How to Take the Ultimate Self-Care Trip to Nisswa

Nature Link is one of the newest properties in Nisswa, a plot of peaceful land that once housed Minnesota’s second oldest resort and a summertime retreat for hockey players. Now under the ownership of two young families, its matte black cabins, soothing event space, and mind-settling barrel sauna look as if they were torn from the discerning pages of a design magazine. A location that feels remote but is right next door to the Paul Bunyan State Trail and Brainerd makes Nature Link a perfect starting point for living that lake life all year round, too.

Northland Arboretum offers more than two miles of marked snowshoe trails that pass through a prairie restoration area full of friendly birds and a jack pine savanna that smells like a fancy air freshener. If you’re more of a cross-country skiier, the Brainerd Nordic Ski Club keeps 12 miles of top-notch trails groomed every season, and a quarter of the course lit at night. It’s a prime example of Minnesota’s active lifestyle, in other words.

Or as Kiola put it during her family’s own snowshoe session, “Once you get going, you don’t notice how cold it is.... I’m literally sweating.”

MN Traders Co. boasts a bold “coffee-to-cocktail” menu that makes it a daily brunch destination in Pequot Lakes. Order a little it of everything with a big ol’ board of bagel bites, cream cheese, mini waffles and donuts, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, avocado toast, fruit, local maple syrup, and house-made jam. Breakfast pizza, sandwiches and salads, and several different sourdough toasts and bowls are also available if you’d rather dig into your own dish. Either way, be sure to set aside some time to check out the cafe’s well-curated gift shop of hygge essentials and home goods.

While it's best known for its summer and golf season activities, Grand View Lodge doesn’t go dark in the winter. Coast through postcard-worthy snow drifts with Clydesdales, then spend the rest of the day exploring a new 3,779-square-foot Northpark complete with a waterslide-sporting indoor pool, several ice-skating rinks, and a spacious hot tub area that keeps happy couples warm in the depths of winter. 

Sherwood North is a short drive away from North Link and another example of a local business that’s balancing its historical landmark status — a fierce stone fireplace that was built in 1936, and a building that’s more than 100 years old — with grand ambition. Kiola was quick to say that she’d “never forget” supper club standards like a pickle-forward relish tray and popovers smeared with honey butter, but don’t sleep on a walleye roll that puts lobster on notice; a charred wedge salad that’s been showered with bleu cheese crumbles and a warm bacon vinaigrette; or seared scallops served alongside parsnip puree, chive oil, and an umami-packed combo of cooling tomatoes and parmesan crisp. 

“This place is huge,” Kiola said as her family made their way through Mall of America. “There’s a whole roller coaster in here.” 

Indeed, there is. And that’s not all. Nickelodeon Universe is a sprawling theme park featuring 27 rides and attractions — everything from extreme riffs on “Avatar: The Last Airbender”, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “SpongeBob SquarePants” to one of the country’s most iconic log chutes. 

As for its stores, Mall of America is full of old favorites and spiffy flagships that’ll appeal to outdoor rec enthusiasts (L.L. Bean, Arc’teryx), athleisure addicts, (Lululemon, Vuori), trend chasers (Nordstrom, Artizia), and nearly every other kind of shopper imaginable.

The Market at Malcolm Yards is a food hall that feels like a whirlwind tour of international cuisine. Look out for tempting fast-casual takes on Detroit pizza (Wrecktangle), po’boys (Mr. Paul’s), barbecue (Revival Smoked Meats), and artisanal ice cream (Bebe Zito), as well as welcome nods to Argentina (DelSur), Mexico (Martes Tacos), and many different corners of Asia (Bagu, Momo Dosa, Abang Yoli). Drinks are served from a chef-inspired cocktail bar and a wall of pourable craft pints that’s locally sourced and includes several non-alcoholic options.

Considering he’s a longtime collector, it’s no surprise that Nathaniel slipped into the stacks at Roadrunner Records — no relation to the heavy-metal label, by the way — for what felt like hours. The shop has stocked new and used vinyl for nearly 40 years and hosted in-store performances by such indie and avant-garde acts as The Mekons, Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Michael Hurley. 

“[It’s] the thrill of the catch,” Kiola said when asked about Nathaniel’s love of LPs. 

“This is his version of fishing, I guess.”

StepChld owner Kamal Mohamed — a serial entrepreneur who’s also conquered fried chicken (Nashville Coop), crustless sandwiches (Gallant Tiger), and clean eats (Parcelle) — named his northeast Minneapolis restaurant after its difficult to define menu, something he describes as food “a step removed from its origin.” That includes birria tacos that benefit from a berbere spice mix, shrimp kicked up a couple notches with grilled nori, lavender and a fermented chile butter sauce, and a “Minneaple Beauty Burger” served on a pretzel bun with pickled cabbage, gochujang aioli, American cheese, an over “mediumish” egg and a lacy smash patty. 

“It’s been really amazing to be part of this community,” Kamal said, referring to the bridge he’s built between his Ethiopian roots and Minneapolis. “It’s big, but it’s small; it kind of has that Goldilocks feel.”