First I should say CALL for hours. They are open only on some Saturdays…read more Then If you have a toddler this little museum is worth a stop when you are in NE Minneapolis! Yes it is small. You could see most of it if you don't read all the signs in under an hour. But the little one's will want to stay longer. When it comes to that there is a good mix of things to interact with and things that can't be touched. One truck even had the lights and other switches powered for the kids to play with. They also have a fireman's pole for kids to slide down. My little guy was also pleased to wear a fireman's suit and hat the whole time we were there. I

What an interesting place to peruse. We did an Urban Sketchers event here. There were so many…read morethings to look at. Of course, they have fire engines, but I was more intrigued by things like fire axes, coats, tools, the switchboard, and helmets, all those little things that assist firefighters in putting out fires. They have their own parking lot but on-street parking was easy as well. Staff was friendly and gave us a mini tour. Apparently, it's a popular spot for kids birthday parties and there were several in the time we were there. Admission was $7 and it was well worth it. They had some very heart wrenching pics of the 35W bridge collapse. Such an important role the firefighters played in this disaster. If you are looking for something different to do, this is a great option.

What a beautiful museum!! The volunteers they had were so…read morelovely, especially the 90 year-old lady named Edna Irma!! So fun at Christmas time!!

First of all there are a lot of people (staff and volunteers) to walk with you and engage with you…read moreto talk about the history of the building, architecture, history of the family, where some of these furniture acquired and more. It is breathtaking woodwork and plaster work. According to staff they are all hand carved and painted. They also have a small gift shop and a cafeteria to enjoy. You can walk through quickly if you want to see something that is intriguing or you can spend hours admiring the woodwork, stonework, masonry as well as the furniture...

This is such a fun activity to do as part of an outing to Lake Harriet, especially with kids! While…read moreit's only a 15 minute activity, it's a TON of fun, and both of our kids loved every minute. It was also really neat to learn more about the streetcar lines from the volunteers, and to see a little bit of the area that's hard to visit on bike or foot. The price is super reasonable at $3 per person (babies are free). While I would not make a special trip here just to ride the street car, it's an awesome additional activity to eating at Bread and Pickle, walking around the lake or kayaking/boating on it, or playing in the playground!

Disclaimer: I am an (unpaid) volunteer streetcar operator (i.e. driver) for the Minnesota…read moreStreetcar Museum. The actual Museum is in Excelsior, but there are two locations that have a streetcar you can ride. If you would like to be transported back in time, I recommend a ride on a streetcar at either Lake Harriet (the "Harriet-Como Line") or in Excelsior. I can speak to the streetcar experience at the location at Lake Harriet, since that's where I volunteer. The ride starts and stops near the lakeside pavilion, at 42nd Street and Queen Avenue South. There is train depot from which you can buy tokens (currently $2.50 for a round trip -- kids under four are free), souvenirs, and some candy. You can use a credit card to pay, but cash is not accepted. There are currently two Streetcars in operation. One was built in 1908 and was used until the Streetcars were discontinued in 1954 in favor of buses. The more "modern" streetcar was built in 1947. The Excelsior location has other models. The best part about driving a streetcar is to see the smiles on the faces of the children. Parents and grandparents delight in sharing this experience with younger people and also enjoy a cool breeze on a hot Minnesota day. This ride is something that routinely surpasses the expectations of riders. Round trip tokens can be purchased at the Depot (called the Linden Hills Station), and they are the original tokens used when the streetcars ran. Drop your token into the faire collector box by the driver and pick a seat. The trolly goes to Lake Bde Maka Ska and back. Feel free to depart at Bde Maka Ska and return later (no extra charge). You will then continue back past the Depot and stop at the "Car Barn" where the streetcars are parked at night). It will then return to the Depot for the end of the ride. A ride is approximately 20 minutes long.

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.

Great historic building repurposed as art studios. Very reasonable, heating included in monthly…read morerent. Wonderful creative spaces for artists of all stripes.

"There are no strangers here, only friends we haven't met yet" -William Butler Yeats…read moreCeltic culture on tap here! Music, Irish dancing, history! I love great music and this is an awesome venue! Eileen Ivers (musician extraordinaire) performed here and it was superb! The tickets were a mere $25 presale and $30 at the door-for a performance that was worth 20 times more! So come to a performance here sometime!

We go here often for Irish music, often put on by local artists. This last time we were there for…read moreEileen Ivers from NYC. It was a great show and it was fun to talk with Eileen after the show. Looking forward to seeing more shows here.

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!

A hidden gem near stone arch! They have a large parking lot with free parking which is amazing…read moresince everything else over here is usually only paid parking. There's lots of open seating all throughout the building with comfortable chairs. Music plays lightly in the background so it's still great to come and get some work done here. They also have a FRGMNT coffee shop which is great for a little pick me up.

I just wanted to take a moment to share my experience hosting an event at Open Book--specifically…read morefrom a catering and event-planning perspective--and I have to say, they exceeded all expectations. From the start, Wini, the event coordinator, was absolutely phenomenal. Her communication, flexibility, and attention to detail made the entire planning process seamless. The space itself is beautiful, well-equipped, and incredibly accommodating, making logistics a breeze. We hosted a business event for 40-50 people in the Performance Hall and catered through FRGMNT Coffee downstairs. Everything ran smoothly, and we received nothing but compliments on both the venue and the service. I highly recommend Open Book for nonprofits, small businesses, or anyone looking for a versatile, well-managed event space. Supporting local businesses while hosting a fantastic event? A win-win! We'll 100% be back in the future.