Midwest Meetings | Just for Fun/Take a Break! - Midwest Meetings

Get Your Group to the North of Normal Games

1/14/2019

Photo Courtesy of Fargo-Moorhead CVB

Frostival is packed full of events, from the quirky and competitive North of Normal Games to Snowga to sauna sessions in Log the Sauna and more.

Mark your calendars for Jan. 25 & 26.

Take part in the North of Normal Games:
• Beard Invasion
• Capture the Flag
• Cardboard Sled Races
• Disc Golf
• Frosty Cup
• Human Curling
• Reverse Dog Sled Races... and so much MORE!

Register NOW!

Fantastic Fall

9/24/2018

Foliage in the Midwest

In the land of four seasons, many look forward to the vibrant colors and cooler temperatures the fall season lends. Take time to enjoy the change of season in one of these spectacular Midwest locations.

Marquette, MI
Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, visitors enjoy the area’s forests, waterfalls, and, of course, changing leaves. The vibrant hues of orange and red can be seen for miles, often times forming colorful tunnels over winding roads.

The 23 Annual NorthShore Inline Marathon (NSIM) will take place on Saturday, September 15, 2018

9/14/2018

The 23 Annual NorthShore Inline Marathon (NSIM) from Two Harbors to Duluth, MN will take place on Saturday, September 15, 2018. The NSIM is the largest inline skating race in America.

Weekend Highlights

Expanded Expo area with more vendors along with numerous activities and demonstrations, including roller derby, skate cross, aggressive inline skating, indoor speed skating, and more. (Friday 9/14 from noon-9pm).
For the first time in NSIM history, every finisher will receive a 2018 race finisher medal.
Altered finish line and expo area on the bay side of Harbor Drive/DECC. Expo in DECC Arena.
Free Roller Derby tournament on Saturday as skaters finish the race (located in DECC South Pioneer Hall).

‘Skate & Sip’ Group Skate Series Back for 2018

6/25/2018

Starting on Tuesday and back by popular demand is the Skate & Sip group skate series at Bent Paddle Brewing. The NorthShore Inline Marathon, in conjunction with host Bent Paddle, is leading a free bi-weekly group inline skate session that is open to the public, targeted at inline skaters and quad skaters/roller skaters.

The first group skate session is on Tuesday, June 5 at 6pm at the Bent Paddle Taproom in Duluth, MN (1832 W Michigan St), where group members will skate for about an hour then rejoin for a free Bent Paddle beer.

Skate & Sip is every other Tuesday at 6pm through the summer leading up to the 23rd Annual NorthShore Inline Marathon on September 15.

“We had an awesome showing of all sorts of skaters last year, from people who haven’t inline skated for years and years, to the Harbor City Roller Dames roller derby team, to elite-level marathon skaters and everyone in between. Nothing is better than a cold Bent Paddle beer after a summer evening blade through the city,” said NorthShore Inline Marathon race director Mike Ward.

Cast a Line - National Fishing Day, June 18, 2018

6/18/2018

Fishing is a summer pastime for many and luckily the Midwest is full of great waters for everyone from pro anglers to pond hoppers. Here is a look at just a few great destinations for a group of avid fisherman.

The Iowa Great Lakes are a group of lakes in northwest Iowa, consisting of the three main lakes Big Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, and East Okoboji Lake. This area, commonly referred to as Okoboji, offers many resorts, nearby golf, and Arnolds Park Amusement Park.

‘Sewing club’ rides in Midwest

5/8/2018

Members of the International Sewing Club meet a couple of times each year for a weekend of motorcycle excursions and fellowship.

by Judy Bryan

They roared into Fairmont, MN on Friday, rumbling through the streets on their motorcycles. Clad in riding leathers, the 11 bikers caused enough concern that one resident reported them to local law enforcement.

And that is how the spring meeting of the International Sewing Club was called to order.

Yep, a “sewing club.” On Harleys. All ridden by their female owners.

Read more at Fairmont Sentinel.

50 states: 50 craft chocolate makers

2/14/2018

by Devorah Lev-Tov

Is there anything better in this world than chocolate? Probably not. And when that chocolate is handcrafted from meticulously sourced ingredients… well, you’ve got a winner on your hands. Fortunately, tons of chocolate makers are jumping on the bandwagon, resulting in incredible chocolate production across the country. Goodbye Mars bars, hello bean-to-bar.

Read more and check out the great chocolates of the Midwest at USAToday.

‘BIZARRE FOODS’ WITH ANDREW ZIMMERN RETURNS ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 AT 9 P.M. ET/PT WITH A LARGER-THAN-LIFE TREK DOWN THE PAUL BUNYAN TRAIL

12/15/2017

Andrew Zimmern

Andrew Zimmern, host of Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” gets in touch with his inner Paul Bunyan in his adopted home state of Minnesota.

Andrew Zimmern embarks on an epicurean exploration to reveal the food and stories behind notable characters, cultures and mythology in the new season of Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” with Andrew Zimmern. Premiering on Tuesday, January 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the seven-episode season is a celebration of Zimmern’s boundless appetite for culinary history and its cultural impact on a location.

From episode to episode, he plunges into the history of the Aztecs in Mexico; traces Napoleon’s march through Poland; and examines the folklore behind North America’s most storied personalities including Don Juan De Onate, Jesse James and Paul Bunyan.

