Smokestacks, Soundtracks & North Shore Skies

Plus the perfect Duluth road trip.

Author

Joe Carmack
April 09, 2025

A new recipe.

​Things look a little different around here, eh? We’ve been working hard to make this the place to find something fun to do on the weekends in Minnesota. No politics. No bad news. No Kardashians. Just fun local events to enjoy with your family, a local restaurant to try, or a new spot to roam next time you’re jonesin’ to get outside. Each newsletter we’ll focus on something different, from epic MN road trip itineraries, to a beginner’s guide to canoeing, all in hopes that you find one more reason to love living in Minnesota.

​Cheers!

— Joe & Haley

Your Weekend Forecast

The Royal Canadian International Circus

4/10 - 4/20

The circus is coming, the circus is coming—to Bloomington! And it’s bringing a whole tent-load of wow—and yes, we mean an actual giant circus tent with 360° seating. Think The Greatest Showman, but without the singing (thankfully) and fewer... oddities. Sadly, they won’t be rolling into MOA by railcar with giraffe heads poking out the top (and actually, there are no animals in this circus anyway). Even so, you can expect high-flying acrobats, wild stunts, dirt bike tricks, and enough “how is that even possible?!” moments to make your neck sore from looking up. Besides, when’s the last time you saw someone ride a motorcycle inside a giant steel ball? Or get shot out of a cannon? Whether you're there for the daredevils, the trapeze artists, or just want to clown around a bit, this show looks like a real three-ring blast.

The Saunas at Lebanon Hills

Daily

Need to warm up or chill out? Hit the sauna for 75 minutes of pure relaxation, followed by a quick dip in the lake if you're feeling brave.

 

A Salute to the music of Prince

4/10 - 4/12

Chase & Ovation bring the sound and energy of Minnesota's most-loved musician to life at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater.

 

MSP International Film Festival

4/2 - 4/13

Returning to the newly refurbished The Main Cinema, catch 200+ films from around the world, plus an array of parties and panels.

 

The Twin Cities Auto Show

4/11 - 4/19

Sit in the latest models, drive a Jeep over an obstacle course & drool over the classic racers at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Nothing sparks romance like trying something new together—like seeing a live show. Check out Lettice and Lovage, a witty comedy at Theatre in the Round in Minneapolis. It’s about an eccentric tour guide who spices up history with wild exaggerations. Whether it’s an amazing show or a good laugh, it’s a win!

For those not sold on the play idea, I’ll keep it safe with a classic: Moose Bar & Grill. Vintage neon, wood paneling, bar food, and probably some off-key karaoke—just the way we like it. Plus, it’s just 10 minutes from the theater, so if the show doesn’t impress, you can always swing back for round two.

So glad you’ve made it down to our favorite part of the newsletter—Up Yonder. Each week, we’ll give you the fixin’s for an amazing weekend adventure to some of our favorite places around the state. Fortunately, this weekend’s weather looks perfect for a quick day trip up to Duluth.

Something about heading up 35W through the pines creates instant nostalgia for me. It doesn’t really matter what the end destination is—whether it’s a long hike on the Superior Hiking Trail, sampling a flight from a new brewery, or visiting the train museum for the millionth time because the kids still love it and are growing up way too fast.

One thing is certain: one does not simply drive past Tobies without picking up a batch of cinnamon rolls for “breakfast.” Fortunately, you’ve got an easy justification to stop—it’s exactly halfway to Duluth, and the kids probably need a pee break anyway. See? Logical.

Once that’s handled, we’ll carry on to our first adventure: a stop at Jay Cooke State Park. Just two hours from Minneapolis, it’s a great place to let the “are we there yet?” energy run wild with a picnic and a short hike across the swinging bridge over the St. Louis River. We usually don’t get much farther than the bridge, but if you’ve got time, there’s plenty more to explore in this underrated park.

A quick half-hour up the road and you’re in Duluth, a touristy little city perched on the shores of Lake Superior. A classic for our family is the Lake Superior Railroad Museum—charming, affordable, and good for a couple of hours of adventure. Expect a vibe somewhere between The Polar Express and vintage Wild West. And if your kids are into Thomas the Train, consider timing your trip for his Duluth visit. Besides other activities, you can ride Thomas up the North Shore, which was admittedly a little underwhelming for Haley and I, but something our kids absolutely loved.

About the time bellies start grumbling, we head over to Canal Park for lunch. This time, we’re going classic Minnesota: Grandma’s Saloon (not actually a saloon—super family-friendly). Once sufficiently stuffed on cheese curds, stroll the pier, visit the lighthouse, and watch the waves crash along the coast. Bonus points if you catch one of the massive ships traveling through the canal.

End the day by driving across the Lift Bridge to Park Point Rec Area, where you’ll find sandy beaches to play or swim and a short trail through the pine forest. Keep an eye out for private planes and helicopter tours taking off from the island’s tiny airport, before starting your return trip back to the cities.

Safe travels!