Okay. Let me just start off with: this is a nice venue for the music/sound system and views with…read moreplenty of space. Supposedly this was a sold out show but it didn't feel too cramped at all. Plenty of bathrooms without lines. They did only have one entrance so there was a huge line there but it seemed to move fast. They have strict security and search any bags. The problem was their bag policy SUCKS. It says the dimensions online but they are very strict on that. It's like the tiniest of wristlets ever. I think a man mad that rule but I guess it's for safety so no can sneak in any weapons. I also really hated their alcohol selection. AWFUL selections -mostly gross beers and only one kind of seltzer- Nutrl Orange. I had a sour stomach the next day. Their food is also outside of the entrance so you have to come out to eat it. Plenty of parking but the lines to leave the lot after the show took at least an hour.

For starters this is an amazing venue I have been here many many times for multitude of shows and…read moreI've never had a bad time or bad experience. With that said on Friday May 31st 2024 myself and a whole lot of other people as you can see were there to see the one and only Snoop Dogg! Unless you're living under a rock everyone knows who Snoop Dogg is which means that the employees and security also were aware. Which means they were also aware of the crowd that this would bring. It was a beautiful eclectic crowd there were literally toddlers that were being carried with pacifiers in their mouth all the way to people with canes and walkers there... It just shows what a diverse fan base that Snoop has. Again I've been to this venue many many times and have tickets for another major artist 2 months from now and I'm looking forward to it but the way that the amphitheater staff handled this could have been much better and they should have used some forethought because with an artist like Snoop it's going to be a packed house. Again people were waiting in a line of thousands... A sea of people from the front gates of the amphitheater all the way back around the entire campus of the casino almost out to the street well after 7:45. The line finally started to thin around 8:00 p.m. .... Might I add that if you call and listen to any of the announcements or look on the website or on your tickets every single show the gates open at 7:00 the show starts at 8:00. Well the show started on time and there were still at least 500+ people in line if not more. Apparently the staff realized this but not in time because I heard that they opened the gates at 6:30. They should have opened the gates between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. for that show. They had the staff they were prepared they knew what was happening but they allowed the situation to overwhelm them. The show was amazing except for the fact that for three tickets we paid almost $1,000 and once we finally got into the show not only did they not scan our tickets they didn't scan the people in front of us they didn't scan the people immediately behind us and we ran into people in the show that just wandered in because the way they opened the gates just to get people in... We went to our seats and couldn't get in them because there were people sitting on top of people in our seats and security or amphitheater staff was nowhere to be found. Basically we paid $1,000 to stand in the aisle for over an hour in the rain and get bumped and have drinks spilled on us..... For the record I'm no longer a 20 or 30 something I'm an original Gen X lol which means that as much as I love a good rowdy rootin-tootin good time.... I want to have the option to sit if I want to in between songs and not risk having someone's beverage poured down my shoulders. I would like to say for the record that I reached out to Vivid tickets where we purchased our tickets as well as reached out to hospitality staff at Grand Hinckley casino and hopefully between the two of them they will figure something and rectify The situation before the next big showol, because I know I'm not the only person that experienced this as after the concert I talked to several friends who were looking for me but they couldn't find me because I couldn't get to my seats there were also others who said they just took a chance and walked through the gates as they saw people walking through and not being scanned in which rubs a little salt in the wound because there were people who paid hundreds upwards of thousands of dollars to get into that show and because the staff was so overwhelmed at a certain point around 8:25 they stopped scanning tickets they stopped checking bags they literally just open the doors and it was a free-for-all So while I was halfway enjoying the show that my friends and I paid accumulative $1,000 for there were people who just happened upon the scene that got in for free to see an amazing world-class performance ‍‍ Hindsight is 20/20 and you can't change What happened I just hope that moving forward the amphitheater staff and management at Hinckley understand that when you invite certain artists that have such a vast eclectic fan base that you need to open on time or maybe even a full hour earlier to start letting people get in get their food get their drinks and get situated in their seats so that when the show starts they can stand or sit and enjoy the entirety of the show not be waiting a hundred plus yards outside of the venue and a line full of hundreds of people listening to the show on the sidewalk.

I wasn't sure what to expect when we stopped at the Hinckley Fire Museum, but it ended up being one…read moreof the most memorable parts of our trip. If it's your first time visiting Hinckley, this is one stop that's worth making. The museum tells the story of the Great Hinckley Fire of 1894 through artifacts, photos, and personal accounts that really bring the history to life. It's hard to imagine the devastation until you walk through the exhibits and learn what the community endured. One thing I couldn't help but notice is that the museum sits directly across the street from the town's fire station. There's something incredibly fitting about that. A place that preserves the memory of one of the deadliest wildfires in American history now looks out at the firefighters who protect Hinckley today. It's a quiet reminder of how much the town has overcome. Even if you're not someone who usually visits museums, I'd recommend adding this to your itinerary. It gives you a deeper appreciation for Hinckley beyond the restaurants and attractions and helps you understand the history that shaped the community you see today. Don't forget to pick up a few Minnesota favorites from the gift shop on the way out. I would suggest the maple syrup. Outside of the museum you'll find a relief house. This displays what a typical house was like for a family of four after the fires. It made me appreciate the home and space that I have.

