 Much promotion related to Minnesota resort vacations is “Making family memories that will last a lifetime.” You see and read it all the time. Resorts promote it, tourism communities promote it, and so does Explore Minnesota Tourism. There is a class held at some churches called, “Intentional Parenting: 10 Ways to Be an Exceptional Parent in a Quick Fix World." One subject that the course included was family vacations, under the topic of positive family memories. So I guess it turns out that it’s not just the vacation industry that thinks family vacations are a really good idea! Parents wanting the best for their kids will take them on vacations. It’s the time spent together, and the memories created from that time, that truly counts. Not how fancy or expensive the vacation is.
 Just too paint a picture, Minnesota resorts see this scenario all the time. Families with young children come to a resort for 10 or 20 years in a row, and those kids develop some of their best childhood memories. But then college or summer jobs or weddings get in the way and they stop the tradition of the family lake vacation. Years pass and then you get a phone call that goes something like this: “Hi. My name is Billy Smith and I used to come to your resort with my family when I was a kid. I have SO many great memories of that time and that type of lake experience and I want my own kids to have that same experience. Do you have anything open this coming August?”  Other than providing a nice place for families (big and small) to spend some time together, the whole “family memories” thing just happens on its own. Every day. Every week. Every year. Simple. I invite you to contact us at Riverside Resort and make a reservation. As you might imagine, I think it’s a good decision for your family. Written By: Jennifer Bateman
Edited By: Kathryn Rupnow, Riverside Resort Photo Credit: Riverside Resort
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 Safety and protection: Next on my list of what to pack when going on vacation in Minnesota is protection. We all know that sunscreen, bug spray, and life jackets are a necessity for any time spent in Minnesota. I always bring along a variety of sunscreen (face, spray, lotion, and tattoo stick) to shield all of my body. Don’t forget to bring a hat to protect your head and/or face. As for bug spray, we know that the unofficial state bird of Minnesota is the mosquito; having a few cans for around the fire or on the boat is mandatory. Lastly life jackets and other water safety equipment is what keeps us safe. While at Riverside Resort however, they have a plethora of life jackets that are complimentary for the guests to use during their stay! Make sure to take the time to look up the regulations on each of the water crafts you will be on to ensure you are up to date on current standards.
 Food. We all know that on vacation the food is the most important part. My family always mentions that we are just going from meal to meal and having some fun in between. If you are traveling with more than one family or don’t want to do all of the cooking yourself, assigning meals is a great way to guarantee that everyone is eating food that they like. At the very least don’t forget the S’mores. Click for 5 Campfire Recipes. Click for Meal Planning While on Vacation. So when you are planning what to pack while on vacation don’t forget:
Lake Gear: Lastly, on my list of must haves for a Minnesota vacation is lake gear. We all know a vacation in Minnesota is not complete without spending some time on the water. Make sure to pack those swimsuits, pails and shovels, kayak or paddle board (don’t forget the paddle), and fishing license. Again, here at Riverside Resort we have water crafts for our guests to use. Canoes, paddle boards, and kayaks are free for our guests. While they can also enjoy a day on the pontoon or row boat for a discounted price!! One thing that I think that most people forget is a change of clothes after spending time at the water's edge! 
 Hear the word, ‘spring.’ A mental collage fills your head; tinkling sounds of ice-out, bird songs so familiar, quiet hum of awakening earth, easy drift of neighboring voices, glimpse of a robin, morel hunting, still long evenings, perennials poking through.
 As you plan for your unshakable spring vacation tradition, do all the things you love and maybe add a new something to the plan this year. Here’s a list to think about. → Fungi hunting. Learn more at the University of Minnesota’s website about morel mushroom harvesting. → Listen for bird songs. Click here for a great site to help you identify bird calls and songs. → Notice if old wives’ tales match what happens in spring. ‘When oak leaves are the size of a squirrel’s ear, it’s time to plant corn and hunt morels’; ‘Oak before ash, in for a splash; ash before oak, in for a soak’. Google for more. At Riverside Resort, you can put the things you love front and center; spring fishing, early season golf, photo-hunting for fawns, biking the trails, having your first s’more of the season. Let your spring vacation seep into your soul, hold your heart, and keep you looking forward to that early getaway year after year.  Submitted by: Lynn Sharenbroich
Edited by: Kathryn Rupnow, Riverside Resort Photo Credit: Riverside Resort Minnesota lake country is full of owner operated resorts, including Riverside Resort all providing a family vacation experience like no other vacation does. There seems to be a universal thought that the only time to go to a lake resort is in June, July or August. Well, I’m here to tell you that the month of May is an overlooked gem! If you are a lover of lakes, then May is the month for you. Here’s why:   1) Wildlife watching — May is the month that Minnesota lakes come to life. Spring is actually happening, and in a comfortable cabin by the lake is one of the best places to experience it! The spring bird migration occurs during this month, so it’s a great opportunity to see a wide variety of birds move through the area. The lakes attract groupings of waterfowl such as trumpeter swans, loons and ducks. Wildlife is also on the move, increasing your chances of seeing deer, fox, moose, bear and other furry creatures. The sights and sounds of wildlife, during both the day and night, are unique and more plentiful in May.
