Expedition Kristen

The Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener In partnership with Explore Minnesota, I was invited to Otter Tail County to celebrate the Governor’s Fishing Opener, which was my very first time at the opener. I have a friend with a lake house in Otter Tail County, but I’ve never been out to explore the area beyond his dock. About three hours from the Twin Cities, Otter Tail County is home to over 1,000 lakes, which is more than any other county in the United States. It includes the towns of Pelican Rapids, Fergus Falls, Battle Lake, Perham, and more. A great summer destination for fishing, state parks, lake activities, shopping, breweries, and…

Stillwater is a Historic and Charming Town Stillwater is a special place with an adorable, quaint town nestled along the St. Croix River. The downtown area has a huge selection of restaurants, bars, bakeries, and ice cream shops. The waterfront park is a beautiful spot to sit and relax or set up a picnic. There are also a lot of parks and places to hike, a trolley, and even a gondola! Support a Local Florist I stopped by Sarah’s Cottage Creations to meet the founder, Sarah, and walk with her around her gardens. While the property is not open to the public for tours, you can purchase seasonal bouquets with vibrant colors from…

A Weekend Getaway to Pine City My husband and I were looking for something fun to do for my birthday weekend, so it’s probably no surprise that I wanted a weekend getaway in a little cabin on a quiet lake in Pine City. Neither Nic nor I had ever been to Pine City before so we didn’t know what to expect. After spending two nights and three days exploring this lovely town, we can definitively say we had an awesome time, not only relaxing at a beautiful cabin but visiting a handful of small businesses around town. Pine City is a small town with a big personality. With many businesses…

See the Cities in a Unique Way The Twin Cities are known for having a ton of incredible breweries. What better way to explore than a self-guided brewery bike tour in Minneapolis? With roughly 150 breweries in Minnesota, it’s hard to narrow down the list and figure out where to begin. If you want to taste the beers first and see which ones you like, head to a Total Wine store. There are six locations around the Twin Cities, and they have an entire aisle of local Minnesota beers sold as individual cans. My husband and I like to grab a variety and create flights at home, that way we can…

Don’t Wait to Visit Grand Marais Like We Did I can’t believe I’ve lived in Minnesota since 2011, and my husband grew up here, and our very first trip to Grand Marais, Minnesota wasn’t until August 2020! Since then, we’ve already returned a few more times! Something about this special town just keeps pulling us back. Grand Marais is an adorable harbor town with a plethora of options for outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Grand Marais itself offers stunning views of Lake Superior and has many hikes to choose from. It also has easy access to the Boundary Water Canoe Area, state parks, and the Superior Hiking Trail.  If you…

Find the Best Murals in Minneapolis The Twin Cities have a lively art and music scene, and the painted murals scattered around the Cities are no exception. When I was searching for these murals, I was able to explore new neighborhoods and pockets of Minneapolis I hadn’t seen before. Here is a roundup of the 18 most Instagrammable murals in Minneapolis. Have fun exploring a different side of the Cities! 1. Minnesota Varnishes Color Wall 1101 S 3rd Minneapolis This super vibrant mural is across the street from US Bank Stadium, where the Vikings play. The mural is surrounded by a locked gate, but you can still get pretty close. I…

Plan Your Adventure Taylors Falls, Minnesota is an adorable, unique town with so much to do. Just one hour north of Minneapolis, you can hike a state park, visit a winery, walk through a sculpture park and so much more. In the 1840s, lumbermen arrived at Taylors Falls from Maine kicking off the country’s timber boom. And, in the 1850s, Swedes settled here, creating the largest concentration of Swedes in the world, outside of Sweden.  Get off the beaten path, and explore this unique river town. There is a lot to see and experience in Taylors Falls! 1. Hike the Interstate State Park The Interstate State Park is huge and…

Expert Advice from Those Who Know Best I’m so excited to celebrate National Walking Day on April 7 by partnering with local Minnesota travel writers who love walking, hiking and exploring as much as I do. Together, we’ve rounded up the best parks in Minnesota. From the must-see state parks to the hidden gems you maybe never heard of, these locals know the best spots to explore. Read on for the inside scoop on where to find parking, which trails have the best views, which places are kid-friendly, and more. How many have you been to? 1. Afton State Park Galavant Gal: I’m excited to share with you my adventures as…