Amy Rea

Amy Rea is a freelance writer and author of Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes: an Explorer’s Guide (Countryman Press, 2008), as well as the upcoming Backroads & Byways of Minnesota (Countryman Press, spring 2011).

She grew up in northern Minnesota, attended the University of Minnesota, and bounced around various careers including managing a maternity store and working as a travel agent before settling into her writing career.

She’s married with two teenage boys and two rather poorly trained dogs.

most recent stories2 Amy Rea

Wander Minnesota: The Beginning of Blooms

The long winter slowed the arrival of spring and all things spring-like, including the much-needed beauty of perennial flowers and bulbs. But at last they’re making an appearance. Over the weekend, I visited the Munsinger Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud, where the bulbs were bursting out, and signs of future floral glories to come.

2013/05/22

Wander Minnesota: Mother’s Day Ideas

It’s only a couple of weeks until Mother’s Day. Have you made plans for the special mom in your life? If you’d like some ideas of things to do besides go out to eat, consider one of these options.

2013/04/23

Wander Minnesota: A Glimpse Of Spring

Spring has been taking its own sweet time arriving in Minnesota this year, much to the consternation of just about everyone. But there is a place you can visit to get a taste of what spring might eventually be like: the Spring Flower Show at the Como Park Conservatory.

2013/04/19

Wander Minnesota: Valentine’s Day Out Of The Box

Next week is Valentine’s Day. Being that it falls on a Thursday, it will likely trickle over into the weekend, and restaurants and florists will be busy. There’s certainly nothing wrong with flowers and a lovely dinner out, but there are other options. Note: reservations are recommended for most of these, so call ahead.

2013/02/05

Wander Minnesota: Ax-Man Surplus

Cabin fever setting in? The impending return of the frigid temps got you down? Can’t shake the winter doldrums? You just need to take a little trip to Ax-Man Surplus.

2013/01/29

Wander Minnesota: ‘Nellie’ Opens At History Theatre

This weekend marks the opening of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. But that’s not the only thing opening in St. Paul.

2013/01/23

Wander Minnesota: Minnesota And The Civil War

Though far from the famed battlegrounds of the American Civil War, and overlapping with the Dakota Conflict of 1862, the Civil War did have an impact on Minnesota, during and after.

2013/01/15

Wander Minnesota: The Fairgrounds In Winter

You may not realize that the Fairgrounds are open year-round, and visiting in winter gives an entirely different perspective.

2013/01/02

Wander Minnesota: Making Spirits Bright

One of my favorite places to visit this time of year is the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, because it’s the time of year when the Arboretum’s staff and volunteers put on the annual holiday extravaganza known as Making Spirits Bright.

2012/12/21

Wander Minnesota: MN On The National Christmas Tree

Every year, the National Park Service puts up and lights the National Tree in Washington, D.C. As befitting a national tree, the ornaments represent each of the fifty states. How is Minnesota represented?

2012/12/11

Wander Minnesota: A Guide to December

Minnesota is pretty festival-friendly all year long, but December is more jam-packed than any other month. Here are just a few of the events taking place around the state (outside of the metro area) by the end of 2012.

2012/11/30

Wander MN: Things To Do Thanksgiving Weekend — Other Than Shop

You’ve slept off the turkey, you’re not interested in battling crowds on Black Friday, but you have free time and possibly family and friends to entertain. What is there to do this weekend? Plenty. Here is just a sampling of events taking place around the state in the days after Thanksgiving.

2012/11/19

Off the Reservation (Or Minnesota Nice) by Jim Denomie (credit: MNHS)

Wander MN: Ded Uŋk’uŋpi — We Are Here

This year marks the 150th anniversary of what is perhaps Minnesota’s darkest hour: the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. There have been a number of events surrounding this anniversary, both in the Twin Cities and in the areas across the state that were directly affected.

2012/10/18

Wander Minnesota: Oktoberfest

Fall is arriving with great speed—like the photo above, you can see green leaves in some places, with others already blazing yellow and red. And if it’s fall, it must be time for Oktoberfest at the Black Forest Inn.

2012/10/01