Extra Fare – Self-Guided Tours

The Twin Cities area is home to many different types of attractions that we’re sure you will find interesting to visit if you so desire. From museums, historical sites and outdoor attractions, there are many to choose from. Here are some of the most popular:

Railroad related activities

Minnesota Transportation Museum – Jackson Street Roundhouse

Twin City Model Railroad Museum

The James J. Hill House

Non-railroad related activities

Shopping

Mall of America

Boat cruises

Al & Alma’s Genuine Lake Minnetonka Cruises & Supper Club

Stillwater River Boats

St. Croix River Cruises

Animals and Plant life

Como Park Zoo & Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Fairs

Minnesota State Fair

Major Minnesota Sports Teams

Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Frost

Minnesota Loons

University of Minnesota Football

St. Paul Gangster Tour – Wabasha Street Caves

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!”

Read more at ThievesRiver.com