Minnesota Blogger Sharing What to Do and How to Save

Minneapolis Institute of Art Third Thursday – March 21st

March 19, 2019 by Laura W Leave a Comment

Need a cheap date night? Mark your calendars for Third Thursday events at the Minneapolis Institute of Art! Admission to Mia is always free, but on the third Thursday of every month, you can visit from 6 – 9 pm to experience Mia’s diverse art collection along with unique programs, drinks, and live music.

Upcoming Third Thursday events include:

March 21 – Third Thursday: Women Artists
This March, join in a celebration of women in art and music. Experience pop-up performances and a live DJ spinning tunes throughout the museum. Craft your own cassette tape or album cover. Tour the galleries for music-inspired artworks and women artists in Mia’s collection.

April 18 – Third Thursday: Inspired by Mia
Due to the colossal de-installation of “Egypt’s Sunken Cities” from our lobby, this month’s Third Thursday event invites you to spend more time exploring the galleries! Agra Culture cafe will be open and serving beverages, and you can get Inspired by Mia to create your own masterpiece in the studios.

Filed Under: Attractions, Events

Free Movies, Popcorn, and Axe Throwing at Emagine Monticello Grand Re-Opening – Thursday, 3/21

March 19, 2019 by Laura W Leave a Comment

Got plans for Thursday? You do now! Emagine Monticello is having a Grand-Reopening Celebration in which you can enjoy a free movie, free popcorn, and axe throwing all day long.

Emagine Monticello now features 12 auditoriums with luxurious heated leather recliners, enhanced concessions, and a full bar with local craft beer, cocktails , and wine. Plus, you can enjoy axe throwing at Minnesota Axe in the same building! It’s an indoor competitive sport similar to darts, except you throw 1.5-pound hatches at wooden targets marked with a bullseye and score points based on where the axe sticks.

Here’s the schedule of events for Thursday, March 21st:

10:30 am – 8 pm: FREE movies, popcorn, live entertainment, and axe throwing
4 pm: Official ribbon cutting with Monticello Chamber, executives from Emagine Entertainment, and Minnesota Axe
6 pm: Live entertainment by local band, Slowspeed

Emagine Monticello and Minnesota Axe are located at 9375 Deegan Ave in Monticello. Limit one movie, one popcorn, and one axe-throwing session per guest.

Filed Under: Events, freebies, Great Deals, Movies

Galleria Garden Party with Flowers by Bachman’s

March 19, 2019 by Kristi Leave a Comment

If you find yourself missing the tradition of the flower show at Macy’s, you can make the Galleria flower show an annual event. The Galleria and Bachman’s have teamed up to bring you an artistic floral event.

This year’s them is Garden Party: An Uncommon Floral Experience, located throughout the Galleria and it’s free, no admission. Get your eyes and nose ready, from March 24-April 7th. Sometimes it can get busy, so if you don’t like crowds pick an off time, like an early morning or later in the evening.

When we walked through the flower show last spring, I was surprised by the smell, reminding us that spring is closer than we think.

There’s free parking at the Galleria as well as some great places to eat and of course the shopping! You can make it a full afternoon, enjoying the sites and smells as you wander inside the mall.

Filed Under: Events, Flower Show

Great Wolf Lodge (Bloomington) – As Low As $75/Night

March 19, 2019 by Chrysa Leave a Comment

It’s finally starting to warm up around here, but it’s not quite time to jump in the outdoor pools yet. Good thing it’s always 84° at Great Wolf Lodge! Plan your spring getaway today for as low as $74.99/night when you use a special coupon code.

Book your stay by 3/28/19 and use the coupon code GETAWAY2 to see these special rates which are available on dates through 5/24/19 (note that discounts may vary by date).

(Update: If you’re reading this after the 28th, keep an eye out for Great Wolf Lodge MN deals on Groupon!)

Options include:

Deluxe Bunk Bed Suite, Queen Sofa Suite, Queen Suite (Accessible), Junior Queen Sofa Suite: $74.99+/night
Family Suite: $84.99+/night
Queen Cabin Suite: $94.99+/night
Deluxe Family Suite (Accessible): $124.99+/night
Royal Family Suite: $154.99+/night
Deluxe Majestic Bunk Bed Suite, Grand Bunk Bed Suite, Majestic Bunk Bed Suite: $174.99+/night
Grizzly Family Suite, Northwoods Suite, Junior Grizzly Family Suite (Accessible): $274.99+/night

The heart and soul of Great Wolf Lodge Bloomington is its 75,000-square-foot indoor water park. Splashy rides such as River Canyon Run—a four-story raft water slide—and a zero-depth-entry wave pool with 3-foot swells surround the park’s iconic hub: a four-story treehouse with a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket. Younger kids will have a blast with the gentle spray features of Cub Paw Pool.

The water park, which hovers around 84 degrees all year long, isn’t the resort’s only family-friendly activity. You’ll also find an arcade with more than 100 games and Scooops Boutique, where visitors can get fun nail polish and glitter tattoos.

Extended and exclusive water park access: You can enter the water park at 1 pm on the day you check in and stay until close on the day you check out (essentially 2 days’ water park admission). And since there are no day passes for outside visitors, resort guests have exclusive access and won’t get stuck in long lines.

Family-friendly fun: The resort has games and activities for kids of all ages. Explore options by age group here.

