Winter is here, and for us hearty Midwesterners that means taking advantage of the unique things to do across our beautiful region. Luckily, the...
Outdoors
A Breath of Fresh Air
First Day Hikes foster connection with nature and community on New Year’s Day. Each New Year’s Day, people around the country rise early to join in...
Walking in a Winter Wonderland at Big Rock Creek
Big Rock Creek celebrates the nostalgia of winters gone by. Winters in the Midwest are built on tradition, and in the St. Croix Valley, one family...
Riverway Volunteer Program Protects Scenic St. Croix
Meet the two organizations behind an all-new joint Riverway Volunteer Program. The St. Croix Valley and Riverway may be a treasure to the people who...
Oxbow Trails Open in Afton
There’s a new way to enjoy the natural beauty of the St. Croix Valley. Belwin Conservancy’s newest trail system, Oxbow Trails, officially opened for...
Children’s Farm Preschool Celebrates 50 Years
Picture, if you will, a vibrant, comforting place, filled with wonder. A place where the delightful sounds of children and farm animals play...
Photographer Rhett Arens Shares Stunning Shots
Photographer has traveled across the world, but says life in the Valley is truly special. Local photographer Rhett Arens enjoys early mornings the...
Hudson Booster Days 2023: What To Look Forward To
Hudson’s Booster Days event brings family-friendly festivities and Bingo. The Fourth of July is coming around soon, and that means the Hudson...
Travel Around the Valley This Summer
Add these destinations to your summer bucket list. Going into 2023, I started thinking about how to be more intentional with my time—and for me,...
Exploring the World of Birding
Mother’s Day marigolds turn a lifelong passion into a nationally recognized eco-tour business. When photographer and birding guide Kyle Te Poel was...
A Magical Weekend
The popular winter festival has returned to the St. Croix Valley. The Hudson Hot Air Affair winter ballooning festival is back for another great...
The World Snow Sculpting Championship Returns to Stillwater
Artists from around the world are set to compete in January 2023. Downtown Stillwater will be bustling with activity this winter, even after the...
Take the (Cold) Plunge: Benefits of Cold Water Plunging
Dip into the freezing water this winter. If cold plunging or dipping one’s body into ice cold water isn’t thumbing your nose at a Minnesota winter,...
Roaming Stone Sculpture Recalls A Memory of the Prairie
Belwin Conservancy’s newest art installation brings visitors closer to nature. Sitting on 1,500 acres of land, the Belwin Conservancy welcomes...
Miracle At Big Rock Brings Dazzling Holiday Fun to the St. Croix Valley
The winter wonderland is back for its second year of lights, holiday cheer and more. The snow is aglow at Big Rock Creek thanks to the Miracle at...
Favorite Hikes Around St. Croix Valley
There’s nothing quite like a Midwestern fall—the colorful foliage, the crisp air and the breathtaking views that envelop our community. Several...
Outdoor Playground Offers Kids a World of Possibilities
A Hudson backyard transforms into an immersive classroom for kids. Amid a five-acre forest lies a custom jungle gym, climbing trees and a world of...
It’s the Dog Days
The spring equinox has passed, the days are longer and the sunshine is brighter. Now that spring is officially here, it’s time to have a ball with...
Enter the Badlands
Outdoor enthusiasts love this famous snow park. For the past five decades, the Badlands Snow Park has been a prominent recreation area in Hudson,...
Field of Interest
Local donors help establish St. Croix Valley Foundation’s environmental fund. Continuing to better the landscape of the region, the St. Croix Valley...