Looking to check out a nature center on the east side of the Twin Cities? Visit Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center in Lake Elmo!
Here’s what I absolutely love about visiting nature centers- they are FREE and super fun to visit! Sometimes when you are busy parenting all you need is to take your kid somewhere new to change up the day to day routine, invite them play with toys they don’t normally see at home and enjoy nature together.
My daughter and I recently stumbled upon the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center in Lake Elmo. A friend mentioned we should check it out and I am so glad we did! It’s a fairly new nature center that just opened in 2016.
Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center in Lake Elmo is located at Sunfish Lake Park. The nature center itself is fun to explore– it’s filled with tons of learning opportunities for kids. Displays with rocks, bees, birds, other insects along with interactive play areas. My daughter loved playing with the insect finger puppets and matching birds to their feeders and food. We also got to see LIVE honey bees up close in the nature center. But don’t worry– they can go in and out freely– of course I had to ask!
Outside is just as fun! There’s a canoe turned into a sandbox– super cool– along with a fun storybook stroll in the prairie. Next time we visit, we are going to grab a scavenger hunt sheet and a trail map so we can check out the five miles of walking trails and 5 miles of biking trails. The front desk also has kids’ binoculars, magnifying glasses or snowshoes you can borrow anytime!
Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center also has an event calendar filled with children’s programming, summer camps, community events, adult classes and so much more. Coming up next is Family Nature Day on Saturday, June 7th. This free event is sure to be fun for the whole family with lots of activities, live animals from the Carpenter Nature Center and free coffee and lemonade.
Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center
Located in Lake Elmo’s Sunfish Lake Park. Open daily Monday-Saturday from 9am -4pm and Sunday from 11am -3pm.
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Hannah is a married mom of 3 kiddos in the Twin Cities. Born and raised here in MN, she loves finding deals and special events to share with others.
Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading books, going on road trips up north, singing along with the radio and finding new thrift stores to shop! Hannah is also a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and is always on the lookout for more sensory friendly opportunities in the Twin Cities.
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