Minneapolis Public Schools

Explore Northeast Minneapolis, known for its industrial and immigrant heritage. Today it is a beautiful, viable, diverse community. Start where Minneapolis started -- at the Falls of St. Anthony. Enjoy the falls in the late spring when the water is close to its highest level as we walk across the Stone Arch Bridge. Polish, Ukrainian, Lebanese, and German immigrant communities sprang up in this industrial area. They were working class families. Languages from 'the old country' were spoken. These traditions from the old country remain strong. It was a neighborhood of simple strong houses, warehouses and factories. Event the street names served a purpose. Named after presidents, they helped immigrants prepare for their citizenship exams. But is has changed. Learn about what had happened in the earlies days of the neighborhood and how the new look and feel of Northeast Minneapolis evolved. Learn how the Grain Belt Brewhouse was saved from the wrecking ball, sold and renovated, earning- it the National Preservation Honor Award which recognized outstanding efforts that gave new meaning to communities through preservation. Walk into the past. Travel down the oldest street. Learn about the corner grocery stores and prominent homes. Find out who the most influential familes were and how one Charlotte Van Cleve became one of Minnesota's first suffragettes. Locate the exact place where Republicans gathered for their first National Convention here is 1892. Se churches. Visit the oldest Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes. See the First Congregational Church, St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Constantine Ukrainian Catholic Church, Church of St. Cyril Methodius (Slovak) and Marian Lebanese-Rite Church. Travel along Central Avenue, Northeast's commercial mainstay, past historic buildings, community parks, artists' studios and intimate cafes. There are wonderful storefronts in quaint two-story brick buildings and present-day art galleries perched alongside residential homes. This is the new Northeast, fashioned by young entrepreneurs, professionals, artists and historic preservationists! NOTE: Includes Motorcoach Bus, Guided Narration, All Admissions and Bakery stop. Lunch will be on your own. First Pick-Up Location: West 7th Community Center - 265 Oneida St, St Paul, MN 55102 - 8:45 am Board Coach Bus - 9:00 am Bus Departs Second Pick-Up Location: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN. Meet bus at the Chowen Ave. (west side) parking lot between 46th & 47th streets - 9:30 am NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after May 18th. $75 refund if we are able to fill your spot from the waitlist. If tour is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will let you know if space becomes available.

Our tour begins as we travel into the beautiful hills and valleys of Wisconsin called the Driftless Region. Our destination is Lake Geneva, once the location of summer White House of Calvin Coolidge. Two night lodging included on beautiful Lake Geneva at Harbor Shores. Tour Highlights: Visit to Swiss Historic Village & Free Time in the Town of New Glarus Dinner on Shores of Lake Geneva Black Point Estate - Historic Brewery Owner's Home 2-Hour Boat Ride on Beautiful Lake Geneva with Narration Walking Tour Along Lake Geneva Shoreline (Optional @ 1 mile distance) Driving Tour of Downtown Lake Geneva & Neighborhoods Dinner & Dancing Horses Performance Horicon Marsh Visitor Center & Lunch Take Horicon Marsh Boat Tour aboard Pontoon boats through the scenic "everglades of the north", America's largest freshwater cattail marsh. View birds and animals in the natural habitat. View the Modest Little White House School in Ripon - Birthplace of the Republican Party in 1854 Sample Ripon Good Cookies City Tours of Ripon, Berlin, Wisconsin Rapids and Black River Falls All adults 21+ are welcome to join the tour! Price includes: Coach Bus Transportation, 2 Nights Lodging at Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva (lake side rooms), Two Breakfasts, One Lunch, Two Dinners, allCruises & Museum Admissions NOTE: Meals on your own - 2 lunches First Pick-Up Location: Lake Harriet United Methodist Church - 4901 Chowen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410 - 7:15 am Board Coach Bus - 7:30 am Bus Departs Second Pick-Up Location: West 7th Community Center - 265 Oneida St, St Paul, MN 55102 - 8:00 am Deposit of $400 due with registration. NOTE: Final payment due April 2nd. Final Payment Due: 60 Days Prior to Departure Overnight Tour Cancelation Policy: - 60 Days Prior to Departure: 100% Refund of Trip Fee less $5 Processing Fee - 59-45 Days Prior to Departure: 90% Refund of Trip Fee OR $50 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 44-16 Days Prior to Departure: 50% of Trip Fee OR $100 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 14 Days or Less: We will work to get you a return for some recoverable costs. This will vary by tour and date of cancelation. No guarantees. If tour is sold out, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

