Spring is springing! In Minnesota, the moment the temp is over 30°F, we are ready for patio season. đ Chisago Lakes in East Central Minnesota includes five small towns; Chisago City, Lindstrom, Center City, Schafer, and Taylors Falls. It is 35 miles northeast of downtown Minneapolis, so it’s a great day road trip from the Twin Cities.
Top 5 Patios in Chisago Lakes, Minnesota
Winehaven Winery
A Winehaven Winery slushy is a must! The flavor profiles are always creative and refreshing. Plus, there’s just something about that big straw that makes you feel like a kid. ha! There is a ton of wide open space to enjoy and take a stroll through the vines. We love stopping in for pizza and charcuterie and appreciate the dog-friendly patio. đŸ
Nordic Harbor Rooftop
The rooftop is the perfect spot to relax and take in lake views. It is so cozy with couches and shaded areas to truly unwind. They always offer fun specialty drinks, both alcoholic and non. You can also stop in the market for snacks to build your own charcuterie or make a Burnett Dairy pizza. Keep an eye on their calendar because they offer live music and other fun events throughout the year.
Plus, if you want to spend the night or weekend, Nordic Harbor is the place! This new, adorable lakeside boutique motel offers 6 rooms plus a luxurious vacation house. Located in Center City, it is conveniently in the heart of Chisago Lakes.
Uncommon Loon Brewing
Excellent craft beer and a super-friendly, fun atmosphere. The brewery always has entertaining events happening, including live music. Dogs are very welcome inside and out! đŸ We love to hang out, play cards or board games, and grab food from either the food truck or local restaurant.
The Northern Lake Tavern
Awesome pub comfort food. The Reuben is my favorite sandwich at the Northern Lake Tavern. The patio is on the smaller side, but there is a picnic table and plenty of grass and space by the lake. Watch out for Bigfoot!
Jakes on the Lake
Jake’s is a great spot in the middle of it all in Center City. Perfect to hit for breakfast before a day on the lake!
**This was our Mother’s Day episode but these itineraries are great all summer!
It’s time for Explore Local Together Episode 5 where we discuss Mother’s Day itineraries in Chisago Lakes, Minnesota! If you’re visiting from the podcast, thank you for listening. If not, please join us! At Explore Local Together, we share local gems in Minnesota, the Midwest, and Road-Tripping the USA. Below, you will find links throughout the blog post to click and listen to the podcast while you read.
In this episode, we chat about Chisago Lakes and Motherâs Day itineraries for the whole family. Whether you are a local or visiting, we have ideas for you to explore the area with a lightning round of our top picks. We have two interviews: one with incredible writer and mom/travel blogger Antonia from Knead to Roam. Antonia gives her POV of coming to Chisago Lakes from the Twin Cities while traveling with kids and/or multi-generations. In addition, a fun and interesting interview with Musician Matthew Griswold. Matthew made the transition from US Army Soldier to Professional Songwriter/Musician in 2008 and has been going full force ever since.
Start your day at the Swedish Inn for breakfast. We love that they open early and the service is top-notch. Enjoy a down-to-earth atmosphere and breakfast, including authentic Swedish food options. After breakfast, visit the St. Croix River Valley Pottery Tour. The pottery tour is in its 32nd year with over 70 potters at 7 studios. While at the Taylors Falls studio stop, cross the bridge to WI and eat lunch at the Dalles House. I love the Dalles House Burger! Plus, brunch is served every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
I recently worked with Chisago Lakes Tourism and Shrpa to create the below itineraries as a paid partnership.
Have you ever wondered about those square art pieces on many of the buildings in Chisago Lakes? Well, now ALL the information is easily accessible at chisagolakes.org. You can make this a road-tripping day or a walking tour! With over 70 barn quilts to see, there is a lot of exploring and stops to make along the way. You will want to come back again or make this a full weekend trip.
Stops include: Swedish Inn, Walking/Shopping the City of Lindstrom, The Northern Tavern
In Lindstrom, Minnesota, it’s an adventure to find the Barn Quilts because some are a little hidden and there is a ton of shopping. You will find unique gifts, Swedish items, antiques and vintage treasures, women’s clothing, and home goods. Here are some of the stores with my fave Barn Quilts- Swedish Gift Store, Lindstrom Antique Mall, The Oven Mitt, Ghosts in the Attic, State Farm Insurance, Bean Counters, and GlĂ€dje. Other shops not to miss are Farm and Thread, In the Moment Boutique, and Rose’s Collectibles.
