TRACY SEES STUFF 👀

Tag: explore minnesota

  • Holiday Events in Chisago Lakes, Minnesota

    Holiday Events in Chisago Lakes, Minnesota

    Holiday Events in Lindstrom, Minnesota, and surrounding communities

    The holiday events start the first weekend of November!

    You will find an abundance of holiday spirit in Chisago Lakes, Minnesota. There is so much holiday magic, I believe Santa has a special place in his heart for these Minnesota communities. In fact, you will see Santa at most of the Chisago Lakes holiday events arriving in epic fashion! Chisago Lakes is a 40 minute drive from the Twin Cities and encompasses Chisago City, Lindstrom, Center City, Shafer, Taylors Falls & Almelund. 

    Horses pulling a sleigh at Christmas event in Chisago City, Minnesota

    Where to See Santa This Holiday Season

    The Chisago Lakes area is known for celebrations year-round, but over the holidays, it is extra magical.

    The holiday season events are what you imagine or remember when you think of wholesome fun, connection, and community. You will feel wonderment and joy watching Santa ride in on his sleigh, singing Christmas carols, taking horse-drawn sleigh rides, counting down and anticipating a town tree-lighting, shopping for the perfect homemade gifts, experiencing Swedish traditions, drinking hot chocolate, and seeing historic houses lit up in spectacular lights.  

    Calendar of Holiday Events in Chisago Lakes

    Check out these festive annual events in November and December!

    Chisago Lakes PTO Annual Craft Fair

    Kick off the holiday season at the huge Chisago Lakes PTO Annual Craft Fair at the Wildcat Community Center! 150+ booths with vendors and local crafters, plus food trucks and fresh baked goods. Free admission, easy parking, and building access. This event has been taking place for over 30 years! 

    Annual Cheese and Chocolate Weekend at Winehaven Winery

    Experience unique wines paired with amazing chocolates and rare cheeses the winery has specially selected for this special weekend. Winehaven Winery and Vineyard is a family-owned and operated winery located in Chisago City, Minnesota, and has been in operation since 1995. Its vineyard consists of 15 acres of various winter-hardy grapes. 

    Dueling Pianos at Winehaven Winery

    Another can’t miss event at Winehaven. Enjoy a fantastic dinner and dueling piano show! The winery will be filled with the sounds of music from the 1970s through current favorites. Grab your family, friends, and favorite song requests for a fun night of food and music. 

    Taylors Falls Annual Lighting Festival

    The quaint town of Taylors Falls, Minnesota, becomes a Christmas Card Village! This event has been held on the Friday after Thanksgiving since 1985. The Lighting Festival includes a parade, medallion hunt,  craft fairs, Christmas at the 1855 Folsom House Museum, an ecumenical Choral Vesper Service, family Bingo, Mrs. Claus at the library, a giant bonfire, and snowman making. Watch for the limited edition Lighting Festival ornament and make sure to wear your lumberjack flannel!

    Annual Center City Small Town Christmas 

    Santa arrives in a fire truck! Small Town Christmas is hosted by the Center City Fire Department Auxiliary at the Center City Fire Hall. The annual small-town Christmas evening includes cookie decorating, cocoa, popcorn, raffles, and a Christmas story read aloud. Put your Christmas jammies on and celebrate! This is a FREE family event. All proceeds from the raffles go to local residents in need this holiday season.

    Annual Chisago Lake Lutheran Bazaar & Bake Sale

    The annual Christmas Bazaar has been a tradition for over 20 years. Including more than 30 vendors and their always popular “Bethlehem Bakery,” stocked full of fresh baked goodies, including lefse! They serve hot cinnamon rolls and coffee in the mornings and then a sloppy joe lunch in the afternoon. There are also antiques and a raffle with great prizes! 

    Annual Center City Holiday Craft Boutique

    The Holiday Craft Boutique is hosted by the Center City Fire Department Auxiliary at the Center City Fire Hall. Their annual Holiday Boutique has many vendors, crafters, and baked goods! There will be unique gifts for teachers, family, co-workers, friends, and so much more. Raffle tickets will be available for a chance to win prize baskets. Lunch will also be available for sale. Do some holiday shopping while supporting a great cause! All proceeds go towards local residents in need.

    Holiday Cheers at Winehaven Winery 

    Sample new wines, mulled wines, special treats, and plenty of holiday cheer!

    Annual Holiday Craft Fair at the Lindström Community Center 

    Have a fun day shopping! The Holiday Craft Fair has several vendors with a wide variety of items, including holiday gifts, Scentsy, jewelry, handcrafted items, and gifts. You can make a day of it and attend two other craft shows on the same day in Center City (within 4 miles of each other). Visit the above link to the Facebook event page with a Google Map and information. Local Cub Scout Pack #144 will be selling food and beverages, plus wreaths and garland. 

    Annual Lindström Tree Lighting Festival 

    Don’t miss Lindström’s Annual Tree Lighting Festival at Lindström’s Memorial Park! FREE Admission. 

    Visit a winter wonderland and see live reindeer, take pictures with Santa, stay warm with hot cocoa, coffee and a bonfire, enjoy a freshly grilled hot dog or brat, make a s’more with Boy Scout Troop 159, meet the KOD/Chisago Lakes Ambassadors, plus listen to live music: High School Brass Ensemble & Santa Lucia Carolers.

