Arden Hills

Day Trips

Set out for an early kayak or canoe session on the serene Rice Creek lakes, as golden light filters through towering pines. Feel the stillness broken only by gentle paddles dipping into glassy water. Keep an eye out for osprey and herons gliding above the reeds.

Lace up sturdy boots for a guided hike along shaded trails that wind around hidden bogs and wooded ridges. Pause at scenic overlooks to spot turtles and frogs sunning on logs. Unpack a picnic lunch by the water’s edge, savoring local cheeses and fresh fruit.

Stroll along the boardwalk as the sun dips below the treetops, painting the sky in pastel hues. Capture photos of reflections dancing on the creek’s surface. Wind down with s’mores by a campfire circle under a star-studded canopy.

Begin your day wandering through the vibrant wetlands of Tamarack Nature Preserve, listening for chorus frogs and warblers. Admire the delicate tamarack larches clad in golden needles along the boardwalk. Stop by interpretive signs to learn about the bog’s ancient ecosystem.

Join a guided birdwatching tour to scan the marsh for sandhill cranes and marsh wrens. Unpack a brown-bag lunch amid buzzing dragonflies and mossy hummocks. Practice mindful sketching at a secluded overlook where lily pads drift on glassy water.

As dusk approaches, return for a sunset amphibian chorus beneath pink and purple skies. Warm your hands with a thermos of spiced cider while watching the bog’s nocturnal creatures emerge. End the day tracing constellations peeking through the pines.

Head south to the historic Coon Rapids Dam, arriving at sunrise to catch mist rising off the Mississippi River. Snap photos of rushing waters thundering over century-old spillways. Wander the river’s edge for geologic clues in sculpted sandstone outcrops.

Cross the pedestrian bridge to explore paved trails that hug the shoreline, perfect for a scenic bike ride. Pause at interpretive exhibits about hydroelectric power and river restoration efforts. Refuel with a riverside lunch of wraps and local craft sodas at your bike’s picnic stand.

Return after dusk for a peaceful stroll beneath lamp-lit pathways along the riverbank. Feel the rumble of water beneath your feet as you peer through railing at turbulent rapids. Cap off the night with a toasted sandwich at a nearby café overlooking the dam’s glow.

Drive north to Lake Valentine Regional Park for a sunrise paddle kayak tour across misty waters. Watch bald eagles perched on fallen deadheads silhouetted against dawn light. Glide past lily pad clusters as loons call in the distance.

Explore hiking loops through pine forest and rolling moraine hills ringed around the lake. Keep watch for deer darting between red oak stands and wild blueberries along the trail. Stop by a shaded picnic shelter for hearty soups and fresh sandwiches.

Settle on a sandy shore for a lakeside bonfire beneath the treetops. Roast sausages and marshmallows while swapping stories around the flickering flames. End the evening counting shooting stars reflected in the water’s mirror.

Wander the leafy campus of University of Northwestern, admiring Tudor-style architecture and manicured quads. Pop into a cozy café to fuel up with locally roasted espresso and freshly baked pastries. Chat with students about campus life and upcoming cultural events.

Take a self-guided tour of the university’s art gallery and performance halls, pausing to sketch or photograph inspiring works. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a sunlit terrace adjoining the music building, sampling seasonal salads and grain bowls. Browse a quaint bookstore for local authors and campus souvenirs.

Return to campus green spaces as twilight falls and lanterns flicker along walkways. Attend a student-led concert or theater production in an intimate recital hall. Cap the night with decadent hot chocolate at a late-night coffeehouse overlooking the quad.

Kick off the day at Lake Monster Brewing for a behind-the-scenes brewery tour and morning stout flight. Learn about the brewing process while inhaling hops and malt aromas in the brewhouse. Sample light morning-friendly ales like a crisp Kolsch or hazy session IPA.

Hop over to Rips Pub & Grill’s taproom to savor flights of seasonal farmhouse ales and barrel-aged sours. Order a hearty lunch of beer-battered fish and chips or gourmet flatbreads paired with Belgian-style tripels. Chat with resident brewers about experimental one-off releases.

Conclude at The Dog’s Bollocks for a lively pub atmosphere with live acoustic music. Taste robust porters and imperial stouts alongside pub classics like shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash. Raise a final toast under string lights before retiring for the night.

Arrive at a local cooking studio in Arden Hills to learn farm-to-table techniques from a professional chef. Start with knife skills and preparation of seasonal produce sourced from nearby farms. Create a vibrant heirloom tomato gazpacho to taste as a mid-morning snack.

Work in small teams to craft a three-course lunch menu featuring rustic breads, inventive salads, and a protein of your choice. Enjoy an interactive wine pairing session, sampling regional bottles selected to complement each dish. Feast on your creations in a communal dining room adorned with fresh herbs.

Head home with a take-home kit of specialty spices and recipe cards. Recreate favorite dishes for friends and family using ingredients from Arden Hills’ farmers market. Share photos of your culinary masterpieces on social media using local food hashtags.

Ease into the day with a leisurely brunch at a neighborhood bistro, sampling quiche and artisan toast. Flip through vinyl records at a nearby record shop to uncover indie and folk releases by Minnesota artists. Sip a cold brew coffee while soaking in retro vibes.

Relax at a local park for a casual walk or frisbee session with new vinyl finds playing softly through portable speakers. Stop by a vintage clothing boutique to hunt for unique concert tees and denim jackets. Enjoy an afternoon beer float at a craft soda shop for a sweet pick-me-up.

Return to Rips Pub & Grill or The Dog’s Bollocks for a lineup of local bands and singer-songwriters. Immerse yourself in indie folk, blues, or Americana as the stage lights glow. End the night clapping along to an encore and chatting with musicians over after-show pints.

Begin with gentle sunrise yoga on a shaded lawn overlooking Rice Creek, led by a local wellness instructor. Breathe deeply as you flow through sun salutations and grounding stretches. Soothe sore muscles with a guided meditation beside trickling water features.

Indulge in a spa lunch of nourishing grain bowls and green smoothies at a premier Arden Hills wellness retreat. Choose from a menu of treatments: deep-tissue massage, hot stone therapy, or an aromatic body wrap. Relax in a eucalyptus steam room or unwind in a heated hammock lounge.

Join a twilight sound bath ceremony in a tranquil meditation studio, enveloped by crystal bowls and soft percussion. Drift into deep relaxation as vibrations wash over your senses. Conclude with herbal tea and gratitude journaling under dim lantern light.

Gather at a hidden lakeside grove for sunrise yoga and gentle stretching on the deck of a rustic pavilion. Share reflections on your Arden Hills adventure as the dawn light shimmers on the water. Sip invigorating herbal tea infused with local wildflowers.

Fire up a charcoal grill for a farewell barbecue featuring locally sourced bratwurst, grilled veggies, and fresh salads. Pass around homemade coleslaw and corn on the cob as laughter mingles with the scent of smoke. Capture group photos against the tree-lined shoreline before the sun dips low.

Light tiki torches as dusk settles and the water reflects fiery purples. Play acoustic guitar or Harmonium tunes around the picnic tables, swapping favorite travel anecdotes. End the evening roasting marshmallows over embers and watching fireflies dance across the lake.