Unusual and historic miniature golf courses around the USA

11/9/2017

Can Can Wonderland

Hole 1 mini of the golf course at Can Can Wonderland in St. Paul, Minnesota. Photo Credit: Can Can Wonderland

by SUSAN B. BARNES

Whether you know your way around the links or not, everyone can take a shot at a hole-in-one when it comes to miniature golf.

From Midwest Meetings: Congratulations to the Midwest locations who made the list!
Illinois: The location listed in this article is temporarily closed.
Iowa: Lost Island, Waterloo
Minnesota: Can Can Wonderland, St. Paul
Nebraska: Prehistoric Putt, Omaha
Ohio: Allison's Mini Golf, Geneva On The Lake
South Dakota: Putz n Glo Black Light Miniture Golf, Rapid City
Wisconsin: Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, Wisconsin Dells

Read the full list at USA Today.

TripAdvisor's top-rated attraction in each state

8/23/2017

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore Photo credit: Rapid City CVB

Travel attractions are competing for your attention — and in many cases, your tourism dollars — everywhere you go. But how do you tell which are memorable and which are more time and effort than they're worth?

Read more at USA TODAY.

Schell’s Voted the Best Brewery in Minnesota

8/18/2017

Schell’s Brewery

August Schell Brewing Company Estate grounds

“The story of Schell’s Brewery in New Ulm reads like a book that you just can’t put down.”

WCCO-TV | CBS Minnesota recently asked viewers to vote for who they thought was the best brewery in Minnesota. Schell’s fans and beer drinkers across the state weighed in and chose Minnesota’s oldest brewery, August Schell Brewing Company! The second-oldest family-owned brewery in the United States, Schell’s started in the German town of New Ulm in 1860, just four short years after New Ulm was founded. They are open year-round for tours and tastings ($5), and visitors are welcome to visit the gift shop and museum daily from 11am-5pm (free).

Read more an watch a video at CBS Minnesota.

Readers' Choice: Vote for the best attractions in the Midwest

8/8/2017

Music Man Bridge

10Best is almost halfway through building the ultimate American travel bucket list. So far, the readers have chosen their favorite state attractions on the West Coast and in the Southwest, and now the sights are set on the American heartland: the Midwest.

This often overlooked and underrated region is so much more than just the breadbasket of America. Visitors who take the time to linger here find staggering natural beauty, pioneering history and more than a few worthy cultural and artistic hubs.

With the help of an enlisted panel of travel writers and photographers in each state to nominate 20 their favorite must-see attractions. Now you need to pick the winners. Vote once per day for your favorites in each state. Voting closes on Monday, August 28 at noon ET, and winners will be announced on Friday, September 1.

Read more and cast your votes at 10best.

Winter Wonderland

11/28/2016

We are lucky in the Midwest to have time to enjoy all four seasons, though some seem to pass quickly. Enjoy the snow and cold by warming up with colleagues or family at one of the many Midwest Winter Festivals.

Winterfest Bluegrass Festival- Pickin’ and grinnin’ take over the Wichita Marriott Hotel in Wichita, KS every February for the annual winter Bluegrass festival. This two day, all indoor, festival features great jam sessions, workshops, and vendors for bluegrass lovers of all ages.

Saint Paul Winter Carnival - The Landmark Center becomes the backdrop for ice skating and Rice Park is filled with ice sculptures. Warm cheers and thousands of people come out to toast to Spring beating out Winter every year with parades, beer tastings, disc golf, and more.

Book Across the Bay - Ice luminaries cross Wisconsin’s Chequamegon Bay giving way for skiers and snowshoers to take the 10K trek as they make their way from Ashland to Washburn. Read more about it in our Summer 2016 Issue at http://bit.ly/BookAcrossTheBay

WinterFest - Enjoy frosty root beer tastings, arts and crafts, and ice sculptures in Coralville, IA. And for those who prefer 21+ beer, celebrate winter beers at Brrrr Fest.

Heikinpäivä - The Finnish community of Hancock, MI come together for a festive occasion in January when they warm up with wife-carrying races, kicksled races, and polar bear dives.

Look at these Loos!

10/25/2016

Elegance and unique perspectives can be viewed throughout great locations, even within restrooms.

Cintas is currently conducting their 'America's Best Bathroom Contest.' Take a look at these lavish loos and cast your vote by November 2nd.

Midwest Mentions include two Chicago, two Milwaukee, one Minnesota, and one Missouri location.

Cast your vote here.

National Ice Cream Month - July

7/25/2016

Summer is the time for great outdoor events with spreads of fresh fruits and local vegetables, and don’t forget a fantastic dish of ice cream to sweeten up a warm day.

This may be a traditional dessert, but in today’s world the flavors are as exotic as you can imagine with everything from sweet to savory, fruity to herbal with the ability to cater to any palate.

Here is a look at some great Midwest ice cream shops, some that can even cater to your next event.

National Hamburger Day - May 28, 2016

5/27/2016

Photo courtesy of Burger Stand

As May heralds in warm weather and outdoor gatherings from graduation parties and weddings, to corporate team builders and lunch meetings, grills fire up across the nation piled with hotdogs, brats, veggies, and of course a good hamburger.

May is National Hamburger Month with National Hamburger Day being this Saturday, May 28, 2016, so lets look at a few great burger joints that can be found in the Midwest that are ready to serve up spectacular burgers and superb atmosphere.