
It’s easy to get out to Stahls Lake Park from Hutchinson.
Like many small towns in Minnesota, pedaling around isn’t difficult. Here in Hutchinson, there is one big trail system that takes you beyond the town limits. In fact, you can ride the trail all the way to the Twin Cities. And, if you’re up for the challenges, you will find a few mountain biking opportunities.
The Luce Line State Trail
The Luce Line State Trail stretches 63 miles (from Plymouth to Cosmos) and is a popular attraction for bikers, hikers, snowmobilers, and equestrian enthusiasts. The paved trail includes about 21 miles from the west Carver County line, through Hutchinson, to the west McLeod County line. To learn more about the Luce Line, go to www.luceline.com.
Mountain Biking
Tartan Park is located in Hutchinson and is a perfect skill park for beginners to advanced mountain bikers.
Those wishing for more than paved, level trails are in luck. Thanks to the Hutchinson Area Mountain Bike Association, there are two tracks within reach: Tartan Terrain Park and Stahls Lake Park. Tartan Park is located within the town limits and is a skills park that caters to beginners and advanced. If you want to venture outside the town limits to Stahl’s Lake Park, there’s a nice single-track that caters to all experience levels. Two double track loops range from .5 miles to 1 mile long. One single-track loop is over 2 miles.
Road Biking Opportunities
Like many of Minnesota’s smaller communities, navigating the area on your bike couldn’t be easier. The roads allow you to see all the area’s beautiful scenery, perfect for your next Instagram post. You can use the roads to explore the area’s parks, shops and more. Plus, you will find plenty of city trails that help you around as well.
Come, enjoy the bike-friendly fun in Minnesota’s ‘hometown feel’ of fun.
For more information on playing or staying in a community with Minnesota’s hometown feel. Check out our HaveFunBiking, At-a-Glance Hutchinson article for your next bike adventure. For places to stay and campgrounds, see Explore Hutchinson.
Are you looking for a fun spring outing with endless bird-bike sighting opportunities for the family or a getaway for yourself? Consider planning a trip to the Willmar Lakes Area. Head west out of the Twin Cities, and before you know it, you will be greeted by small-town charm and a sprawling countryside full of birding opportunities. It may seem like just another rural prairie community to the naked eye, but head out on your bike with the binoculars, and the area offers many birding haunts. Along this central migrating flyway, you can spot many species from the Minnesota Prairie Bird List that nest in the area.
As the trees begin to bud and marshes come alive along the trails and roads in Kandiyohi County, birders and cyclists will find a special place to visit.
A perfect spring bike-bird location in western Minnesota
The Willmar Lakes Area is the ideal bike getaway to visit any time of the year.
Species to check off your list when bike-bird opportunities arise in the Willmar Area
Besides the Red Crossbill sighted around the MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar, many parks here along the trail are also worth checking out. Some of the great birding haunts in the area include; Sibley State Park, Mason Lake State Park, the Prairiewood Environmental Learning Center, and a couple of Big Kandiyohi Lake County Parks, easily accessible from the Glacial Lake State Trail. When visiting here are some of the other birds you may see to check off your list: the Short-eared Owl; Townsend’s Solitaire; Long-eared Owl; Black-throated Green Warbler; Connecticut Warbler; Snowy Egret; Common Gallinule; Blue Grosbeak; Eastern Screech-Owl; White-winged Crossbill and a Long-tailed Duck.
Getting around on your bike in Willmar is more than encouraging. Awarded the Bike Friendly Bronze status by the League of American Cyclists, the community has redesigned its streets and inner-city trails to make it easy to pedal around and explore the area’s attractions and parks.
Getting around Willmar with your bike and binoculars
While biking, this is also an excellent area for bird enthusiasts. Sibley State Park is one of the most popular areas, so bring your binoculars and camera. Around the park, you will have a chance to see many of the 206 different species of birds that nest or migrate through the area. And with the Glacial Trail, it’s easy to get out to the park, by bike, from your hotel room in the Willmar Lakes Area.
About the Glacial Lakes State Trail
Built on a former Burlington Northern railroad line, the trail is generally level and wheelchair accessible. The path is paved for 22 miles between Willmar, Spicer, New London, Hawick, and the Kandiyohi/Stearns County line. This multi-use bike corridor offers many opportunities to look at wildflowers and wildlife along the way—a perfect route to get out to Sibley State Park and Mount Tom.
Bring the binoculars along for some bird sittings along the trail!
Sibley State Park and Mount Tom
Once you get to the state park, hike up Mount Tom. It’s worth the walk and will give you a birds-eye view of the area. At the summit, on a clear day, enjoy an eyeshot of forest, farmland, prairie knolls, and lakes in a patchwork setting. Along with prime birding activities in the park, they offer several interpretive programs throughout the year.
You will find nearly two miles of paved trails that link Lakeview Campground and the Interpretive Center in the park. Another favorite haunt with a slight elevation change is the Pond View Trail loop, which offers more birding opportunities.