Land of Natives, Explorers, Fur Traders, Lumbermen and lake lovers -- Our trip to Itasca Country will include 5 of Minnesota's largest and more legendary lakes: Leech, Cass, Itasca, Winnebegoshish & Mille Lacs Lakes. Plus Minnesota's largest expanse of virgin pine in Lake Itasca State Park. We will visit two of Minnesota's most popular resort towns: Walker and Bemidji. We will explore, like past explorers, to Itasca Country to find the source of the Mississippi River. Tour Highlights: Museum Tour of Mille Lacs Lake Indian Museum & Trading Post Boat Cruise on Mille Lacs Lake Lunch at Twin Pines Resort National Loon Center Yellow House Ice Cream Shop Tour of Menahga - the most Finnish town in Minnesota Traditional Finnish Dinner 16-Mile Scenic Ride through Lake Itasca State Park Walk with Naturalist to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River Mary Gibbs Museum & Jacob Brower Dinner at Clancy's of the Island See Largest Statue of Paul Bunyan Visit Historic Chase on the Lake on Leech Lake City Tour of Bemidji Tour Lost 40 Acres with Walking Path Judy Garland Childhood Home Forest History Center City Tour of Grand Rapids All adults 21+ are welcome to join the tour! Price includes: Coach Bus Transportation, Guide, Three Nights Lodging (2 Nights AmericInn & 1 Night Best Western), 3 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners, 2 Lunches, All Admissions & Bakery Stop. NOTE: Meals on your own - 2 lunches First Pick-Up Location: West 7th Community Center - 265 Oneida St, St Paul, MN 55102 - 7:30 am Board Coach Bus - 7:45 am Bus Departs Second Pick-Up Location: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN. Meet bus at the Chowen Ave. (west side) parking lot between 46th & 47th streets - 8:15 am Deposit of $400 due with registration. NOTE: Final payment due May 7th. Final Payment Due: 60 Days Prior to Departure Overnight Tour Cancelation Policy: - 60 Days Prior to Departure: 100% Refund of Trip Fee less $5 Processing Fee - 59-45 Days Prior to Departure: 90% Refund of Trip Fee OR $50 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 44-16 Days Prior to Departure: 50% of Trip Fee OR $100 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 14 Days or Less: We will work to get you a return for some recoverable costs. This will vary by tour and date of cancelation. No guarantees. If tour is sold out, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

Travel to Orange City, IA for the 85th Annual Orange City Tulip Festival! As we travel west to Orange City we will make two stops: The Hobo Museum in Britt, IA and the Museum of German Prisoners of War in Algona, IA. Our first evening includes this year's special performance of Anastasia. Day two we'll take a bus tour of Orange City, IA before spending the entire day exploring the festival grounds including the heritage center, flower show, Dutch dancers and much, much more. You will see colorful floats and glimpses of 19th century Holland as you watch one of the best parades in the Midwest. Day three we will travel to Sioux Falls, SD for a city tour showcasing the namesake Sioux Falls Park and the historic Cathedral. As we return through southern Minnesota we'll stop at the Historic Dayton House named for the Dayton's Department Store family. Tour Highlights: Hobo Museum German Prisoners of War Museum 85th Annual Orange City Tulip Festival Festival Parade Anastasia Performance Sioux Falls City Tour, Falls Park & Cathedral Historic Dayton House - Worthington Reconciliation Park - Mankato City Tours of Windom, Mankato, and Belle Plain. All adults 21+ are welcome to join the tour! Price Includes: Coach Bus Transportation, Guide, Two Nights Lodging (Fairfield by Marriott), 2 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners, 1 Lunch, Orange City Tulip Festival Value Book, Reserved Seating for Parade, Anastasia Performance, All Admissions & Bakery Stop. NOTE: Meals on your own - 2 lunches First Pick-Up Location: Lake Harriet United Methodist Church - 4901 Chowen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410. - 7:30 am Board Coach Bus - 7:45 am Bus Departs Second Pick-Up Location: West 7th Community Center - 265 Oneida St, St Paul, MN 55102 - 8:15 am Deposit of $400 due with registration. NOTE: Final payment due March 13th. Final Payment Due: 60 Days Prior to Departure Overnight Tour Cancelation Policy: - 60 Days Prior to Departure: 100% Refund of Trip Fee less $5 Processing Fee - 59-45 Days Prior to Departure: 90% Refund of Trip Fee OR $50 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 44-16 Days Prior to Departure: 50% of Trip Fee OR $100 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 14 Days or Less: We will work to get you a return for some recoverable costs. This will vary by tour and date of cancelation. No guarantees. If tour is sold out, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

