Tours   

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.

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. 

In week one, we will visit the Raptor Center for a program in which Raptor Center staff show live birds. Afterwards, we will go into the area where the birds are kept. In week 2, we will visit the College of Biological Sciences Conservatory. The staff will show us the public display gardens and talk about the Conservatory. Then, we will visit the research collection and do a treasure hunt. There may be an option to join lunch outings after each session (own expense). 

Our visit will begin with a short talk about the history of the conservatory. Then, a member of the conservatory staff will lead us on a walking tour of the facility, taking us behind the scenes into places that the public doesn't see. 

Our visit will begin with a short talk about the history of the conservatory. Then, a member of the conservatory staff will lead us on a walking tour of the facility, taking us behind the scenes into places that the public doesn't see. Course fee: $20

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).

Get up early and join us to meet the animals at Como Zoo. We will have a two-hour tour led by zoo staff. Meet a zookeeper and encounter some of the animals. Visit parts of the zoo where visitors are usually not allowed. Course fee: $40.

Join us for a tour of three Minneapolis-based community art and maker spaces! Week 1, we’ll visit the Twin Cities Maker, a non-profit, volunteer-driven community makerspace in the Seward neighborhood. With more than 14 different shop areas, it’s a haven for all things creative including a full woodshop, industrial sewing machines, blacksmithing, and 3d printing. Week 2 we will get a tour and fiber art demo at the Textile Center. Finally, Week 3 we will visit the Northern Clay Center to tour their ceramics workshop and be treated to a wheel demonstration! Tours involve stairs and non-air conditioned spaces. Optional lunch afterward at participant’s expense. Full address and parking information will be shared upon registration.

The Minnesota Museum of American Art’s exhibit “Here Now” showcases 150 selected works from the Museum’s permanent collection that explores the expanse of American identities and complexities. These tours, led by the Museum’s guides, will investigate the lived experiences and creativity of the artists from many communities and cultures that have contributed to what we call American Art. New pieces have been rotated in the exhibit! No course fee; Museum donations welcome.

Queering Indigeneity (QI) is an exhibit at the Minnesota Museum of American Art. This exhibit celebrates the vision and diversity of 2-Spirit, Native Queer, gender expansive artists in the Upper Midwest. QI is the result of a multi-year partnership with Penny Kagigebi (White Earth Ojibwe) and the Minnesota Museum of American Art. The goal of this partnership is Kagigebi’s hope to influence the types of artists who are supported, seen, and centered at the museum, and to show both Indigenous and non-Indigenous visitors a more comprehensive and complex story of this region’s art and artists. No course fee; Museum donations welcome.

The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden forest trails are filled with woodland wildflowers all spring long. As summer approaches, the wetland and meadow begin to shine! Join naturalists for a tour of the three garden areas — woodland, wetland, and meadow – to see the shift from spring to warmer season blossoms. If the timing is right, we may glimpse our state flower, the showy lady's slipper, blooming by the trail. Meet at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden parking lot. Course fee: $10.00

The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden forest trails are filled with woodland wildflowers all spring long. As summer approaches, the wetland and meadow begin to shine! Join naturalists for a tour of the three garden areas — woodland, wetland, and meadow – to see the shift from spring to warmer season blossoms. If the timing is right, we may glimpse our state flower, the showy lady's slipper, blooming by the trail. Meet at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden parking lot. Course fee: $10.00

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.

Join OLLI members for a behind-the-scenes look at the Como-Harriet car barn where historic streetcars are stored and repaired. Ride an historic streetcar as it follows its old route between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska and share stories with an experienced volunteer conductor. Meet at Station House, 42nd Street, Mpls MN 55410. Slightly uphill from the lakeside bandshell & parking lot. Optional lunch at the beautiful Lake Harriet pavilion. Course fee: $10, not including lunch.

Join an OLLI excursion to the scenic and historic Taylors Falls. Enjoy a guided luncheon river cruise through the ancient geologic swirling pothole landscape of the St Croix River. Visit Interstate State Park to learn more about the potholes from a naturalist. Stroll through the historic village and early New England-style district of Angel Hill with a local historian. Our final stop is the cozy lumber town of Marine on St Croix to learn about the history of the town, its architecture and visit a 19th Century restored Swedish immigrant cabin. Day trip: 9:15am - 5:15pm. Meet at Bethlehem Lutheran Church 4100 Lyndale Ave. So., Minneapolis MN 55409. Meet at church by 9:15, bus leaves at 9:30 sharp! Free parking in the church lot. 

Fine grained computer motion control can be used to create exquisite kinetic art. Sisyphus Industries in Minneapolis is a collective of creators who make kinetic art by using a small robot (the Sisbot) to magnetically pull a steel ball through sand. The tracks the ball leaves in the sand field provide intricately changing patterns that are further enhanced by controlling lighting effects under a tempered glass cover. Lead artist Bruce Shapiro will guide us through the process used at the Sisyphus studio as their creators progress from initial conceptual design to a finished art piece. Bruce Shapiro's computerized kinetic art pieces are permanent installations in museums in Switzerland, Germany, US, Canada, Poland, and Australia. Meet at: 451 Taft St NE STE 1, Minneapolis, MN 55413.

Join us for a guided tour of the Minnesota State Capitol, designed by Cass Gilbert in 1905. Learn about various aspects of the capitol including art, murals, paintings, and architecture. Weather permitting, walk to the Quadriga on the roof. Park at non-reserved numbered spaces on the street or in the state parking lots. Pay stations take cash or credit cards. There will be an opportunity to join a group lunch after the tour (at your own expense).

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.

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

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

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. 

Fish, like us, are vertebrates. You may think that the similarity ends there, but how different are we, really? This class examines the bodies of freshwater fish at a basic level: their main characteristics, both structure and function. This class is not for the squeamish, as the majority of our time after an indoor introduction will be spent examining the bodies of real fish. We will begin with external parts but then continue on to internal anatomy as you are asked to wield scalpel, probe and scissors! All equipment (including gloves!) provided.

What better day to learn about African American history in our state than June 19, aka Juneteenth, aka Freedom Day, which commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.? Join this special tour at Historic Fort Snelling, where so many aspects of Minnesota history converge, and you’ll hear of both injustice (Dred Scott and the Supreme Court’s infamous decision) and accomplishment (Black men from the Fort’s “buffalo soldier” units who became pillars of the Twin Cities community). Park ($6), then join fellow OLLI members at the Visitor Center. Course fee: $10.

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.

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. 

Minneapolis is blessed with one of the nicest ballparks in Major League Baseball. Your 90 minute tour will give you a look at the history and some of the special places that make this park so wonderful.

Learn more about Minnesota/ Native American history and Dakota culture through a guided tour of the Shakopee Mdewanketon Sioux Cultural Center. Established in 2019, Hocokata Ti, located near Mystic Lake and surrounded by restored native prairie grasses, is a not-to-be-missed architectural gem and cultural treasure. Meet at Hocokata Ti. We will begin with a 1-hour guided tour of the museum. After a short break to visit the gift shop and library, we will spend 45 minutes with the relics. Join an optional lunch (own expense) following the tour.

An opportunity to enjoy a local historic site with lunch and a flowery finale to the day! Join the group at Oak Hill Cemetery, the oldest operating cemetery in Minneapolis. Walk through a review of local history in the park-like setting of this space on busy Lyndale. Then cross the street to lunch at Patrick's. The cafe is located in Bachman's greenhouse. After lunch, a tour of Bachman's will include a history of the Bachman family horticulture business and, perhaps, the historic house. The precise schedule will be emailed to participants a week before the event.