Hands-on crafts and activities such as face painting and balloon twisting during the Lunch Time Lineup can keep kids entertained when they want a break from the water park action.

Roomy suites comfortably sleep up to six guests. Some suites offer extra privacy with enclosed bunk beds.

Fuel up with food and drinks at eight restaurants and snack bars.

Add a Paw Pass or Pup Pass to your stay to enjoy kid-friendly activities and sweets at Creation Station, Oliver’s Mining Co., and more at a discounted rate. See everything that’s included—as well as other available packages—here (additional fees apply).

Safety first: Complimentary life jackets in multiple sizes and trained lifeguards help keep families safe and secure.

Distance from Minneapolis: 10 miles

Great Wolf Adventure Park

Besides the water park, don’t forget that there is plenty of dry fun, too! Great Wolf Adventure Park is filled with activities and experiences that are fun for the whole family. There are lots of active experiences to work off that never-ending kid energy and ways for them to put their thinking caps on, too. Check out our crew’s experience with Great Wolf Adventure Park in Bloomington to see what they have to offer!

Filed Under: Attractions, Great Deals

Rita’s First Day of Spring – Free Italian Ice

March 18, 2019 by Laura W Leave a Comment

The first day of spring is Wednesday, March 20th and Rita’s is celebrating by giving away FREE Italian Ice! There are four Rita’s locations in MN (Apple Valley, Eagan, and Stillwater). Normal operating hours are 12 – 9 pm.

Start Spring Off Right—with FREE Italian Ice!

Every year we celebrate the first day of spring by giving away free Italian Ice. That’s right, for over 20 years we’ve treated each and every guest to a free Italian Ice. It’s a Rita’s tradition. Just our way of kicking off the season—and spreading a little happiness.

Last year, our guests showed their spring spirit—and their love of Rita’s Italian Ice in a big way. We gave away almost 1 million cups of Italian Ice in just a nine-hour period! Pretty cool, huh?

Filed Under: freebies, Great Deals, Restaurant

Minnesota Twins Tickets Available Through Groupon

March 18, 2019 by Laura W Leave a Comment

Baseball Opening Day is coming up soon…did you know that you can get Minnesota Twins tickets at a discount through Groupon?

You can easily filter by dates and/or opponent to find tickets for dates you’re sure you can make (and teams you want to see). You also can try out your seat virtually to see what the view from your seat will look like. Get your tickets HERE.

Filed Under: Attractions, Great Deals

Tim Burton’s Live-Action DUMBO Advance Screening

March 18, 2019 by Chrysa 2 Comments

We are soooo excited about the all-new DUMBO movie coming to theatres everywhere March 29th. What’s even more exciting is that we all have a chance to see it early!! (Keep reading for passes.)

If you have already seen the Dumbo trailers, I have a feeling you’re also looking forward to this new Tim Burton version of Dumbo. If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, check it out:

About Tim Burton’s DUMBO:

From Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, the all-new grand live-action adventure DUMBO expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight. Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.

DUMBO Advance Screening Passes:

You and a guest are invited to an advance screening of Disney’s live-action DUMBO on March 26 at AMC Southdale at 7pm. To download a 4 pack of passes click on the link below (while supplies last). Seating is based on first come, first served. It is recommended to arrive early. Get your passes HERE.

Filed Under: Advanced Screening, Movies

Burnsville Lions Skate Park

March 18, 2019 by Kristi Leave a Comment

One of our neighbors is always on his skateboard, he loves that thing. I tried it once and failed miserably, could have been my age or just lack of balance or both. Do you or your kids love to skateboard? Check out the Burnsville Lions Skate Park.

It’s totally free which is always nice, however you do need to bring your own skateboard or scooter. I especially love places like this because it means kids are outdoors and off of their phones and screens!

Details about the Skate Park:

The Burnsville Lions Skate Park, located in Civic Center Park between 130th and 134th streets on Civic Center Parkway. A 11,500 square foot outdoor facility for inline skates, skateboards, scooters and bikes.

Access to the park is free and open to the general public. The facility is NOT supervised. Use at your own risk. Know your abilities.

Filed Under: Attractions, Parks

Free Explore Minnesota Travel Guides

March 17, 2019 by Laura W Leave a Comment

Did you know that Explore Minnesota has a series of FREE travel brochures that you can order? These are fantastic resources that can help you get ideas for things to do, attractions to visit, and places to stay in Minnesota. I’ve lived in Minnesota most of my life, but I know there’s so much I haven’t seen!

Besides the free Minnesota travel guides, you can also request free guides for golfing, biking, spring/summer activities, and more. If you’re looking for information about a specific region, city, or town, you can request to have your information forwarded to specific community tourism organizations.

You can request to have them sent to you, but many of these are also available to view online or to download to your computer (save a tree)!

Filed Under: freebies, Great Deals

North Metro Home & Outdoor Adventure Expo

March 17, 2019 by Kristi 1 Comment

With the snow melting and rain becoming more common than snow, it’s time to plan for spring and summer. The North Metro Home & Outdoor Adventure Expo is a great place to get ideas for outdoor fun and maybe some updates on your home.

The Expo takes place in Blaine, this coming Saturday from 9-3. No admission or tickets however they would appreciate nonperishable food donations for local food shelves.

Event Description:

Experience dozens of unique vendors, including features on luxury vinyl flooring, travel ideas, beautiful portrait photography, unique plants and gardens, hunting tips, and winter activities.

Filed Under: Events

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