2) Value — May is typically the least expensive time of year to stay at a Minnesota resort. The reason for this is the demand for cabin rental is lower. Most mid-west schools are in session until early June, which means families with children typically do not vacation in May. Lower demand means lower rental rates, but you still get the same great cabin, the same great lake view and the same great customer service as you would get during peak season.  3) Quiet — Staying at a lakeside resort that isn’t full to capacity and with few to no kids means quieter days and nights. May is a more popular month for couples and empty nesters.   4) Full choice of water activities — Yes, lake water takes time to warm up after ice-out, so swimming is rare in May. But if you’re not one to have to actually get in the water to enjoy the lake, then May is a really good option for you! With the exception of swimming, all lake activities are possible. Just to name a few are fishing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding. 5) The Common Loon — Minnesota lakes are the summer home for the Common Loon, which are a beloved bird for their beauty as well as their vocal singing. Loon cries are most prevalent during breeding season as pairs aggressively defend their territories and begin mating and guarding their territory. And as you may have guessed, May is their breeding season. So if you love the call of the loon and want to hear it during the day and night, book your resort vacation in May! Click here to hear what a loon sounds like.  Do I have you convinced? Click here to check out all Riverside Resort has to offer, make your reservation, then get ready to have a wonderful spring experience at the lake! Written by: Jennifer Bateman
Submitted by: Karen Senger Edited by: Kathryn Rupnow Photo Credit: Riverside Resort  Family-friendly vacationing is a combination of so many small details that add up to amazing memories that last a lifetime. The main goals are to enjoy the outdoors, spend time together, and want to do this again next year! Here are the tips from my personal Minnesota Travel Guide to make traveling with family magical.  Tip #1: Know Your Family When traveling with the whole family the real start of the vacation is choosing where you want to go. Minnesota offers so many diverse options what type of vacation you want to have; so you need to know what your traveling partners want to experience. Do you have teenagers who want to just sit by the lake all day? Do you have small kids that you need to keep an eye on all the time? Does your family want to go fishing and have a fish fry at the end of each day? Sit down with everyone and decide what “type” of vacation everyone wants. Is the lake the most important? Are the hiking trails? Fishing options? Knowing what your household expects out of your Minnesota family vacation is the first tip on creating the perfect vacation.  Tip #2: Find the Ideal Spot Family vacation spots in Minnesota range from a tent camping site nestled in the woods where everyone is bumping elbows to the huge house by the water that can fit all of the extended family. The perfect place for your family might not be the right one for every family so make sure that it ticks off all of your family’s boxes. Be sure to check out Riverside Resort, because that might be exactly what you are looking for!! If your family has decided that fishing is how you want to spend all of your time then it is less about the pool and playground and more about the lake. Or you could have decided that sitting by the pool and getting those rays in are how you want to spend your time. In this case, the amenities are what you will want to focus on. Choosing an ideal spot sets up your family vacation for a fabulous time.  Tip #3: Bring the Right Stuff Along Packing; can be the scariest part of a vacation. What do I all need to bring? What do I need to leave at home? What am I forgetting? There are so many variables of what goes into your packing list for your days of rest and relaxation. So, take a look at what you want to do when you are there; fishing, lake time, reading, hiking, etc? Start your packing list early! At Riverside Resort we make it easy by giving you a jump start to your packing list here in the "What to Bring" section.  Tip #4: Spend Some Time Alone on Your Family Vacation Traveling with family can be a little stressful but a family-friendly Minnesota vacation doesn’t have to be! Just because you are traveling together doesn’t mean that you all have to be “together” all the time. Take time to do the activities that you want to do. Take an hour to read your book by the lake. Take a nap in the sun; make sure to put on sunscreen before napping. Alone time is not usually what you think about when you go on a family vacation but giving yourself that space to relax is what makes it YOUR vacation as well! Have fun!
