On Location — Savvy Planners Book These Minnesota Hot Spots

Vegas, LA, New York? Sure, they’re great places to hold an event or a corporate convention. They’re also expensive, crowded, and can be a logistical nightmare. Good thing there are fantastic places closer to home that are affordable, accommodating, and easy to navigate. Take a look at some fun facts about these Minnesota hot spots that are fast becoming popular with planners:

Discover Lots of Small-Town Charm in a Big Way Here

Located just two hours south of the Twin Cities, Albert Lea, MN is a mecca of gorgeous lakes, rivers, parks, and more.
• Explore Albert Lea and you’ll find more than a dozen hotels, motels, B&Bs, and historic inns at which you can rest, relax, and meet.
• Dining is sublime with something for every taste from cozy cafes to fine dining establishments.
• Tour the Freeborn County Historical Museum; see a show at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center; enjoy a tasting at the Three Oak Winery; or stroll the Farmers Market in search of fresh produce.

The Possibilities Here are Endless

Home to the world-famous Mall of America, Bloomington, MN awaits you just ten minutes south of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
• The MSP International Airport is here, making arrivals and departures a breeze.
• More than 40 hotels welcome guests within the Bloomington City limits, and 70 restaurants offer cuisine for every palate.
• Gather your group in one of the area’s exceptional meeting hotels, such as the Radisson Blu, AC Hotel, or the Crowne Plaza Aire.
• When work is done, see the sights at Nickelodeon Universe, nearby Paisley Park, or the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

There Is Much to Explore in Hutch

Explore Hutchinson, MN, just 90 miles west of the Twin Cities metro.
• Known as “Minnesota’s Hometown,” Hutchinson features over 30 individual parks and recreation areas.
• It’s also home to the scenic Luce Line State Trail with 63 miles of biking and hiking trails that meander alongside the Crow River.
• There is plenty of comfortable lodging and meeting space available here, as well as dozens of casual and fine dining establishments.
• Don’t forget to experience the local culture by visiting the McLeod County Historical Society & Museum, the Hutchinson Theater Company, the Hutchinson Center for the Arts, and more.

With the Buzz of the City Right in the Backyard

Including the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, and Maple Grove, Minneapolis Northwest Tourism offers plenty of places to explore.
• Located just minutes from downtown Minneapolis making it easy and fast to get around town.
• Offering free parking at nearly 20 hotels including the Asteria Inn & Suites, Cambria Suites, and the Hampton Inn.
• Delicious and diverse ethnic cuisine is waiting to be served at restaurants such as Benihana, Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, and Claddagh Irish Pub.
• Distinctive and versatile meeting venues including two that have over 50,000 square feet of meeting space.
• Close to the city means lots of places to explore like the American Swedish Institute, Bell Museum of Natural History, Brave New Workshop Theatre, and Acme Comedy Club.

Rich with History

Located a little more than 60 minutes south of the metro, you’ll want to Visit Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism to see the city named after the Dakota word for the Straight River.
• There are lots of unique and interesting things to do in Owatonna, including visiting the nation’s only Orphanage Museum, exploring the Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Zoo, and drinking healing water at Mineral Springs Park.
• Feel at home in the cities’ 500 guest rooms at hotels, motels, B&Bs, and campgrounds
• Get a taste of local flavor at dozens of restaurants serving everything from American cuisine to Asian, Mexican, and Italian.
• A variety of affordable meeting spaces can accommodate conferences or banquets for up to 450 guests, while the Four Seasons Centre can hold up to 2000.

Perfectly Positioned for All Your Meeting and Event Needs

Roseville Visitors Association welcomes you to their community where you’ll have convenient access to all the Twin Cities has to offer.
• A variety of unique meeting and banquet venues await your group, including the Roseville Skating Center, Bent Brewstillery, Harriet Alexander Nature Center and Rose Vine Hall.
• Eleven hotels in the area welcome guests to relax in their comfortable, quiet accommodations.
• One hundred dining options means there’s something for everyone to enjoy, from Axel’s Charhouse to Big Bowl Chinese & Thai, Chianti Grill to CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar.
• When the work day is done you can visit nearby Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, tour the Alexander Ramsey House, play a round at the Como Park Golf Course, or take a spin at the Guidant John Rose MN Oval, the largest outdoor refrigerated skating facility in North America.

Tons of Venues and Hundreds of Attractions

Visit St. Cloud Area CVB and enjoy the many amenities of the largest city in the state’s central region.
• A variety of hotels in the downtown area are within walking distance of both the Mississippi River and downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment.
• Choose from a vast menu of dining options including small-plate eateries, artisan bakeries, authentic Thai, Indian, Japanese, Mexican, or Greek fare.
• Great and spacious locations for your event or meeting including Alpers Golf Learning Center at Saint John’s University, 912 Regency Plaza, and Halenbeck Hall Fieldhouse at St. Cloud State University.
• You’ll never run out of things to do here. Start with a stroll at Munsinger Clemens Gardens, play a round at Angushire Golf Club, visit the Art & Heritage Place/Haehn Museum, or lift a pint at Bad Habit Brewing.

Stay in The Gateway Just Minutes from the Metro

Twin Cities Gateway consists of nine flourishing communities, including Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, New Brighton, and Shoreview.
• Twenty-two affordable and convenient hotels, B&Bs, and lodging properties offer comfortable guest rooms and suites, as well as free parking.
• Find your flavor at a wide variety of restaurants serving up casual and fine dining. Choose from Acapulco Restaurante Mexicano, Barley John’s Brew Pub, Crooners Lounge & Supper Club, and Giuseppe’s Italian Ristorante to name just a few.
• Eclectic meeting and event spaces include Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts, Banquets of Minnesota, Bowlero, and Bunker Hills Event Center.
• No matter the season, there’s always something fun and entertaining to do in the Gateway. Stop by 10K Brewing, make a splash at the Anoka Aquatic Center, shop for Antiques on Main, or go for a trail ride at Bunker Park Stable.

There’s Always Something New to Discover Here

The Willmar Lakes Area offers visitors 30 recreational lakes in which they can boat, swim, fish, water ski, tube canoe, kayak, paddle boat, paddle board, and more.
• Whether you’re looking for luxury or want to keep things simple, the area offers a wide range of hotels, motels, resorts, and campgrounds at which to lodge.
• From fast food and deli, to international cuisine and upscale dining, you’ll find something for every taste in the area.
• Meetings take on a different note when you gather your group at some of the area’s most unusual venues including Glacial Ridge Winery, Goat Ridge Brewing Co., Green Lake Cruises & Pontoon Rental, or the Greenwater Garage & Gallery.
• From biking to birdwatching, geocaching to golf, there’s plenty to see and do in the Wilmar Lakes Area. Relax at the Bellezza Salon & Spa, take a spin at the Atwater Karting