Spring Getaway
Lake, Gardens, Art, History, Shopping…Oh My!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Bus leaves promptly at 8:30 a.m.

We will begin our day at Noerenberg Memorial Gardens on the shore of Crystal Bay of Lake Minnetonka. Grain Belt founder Frederick Noerenberg and his family built their estate here in 1890. The gardens are widely regarded as one of the finest formal gardens in Minnesota.

Then we’ll tour the Minnetonka Art Center. The Center’s purpose has been to help groups of Minnesotans – particularly families and children – make art a part of everyday life. We will tour the studios and see diverse projects in progress.

The Art Center will provide us with lunch in their private dining area – perhaps on the terrace, weather permitting. You can complete your visit here by visiting the Center’s gift shop.

Excelsior was founded in 1853 by colonists from New York. The city is a unique blend of old and new. In Excelsior we’ll ride the Minnetonka Trolley, tour the trolley barn where we will view the restoration in progress, and hear the history of the effort to preserve these cars, which were built in the late 1800s through early 1900s.

There will be time to visit a variety of antique and specialty shops before boarding the bus for our return trip to Minneapolis.

Reservations begin April 14 at the Gale or mail a check to Marlene Baldwin (make checks out to AAUW Minneapolis).