Fall is by far my favorite season in Minnesota. There are so many wonderful foods, the weather is cool but not cold and then there are the leaves, you simply can’t beat fall in Minnesota. A couple weeks ago, my husband and I packed up the mini van with our two-year old daughter and grandma in tow and headed to Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, Minnesota.
When you arrive at Grand View one of the most striking features is their lodge. History buffs will be impressed that their lodge was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Despite being 90 years old, the lodge maintains its historical integrity while still being enjoyed in a modern way. One morning I was in the lodge and saw people relaxing in the lobby and they were smelling and holding the couch pillows and I overheard one of them say, “It smells like home here.”
On Friday night, my mom had made us a reservation for their Friday night wine tasting. For $25 a person, we received 5 pours of different California wines, assorted cheeses and crackers and a non-invasive instruction on the history and information about the wines we were sampling. The tasting was held in the lodge’s cellar and was reminiscent of the tasting rooms you’d find in wine country.
On Saturday, our family enjoyed checking out many of the free activities the lodge provides including a pontoon fishing trip and an evening bonfire complete with smores. During the day, my husband and I were able to sneak in some golf at one of their courses and my daughter enjoyed the indoor pool and waterslide with her grandma.
For our stay we chose to stay in one of the Roy Lake Villas. These are beautiful, multi-room cabins, perfect for large family vacations. It’s being on vacation with the sense of home. As someone who loves to cook, I was very impressed with the gadgets and appliances they stocked in the cabin. I was able to make all the meals for our family during our stay.
My favorite part of the weekend was when I was able to check out Glacial Waters Spa located right on the lodge property. I had a Chakra massage, which was nothing like any massage I have ever had. The massage incorporated meditation, reflexology, deep tissue massage, essential oils and hot stones. If you are looking for a different massage and enjoy meditation, I highly recommend it. The spa itself is a gorgeous facility and I enjoyed all the great amenities including the steam room and my own set of slippers and cozy robe.
You can sign up for their Facebook alerts and receive notice about upcoming deals and events. If your husband is a hunter and leaving you home this fall, check out their great ladies get away packages including a cooking weekend with chefs from Cooks of Crocus Hill.
Our family loved Grand View lodge and found it to be a great get away for the fall but we’re excited to check it out this winter and even next summer!
Grand View Lodge
23521 Nokomis Avenue
Nisswa, Minnesota 56468
Reservations (866) 801-2951 | (218) 963-2234
Email at vacation@grandviewlodge.com
http://grandviewlod.le1.getliveedit.com/index.php
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-View-Lodge/98918764019
Twitter: @Grand_ViewLodge
Alice Seuffert is a St. Paul Mom, food blogger and the Kitchen Star on Twin Cities Live. You can access her blog at diningwithalice.blogspot.com and follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/diningwithalice or Twitter: @aliceseuffert or @diningwithalice