Step back in time and explore the vibrant history and cultural richness of Rondo, St. Paul's historic African American neighborhood, on our immersive bus tour. Led by Dr. Artika R. Tyner (award-winning author, civil rights attorney, and Rondo native), this tour takes you on a journey through the heart of Rondo, where you'll learn about its history as a bustling community filled with thriving businesses, arts, culture, and close-knit families. As we wind through the streets, you'll hear captivating stories of resilience, creativity, and community engagement, from the challenges faced during the construction of Interstate 94 to the vibrant cultural scene that once flourished here. Alongside its rich history, Rondo was also a hub of arts and culture, nurturing talented musicians, artists, and writers who left an indelible mark on the city's cultural landscape. You'll visit significant landmarks, including historic churches, schools, and businesses, each with its own fascinating tale to tell. Along the way, you'll also have the opportunity to meet local residents and community leaders, gaining insight into the ongoing efforts to preserve Rondo's legacy and build a brighter future. Whether you're a history buff, a cultural enthusiast, or simply curious about this important chapter in St. Paul's past, our Rondo bus tour offers a unique and memorable experience for all. Join us as we celebrate the past, present, and future of this beloved neighborhood, steeped in history, creativity, and community. Includes samples from Flava Coffee, Slice Bros. Pizza and Life Juices Super Food Bar! - 9:45 am Board Motorcoach at Hallie Q Brown Community Center located at 270 N Kent St, St Paul, MN 55102 - 10:00 am Bus Departs - 1:00 pm @ Return to Hallie Q Brown Fee includes coach bus, guides & light refreshments, A portion of tour proceeds will support participating Rondo businesses. Note: Only transfer of registration after April 17th. No refunds. If the tour is full, please add your name to the waitlist. We will let you know if spots become available.

Join historian Frank M White on this fascinating journey through the early years of St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood. From the beginning, Rondo was a haven for people of color and immigrants. Learn of the neighborhood's immigrant namesake who faced discrimination due to his wife’s mixed white and indigenous heritage. French Canadians, German, Russian, Irish, and Jewish families all followed his lead in the late 19th century and found homes there. Beginning in the 1910s and 1920s, Rondo experienced a social and cultural boom. Music and theater flourished. African American newspapers such as the Appeal, the Northwestern Bulletin, and the St. Paul Recorder represented Rondo’s interests and needs. In 1913, St. Paul established its chapter of the NAACP, making it a center for civil rights activity. One member of the chapter, Rondo resident Roy Wilkins, later led the national NAACP. Frank grew up in Rondo. He will share stories from his extensive research as well as personal stories living in the neighborhood. Meet the Motorcoach Bus at Hallie Q. Brown Community Center located at 270 N Kent St, St Paul, MN 55102. 9:45 am Board Motorcoach Bus 10:00 am Bus Departs Fee includes coach bus, guides, and light refreshments. Note: Only transfer of registration after Mar 25, 2026. If the tour is full, please add your name to the waitlist. We will let you know if spots become available.

Join us for our Minnesota Moonlight Mushing Experience! After an introduction of dogsled driving and equipment we'll meet the Siberian and Alaskan Huskies. On an evening when the moon is almost at its fullest, you will make two dogsled runs on a 1/2 mile route. Everyone will have a chance to ride in the sled and drive a team. When you are not sledding you will have more time to play with the huskies. Enjoy a warm beverage around the bonfire while roasting marshmallows. Dog sleds can hold 1 or 2 adults. Class meets at Lakes Byllesby Regional Park near Cannon Falls.

Ever wanted to know more about snowshoes, and maybe try them out in the snow? Start the new year off right and join our first snowshoe event of the new year. We will start at the Parking Lot for fitting and instruction, then enjoy a hike (approximately 45 minutes) around the park. Snowshoes and trekking poles (if needed) are provided for use, just make sure to dress for a Minnesota Winter outdoors. We will wrap up back at the Recreation Center with hot drinks and a snack! In the event of inclement weather (below 0 degrees F), we will reschedule the event. If the event is sold out, please add your name to the waitlist. We will contact you if a tickets become available.

Join us for an informational presentation about three travel programs sponsored by Minneapolis Community Education. Get the inside scoop about the destination as well as trip details and inclusions. Attending a travel show is informational only. It does not commit you to the trip but allows for great discussions and an opportunity to learn more about these travel opportunities. Feel free to join us. Travel show is free, but advanced registration is required. 2026 Travel Destinations: ICELAND EXPLORER - June 10, 2026 CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS – August 8, 2026 TREASURES OF IRELAND – October 6, 2026 We hope you will consider joining us! NOTE: Travel presentation is free, but advanced registration is required.