Minneapolis Official Visitors Guide - Fall/Winter 2007 - (Page 73) OUTDOORS Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis Lake Harriet SKATERS AWAY Enjoy a classic Minnesota pastime and take to the ice for some skating. Take a few spins on the temporary Landmark Plaza rink in downtown Saint Paul (corner of W. Fifth and Market streets, 651-291-5608) that lends a flavor à la New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza to Minnesota’s capital city. Or head to Roseville’s Guidant John Rose MN Oval (2661 Civic Center Drive, 651-792-7007), the largest outdoor skating facility in the world with a 110,000-square-foot skating rink that hosts world champion speed-skating events. The state-of-the-art cooling system also keeps this world-class ice in shape even if the mercury reads into the 40- and 50-degree Fahrenheit range. If you prefer to do your double axels and camel spins indoors—or to have a wall to hang onto—The Depot Ice Rink (225 Third Avenue S., Minneapolis, 612-375-1700), which is connected to a hotel with a water park, makes for a great getaway. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls of this rink in a historic train shed afford views of the downtown Minneapolis skyline as you glide. (Skate rental is available at all three above-mentioned rinks.) If you pack your own skates, take a spin around the rink on Lake of the Isles (26th Street and E. Lake of the Isles Parkway), which is part of Minneapolis’ Chain of Lakes. Or, head downtown Minneapolis to Peavey Plaza (1111 Nicollet Mall) where a glittering ice rink is created in this sunken-garden gathering spot outside Orchestra Hall. MINI ITINERARY MORNING: In autumn, take a hike through Minnehaha Park or the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, keeping an eye out for native plants and wildlife. Or, if snow blankets the ground, strap on snowshoes for a trek through the sparkling wonderland. NOON: Drive south for a lunch outing reminiscent of Grandma’s house— complete with the smell of fresh baked bread—at Emma Krumbee’s Apple Orchard in Belle Plaine. In fall, pick your own fresh apples to bring home. For golfers, most metro courses are open until late October, so don’t hesitate to pack the clubs for a late-season game. NIGHT: Feed the need for speed with nighttime skiing and snowboarding at Afton Alps in Hastings, southeast of Saint Paul (open 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays). Wells Fargo Winterskate, Landmark Plaza, Saint Paul Fall/Winter 2008 Minneapolis&Saint Paul 73
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