With Grand Avenue, the Mississippi River, universities, and vintage Stores, Merriam Park is a cool place to shop, play and live.

Its the first long weekend of the summer.  Memorial Day kicks off the summer traveling season, and many people will be planning to leave town. are getting out of town, and theres plenty to do in town as well. Music festivals, baseball games, barbequing, farmers markets, and more - heres a selection of Memorial Day weekend events, and things to do.

Barely 30 minutes southeast of the Twin Cities, the LeDuc Historic Estate in Hastings is owned and maintained by the Dakota County Historical Society, and the DCHS is doing a fine job of using the historic home as a site for community events, as well as regular tours and educational events.

One of the upcoming events at the LeDuc Historic Estate - built in 1865 - is a Heritage Harvest Garden Celebration, on June 2. Meet gardeners, beekeepers, get information and ideas for rain gardens and native plants, and visit with the LeDuc chickens too. Its a free event, and suitable for all the family. More details at the Dakota County Historical Societys LeDuc Estate website.

Mothers Day is this Sunday, May 13. Hopefully it will be a fine day, and you can take Mom, and family to brunch, or for a day out.