Living well and centsibly in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area
Have you been to the St. Michael Cinema? It’s probably one of the most unique movie theatres you’ll find near the Twin Cities.
The entrance is like a Parisian courtyard, and they also have a giant Eiffel screen, a drive-in, venues for parties, a bar, and more.
PLUS – they have great deals!
My fiance and I drove real excavators for fun at Extreme Sandbox in Hastings!
It was a “Dueling Date” and you and your partner can drive bulldozers, excavators or wheel loaders together, and even compete on the obstacle course if you want. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day. Check out their Dueling Date deal and other current deals, or use my code FrugalMom to save $50 on any package.
You can take your teenagers, friends, family- anyone who wants a memorable outing! And yes – the equipment is temperature controlled so you can go anytime of year.
We had a blast! Here’s a recap of our experience.
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The whole experience is about 1-1/2 hours.
First, you choose beforehand which vehicles you will drive – bulldozers, excavators, or wheel loaders. This way they can get them all ready for you.
Then after you arrive, you watch 2 short videos about what to expect and how the vehicle operates.
After that, you put on a vest and a headset and climb into the vehicle. It’s a good step up but they will help you. And yes – you each get your own to drive and you drive together!
For any adventure, you get your own instructor, and they will talk to you via your headsets. The nice thing is you can talk to both your partner and your instructor through the headsets through the whole thing (so yes, you can talk “dirt” to each other – no pun intended – maybe).
It’s nice and warm in the cab! You can control the temperature however you like so it’s warm in winter and cool in summer.
You can also take your phone/camera on board too to take selfies and other pics.
The first part of the experience is learning firsthand how to drive the excavator, bulldozer or wheel loader.
A few years ago, my friend and I drove bulldozers here, so I can compare bulldozers and excavators. Many say the excavators are easiest to drive, but I thought bulldozers and excavators were about equal – not hard but not super easy either. It takes a little practice no matter what you’re driving. For example, some of the controls do the opposite you might think they do, like you have to pull back the controls to go forward. Don’t worry though – you get time to practice and the instructor is always helping to guide you.
We added the photography package to ours – I recommend this! You get AMAZING pictures that you couldn’t have taken yourself.
We loved being able to try different moves with the excavators like lifting the “bucket” super high and dropping dirt on the ground. It was actually quite satisfying! Digging in the dirt and making big piles – it’s literally why they call this place “Extreme Sandbox.” It’s playing in a sandbox times 100!
Then we had an obstacle course where we lifted basketballs off of cones, and flipped and stacked tires. It was tricky! We did it though (well, I admit, my fiance did better than me…).
We had so much fun! Our instructor Nicole did a great job and I of course had to pose for some funny pictures afterward.
The photography package included so many pictures and they turned out so great.
Check out their Dueling Date special! It’s only $350 for EVERYTHING we did! That includes the photography package too.
You may be thinking that’s a lot of money for an ordinary date, but if you can afford it, I think it’s worth doing for any occasion – an anniversary, a birthday, or anything else. It’s definitely a memorable way to celebrate!
Also, check out my year-round deal – save $50 off any package with my code FrugalMom!
Visit their website for more info.
(Disclosure: We received a complimentary experience in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.)
Ok, first of all, I know it’s dark and cold at this time of year, but dang, Minnesota has some AMAZING things to help you forget all about that.
Winter Lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum are one of the events that will light up your season.
It’s happening now and there are beautiful lights to see on a lighted path around the Arboretum. We went during opening weekend and it’s a winter wonderland! We got so many great pictures I could only include a fraction of them here.
Here is my recap and review, plus tips if you visit.
I love this! And it’s a new deal that just started.
We don’t eat out at elegant restaurants much, but when we do we go to places where kids can eat free, or there are other deals like happy hour specials. And Kona Grill has both of these and more!
We were invited to try it out and honestly, we were very impressed. We had never eaten before at Kona Grill but there were so many things we loved about it that I put together this list: “5 Things We Love About Kona Grill!”
