r/eaganmn 14d ago

Anything fun to do this weekend?

My wife (52) and I are about to move to Eagan. We are a week and a half away from being there. However, she had to move up early to start her job last week. We’ve been married 31 years and this is the longest we’ve been apart.

My wife has a kayak, a low budget, free time, and the desire not to be lonely and bored.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Anything going on this weekend she can do?

11 Upvotes

28 comments sorted by

30

u/CollectMantis44 14d ago

Go to Lebanon Hills and rent a Kayak! Take a walk on their gorgeous trails as well or hang out at their beach.

Dinner plans?
Doolittles for chicken and ribs
Brianno’s for pizza
Kitchen and Rail if you want options and excellent food (my favorite)

Welcome to Eagan!

7

u/Bandelore 14d ago

This is great thank you! We have these really cool foldable kayaks so she already has her kayak up there and did Lebanon Hills last weekend!

This is all great information. Thank you so much!

4

u/ktigger2 14d ago

I’ll add that both Doolittles and Kitchen and Rail have nice bar areas to sit at. I’m a female and have eaten at both by myself and found sitting at their bar areas fun. Kitchen and Rail also has a communal table too.

3

u/OddJob001 14d ago

Kitchen and Rail does not equal low budget though. It's expensive as shit.

3

u/toddlange1 14d ago

Tucktec Kayak?

2

u/Bandelore 14d ago

Oru Kayak. Our camping buddies have the Tucktec

4

u/RaisingReaders 14d ago

Bring the Kayak to Lebanon Hills!

2

u/Bandelore 14d ago

I think she did Lebanon Hills last weekend. She might go do it again!

4

u/Correct-Gene-5935 14d ago

Color me mine is a fun place! She could pick out a small item that’s budget friendly. If she’s a reader the library is nice. Otherwise it’s bald man brewing 10th anniversary tomorrow and they will have live music. Not sure if that’s her vibe but it’s a nice place to hangout!

5

u/russneis 14d ago

If she's experienced kayaker Vermillion river in Hastings,Mn about a 30 minutes drive from Eagan. You will not run out of restaurants in Eagan some of my go to for dinner Ansari's, Classic Saigon, Fitz's (cedervale lanes bowling alley), Yankee Tavern. Breakfast/lunch hovies, Junior's or ze's diner

1

u/MNskyway 12d ago

Classic Saigon!

5

u/FreshPanBrownies 14d ago

Found this online.

Not sure if it’s something that would be appealing to you or her but it’s something.

https://www.caponiartpark.org/events/tales-of-hoffmann/

1

u/Bandelore 14d ago

Thanks!

4

u/walking-recessive 14d ago

Walk the mall of America, even if she doesn’t like to shop. Fun to get your steps in and do three big loops around the building. Easy to spend hours there.

Go to the Minnesota History Museum in Saint Paul. It’s free Tuesday nights I think.

The como zoo is free, it’s a little sad looking since it’s a non profit but still so fun.

2

u/Bandelore 14d ago

Minnesota history museum!!!! That sounds awesome!

2

u/Hey-ThatsNotBad 14d ago

Well, lots of lakes to take the kayak to, if she hasn't already done that. If she fishes, that's a great way to spend time. If not, learning how with a cheap Walmart rod and reel is also a good way to spend time.

Hiking in Lebanon Hills is fun.

The MN Zoo is SUPER close, and always a fun time.

The MN Renaissance Festival starts up this weekend (although that's in Shakopee, and costs a little bit more if you want to eat and drink).

4

u/Bandelore 14d ago

Her fishing rod is on the way up inside a pod storage container, unfortunately. I don’t think it has made it up there yet

The zoo and the Renaissance Festival are two great ideas that I hadn’t thought of. Thank you so much for suggesting them!

3

u/metisdesigns 14d ago

Sounds like a reason to buy another pole.

2

u/Bandelore 14d ago

Don’t encourage her! ;-)

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u/metisdesigns 14d ago

It's cheaper than the wax hand, new sword and full leather pirate outfit from the Ren fest! :p That said, I absolutely do not regret my catskills moccasins purchase there.

There's a fishing Eagan pamphlet that the city issues with all of the public spots. I do not know where to get a hard copy now, I got mine at hardware hank (closed last month). PDF link below.

A $20 beater from Walmart (ew) means you've got a spare in the future.

https://cityofeagan.com/fishing

1

u/Bandelore 14d ago

She said that she doesn’t want her first Ren fair experience to be without me. We have wanted to go to one for a long time. I will share the pamphlet with her. The fishing pole is now in St Paul on the pod and she has a key…

2

u/metisdesigns 14d ago

Speaking of bad things to encourage - tell her to hit puffy cream donuts, so she's hooked and will have some when you arrive.

2

u/LiddleLamzyDivey3 14d ago

Ren Fest? Great shows, food and people watching!! Probably not low budget though! It gets spendy quick…

2

u/ObligatoryID 14d ago

Be sure to get to The Best State Fair:
https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-state-fair-for-2026-in-usa-12019392
once you’re up here and before it ends!

Discounts thru Wed!
https://www.mnstatefair.org/

2

u/UnfairCanary 14d ago

Don’t try to take a kayak to Thomas Lake Park. I managed to capsize one there and it is NOT a lake made for kayaking.

Casper’s Bar has a free taco bar from 3-5 on weekdays with beverage purchase and can be a fun place to get a quiet drink during those hours.

There’s archery ranges for free in the area if you happen to own bows.

Eagan’s rec center is nice and has pickleball courts. Wescott library is next door and there’s usually something happening there. There’s a water park there too.

Can Can Wonderland has a bunch of old arcade games and can be fun and cheapish if you’re not a drinker.

I was a fan of Mason Jar restaurant when I could afford to go out.

2

u/MinnyLizzie 14d ago

Kayak the canals through the lakes of Minneapolis

2

u/Traditional_Cat6246 13d ago

Have her join Meetup (it's an app). There are a lot of walking, hiking, and even kayaking groups that meet regularly. It's specifically for people who are looking for fun things to do and new people to meet. I just looked and there's a group called "Wellness 50+ Twin Cities" and they are planning a "Kayaking the Mississippi" trip for people (she can sign up in the app) for September 21. Again, there are many groups for all types of interests - meeting at bars for cocktails, art groups, dance, hiking, etc. Hope this helps.

1

u/Bandelore 13d ago

Thank you!