Non-rail Extra Activity

Al & Alma’s Lake Minnetonka Lunch Cruise

We have contracted with Al & Alma’s for our private lunch cruise on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026 from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm. We will be leaving the Port of Wayzata aboard the yacht Isabella to enjoy lunch, refreshments and take in the wonderful sights of Lake Minnetonka. Wayzata Bay is only 16 miles from our convention hotel. Please stay tuned for more details … [Read more...] about Al & Alma’s Lake Minnetonka Lunch Cruise

University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a 1200 acre facility located in Chaska, Minnesota an easy 13-mile drive from the DoubleTree hotel. The level of exertion required on this visit can range from hiking the miles of trails to taking the three-mile drive in your vehicle (our favorite). The three-mile drive has parking along the route which allows you to explore many … [Read more...] about University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

From Minnesota Digital Library:

“The growth of Minnesota can be tied directly to the growth of railroads. The railroads supported farmers, millers, miners, and loggers by moving the raw materials they produced to sell at markets. In turn, the railroads brought other goods and products to the people to build their homes, businesses, and towns. Railroads also brought immigrants to settle the land and provided jobs and income to laborers and investors.

Three of Minnesota’s major railroads were the Northern Pacific, the Great Northern, and the Soo Line. While these three were not the only railroads that operated in Minnesota, they had a major impact on the state.

The U.S. Congress chartered the Northern Pacific Railway in 1864 to build a transcontinental railroad from Lake Superior to the Pacific coast. When it was completed in 1883, the railroad had laid nearly 6,800 miles of track through Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Its headquarters were in St. Paul, Minnesota.”

From ThievesRiver.com:

1) Uff da

Background: A Scandinavian import, particularly from Norwegian, “uff da” is widely used to express dismay, exhaustion or sometimes even relief. It embodies the stoic yet expressive nature of Minnesotans.

Example: “Uff da! I forgot my wallet at the cabin. Now I can’t pay for the meat raffle tickets, gosh darn it!”

2) You Betcha

Background: This phrase epitomizes the friendly and positive attitude of Minnesotans. It’s often said with enthusiasm and is used to mean “absolutely” or “you can count on it.”

Example: “Do you want to come to the hockey game this weekend? Grain Belts are on me!” – “You betcha!”

Al & Alma’s Lake Minnetonka Lunch Cruise

University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

2026 NNGC FAQs

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

Minnesota Lingo

1) Uff da

2) You Betcha

Non-rail Extra Activity

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2026 NNGC FAQs

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

Minnesota Lingo

1) Uff da

2) You Betcha