This museum takes you on a history lesson about the town and the horrendous fire that destroyed it…read morein 1894. It has nothing to do with a fire house, if that is what you were thinking (I know I was). It is located in what use to be a train depot. You can still see train tracks in the back. They have pretty much maintained it to it's original glory, even though the first one was burned in the fire. It has a decent sized parking lot and also serves as a welcome center and gift shop for the town. I paid $5 for admission to the museum (which I did not mind a chalked it up as a donation to the preservation of this historical landmark). The museum is decent with a short movie that details what happened with the fire, artifacts from the fire, equipment from the time, information placards, art, equipment and displays from the time like a doctors office, the station's communications room, a relief house, a train caboose and depot agent's apartment. The relief house and caboose are located outside, right near the picnic shelter that has a couple of picnic tables under it. It is a nice place to take a break and enjoy some lunch. Keep in mind that they do not have a restaurant or snack bar on site though. It is a somewhat small museum. The tour is self guided and they give you a laminated sheet that explains each room. The museum is manned by volunteers who are some of the nicest people that you will meet and take a lot of pride in the place. In addition to the fire, the museum has exhibits that touch on its Native American roots right outside of the room the movie is played. This is a nice change of pace from your normal touristy stuff. You also get a decent self guided history tour. I spent about an hour here. I will admit that it gets sleepy at some portions of the tour. However, If you are in the area, I still recommend that you should check it out.

I get it you are a sports bar but I would have hoped there would be a few more options on the menu…read more Service was good at the bar went to watch a Wild game.

My daughter and I went to see a band here recently. We went early to get an appetizer and drink. We…read moresat down and waited 15-20 minutes for a waitress until I finally went to the bar and asked for menus and drinks. We waited another 10 minutes and then went to bar to order. The bartender, I think his name was Jace, was very helpful and kind. He came and got our dirty dishes also. Not once did a waitress come to our table. They looked at us a couple times but did not come over. It would have been nice to at least have them acknowledge us and maybe apologize. I haven't had that bad of service in a long time!!!! I did tip the bartender d he deserved it!!

We found this great bar and grille when our normal dining spot was closed. Wish we had discovered…read moreit sooner. The Other Side sported typical bar food, but we were pleasantly surprised by the fine hand that the cook had with what could have been mundane. Instead, our burgers were tasty, juicy and utterly delicious. Nice spot. Stop by when you are in the area and enjoy the great food and casual, friendly atmosphere.

Alpha & Omega Farm was such a fun experience and absolutely worth the 45-minute to hour drive from…read morethe Twin Cities! I chose it for my birthday celebration, and it ended up being the perfect setting. There's plenty of grass parking and lots of space to spread out with lawn chairs or picnic blankets. We grabbed a table in the open gazebo, which worked perfectly for our group. I'd recommend arriving early if you want a spot near the stage, where they have live music throughout the evening. The farm opens at 5 p.m., but you can arrive as early as 4:30 to order pizza. I HIGHLY recommend reserving your crust online. It's $10, but that goes toward your pizza purchase. They also have a limited number of walk-ups available each night. We tried the Guyro and Millie the Meatlover pizzas. The Guyro had seasoned lamb, cheese, cucumber, tomato, and tzatziki and was such a unique combination, but the Meatlover was my favorite! It had plenty of Canadian bacon, pepperoni, and sausage with a great meat-to-cheese ratio. We also got the cheese curds with marinara, and definitely get some dill ranch for dipping! My one miss was the $7.50 Blueberry Basil Lemonade. I didn't get much blueberry or basil flavor and thought it tasted more like a watered-down pink lemonade. My brother's rum and Coke, on the other hand, was pretty strong for the price. You can also bring your own beverages. There's plenty to do while you wait for your pizza. The farm has pigs, alpacas, donkeys, cows, goats, plus games like cornhole and basketball. Between the animals, games, live music, and open space, it's also VERY kid-friendly. One of my favorite parts was meeting the owner, Kim, who took some time to show us around. I loved hearing about her vision of creating a welcoming space centered around community. They even have accommodations on the property and can host private events. A few things to know before you go: Bring plates, napkins, utensils, containers for leftover pizza, and a trash bag because those aren't provided. The bathrooms are also porta-potties, so come prepared! Overall, this felt like a little summer getaway without traveling far from Minneapolis. Come early, reserve your pizza, bring your picnic supplies, and make an evening out of it. I'd absolutely come back!

