Burnsville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Contact: Jan Morphew
101 W Burnsville Pkwy, #150B
Phone: 952 898-5643
Tollfree: 800 521-6055
Burnsville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Enjoy the various ethnic cultures that formed the Minneapolis Saint Paul Burnsville area including Irish, Scandinavian, Czech and a touch of German.
Europe Without A Passport-Minnesota Style
Day 1:
Arrive in the Minneapolis Saint Paul metro area and check into your Burnsville Hotel. Burnsville's pioneers were primarily Irish and farmers by trade. Pick up your guide at Wabasha Street Caves in nearby Saint Paul for the Irish heritage tour, "No Blarney" with stops at Irish influenced sites such as, University of St. Thomas, early immigrant areas and the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Drive past Irvine Park, F. Scott Fitzgerald's home and the James J. Hill House. Stop at Irish on Grand, an authentic Irish gift shop. Enjoy an Irish dinner at the Liffey or Kieran's Irish Pub, an authentic Irish pub with authentic Irish music or enjoy a custom-designed traditional Irish meal at Chateau Lamothe in Burnsville.
Day 2:
Today, visit Ingebretsen's, featuring Scandinavian imports, including hand-crafted sweaters, needlework, jewelry, crystal and giftware, plus lutefisk and Swedish sausage. Stop at Mindekirken Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church for a guided tour. Arrange for a haranger fiddle player to play for your group. Stop at Scandia Bake Shop to purchase delicious Scandinavian treats.
Next, enjoy a traditional lunch of open-faced sandwiches at the American Swedish Institute, the Twin Cities only "castle", enjoy a guided tour and take time to browse through the gift shops.
Visit The Landing - Minnesota River Heritage Park to tour historic homes as costumed interpreters portray the daily life of early settlers from various ethnic backgrounds though narration, demonstrations and crafts.
Tonight, enjoy the hilarious play "Church Basement Ladies A Second Helping" at Plymouth Playhouse.
Day 3:
This morning, it's off to Minnesota Czech Country and Le Center to tour the European Roasterie and see the process of roasting coffee beans. Sample fresh coffee. Next stop is Montgomery and Hilltop Hall, a historic concert hall, beautifully restored to its origianl condition. Enjoy coffee and a kolachy, hear the history of Hilltop Hall and Montogmery, and the legend of Big Honza Giganticzech. See a one-hour variety show, including a family of string players, a former Miss Czech USA who is a superb vocalist and pianist, and a songwriter, storyteller and vocalist. Enjoy a traditional pork and dumpling lunch. Stop at Big Honza's Museum of Unnatural History for a peek at the unusual, unnatural and just plain weird items displayed there.
Next, stop at New Prague to take a guided tour of beautiful St. Wenceslas Church featuring stained glass from Czechoslavakia and the United States. A step-on guide will join you on the coach to point out the unique murals depicting New Prague's heritage - the town's "wallseum".
Tonight, enjoy dinner and an interactive "beer stein table-banging, shout'n good time" at Gastof Zur Gemutlichkeit in Minneapolis. A strolling accordian player will entertain you.
Day 4:
Return home with mavelous memories of your "Europe Without A Passport-Minnesota Style" tour.