Staycation Itinerary: A Day out with family in Granite Falls

Whether good or bad weather, this itinerary for a day out with fam­ily in Granite Falls can work for both indoor and outdoor adventure. This week’s itinerary offers up a variety of activities that can be easily altered depending upon the tem­peratures, or rainfall. However, this itinerary works best on a
Friday and Saturday, due to the hours and availability of some of the locations.

What to pack: A cam­era, plenty of water for hydration if participat­ing in outdoor ac1ivities, bug spray if participat­ing in outdoor activities, and some socks sufficient for wearing bowling shoes, a picnic.

Morning: Start out your day with a visit to Rice Park along the Minnesota River for a morning of disc golf. The River’s Edge Disc Golf course features six holes making it accessi­ble for both those who are well aware of the game, and those who are new. On the U-Disc website, some commenters offered their opin­ions on the Disc Golf course, with one saying, “Well made course for the space available. Pitch and putt difficulty.” An­ other said, “Course was well maintained and had decent signage and concrete teepads at each hole. The course flows well and navigation was quite easy.” The River’s Edge Disc Golf course is accessible from down­town by crossing the walking bridge, or parking along Minnesota Av­enue. The park also fea­tures a playground, and will soon be home to the first ADA friendly play­ ground in the state to be installed this fall.

Lunch: Pack a picnic and en­joy a light lunch along the river at the picnic tables available on the Riverwalk across the historic Walking Bridge from Rice Park. Lunch surrounded by art, with a view of the flowing river provides for a relaxing environment. Stop by Falls Nutrition for a bev­erage after lunch to help pick up an energy boost for the afternoon activi­ties.

Early Afternoon: Hit up the Andrew Volstead House Museum for an escape room expe­rience with Nellie Vol­ stead’s Escape Room. The experience is locat­ed in the kitchen of the Andrew Volstead House Museum, and involves solving a puzzle based on Nellie Volstead’s his­ tory. Nellie was the wife of Congressman Andrew J. Volstead, most known for his role in the prohi­bition, but who also en­gaged in other activities in Congress that benefit us today such as the Cap­per-Volstead Act that al­lows for Cooperatives to exist. Nellie was a part of the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage. There is a fee to partici­pate in the Escape Room experience, and those who solve the puzzle win a special Volstead orna­ment. The proceeds from the Escape room benefit the Granite Falls Histor­ical Society. Participants are allowed one hour to solve the puzzle, but Granite Falls Historical Society member Mary Gillespie points out that they do allow people to stay longer if they want to solve the problem, but guests should come at least an hour before clos­ing to allow time for the activity.

Appointments can be booked by emailing [email protected], and are available on the Fridays and Saturdays the Andrew Volstead House Museum is open. If no appointments are booked, walk-ins are welcome. The museum is open Fridays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat­urdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additionally, vis­itors can enjoy a themed photo booth for free while visiting.

Mid-Late Afternoon: Hit the Granite Bowl bowling alley for some bowling between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Fridays, and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays. The bowl­ing alley not only offers the opportunity to bowl inside of a recently re­modeled with a vin­tage-appeal facility, but the venue also operates as a Bar and Grill. Menu items vary from cheese curds to pizza, to burg­ers. Guests can enjoy an afternoon of bowling, and pick up their eve­ning meal as well. If vis­itors are staying towards evening they can also stop by the Granite Falls Kiwanis Popcorn Stand. The historic stand is lo­cated on Prentice Street and serves the popular popcorn and rootbeer from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Reporter & photography by Jessica Stolen-Jacobson