Every corner of this place tells a story of love and dedication. Everyone mentions the welcoming…read moreowner and she really is outstanding. I went during a Father's Day Sunday with live music and I need to shout out to the partner who is making and selling the homemade cookies for $6. I can't stop thinking about those cookies - they are Glorious! The food here is farm fresh and my husband noticed the fresh tomato on the pizza immediately. Things to know upfront: - reserve/put a deposit down on your crust online ($10 plus tax) It is highly recommended. You pay for the full pizza once you order at the hut. They will ask for your name when you walk up. 1 crust typically feeds 2 people. - there is free farm parking - bring your own napkins, plates, and utensils (they do have a farm kit you can get if not for extra $) - this is a zero waste place so carry out your garbage recycling - no pets / children need to be supervised - you can rent one of their group seating spaces or find seating if any tables are open. We brought lawn chairs just incase as advised. We didn't need to use them on the mellow day we were in. -satellite restrooms onsite We loved visiting!! Thank you

I wasn't sure what to expect for the Twin Ports Taste Together. Unlimited beer tasting+banquet hall…read moreat a casino didn't seem like a recipe for success but it worked better than I expected it would. This may be because it is an older casino but Black Bear doesn't seem to have a sophisticated ventilation system, the smoke upon entering was overwhelming. Thankfully this didn't continue into the area where the festival was held. There were a wide range of beers and the Northern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Breweries were well represented. At other beer festivals I've been to people just pour out their drinks on the ground but thankfully people utilized the many Home Depot buckets designated for this purpose so the carpet wasn't a disgusting soppy mess by the end of the night. I'm not a beer drinker so my personal motivation for going was the inevitably awesome people watching and the Trampled by Turtles show at the end of the night. A few hours into the show I staked out a front row spot and sent my husband back into the beer portion of the festival to continue getting his tasting on. The show itself was incredible but the crowd was downright terrifying. I'm guessing it was the excitement of the hometown boys made good and four hours of unlimited beer but the crowd was out of control. The pressure from the massive push of bodies knocked the wind out of me several times and it was so crowded there was no way I could have escaped. Luckily I had the stage to brace myself against, I can't imagine how horrible it must have been for those in the middle of the crowd. I don't know if there's anything that could have been done to avoid this other than people remembering to be kind to those around them. That being said, it was a good time and we would likely go back next year if Trampled by Turtles plays again but other than that I would be unlikely to return.

Friendly small town theatre with classic cinema nostalgia. Lower costs, great location, and…read morecomfortable seating.

Movie started 20 minutes late and rather than start the movie we had to sit through 20 minutes of…read morecommercials and previews. My son with autism was so upset by the time we got to the movie nobody could enjoy it. Keep it classy GTI Cambridge!

I'm a sucker for the historical society sites and this is no exception. They have some great…read moredisplays in the building and the tour of the fort was informative. The staff was friendly and quite tolerant of curious children. We had the tour to ourselves when we went so had no issues hearing and asking questions. Afterwards we took some trails down by the river and back to the building. Their t-shirts were cute and cheap so we bought one for each member of the family.

The North West Company Fur Post is located west of Pine City proper off of Exit 169. It is an…read moreofficial museum of the Minnesota Historical Society. Apparently, a local farmer found remnants of a fur trading post on his land and contacted the Canadian branch of the North West Trading Company, to get the official plans; and from there, a complete replica of the fur trading post was built. In the interpretive center, the story was told from the perspectives of the Native peoples who hunted and skinned the pelts; the British traders who brought together goods from all throughout the world to trade for the fur they wanted, and the French-Canadian Voyageurs who were the brawn behind the whole apparatus. The story also doesn't shy away from the fact that several intermarraiges took place and how they were resolved for the wives and children when the overseers left their posts and married within the church. (Apparently intermarraige was frowned upon by the Hudson Bay company but allowed and even encouraged by the North West Company and the XY Company whch they acquired). From the museum, we were led out by a person reenacting the Native perspective. She showed us the various animal pelts caught at the post, and how the Native people travelled a 100-mile radius throughout the seasons to fish in summer, hunt and trap in fall, survive the winter, and obtain sugar bush in the spring. She then led us down the path to the fur trading post, explaining room by room, how the post was run, from the youngest 14-year old voyageurs to the junior accountants to the post managers. It was amazing how many moving parts there were in the fur trade, and how the business was run down to every little detail. There is a chance to walk down to the river, or go on a 1/2 mile nature walk. Events also take place at the post all year long -- there are even snowshoes hanging for winter events. It was a very interesting museum and a year-round event center. It is certainly worth the detour if you want something to do in the area.