Olio in Iowa

The Ultimate Guide to Fargo-Moorhead Breweries

When we started to plan our summer trip to North Dakota, I was pleasantly surprised to discover an overwhelming number of Fargo-Moorhead breweries. Visiting craft breweries has always been one of my favorite ways to get to know a new city and these northern communities proved no different.

With so many incredible beers to sample, I feel that it’s important to get a feel for the full scope of the community’s craft offerings. Before you grab a beer (or two or three), make sure to peruse the ultimate guide to Fargo-Moorhead breweries.

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Meet Big Ole, America’s Biggest Viking in Alexandria, MN

I’ve visited a lot of large roadside attractions, but Big Ole definitely has one of the strangest backstories. Located in Alexandria, Minnesota, America’s Biggest Viking is much more than a random landmark.

You might have noticed that Big Ole’s shield reads “Alexandria: Birthplace of America.” Local lore claims that Norsemen visited the central Minnesota town in 1362. Continue Reading…

Meet Otto the World’s Largest Otter

Statue of Otter the World's Largest Otter in Fergus Falls, Minnesota

One of my favorite things about Minnesota is its large number of, well, large attractions. Lucky for me, one of Iowa’s neighboring states is home to dozens of “world’s largest” things just waiting to be explored. Recently got to know Otto the World’s Largest Otter in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.Continue Reading…

Snap a Photo with the World’s Largest Booming Prairie Chicken

World's Largest Booming Prairie Chicken in Rothsay, Minnesota

I’m always up for visiting a new “world’s largest” thing. Even if it happens to be a prairie chicken. A booming prairie chicken, to be precise. Located in Rothsay, Minnesota, the World’s Largest Booming Prairie Chicken towers 13 feet tall over the rolling plains.Continue Reading…

5 Spring Break Inspired Weekend Getaways

Ever since I can remember, all of my classmates and I desperately looked forward to spring break. Not only did it mean a week off school, but spring break always seemed to signify the impending, endless possibilities of summer. Now that I’m out of school and have to be a “real” adult, I don’t get a coveted week off every spring. But that doesn’t mean I can’t plan a getaway of my own to celebrate the warmer weather to come.Continue Reading…

One Fine Day in New Ulm, Minnesota

One Fine Day is a series inspired by my favorite now-defunct Chicago Tribune column of the same title. The posts in this series are short, sweet, sometimes themed, and always a charming snapshot of a city.

One Fine Day in New Ulm, Minnesota

Some may know of New Ulm, Minnesota because of its amazing Oktoberfest. But there’s more to this charming southern Minnesota town than pretzels and beer. We visited on a perfectly crisp autumn weekend and loved exploring the natural beauty and complex histories of New Ulm. And with endless options of places to eat and drink, you’ll never have to worry about finding someplace to snack. After only a long weekend, we knew one thing for sure: there are many ways to spend a delightful day in New Ulm, Minnesota.Continue Reading…

Happening Upon the Historic Harkin Store

When we headed to southern Minnesota to celebrate Oktoberfest in New Ulm, we discovered another reason people visit the area that time of year: the beautiful leaves. You may hear locals begrudgingly refer to these seasonal spectators as “leaf people.” But it’s no wonder that the especially beautiful views along the Minnesota River Valley draw crowds.

In fact, it was in our search for fall foliage that we discovered the historic Harkin Store. Continue Reading…

Celebrating Oktoberfest in New Ulm, Minnesota

Disclosure: The New Ulm Convention & Visitors Bureau facilitated our Oktoberfest experience. However, all opinions are my own.

Graphic that reads Celebrating Oktoberfest in New Ulm, Minnesota with pictures of giant pretzels, a street festival, and Hermann the German.

Many cities have their own Oktoberfest celebrations, but few compare to the one hosted in New Ulm, Minnesota. Not only have New Ulm’s festivities been named one of the country’s Top 10 Oktoberfests by USA Today, they’re also rooted in hundreds of years of local tradition.

In fact, this small Minnesota city packs in so much celebrating that its Oktoberfest spans two weekends across three locations. Last fall we headed north to New Ulm to experience all of the excitement for ourselves and were blown away by the celebration this community puts on.Continue Reading…

Sips: Schell’s Brewery

Schell's Brewery

Schell's BreweryWhen we headed north to New Um, Minnesota for Oktoberfest, we planned on drinking lots of beer. But the highlight of our trip was a tour of the August Schell Brewing Company.

Founded in 1860, Schell’s Brewery is the second oldest family-owned brewery in the United States. The brewery has a rich history and offers a wide variety of German craft beers against the beautiful, wooded backdrop of New Ulm. Continue Reading…

Meet Hermann the German in New Ulm, Minnesota

Disclosure: The New Ulm Convention & Visitors Bureau facilitated our visit to the Hermann Heights Monument. However, all opinions are my own.

Herman the German

Herman the German

During our autumn visit to New Ulm, Minnesota, we enjoyed the beautiful fall leaves, sipped Schell’s seasonals, and explored the historic small town. We also had the opportunity to meet a local legend—Hermann the German.

Towering 102 feet over the town, Hermann the German is a benevolent presence over this southern Minnesota town. During our visit we caught glimpses of Hermann everywhere—from commemorative pins to the logo of the local newspaper, The Journal. But none was more iconic than the monument erected to this Germanic hero in Hermann Heights Park.Continue Reading…