Other parks and trails
Enjoy the miles of scenic paved trails in the prairie lands of the Willmar Lakes Area.
There are also plenty of bike-friendly Kandiyohi County roads, paved and gravel, to help you navigate the area to reach other marshy areas popular with several bird species here.
More about the bike-friendly Willmar Lakes Area
When you are not riding, the area also offers plenty of indoor attractions when you want to relax. Along with several museums covering different parts of Minnesota’s history, after your ride, enjoy a refreshing beverage or snack as you take a break from the outdoor activities in this scenic prairie lakes area.
With spring around the corner, for those that love disc golf or are eager to learn, you will find your next fun-filled game at one of the many courses in the Twin Cities Gateway. All are easy to access from the bike-friendly roads and trails in the area. Throughout the nine cities of the Gateway, there are many different options to find a disc golf course for you to enjoy. So, grab your disk bag and bike over to one of these electrifying courses for a fun round or two.
Disc Golf Fun at Lochness Park
Here in Lochness Park, the course will test your skill level on the east side of Blaine, MN.
Lochness Park, on the east side of Blaine, MN (map location), is praised as the longest nine-hole course in the region and meets the challenge for all that play it. Trees surround several holes here to give it a countryside feel. The course provides three different tee-offs for professional, intermediate, and beginning-level players. So, whether you are a serious player or play just for leisure, this park is perfect for you.
Silver View disc golf course here in Mounds View (map location) is in excellent condition and runs parallel along the Mississippi River Trail (MRT). Another popular place to play in the Twin Cities Gateway. The course provides a variety of holes that range from wide open to hilly, with a couple tucked into the woods with walking paths that lead to them. Next time you’re out biking along the MRT, add some disc golf into your adventure.
Ham Lake Disc Golf Course
When up in the Ham Lake Area, the disc golf park is the perfect stop for you. As one of the very few 18 hole courses in the area, the layout creates a fun and exciting flow. The distances of the holes vary, keeping you on your toes to ensure every throw is a strategic one. It has to be if you want to keep your count down. And, with the Tee Pads here, it is easy to follow, and you can focus more on your game.
With nine communities and the National Sports Center to explore in the Twin Cities Gateway Area, you will find many fun events and family activities here while visiting. From the Gateway’s southwest border where the Mississippi River flows by, the communities offer many connecting trails to spacious parks. Many along picturesque streams with lakeside outdoor fun, you will find many options for fond memories to cherish. Here are six fun experiences – ones you never want to forget.
1: Spotting Your Feathered Friends in the Twin Cities Gateway
A birding hotspot can be found along most paved bike trails that meander through the Gateway parks.
Grab your best pair of binoculars and head out on your bike – or take your car – to see the many birds in the Twin Cities Gateway Area. While robins and finches are pretty fine, we’re talking about catching sight of Blue Herons, hawk, and eagles here. Scout the area, and maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of those great raptors and more!
2: Throwing in a Line and Enjoying the Twin Cities Gateway
By bike or car Twin Cities, trout Fishing at Cenaiko Lake is worth checking out.
Explore the great area lakes where you can get away from the hustle and bustle and fish in a tranquil atmosphere, perfect for the whole family. Even if fishing in the Twin Cities Gateway isn’t your thing, the beautiful landscape makes a gorgeous backdrop for picnics and outdoor events.
3: Disc Golf – Challenge Yourself and Give it Your Best Throw
Looking for disc golf fun? Here in the Twin Cities Gateway Area, find several scenic and challenging disc parks, all easy to access from the bike-friendly roads and trails here.
Get out there with your best buds or your family to try your hand at the many Twin Cities Gateway disc golf courses in the area. Some of the courses will definitely give you a challenge that even the experienced player will have a run for his money. Whether you’ve done it before or not, try it out – it’s fun no matter what age you are!
4: Bike the Mississippi River Trail then return on the train
Riders on the Train & Trail Tour arrive in Big Lake, MN, for their journey back to the Twin City Gateway.
A Multi-Modal Adventure, a great experience that can fit your needs can be difficult. But, here with the areas Train and Trail Tour you can easily find a mix of trails and adjustable bike routes, it’s easy and just plain fun, with all the Gateways bike maps available! Plus, let’s not forget the scenic route you’ll take while on the Mississippi River Trail. A fun experience anytime, it’s especially breathtaking in the fall when the autumn colors take hold.
5: Explore the Farmer’s Market – Discover Local Produce and Goods
Have room in your bike bag to stop at one of the many farmers’ markets in the Twin Cities Gateway.
Peruse what the local farms and businesses have to offer, and you may stumble upon fun surprises and foods that you might not have known existed. You thought that yellow watermelon was photoshopped? Or root beer honey was a joke? Think again! You never know what you might find there in the Twin Cities Gateway farmers markets scheduled throughout the week.
A fairytale come true at any age, with superb entrees and desserts, in the Twin Cities Gateway.
