Named after the capital city of the Czech Republic, New Prague is a charming town that doesn’t fail to pay homage to its Czech roots. However, it also boasts plenty of hotspots for kids and adults alike that are worth checking out. Here are four top attractions we think you’ll love during your visit to this Minnesota gem.
Prairie Pond Vineyard and Winery
Here you’ll find wines from near and far you can enjoy in a relaxing and scenic patio setting. The wine bar is stocked with local favorites such as Cannon River Sogn Blanc, a fruity blend of grape, mango, peach, and pineapple aromas, as well as Castiglioni 2012 Chianti, an Italian blend of blackberries and spices.
Pair your wine with a meat and cheese plate, or go for something else off the menu, such as a salad, sandwich, or stone-fired flatbread. Prairie Pond also hosts local musicians from time to time and regular wine tasting events, including Wine Wednesday where you can get $1 off all wine glasses.
The Ettlin’s Cafe
This family-owned business serves up a variety of tasty Czech dishes to please any palate. Stop by for breakfast or lunch and sample dishes like the Stuffed Reese’s French toast chock-full of Nutella and peanut butter or the potato pancakes and veggie omelets, both of which are customer favorites. But the top dish at The Ettlin’s Cafe is no doubt the famous Czech Breakfast, featuring a hearty serving of homemade potato dumplings, Czech sausage, and scrambled eggs.
After you’re done, stop at Lau’s Czech Bakery. This establishment is well-known for its donuts, homemade cookies, and kolacky. Yum!
Barten Pumpkins
Open during the fall season from Sept. 20 to Oct. 31, Barten Pumpkins is the go-to farm for everything autumn-inspired. Here you’ll see thousands of pumpkins, gourds, and squash, including those ideal for baking or carving, along with ornamental corn, corn stalks, straw bales, custom fall displays, and mums. Plus, wagons are available for both kids and adults to haul their treasures around in.
Barten Pumpkins also hosts an annual October event known as Family Fun Saturdays. This fall function is perfect for the whole gang. Here you can get your portrait done in true caricature fashion, play a fun round of pumpkin bowling, and let the kids off for hay and pony rides around the farm.
Gopher State Railway Museum
The 20-acre Gopher State Railway Museum is only open the first Saturday of the month from May through October, but taking the time to plan your visit here is worth it. It’s home to a variety of diesel locomotives, cabooses, passenger cars, and other types of historic equipment and rolling stock.
Expect to see future artifacts like a James J. Hill private car built in 1880, a Wisconsin central caboose built in 1911, and a Budd stainless steel coach built in 1940. The museum even houses a CB&Q waycar built in 1871, which is its oldest piece of equipment, as well as a spike puller, front-end loader, mower, and switch stands. This is definitely the place for history buffs!
Are you planning a visit to New Prague, Minnesota? Hit up these four attractions during your stay!
Image via Flickr by lucidtech used CC By
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