Bloomington Gardens Itinerary

Minnesotans enjoy spending time outside year-round, regardless of the temperature. That love of the outdoors extends to our gardens, parks, and nature areas, which are well-known as being some of the most beautiful in the Midwest. Use this itinerary to visit some of the area’s most notable public gardens and parks, stopping to see other landmarks along the way! Read more: https://www.bloomingtonmn.org/things-to-do/itineraries/gardens-itinerary

• Hazelwood Food and Drink in Minnesota, United States

  
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  Hazelwood Food and Drink is across the street from Mall of America and features twists on Minnesotan classics.

• Ciao Bella in Minnesota, United States

  
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  Ciao Bella features Italian cuisine on their lush patio.

• Loring Park in Minnesota, United States

  
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  Loring Park is a gorgeous place to spend time outdoors and see some of Minnesota’s natural landscapes.

• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in Minnesota, United States

  
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• Shamrocks in Minnesota, United States

  
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  Sample what is possibly Minnesota’s most famous meal: The Juicy Lucy! Although many metro restaurants claim to have the best Lucy in town, today you’ll be dining at Shamrock’s along West 7th Street in Saint Paul. The Irish-themed bar and grill’s burger list is long and highlights their spin on the Juicy Lucy, the “Nookie.”

• Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in Minnesota, United States

  
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  Saint Paul’s Como Park Conservatory is a two-acre oasis with plant life that includes bonsai trees, ferns, and orchids. Seasonal flower shows in the conservatory showcase colors and flowers that correspond with winter, spring, summer, and fall, and an annual holiday show focuses on poinsettias.

• Mall of America® in Minnesota, United States

  
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  MOA houses a complex ecosystem of more than 30,000 plants. You’ll see examples of the Mall’s “green” initiative all over the property, but especially in Nickelodeon Universe®, where thousands of ladybugs are annually released on Earth Day to help sustain the park’s many trees and plants.

• Port of Excelsior in Minnesota, United States

  
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  Lake Minnetonka is the metro area’s largest lake, with more than 110 miles of lakeshore. Twin Cities Cruises’ excursions depart from the Port of Excelsior and then take guests on a sunset cruise of Minnetonka, complete with dinner and drinks. Before or after your cruise, take a walk in downtown Excelsior and explore the city’s charming shops and restaurants.

• Parley Lake Winery in Minnesota, United States

  
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  The Winery at Sovereign Estate, Schram Vineyards, and Parley Lake Winery all use locally grown grapes to make their award-winning wines. The three wineries are located in a rural, peaceful setting with plenty of outdoor seating to sit back and relax.

• Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery in Minnesota, United States

  
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  The Winery at Sovereign Estate, Schram Vineyards, and Parley Lake Winery all use locally grown grapes to make their award-winning wines. The three wineries are located in a rural, peaceful setting with plenty of outdoor seating to sit back and relax.

• The Winery at Sovereign Estate in Minnesota, United States

  
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  The Winery at Sovereign Estate, Schram Vineyards, and Parley Lake Winery all use locally grown grapes to make their award-winning wines. The three wineries are located in a rural, peaceful setting with plenty of outdoor seating to sit back and relax.

• Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - Advance Reservations/Tickets Required in Minnesota, United States

  
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  Visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and be inspired by well-designed plant displays, collections, model landscapes, and conservation areas. With more than 1000 acres of magnificent gardens and natural areas – from woodlands and wetlands to prairie – and an extensive collection of northern-hardy plants, you’ll enjoy the views as you take a leisurely stroll around the gardens. The Arboretum’s café offers a wide variety of freshly made lunches, including homemade soups, salads, and bakery items.

• South Loop District in Minnesota, United States

  
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  Bloomington’s South Loop neighborhood, which includes Mall of America, is chock-full of public art like murals and sculptures thanks to the City of Bloomington’s Creative Placemaking initiative. The concept of Creative Placemaking aims to build vibrant, distinctive, and sustainable communities through the arts. Explore the area during a self-guided walking art tour that starts and ends at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, winding through the South Loop’s hotels, restaurants, and green spaces on the way.

• Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in Minnesota, United States

  
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  Enjoy dinner and a show at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, one of the most acclaimed dinner theaters in the country. “The Chan,” as locals call it, puts on well-known musicals that have recently included The Music Man, Mamma Mia, and Beauty and the Beast.

• Bachman's Floral, Gift & Garden in Minnesota, United States

  
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  Visit Bachman’s Floral, Gift & Garden in south Minneapolis, one of the largest floral and garden retailers in the country. In addition to the retail component, the company also runs a landscape design and installation division, a nursery wholesale center, and a 513-acre growing range that produces a large amount of the flowers, shrubs, plants, and trees that they sell. You can also grab a bite at Bachman’s delicious on-site café.

• Normandale Japanese Garden in Minnesota, United States

  
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  The serene two-acre Normandale Japanese Garden boasts more than 300 plants, shrubs, and trees that were carefully selected to withstand the cold winters in Minnesota. You will experience traditional Japanese garden elements, including bridges, stone lanterns, streams, and waterfalls.