    Chisago City’s Annual Tree Lighting Festival at Moberg Park.  

    Come to Moberg Park for Chisago City’s Annual Lighting Festival! FREE Admission. 

    Events include horse-drawn sleigh rides, music, caroling, refreshments, and of course, Santa! Bring your letters to Santa with a returned addressed envelope, and Santa will reply. 

    Picket Fence Gals Annual Holiday Sale 

    Picket Fence Gals is a one-of-a-kind sale! They have become one of the premier occasional sales in Minnesota. Through the years, Picket Fence Gals has grown to 2 buildings and added Picket Fence Guys. Each vendor has their own design aesthetic that gives Picket Fence Gals a wide array of styles that shoppers will love, from Farmhouse to Modern to BOHO to Mid-century. Every day during the sale is different because the vendors restock each night. Have fun and find wonderful treasures. 

    Chisago Lakes Chamber Annual Meeting and Holiday Gala 

    Join the Chisago Lakes Chamber team for their Annual Meeting and Holiday Gala. Get to know the community and the team during a social hour then enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and desserts! 

    For more events in Chisago Lakes, visit the Chisago Lakes Chamber calendar! 

    Another fun and unique spot to shop is Pleasant Valley Orchard. Plus, you can pick up fresh apples for your Thanksgiving pie.

    Life is short, never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

    Wishing you a merry holiday season! 

  • The Gunflint Trail – North Shore, Minnesota

    The Gunflint Trail – North Shore, Minnesota

    Gunflint Trail Minnesota

    I can’t believe that I grew up in Minnesota and never experienced the Gunflint Trail! Anyone else? We spent most of our time in the Crosslake/Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota because that is where my grandparents lived. So, this was an exciting adventure after reading and hearing stories about the Gunflint Trail over the years. We had a blast exploring and can’t wait to go back.

    The Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway is one of three nationally designated highways that wind through the Superior National Forest. The drive is filled with views of lush trees, wildflowers (fireweed is my favorite), and breathtaking overlooks. The trail is about 57 miles long, starting in Grand Marais, and runs along the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

    View of Grand Marais from Pincushion Mountain
    Pincushion Mountain Overlook – Views of Grand Marais

    Our first stop was the legendary Trail Center Lodge (Home of Camp Chow). I had the BEST gluten-free salmon burger slathered in the perfect amount of tartar sauce. Thank you, ladies! As well as being a great spot for lunch, you will find groceries, gifts, gas, and firewood. The Trail Center’s history goes back to the 1930s. You can read about it here http://www.trailcenterlodge.com/history.html.

    Traditions carry on in this small beautiful community on Poplar Lake.

    After lunch, we hiked Honeymoon Bluff. This is a short hike (1 mile) but with a lot of stairs. The stairs are worth the views of Hungry Jack Lake. That small speck in the photo below is a pontoon boat – doesn’t that look amazing?

    View of Hungry Jack Lake Gunflint Trail Minnesota

    Lodging and Restaurants

    Then, it was time to check into Poplar Haus! We stayed in the Northern Gnome Cabin. This dog-friendly historic log cabin, built in 1927, has two bedrooms, one bathroom, and is adorable. In addition, you have your own personal dock, fire pit, and picnic table. There is a full-service onsite restaurant, liquor store, and free use of kayaks and canoes. Plus, fishing and pontoon rentals. All of this, coupled with the Poplar Haus being located just outside the Boundary Waters Wilderness, means enjoying a little piece of heaven.

    Poplar Haus cabin on Poplar Lake Gunflint Trail Minnesota

    We took full advantage of the peace and quiet and panoramic views at the lake.

    Poplar Lake View Minnesota

    How cute are all the gnome decorations? Every day, I found a new one.

    There’s a perfect spot to hang your hammock right by the water.

    Hammock laying in front of Poplar Lake Minnesota with a sign that says Gnome Crossing

    On the whole, this is a great spot to lodge if you want to be close to some modern conveniences or it’s your first time experiencing the Gunflint Trail. For example, if you’re in urgent need of ice cream. 😉 The Trail Center Lodge is only one mile down the road. After eating the Poplar Haus burger (which was excellent), we went back to the Trail Center for one of their malts. They have a ton of flavors and are HUGE. I suggest the rhubarb.

    Allen loved hanging out by the lake and watching all the little animals, bugs, and butterflies. Thank you for being dog-friendly, Poplar Haus.

    Last, there is so much more to do with endless trails, lakes, and nature to enjoy.

    This is a tiny peek and I look forward to many more Gunflint Trail adventures. Visit the Cook County website for more information – https://www.visitcookcounty.com/.

    Superior Hiking Trail Sign Gunflint Trail Minnesota

    A Poplar Haus sunset.

    Before our Gunflint Trail adventure, we drove up the North Shore and stayed in Grand Marais for a few days. Read more about Grand Marais here: https://tracyseesstuff.com/2021/08/09/north-shore-grand-marais-minnesota/.

    Life is short, keep searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

    ©Tracy Blowers

error: Content is protected !!