Best Weekend Activities For Seniors In Minnesota
Know it or not, there is an abundance of activities available for seniors in Minnesota. Here are five activities you may not have known about, but could find appealing. History buffs and civic-minded citizens will love the weekend walking tours offered locally. The Gale Family Library can get you started on that family tree research project you have always wanted to do. If you have been active in sports all your life and are looking for a lifetime activity that suits you later in life, check out curling. Sporting spectators looking for more variety may enjoy horse racing, available just a short drive from the metro area.
Summit Avenue Walking Tours
James J. Hill House
240 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 297-2555
www.mnhs.org
Dates: Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. through September.
Price: $12 adults, $10 seniors, students, and $8 ages 6-17
Summit Avenue was named one of America's "Great Streets" by the American Planning Association for its "breathtaking vistas and park-like qualities." Relive Minnesota history and learn about the people who made it as you view these architectural wonders from the Gilded-Age. Mansions lining the blocks of St. Paul's historic neighborhood are a beauty to behold, but face preservation issues, which you can also learn about on the tour.
Historic Main Street Tour
Tour starts and ends at 125 Main Street SE
Mill City Museum
704 S. 2nd St.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 341-7582
www.mnhs.org
Dates: Saturdays, Aug. 22 and Sept. 12, 2015 at 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Price: $14 adults, $12 seniors and students, $10 ages 6 - 17
Look for the green awning between Pracna on Main and the Aster Café to begin this fascinating sweep through history of the founding of Minnesota's largest city. Its oldest neighborhood is Main Street of historic St. Anthony village. See noteworthy landmarks such as Our Lady of Lourdes Church, the Morrison Building, the 1855 Upton Block and 1858 Martin. Rediscover Chalybeate Mineral Springs and learn about the founding of the Pillsbury A Mill.
Research Family History
Gale Family Library
The Minnesota Historical Society
345 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 259-3300
www.sites.mnhs.org
Dates: Every Saturday at 9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Price: Free, no registration required
The Gale Family Library has thousands of resources, archives and records as well as reference staff on hand to help you. Get a jumpstart by attending "I'm New Here," to discover the amazing array of collections and get guidelines on how to use library catalogs, request resources and acquire copies of historic photos and papers. Check out the Gale Family Library website for the Topics on Family History series offering a new topic each month. The first class is Sept. 19, 2015.
Curling
Four Seasons Curling Club
9250 Lincoln Street NE
Blaine, MN 55434
(763) 780-3328
www.fourseasonscurlingclub.com
Curling is a life-long sport, and many seniors participate in league play at Four Seasons. No longer is curling a seasonal sport, as Four Seasons has set out to make it year-round. Join a team and play weekdays or Sundays in fall, winter, spring and even summer leagues. Late summer or early fall is a good time to join, as dues will buy a membership from Oct. 1, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2016. Most bonspiels are scheduled Friday through Sunday.
Running Aces Casino & Racetrack
15201 Running Aces Blvd.
Columbus, MN 55025
(651) 925-4600
www.runningacesharness.com
Dates: Live racing every Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 6:00 p.m. through Sept. 12, 2015. Simulcast racing available year-round.
Come to the track in the summertime and watch the horses race live at the Harness Park. Come any time of the year and catch the horses on simulcast Monday through Wednesday and Saturday and Sunday. Take in live music, comedy shows, wine tastings, arts and crafts shows and card games while you're there. The Trout Air Tavern has a DJ on Fridays and live music Saturdays after the races. Look for upcoming shows on "Laugh Your Ace Off Comedy Club" that runs weekends September through May.
Related: Traveling Tips For The Elderly
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.
