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Best Date Night Activities In Minnesota

Think outside the box next time you plan a movie and dinner date. Try one of these many other options such as local landmarks, free tours, sporting events or taking a class together. Here are five date night happenings in Minnesota that beat film and food.

Natalie Nyhus Tries Curling
(credit: CBS)

Sunday Curling
Four Seasons
9250 Lincoln St. NE
Blaine, MN 55434
(763) 780-3328
www.fourseasonscurlingclub.com

Date: Sun., Mar 6, noon to 2:00 p.m.
Price: $20 plus tax

Learn to curl on this Olympic-designated training site. It only takes a brief introduction and soon you will be throwing rocks and sweeping. Become familiar with rules and strategy as you participate. Before the fun is over, you will be playing a two or three end game with the class. After the session, relax with a wine or a beer at Gabe's Rinkside Bar & Grill overlooking the ice at Fogerty Arena. The restaurant has a wide range of hot burgers, pizza and appetizers.

Saturday Afternoon Brewery Tour
Solar Arts Building
711 15th Avenue NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(763) 234-5069
www.solarartsbuilding.com

Time: Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Price: Free

Learn the art of the brew at Indeed Brewing Company. Sample prize-winning Indeed beers free after the tour. Then crawl around three stories of artist lofts where more than a dozen artists and creative professionals craft and display their wares. Solar Arts is also open to the public certain nights where you can tour and shop with live music. Johnny Cash's Bar is up on the 3rd floor.

Happy Hour
(credit: CBS)

 
Thursday's History Happy Hour: Fashion In The Victorian Era
Alexander Ramsey House
265 S. Exchange St.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 296-8760
www.mnhs.org

Date: Thu. Feb 25 at 5:30 p.m. and at 8:00 p.m.
Price: $25 for all; $20 MNHS members

Enjoy a drink or two plus history at Alexander Ramsey House during its monthly History Happy Hour. Kelsey Hokenson and Amy Ollila are preparing to display several rare Minnesota Historical Society fashion items worn by men and women in the Victorian era. Learn why the Victorian era is known for its frivolous fashion crazes. Attend either the 5:30 or 8:00 p.m. program to sip and sample. Participants must be 21 years and older for the History Happy Hour.

Related: Best Date Night, Happy Hour Specials In The Twin Cities

Thursday's History Happy Hour: Mysteries Of The Ouija Board
Alexander Ramsey House
265 S. Exchange St.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 296-8760
www.mnhs.org

Date: Thu. Mar 31, 2016 at 5:30 and 8:00 p.m.
Price: $25 for all; $20 MNHS members

Various methods of mediumistic spirit writing date back to the Song Dynasty in 1100 AD. The Ouija board is a more recent device used to contact spirits by spontaneously writing messages. Educator and artist Nathan Lewis will lead the exploration of this popular 19th-century device and concurrent obsession with spiritualism. Enjoy a drink or two, have some snacks, expand your awareness of this enigmatic tool and spend the evening exploring the mansion.

Catch Your Meal This May
Running Aces Casino and Racetrack
15201 Zurich St. NE
Columbus, MN 55025-7908
(651) 925-4600
www.runaces.com
 
Trout Pond Time: Opens Fri. May 6
Live Horseracing Time: Opens Tues. May 17
Price: About $20 for the fishing experience & fresh trout dinner with sides.

"Running Aces is good for a first date," says Director of Marketing Aaron Bedessem. "Betting on horses gives you something to do while you hang out together. It fills the void during awkward times." Lori Higgens of the Metro North Chamber of Commerce says, "Harness racing is so much fun to watch. It's very couple and family-friendly." Have a home-cooked trout dinner with the fish you caught in the pond out front without having to take the fish off the hook. The restaurant will either broil or fry it for you, unless you are on your way up north and want to cook it yourself.
  
Related: Best Date Night Spots In Minnesota

Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.

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