Whether you love seafood and sushi or burgers or chicken – they have so many tasty dishes. We tried several from Chicken Satay skewers to Miso-Sake Chilean Sea Bass (my favorite!) and everything satisfied.
Late this summer my kids and I went on an action-packed road trip to KANSAS! We wanted an affordable road trip to a midwest destination that we’ve never been to but has many hidden gems – and we discovered many in Kansas!
Kansas is just a few states away from Minnesota, but you can get there from the Twin Cities in one day’s drive. What’s great is that it’s pretty direct taking I-35 straight to Kansas City, then I-70 west from there to Topeka.
We chose to take two days to get down there – we made the 4-hour drive from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area to Des Moines for one night, and then drove to Topeka the next day, where we arrived by about 1pm.
There’s actually a TON of stuff to do throughout the state of Kansas, which would surprise many people because Kansas is often thought of just a flat state or “flyover country.” Even to me, growing up in the midwest myself, Kansas didn’t seem like as much of a destination, but more of a place to stop on the way “to” somewhere. But after actually spending 5 very busy days there, just in one part of the state, and going to a media event showcasing all of what Kansas has to offer, I can tell you for certain: PUT KANSAS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST! I’m so glad we did, because my kids and I had a BLAST.
In fact, because there’s so much to see in Kansas, we had to narrow our trip just to the northeast area, on and around I-70, which is closest to our home state of Minnesota. We visited four cities: Topeka, Wamego, Manhattan, and Abilene, which are all not far from each other. And to be honest – we had an action-packed trip, and had one full day in each city, but even then, barely saw as much as we wanted to! Still, I’m excited to share with you our epic trip to northeast (and part of northcentral) Kansas, and I hope can you plan a similar trip with your family!
Note: My kids at the time of this trip were 14 and 11, and everything we did on this trip was perfect for their ages. There are places like children’s museums and great playgrounds in these cities as well, if you have younger kids. [Read more…]
If you go to the Minnesota State Fair, I recommend getting food at The Hangar on the north end!
The Hangar is owned by a family who also own Fun Biz Fair Food, which has tasty fair food all around the country including right here in Minnesota.
My boyfriend and I got to sample some food and beer at the Hangar at the start of the Minnesota State Fair this year and share our thoughts.
Yes, we sampled all of this food!
Going clockwise from the top right photo:
🐖 Bacon wrapped pork belly on a Stick– my boyfriend loved this one best. It’s as Juicy and flavorful as it sounds.
🍍 The Island Hopper – it’s half a pineapple with charbroiled chicken, pineapple, rice, green onions and sesame seeds. This was my favorite 😍
Fries – the seasoning on these is the best. Try them!
🔵 The Tailspin – pulled pork, coleslaw, French fried onions, cheese on a hash brown waffle (fries). This was one of my faves – so many good things in one!
🍩 The Wingwalker – donut holes with 3 dipping sauces- Bavarian Creme, chocolate custard and Minnesota lingonberry. I couldn’t pick one favorite…
And BEER! Oh my goodness, do they have a lot of beers on top, and they’re local to Minnesota!
🍺 Beer, and beer flights – they have many Minnesota beers on tap here including 4 new beers I got in a flight. I am not really a beer person (I prefer sweet drinks over bitter) but I actually found two beers I really loved: the cherry limeade blonde and Hangar honey! They tasted so sweet and fruity I was surprised they’re actually beer (shh…don’t let your kids know).
Here’s the beer menu:
Check out their impressive food menu:
When we were eating, a group at the next table noticed and asked about our food – they were impressed and wanted to get some!
The Hangarlace also is family-friendly and has live entertainment! I thought it was a great place to “hangout” (lol). It’s right by gate 2, off Hoyt Avenue.
@funbizfairfood #funbiz
Have you tried their foods or beer?
Learn more about The Hangar on their website.
French Regional Park in Plymouth has one of our favorite playgrounds in the Twin Cities. It was just redesigned a few years ago and is an impressive place for kids and families.
We visited on a beautiful summer day recently and it was so fun!
