Two beautiful spots you need to walk this spring!

Just like we’ve found favorite spots to walk in the fall with beautiful foliage everywhere you look, we’ve found two treasured spots to walk and explore in the spring. Spring is all about the flowers budding, the ponds becoming alive with bull frogs and turtles, and the trees becoming lush with green. Walks in the spring definitely include more wildlife spotting and more frequent stops to seriously stop and smell the flowers. Here’s two spots in the Mankato area that you need to check out this spring while things are still budding!

The Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College- St. Peter, MN

If you love tulips, but can’t make it to a tulip festival, you need to check out the Arboretum. They have a field where each class of students plants a specific color of tulip. So, as the years go on, the field has gotten larger and filled with more color. I love that each tulip represents a student, past or present. Close to the tulip field is a large swing that my kids love to take a ride on.

Besides the tulips, the Arboretum has a lot to offer. Stunning gardens line the trails and each garden has different surprises from year to year. It’s clear the people who run the garden like to keep things unique and memorable for anyone who visits. Examples include: rock animals, nature tic tac toe boards, lawn games and sports equipment to borrow while you visit, and stump seating. There is also, a sand box and logs to climb on. A koi pond with a small waterfall is also, a hit with my kids. Other spots they enjoy are a small rock area where they can climb to their heart’s desire, an edible garden area, and a labyrinth. We also, love the education available throughout the Arboretum. Many plants and flowers are labeled and there are details about most spaces and their significance to the Arboretum.

Another thing that I love about the Arboretum are the trails. We have yet to walk each path as there are so many. Not only are there walkways through the gardens, but there are also trails in prairie land and the forest. Last, we love the benches and picnic tables scattered throughout the Arboretum. It creates easy spaces for picnics or to stop for a snack with little ones in tow. Overall, this is such a great stop to walk and see the beauty of spring blossoming through.

Ney Nature Center- Henderson, MN

Our second place that we love to walk in the spring is Ney Nature Center in Henderson, Minnesota. Not only does it have a breath-taking view above the Minnesota river looking down, but this spot also, has a wide variety of landscapes to walk in. I love spots where it’s not the same kind of land you walk in the entire time. Ney offers prairie, wetlands, ravines, and woods. Again, this is a location with many benches, picnic tables, and chairs to sit and enjoy nature while eating a snack.

Another favorite spot here for my kids is the natural playscape. They have added to it through the years and we were pleasantly surprised to find even more to play on this time. A large deck above one of the ponds is also, always a hit. We are bound to see nature either in the water or around the deck. Later in the spring, a greenhouse is set up usually and the kids like to explore here as well.

Again, this is a location with a lot of trails. We haven’t hiked all of them here yet either, but we have done quite a few. The pond loop trail is our favorite as it’s pretty and fairly simple for most kids to walk as it’s only 1.4 miles. A stunning memorial pollinator garden is another must see when you visit Ney. There is also, a hidden windmill trail where you can see an old windmill. Ney offers events throughout the year that are great for families, but unfortunately we have not ever been able to make one work yet.

These two spots are locations that you will want to stop at this spring or summer to see their beauty! Both spots have walks that are short enough for little ones or people with limited mobility, but also have longer trails for those who want to go further. I love that both spots have unique additions to make them memorable locations for anyone who visits. After you stop at either location, plan to visit Diamond Dust Bakery next to the Arboretum or Schuette’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Henderson after Ney. Hope you enjoy all that each spot has to offer!

Addresses:

Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College: 800 W College Ave, St Peter, MN 56082

Ney Nature Center: 28238 Nature Center Ln, Henderson, MN 56044

Until my next adventure,

Allie