Nordic Harbor Haus: Brand new, variety of rooms including a vacation house with multiple decks and backyard, roof top bar, surrounded by water, easy access to to town and adventures.
Maple House: 6-bedroom private home in a quiet neighborhood, walking distance to town, plenty of space for a large group, outdoor fire pit and backyard to relax and listen to the river.
We are partnering with Ruff Start Rescue and Best Friends Animal Society to feature one adoptable dog each month. We are passionate about rescue dogs and have two of our own, the Explore Local Together mascots, Allen and Carol.
Phyllis is a sassy senior! She is looking for that special someone who understands aging isn’t always easy, she may not feel the cutest and therefore needs plenty of alone time, lots of naps, and tons of good food and treats. I feel ya, Phyllis! đ
Phyllis would rather take short walks and have easy access to her food and potty. She prefers to sleep near you so she knows you’re sticking around and likes to be tucked in. Phyllis does snore (as any self respecting bulldog does) so earplugs may be necessary if she sleeps right next to you. She likes to talk and will tell you when she wants attention, when she is hungry, when she has to potty and most importantly when she needs to be tucked in. Squeaky toys are her favorite!
She is part of their âSeniors for Seniorsâ program where we offer senior adopters an opportunity to adopt an eligible pet at a discounted fee.
If you think you are that special someone for Phyllis – visit her profile HERE and fill out an application.
If you’re visiting from our podcast, thank you for listening to our first episode of Explore Local Together! If not, you can check it out HERE. We are excited to build community around exploring. We kicked off Explore Local Together with an itinerary for our stomping grounds, Chisago Lakes, Minnesota. Did you know this area is only 40 minutes from the Twin Cities? Enjoy the day and keep exploring local…together!
Northwoods Roasterie has been roasting its own fairly-traded organic beans since 2006. The owner is passionate about the highest quality beans and serving a great cup of coffee. The coffee is fantastic and the highlight is the atmosphere. It’s cozy with spaces to connect with others or work alone on your laptop. There is an outdoor patio, and little nooks including a quiet upstairs area. And as we said on the podcast, we really like their sausage and cheese bagels! đ
Antiquing in Lindstrom, Minnesota
Picket Fence Gals offers many unique and fun treasures! The gals are super helpful while you browse and make sure to take your items to hold at the front desk so you don’t have to carry everything around. There are two buildings with multiple vendors offering a wide array of styles, from Farmhouse to Modern to BOHO to Mid-century. Every day is different because the vendors add new stock each night. Make sure to check out the local bakery items!
Picket Fence Gals is only open once a month! Check their website for dates.
Roseâs Collectibles – A vintage collectible shop with locations in Stillwater and Lindstrom, Minnesota. This is TD’s favorite spot to shop for vinyl records.
Best Local Park in Lindstrom, Minnesota
AllemansrÀtt Park is a Wilderness & Swedish Heritage Park. This park is a true hidden gem.
From the AllemansrĂ€tt Parkwebsite: The term âAllemansrĂ€ttâ is a Swedish philosophy of the right of public access, and includes an implicit responsibility to protect and conserve.
AllemansrÀtt Park offers 125 acres to explore, including a 14-acre secluded lake and 10,000 feet of shoreline on three lakes (North Lindström Lake channel, North Center Lake, and Bull Lake), wetlands, a 5-acre island, a 33-acre peninsula, plus an 1853 homestead with educational and historic informational kiosks. There are trails, benches, restrooms, parking lots, and two campsites (camping is first come first serve for $15 a night).
You can walk, run, hike, go birding (over 100 species of birds), enjoy photography, ski, snowshoe, canoe/kayak or camp. The lakes are also part of the Chisago Lakes Water Trail which we will be discussing in an upcoming episode.
Top Burger Spot near Lindstrom, Minnesota
The Northern Lake Tavern & Grill
The Northern reminds us of the show Cheers. They have the traditional square bar setup with all your favorite locals. It’s a relaxed, cabin-style atmosphere with yummy bar food. Our favorites are the patty melt, fries, fish, and the reuben. There is also a large patio to enjoy lake views.
