Bike Rentals in the Twin Cities
The Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro is loaded with bike trails, and there are many options for bike rentals for both residents and visitors.
Local Outdoor Businesses
Blog posts about and interviews with outdoor independent small businesses near Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Over the Hill Outdoors: Outdoor Ed for Adults
Over the Hill Outdoors offers outdoor recreation instruction for adults, serving the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area. These private and semi-private lessons give clients the confidence they need to pursue an …
Twin Cities Kayaking Rentals and Tours
John Schulte, owner of Twin Cities Kayaking, has a unique approach to renting kayaks. Instead of asking you to go to him, he brings his kayaks to you. John has …
EnjoySUP: Find Your Joy on the Water
Kelly Konopliv of EnjoySup has been teaching people of all ages to find their joy on the water through stand-up paddling, SUP fitness and SUP yoga instruction since 2017. She …
Women’s Wilderness Discovery: Boundary Waters Trips
Women’s Wilderness Discovery, based in Ely, has been bringing women into the Boundary Waters—year ’round—since 2014. Many of these women are from the Twin Cities, and many of you who …
Polar Mitts Keep Us Warm All Winter
Melody Anderson is the founder of Twin Cities’ based Polar Mitts, “the warmest mittens you’ll ever wear!” I first learned about Polar Mitts when I saw a basket of these …
Stone Harbor: Grand Marais Outfitter
Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply isn’t a Twin Cities outdoor business—but so many of their customers come from the Twin Cities that it makes perfect sense to feature them here on …
Velo du Nord: Bike, Wellness & Coffee Shop
New in 2019 is Velo du Nord—a small locally-owned Afton business with an interesting combination of cycling, massage, homemade waffles and coffee! Most of us don’t automatically match those four …
Aqua-Bound: Award-Winning Kayak Paddles
You’ll find Aqua-Bound’s kayak and stand-up paddles used all over the world. And they’re made at their factory right next door in Osceola, Wisconsin. I have a special place in …
Bending Branches: World-Class Paddles Made Locally
The folks at Bending Branches, just across the river in Osceola, have been designing and manufacturing world-class canoe paddles since 1982. They’ve since added kayak paddles, kayak fishing paddles and …