Taking a vacation doesn’t have to mean slacking on your fitness goals. Bloomington is filled to the brim with opportunities for health and wellness and strikes a perfect balance between urban amenities and mother nature. Pack your workout gear and get ready to enjoy new experiences at some of our favorite spots for healthy lifestyles.
Day 1
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Morning: Rise and shine for a square meal at your Bloomington hotel — one of more than 40 that is sure to have complimentary breakfast, an award-winning restaurant or be in close proximity to one. Once you’re ready, a short drive away is the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, where you can spend all morning exploring 14,000 acres of trails, wildlife and unmatchable views. Be sure to stop at the visitor center on your way in to pick up a map so you can plot out your adventures.
Afternoon: Once you’ve worked up an appetite at the wildlife refuge, head to the Mall of America® area for lunch. Hazelwood Food and Drink, located just a few blocks away, serves up comfort food with plenty of healthy options like veggie rice bowls and freshly grilled fish. The next stop on your nature-filled agenda is a Twin Cities’ paradise: Minnehaha Falls Regional Park, home to a 53-foot waterfall that’s beautiful every month of the year. Rent a family-friendly surrey or three-wheel chopper bike from Wheel Fun Rentals and pedal around the park.
Evening: After an action-packed day, Mall of America has dinner and a show for you. With more than 50 restaurants in the mall alone, you can’t go wrong (or hungry). Watch a chef prepare dinner before your eyes at Benihana or nosh on authentic Mexican food at Cantina Laredo. To top off your day, strap in for an all-immersive tour of the country’s most beautiful sights and sounds. FlyOver America at MOA® is a bird’s eye flight of coast-to-coast landmarks, complete with wind, scents and mist. Want to beat the lines for this popular new attraction? Buy timed tickets ahead of time.
Day 2
Hyland Hills Ski Area
Morning: Start your second day in Bloomington with an indoor group fitness class at one of our city’s many gyms and studios. Lululemon‘s brand-new experiential store, located at Mall of America, offers a variety of yoga classes in their fitness studio. Yoga not your thing? Lifetime Fitness and 952 Crossfit have drop-in classes and guest passes for visitors to try out a new workout. Vertical Endeavors, Bloomington’s cutting-edge rock climbing facility, welcomes climbers of all ages to scramble up walls of up to 60 feet. When you’re done with your morning workout, fuel up for the rest of day with brunch at the award-winning Smack Shack.
Afternoon: If you’re craving some outdoor time, head to Hyland Lake Park Reserve, a picturesque escape with an 18-hole disc golf course, Richardson Nature Center, and of course, sprawling Hyland Lake. During the winter months, Hyland Hills Ski Area offers skiing and snowboarding for all ages and skill levels.
Evening: It’s time to treat yourself to an incredible meal at one of Bloomington’s 40-plus restaurants. Cedar + Stone, Urban Table at the brand new JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America serves up American fare with an emphasis on goods purchased from local farmers. Lela‘s contemporary menu specializes in housemade pastas and seafood crudos, and Twin City Grill is a longtime favorite for local specialties. After you’ve reminisced about all you’ve seen and done in Bloomington and the Twin Cities, let your head hit the pillow. We’ll see you again soon.