French Park has a tower that’s 28 feet tall, six slides, 47 climbable nets, water misters, a play area for smaller children, patio tables with umbrellas for shade, and more. There are many trails and a swimming beach at the park as well.
If your kids need exercise, this place will get out all the wiggles and giggles!
I just got a fabulous assortment of pop-up birthday cards and other designs from Lovepop!
Ok, as a frugal mom, I’ll be the first to admit that I usually have gotten cards at the dollar store, plus our family makes them from scratch. To me, that’s the most moneywise way to do cards.
But honestly, dollar store cards (like most other cards) are generally enjoyed for about 10 seconds, then stored or tossed. And homemade cards can be really meaningful and artistic, but I myself am NOT artistic at all.
So to me, a really fun, affordable option that I’ve discovered is Lovepop cards. These are pop-up cards that can be everything from flowers to standalone characters (like Grogu from the Mandelorian!) to even a 3D cup of coffee! And they can double as a card AND a gift in one!
If you missed the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in Minneapolis, but the price was too high, or you just didn’t get a chance, there’s good news!
The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is BACK as of July 1st, and will run through September 5, 2022.
It originally opened in Minneapolis in August 2021. It was supposed to be open for only a month but received several extensions through April 2022. And now due to popular demand, it’s back for another run!
It’s located at the Lighthouse Artspace, 1515 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis.
The blockbuster experience has been dazzling and delighting millions of people across North America since its 2020 debut, allowing visitors to “step inside” the iconic works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh, evoking his highly emotional and chaotic inner consciousness through art, light, music, movement and imagination. Acclaimed by critics worldwide, Immersive Van Gogh was recognized as a “must-see…mesmerizing interactive experience” by Architectural Digest, and a “lavish…artistic spectacle” by the New York Times. Time Out Chicago described the modern exhibit as “the future of experiential art,” and ArtNet hailed the production as “a blockbuster digital experience that has taken the art world by storm.”
Wander through entrancing, moving images highlighting brushstrokes, detail, and color of some of Van Gogh’s most famous works of art. The installation includes monumental depictions of Mangeurs de pommes de terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889), and so much more.
Immersive Van Gogh was designed by creative director and Italian film producer Massimiliano Siccardi, with original, mood-setting music by Italian multimedia composer Luca Longobardi, who provided a score that combines experimental electronic music with pure, ethereal, and simple-seeming piano. Vittorio Guidotti is the Art Director.
Ticket prices start at $34.99, with timed and flexible ticket options available. However, you can get DISCOUNTED tickets right now through Goldstar!
There are 4 options:
(I think the basic tickets are fine – see my thoughts below.)
ALSO, your purchase cannot be cancelled after purchase, so please read the fine print.
We went to the Immersive Van Gogh Experience a few months ago and loved it. We were there about an hour.
We got the basic tickets without the seat cushion rental and we were fine. We were able to find benches to sit on for the whole time. The extras you get for the premium price are nice but not necessary.
Also, be sure to make enough time to sit in the second room. There are 2 rooms and the second is bigger and more immersive.
Visit their website for more information.
(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that help support this site at no cost to you. All opinions are 100% mine.)
(Note: This is a spoiler-free review.)
Our family has always enjoyed Disney-Pixar movies, and for sure all the “Toy Story” movies. The most recent Toy Story movie, Toy Story 4, came out in 2019, and I reviewed it here. Those all are a must-see, in my opinion.
After having seen all of those movies, I knew I had to see the new movie “Lightyear.” I saw it at an advance screening with my kids and we really enjoyed it. I thought it was a movie for kids and adults alike, with everything a Pixar movie does well.
“Lightyear” is all about Buzz Lightyear, the popular space toy character from all the Toy Story movies. It’s a prequel to the series, as it’s the movie that Andy saw as a kid, which is why he and other kids had the popular Lightyear action figure toy.
Lightyear is edge-of-your-seat fun, nonstop humor, touching moments, and characters discovering the amazing things they can do.
