The Twin Cities 3-Day is coming up this weekend, and as you get ready for the event, we have a preview of what to expect! For those who are familiar with the route, you will see a lot of our favorite sights of the Twin Cities. However, we made some big changes to Day Two that we are excited to share! Read on for more…

Our walk this year begins at Southdale Center in Edina. It has been a local staple since 1956 and is the perfect jumping off point for sixty miles of fun. This was the original Mall of America!

However, this year we will be starting in a different area of the mall, in the Herberger’s Lot, due to construction at the mall. However, Event Production Manager Eileen Barnick promises that there will be plenty of people directing and helping everyone find the Opening Ceremony, so look for them. We will get this 3-Day started off on a great, fun foot!

Day One will begin in residential parts of Edina and we will walk around Harriet Lake and Lake Calhoun. This will give our 3-Dayers some great nature walk time!

Then, before lunch we will walk through the Sculpture Garden, which is always a fan favorite. Leaving the garden, we will walk across the pedestrian bridge, which just re-opened to the public in August. It is re-painted and looks beautiful and colorful!

Lunch will then be at Loring Park, and following lunch we will walk through Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis for about a mile. This is an outdoor mall that has its own stretch of private road that cars aren’t allowed on.

Eileen is particularly excited about this stretch of the day, saying, “It has lots of cute restaurants and shops that are trendy and fun! That is a big new part of Day One. Also, keep an eye out for the Mary Tyler Moore statue and get your photos!”

We will end the day passing through the University of Minnesota on the way to Camp at Harvest Park in Maplewood.

“It’s so big and open and they’re so nice to us there. They love having the 3-Day!” Eileen says. “It also gives us access to some great trails to start and end our days with, so it’s just a perfect location.”

After a night of beauty rest, Day Two will unveil an almost completely new, shorter route. This is based on feedback from last year’s event, and our whole 3-Day team is excited for walkers and Crew to experience the day.

As we leave in the morning, we will head to White Bear Lake, which is breathtaking! Walk into the harbor and on a path around the lake, and then into the town. Keep an eye out for local cheering stations and support throughout the town.

“Otter Lake comes next! Day Two is a lot of lakes. We love those nature times!” Eileen promises.

Lunch will take place at Calvary Church Grounds, and after lunch we head through more neighborhoods and walk the St. Paul Water Utility Trail, which takes walkers between two lakes.

Cheerleaders will then welcome walkers home to camp!

Eileen is most excited for everyone to see Day Two and thinks walkers will really enjoy the changes.

Then, finally on Day Three, walkers will see much of the same route as last year but there will be slightly more downtown St. Paul walking. We will go through lots of local neighborhoods, plus Battle Creek and other local trails. As we go into St. Paul, we will walk through Indian Mounds park, which overlooks the city. Prime photo time there!

Once we get into the city, Eileen says to keep an eye out for farmer’s markets!

The day will wind down at Kellogg Mall Park along the river, which has nice shady trees to help stave off that summer heat. We will be walking along the Mississippi River right before walkers come into the Closing Ceremony after they cross the Wabasha Bridge, which is stunning and perfect for photos!

The Closing Ceremony is once again on Harriet Island, but there will be a few changes in the stage ceremony itself. Stay tuned for those! It will be just as celebratory and exciting though so never fear! Eileen and the Twin Cities 3-Day staff can’t wait to welcome everyone into the Pink Bubble and support you through every step of your 3-Day journey.