Es Muy Bueno

The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

By Mark Kalar

The Arboretum is one of those places most everybody agrees is cool to have around, but hardly anyone actually goes to. Part of the problem, even for Twin Cities residents, is the drive for those of us in Minneapolis proper, it’s a solid 45 minutes to get out to Chaska. If you haven’t been, it’s worth the drive. It’s the only place I’ve been where hard science, recreation, education, kid’s play time, consumer research, and good old communing with nature all mix together flawlessly. The Arboretum tends to get most of its press around fall colors time, and for good reason. The density and variety of tress and picturesque walking trails make for a great autumn afternoon. But check out the shade tree exhibit in the summer: should you be in the market, they have several varieties arranged with strategically placed lawn chairs for field tests. In the winter, there’s cross country skiing followed by pancakes and fresh-from-the-tree maple syrup. Get inspired for your own garden at their flower, medicinal plants, and rose gardens. There are lots of places in Minnesota to pick apples, but how many can offer custom-bred apples like the Honeycrisp (now ubiquitous at grocery stores, but invented here in 1991)? There are exotic plants, and native plants in exotic arrangements. For the kids, there are treehouses, giant kid-eating birds, and the intriguingly named “Where’s the Toad?” You can drive around to the various areas within the park, but I recommend just strolling along 3 Mile Drive (those with bird phobias should watch out for roving packs of wild turkeys). Part of their mission statement is to get the populace to unplug and go back outside. Do it, you’ll like it.