The back to school sales are on at Target and the chromebooks are ready for another round of distance learning, but do you want to make the most of the last few days of summer?

Julie Jo Severson has some great places for you to check out in her book, Secret Twin Cities, that will get you out of the house and learning a little bit more about the rich history of our community!

Listen to the interview and check out the list below!

Secret Twin Cities

Swede Hollow Park

East of downtown St. Paul is an old white tunnel that leads to a lush, exceedingly quiet eighteen-acre valley with soaring cliffs hiding it from the rest of the city

Hot Sam’s Antiques and Photo Park

Equal parts photo park, theme park, artist haven, junkyard and antique shop!

China Friendship Garden

We gave our sister city in China peanuts statues, they gave us a calm oasis that is America’s first-ever Changsha-style China garden, located north of the picnic pavilion at Phalen Regional Park.

Rock Island Swing Bridge and Park

This is truly a “bridge to nowhere” that stops halfway across the Mississippi, but has a rich history, and is now the gem of Inver Grove Heights.  There’s even a bench at the end of the bridge where you can sit and enjoy a beautiful Minnesota summer sunset.

Minneapolis Riverfront / Heritage Trail

Walk across the Stone Arch Bridge, check out the Guthrie, explore Mill Ruins Park, and experience some surprisingly natural areas full of vegetation and surprises

Confluence of Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers

Located next to Fort Snelling and Fort Snelling State Park, you can explore Pike Island, which has a 3 mile trail loop along with sandy beaches for anyone brave enough to take a dip.

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