Locally owned Louisville Lanes offers 24 lanes of bowling on recently renovated, high-tech lanes. The Lanes also added all-new bowling balls for a consistent, high quality bowling experience. The lanes are available to rent for kid's birthday parties, company parties and other special occasions.
Men's, women's, mixed, youth and senior bowling leagues are offered year-round. Louisville lanes also offers Glow in the Dark Xtreme bowling and bumper bowling for kids 10 and under. Louie's Bar & Grill has beer, wine, drinks and a full lunch and dinner menu.
Simply Jane Studio, which recently moved to this location, is an open art studio started by local resident Jane Elias. The studio is kid-friendly, has Wi-Fi and for a small fee anyone can use the space and its high-quality art supplies. The studio can be rented for events and there are a variety of classes and camps throughout the year.
Valley Tours of Stillwater, located in Stillwater's historic courthouse, offers a wide array of activities. This company offers historic tours of Stillwater and other river towns. These tours include visits to historic mansions and other such buildings. In addition to the core tour business, the company offers a wide array of other activities outlined on its website.
Orchestra Hall is home to the internationally renowned Minnesota Orchestra. The hall's unique acoustic features, designed by Cyril M. Harris, provide a perfect venue for any kind of musical performance. Besides the Minnesota Orchestra, Orchestra Hall hosts a wide variety of other guests each year, including classical, jazz, and pop music performers as well as comedians and speakers. A recent renovation has greatly improved the hall's public spaces.
Parking and public transportation to Orchestra Hall
There is metered parking on the adjacent streets and a pay parking ramp attached to the hall. Metro Transit has several bus lines that stop nearby.
Best and worst time to go to Orchestra Hall
Friday nights when the Minnesota Orchestra is in season can be very busy at Orchestra Hall, and extra time should be allowed for getting there and finding a place to park. Weeknight performances are likely to be less crowded and more easily accessible. During the summer, the orchestra hosts Sommerfest, which is a hugely popular four-week fest that draws even larger crowds.
Admission to Orchestra Hall
Pricing for performances varies anywhere from $10 and up.
Must see/do at Orchestra Hall
The excellent acoustics in the performance hall are also visually stunning. There are more than 100 large cubs that create a falling rock pattern that's striking to see. Outside of Orchestra Hall is Peavey Plaza, a public gathering area that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Other places to visit near Orchestra Hall
There are several excellent restaurants near Orchestra Hall. Vincent is right across the street, offering contemporary French food (and one of the city's best burgers); near Vincent is Brit's Pub, a casual British eatery with the bonus of having a rooftop bowling green; Manny's Steakhouse is within three blocks, as is the tiny but excellent La Belle Crepe. Orchestra Hall's location on Nicollet Mall provided a great opportunity to explore the main part of downtown by taking a stroll on Nicollet in either direction; one way takes you to the iconic IDS Center, and the other takes you to Loring Park.
Insider tip for visitors to Orchestra Hall
Minnesota has a somewhat casual approach to dressing for orchestra events. At any given performance, you might see people dressed in anything from black tie to jeans. While some people frown at the casual approach, others point out that they're more likely to enjoy an orchestra performance if they're dressed comfortably. So dress as casually as you wish (or dare).
Author's bio: Amy C. Rea is the author of Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes: an Explorer's Guide, and Backroads & Byways of Minnesota. Her third book, Camping Minnesota, will be published in 2016.
Art Resources Gallery is one of many Twin Cities stores with unique textiles, glass, sculptures, paintings and more. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable and its main-floor location is easily accessible.
Associated with the Joseph Wolf Brewing Company, Biercycle Adventures offers unique interactive tours of the local area on multi-person pedal bikes. The bikes can accommodate groups of up 13 people (10 peddlers, 3 non-peddlers) and are available for public and private tours. The bikes feature a table and beer is available from the brewing company to those of age. Tours depart from Water Street near the walkway and restrooms.
Northfield Arts Guild host classes, productions and exhibits through nonprofit, community-based art organizations.
In historic downtown Northfield, the arts guild offers a creative venue for visual artists, directors and technicians, actors, dancers and choreographers, writers and musicians that have produced their own work, to exhibit and sell it.
Plays, concerts, readings, dance classes and photo collections are also offered.
Zinnia Folk Arts is a Mexican folk art import shop. It sells all handmade items including jewelry, masks, textiles, religious items, items for Day of the Dead and items featuring Frida Kahlo.
