When a neighbor mentioned that he needed some help with a Parade of Home’s Artisan Home Tour, I thought, “Why not? It’s a chance to see some stunning houses and meet new people in the process!”
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You can see these dreamy homes (and 18 others!) today through Sunday. Visit one house for $5 or all of them for $25 (with promo code HOLIDAY). All the details are just a click away, so check out more info by tapping right here.
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Here’s the scoop on two fabulous homes I played host to over on the west side of Minneapolis.
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Which one of these jaw-dropping homes could you see yourself living in?
A 3400-square-foot modern masterpiece out in Medina, MN. It sits on 7 forested acres (yet is still close to restaurants and shopping).
Or, maybe you’re more into the 6700-square-foot, 3 story beauty (with an elevator) on Lake Minnetonka.
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House #1 in Medina, MN built by City Homes
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Here’s an inside tour:
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House #2 in Orono, MN on Lake Minnetonka built by Lecy Brothers
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This property has been in the family for over half a century, but the house itself is brand new. The top level is an ’apartment’ for the grandparents who bought this property in the 60s. The elevator takes them to every level where the next two generations live.
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. Watch this video for a tour:
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Which is your favorite? Drop your thoughts in the comment section by giving that little box next to the post title a gentle click.
And if you’re on the hunt for more design inspiration, follow my sister at Krista Lynn Designs. She’s an interior designer with phenomenal taste! .
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There are so many incredible free things to do in Colorado Springs, CO (click here to see that list)! However, there are a few things that are absolutely worth spending a little money to see in do when you visit this incredible city.
This will be one of the most specular rides/drives you will ever take. Plan for about 1.5 hours up to the top of this mountain. Be sure to get a picture at the Summit and try a DONUT! If you aren’t up for driving, the COG railroad is a fun way to get to the top. It’s a bit pricier but a memorable experience!
I wrote a children’s book about Pikes Peak and the Cog Railroad. Illustrations painted by a local artist. Get your copy by clicking here.
This is a beautiful zoo right on the side of the mountain. Get right up close to the animals and enjoy gorgeous views! Your family will love a day spent here. My favorite part was feeding the giraffes.
This is a space museum for families. Everyone will learn something and enjoy the hands on exhibits. It’s a great way to get your kids out of the house on a cold or rainy day.
What I love about this place is that you get to watch real Olympians in training! We took our kids at ages 2, 4, 6 and 8, and they enjoyed it, but I would probably recommend that it’s best for ages 5 and up.
(The Penny Arcade is in Manitou Springs – next to Colorado Springs – but worth mentioning!) Come to this historic arcade and play lots of different games – some old, some new. There are even a few antique games that you can play for a penny, but most games are 25¢. All ages will enjoy this place. I appreciate the history, my kids (and husband) enjoy the games.
This hidden gem is a MUST SEE! It’s one of my favorite spots in our city. It’s the home built by the founder of our city. Schedule a tour of the inside, stay the night, enjoy High Tea, or simply explore the incredible grounds.
My husband took me here for my birthday, and it was AMAZING. I hope that each one of you can stay the night here at some point in your life because it is truly fantastic. Go in the summer so that you can take advantage of the amazing outdoor pool! When you visit, don’t miss the “wall of fame” – a hallway with pictures of all the celebrities that have stayed here!
The Broadmoor
Those are, in my opinion, the top ten best places to see in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
This is a national landmark for a good reason. It should be on every person’s bucket list and I love that it’s right here in town. Every time we visit we see new things. The main parking lot has a bathroom, and the hike from there is stroller friendly! Start there, but I hope you’ll take time to visit every part of this park! Balanced Rock and Siamese twins are two of our favorite spots. What’s your favorite part of Garden of the Gods?
This a gorgeous place to hike with trails that are easy or difficult, short or long – you choose! We love this place! My mom said it’s better than Garden of the Gods because it’s more “natural.”
If you drive past Helen Hunt falls and park at the top of the hill, there is a gorgeous hike to take with your family. My little ones only made it to the first of the ‘seven bridges’, but we loved the hike and enjoyed playing in the creek at the first bridge.
This is a fantastic, brand new park! It has a splash pad, sandy area, playground, picnic area, places to play basketball, soccer, and tennis; there are biking and hiking trails…it’s incredible! Have you been here yet? Here’s a video of our visit there:
This is a gorgeous building right down town. It’s a free museum that is full of interesting facts and displays that teach about the history of Colorado Springs. My boys enjoy playing in the children’s play area, going to story hour, and riding the old elevator. (This is also a good place to go WITHOUT kids so that you can read and enjoy each exhibit a little more thoroughly.)
This is a museum you will go through pretty fast, but if you are in the Broadmoor area, or have an interest in cars, this is a neat museum worth checking out! My boys still talk about it. It shows old race cars, including one that CRASHED with the video showing how it happened.
Focus on the family has an incredible indoor play area with a giant four-story slide. There’s also an ice cream/snack shop and a bookstore so you may want to bring a few dollars with you, but it’s not necessary. You can play for FREE. Focus on the Family is such an amazing ministry, and it’s a fun place to visit if you are in town.
We are blessed with an INCREDIBLE network of libraries in Colorado Springs! Besides being able to check out movies and books – You can attend dance classes, story time, or just play on the computers and with their toys! They have free classes for all ages!!
You can hike, visit the beautiful chapel, the visitor center, one of the playgrounds, or go to a game! This place is HUGE and worth visiting! Go to usafa.edu/visitors to see everything you can do here!
This stone building was originally the home of the Starsmore family. It serves as an introduction to Cheyenne Cañon and its beautiful waterfalls, rock formations, and trails. In the nature center you can get a map of the area, bird watch, and play with the hands-on exhibits.