Tours   

Dive into the world of dragonflies and damselflies. Learn the characteristics of these amazing insects and the species common to Elm Creek Park. Hike out to the prairie to catch, observe, and identify using nets and field guides, and record Citizen Science data for the MN Dragonfly Society. This course will take place mostly outdoors at Eastman Nature Center in summer weather. We will be hiking up to one mile on uneven turf trails and walking in the prairie. Course fee: $6.00

Tour five diverse gardens in the western metro that will provide inspiration to gardeners of any skill level. Participants will visit one garden per week, where each host will describe their garden, offer tips, and answer questions. The first stop is Barry Schade’s Bryn Mawr garden, which includes a backyard pond and boulevard rain garden. Tours begin on June 24 and take place on five successive Wednesday mornings. Due to garden sizes, tours will be limited to 35 participants. 

Come and learn about the early history of MN at Gibbs Farm. We will have a presentation by the staff about the Gibbs family and their fascinating lives. Then, we will have a guided tour of the farmhouse. Afterward, there will be an opportunity to meet for lunch at Stout's Pub (own expense).

Have you ever wondered how the lights stay on across 15 states? Join us for an exclusive tour of the MISO Regional Control Center. Step inside the high-tech "nerve center" of the Midcontinent’s electrical grid, where expert operators manage a massive real-time energy market and coordinate the flow of electricity for 45 million people. See the giant video walls, witness the technology that balances supply and demand in seconds, and learn how MISO is leading the transition to a cleaner energy future.

Learn about the Federal Reserve and the history of central banking in the United States. Bank staff will discuss the board of governors, the regional reserve banks, and the economy of the 9th Federal Reserve District overseen by the Minneapolis Fed. Topics include monetary policy, bank supervision, and payments processing. The tour includes a visit to the bank's cash processing area, where $90 million in daily deposits and transfer orders are processed for area financial institutions. Be prepared to stroll for 90 minutes. Check in by 9:50 a.m. or you’ll miss the tour. Park at your own expense. All participants must be registered in advance to attend. Waitlisted members will not be allowed entrance. 

Tour 1: June 10

Tour 2: June 17

Tour 3: June 24

Have you ever tried fluted pumpkin vine (Ugu)? Smelled African blue basil? Added waterleaf to your smoothie? Join us for a tour of the Global Garden at the University of Minnesota to learn about these and other unique African vegetables. Course leader will share garden location with registered members. Meet near the Equine Center on the St. Paul campus of UMN. Park in Gortner Ramp. 

Join OLLI members in exploring this hidden gem of early Minnesota History opposite Fort Snelling: the beautiful 1830s limestone house of later to be Governor Henry Sibley, the fur trading house and buildings of Jean-Baptist Faribault and summer gardens. Meet at the 1850s Dupuis Welcome Center, street parking. 1357 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Mendota MN 55105. After the visit, gather for lunch at Lucky's 13 Pub in Mendota! Admission fee $8. Pay on site. Free for Minnesota Historical Society and Dakota County Historical Society members with cards. 

This course offers an introduction to all things birds! Classroom lectures during weeks 1 & 2 will discuss bird evolution, basic anatomy & physiology, behavior, and ecology. Field sessions at Como Park and Crosby Farm Regional Park during weeks 3 & 4 from 9:30 -11:30 a.m. will focus on bird identification. Terrain: flat, wheelchair accessible paths. Expect walking at a slow pace for about 1-2 miles. Binoculars provided for those who need them. If it rains, we will meet inside for identification lessons.

Join us in visiting and sampling food and items from major Twin Cities international Markets and then have lunch on site or nearby.

June 3: Holy Land – Middle Eastern 2513 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis MN 55418, (Free parking in lots behind Bldg.) Meet Inside.

June 10: La Mexicana Supermercado -Hispanic. 1522 East Lake St. & Bloomington Ave. Minneapolis MN 55407 (Free Parking behind Bldg.) Meet Inside.

June 17: United Noodles – Asian 2015 E. 24th Street (Enter from 24thMinnehaha Ave. and turn left down street next to Coastal Seafoods) Free Parking. Meet inside.

June 24: Hmong Town Market – S.E Asian. 217 Como Ave, St Paul, MN 55103. (free Parking Lot) Meet outside West Bldg.

If you like a bit of mealtime adventure, and if you want to support the restaurants along Minneapolis' Eat Street, this one’s for you. Together we’ll choose which of Nicollet Avenue’s numerous ethnic restaurants to visit on the four Thursdays in June. And with every member of the group selecting a cuisine to report on, we’ll learn more about food culture in our restaurants' homelands while enjoying great flavors and lively conversation.