If you want to do anything outdoors, go here. They have trails which can be accessed in both summer and winter. They also have a great interpretive center. More

See a panoramic view of the Minnesota Valley behind the educational building. Go for a hike on an easy-to-navigate trail that will take you on bridges over marshes and make you feel you are out in the country. Hard to believe the city is a stone's throw away! Serene and well preserved. More

I like this area in the summer when biking. If you are not biking you may be carried away by mosquitos at times. If you go in the early spring or fall this can be better for insects. I mostly recommend biking because the Mosquitos can't catch you unless you get a flat tire. More

This refuge is a treasured stretch of semi-wild lands along the Minnesota River that stretches all the way from near the MSP airport as far south as St. Peter, Minnesota in various segments. The visitors center in Bloomington has been reworked to include both solar and geothermal heating and has excellent programs for visitors of all ages all week. The... More

This beautiful place offers seemingly endless lengths of trails to be hiked and scenery to be taken in - all in the middle of the urban/suburban sprawl of Bloomington/Shakopee area. More

Out of the way to get to but just keep the Hilton Hotel in sight and you will find it. The sound of traffic fades and you can visit a thoughtful and informative visitor center, There is a scenic overlook and often wild turkeys stroll right up to the building. You can hike down to the Minnesota River (bring water... More

When we stay at the Airport Hilton we like to walk through the refuge. Great place to get in your steps and enjoy nature. More

We loved the NWR! The visitor center is quite nice and full of information. You can sit comfortably inside and watch a bevy of birds come up to the feeders and gardens right out back. We hiked a trail (until the bugs got the better of me by the water), enjoyed the wildflowers, listened to birds, watched frogs hop across... More

I consider the Minnesota Valley NWR, the hidden gem of the Twin Cities. Spanning the length of 13 cities in the South Metro, surprisingly few people know about it. It stretches from Jordon, MN north and eastward, past the Mall of America, and right up to the MSP Airport and Fort Snelling at the confluence of the two largest rivers... More