1. Vacations strengthen your relationship with your family 2. Vacations make you a happier person 3. Vacations make you a better employee 4. Vacations are a stress reliever 5. Vacations help make you healthier  1. Vacations strengthen your relationship with your family Exercise gets easier with practice. So does communication with family. The more practice you have spending time with your family makes spending that time easier. We have sometimes been asked, what do families do for a whole week? Let me tell you… the answer varies. Some families choose not to do much other than to relax, eat, nap, fish, swim or look at the lake (awesome!!!). Other families do all of that plus play games or schedule activities. Some families do all of that and plan some day trips to visit the area. Choose what is best for you and your family. But, no matter what you plan on doing, the more time you spend with your family on vacation, typically, the better your relationship can be with your family. Maybe you vacation with extended family, perhaps grandma and grandpa. Your kids may say, “I don’t know what to say to grandma or grandpa.” If they haven’t spent a lot of time with them, then, as I stated above, practice. The more time they spend with their grandparents, the easier it is to spend time with them. They will have experiences to talk about. So, take the time and effort to spend time (it may be uncomfortable at first) to make memories so you can talk about them later.  2. Vacations are a stress reliever Do you ever feel stressed? How do you feel when you are stressed? People who don’t take vacations may have a higher stress level. Chronic stress takes a toll on the body, making it more difficult for you to fight off infections, avoid injury and live a healthy life. When you are stressed you are more likely to have an accident, sleep problems, increased blood pressure and more. The type of vacation you take may determine its stress level. There is some stress involved with making the plans, dealing with transportation issues, being unfamiliar with the area etc. Poor vacation planning may cause stress. A less stressful vacation may mean a more beneficial vacation. So, make the plan, relax and de-stress. You will experience positive effects and less stress from a vacation. Your brain needs a break from your daily stresses and commotion. A vacation from work and every day activities results in more happiness and less stress. Plan a vacation, reduce your stress.  3. Vacations make you a happier person. Being on vacation isn’t the only part that makes you a happier person. Many times it happens during the process. Sure, being a vacation planner, especially if you are planning for a larger group, can be stressful. But, most of us are planning for ourselves and our families. Planning a vacation can be relaxing and after the plans are made, then THINKING about being on vacation can make you happy. Make your vacation plans, use a screen saver with a photo of where you are going, save the location on your phone to check the weather where you are going, LIKE the resort on Facebook, occasionally look through the resort’s website (like Riverside Resort) and look for updates or just at the photos of where you will be. Preparing for a vacation can make you a happier person. THEN imagine how you will feel when you get back. The stresses of life will be there. But, you can always take a couple minutes to think about your vacation, look at photos you saved on your phone, look at the new screensaver of a photo of you on vacation, remember how it felt to try something new (perhaps it was kayaking, canoeing, trying the stand up paddle boards, fishing off the dock, making S’mores over the fire).  4. Vacations make you a better employee Yes, that is right. Typically employees that take vacations are better employees. They take fewer sick days and are more productive at work. So, do you want to be a better employee? Then take a vacation. Not taking vacation is bad for your health. If you are the boss, then show by example, take a vacation. You and your employees will be better for it. If you are the employee, take a vacation. You will be a better employee. Of course, you need to make sure it isn’t during the time of year that you are the busiest at work. Work with your employer. Be prepared for your vacation. If need be, plan for your time away and hire temps, cover your shifts or assist your employer in covering your time away. When you get back from vacation make sure to put a smile on your face. Hopefully that will be easy to do. Make sure that others see how important it is to have a balance between work and home. I don’t know of anyone that has said, “Gee, I wish I hadn’t taken so many vacations.” You typically hear, “I wish I had taken more time for myself and my family.”  5. Vacations help make you healthier Stress can cause many illnesses and negative health conditions. It is important to have multiple activities that help you enjoy life. Vacations and other leisure activities help you maintain positive feelings and experience less negative feelings. Engaging in varied activities, including vacations, lower blood pressure, lower stress hormones and actually help you lose weight. People typically feel healthier during their vacation. They sleep an hour more per night and have higher energy levels. All this and they felt more satisfied with their life. It has been argued that people that take vacations live longer. Gee… if for no other reason, maybe take a vacation to live longer! Submitted by: Karen Senger Retired Resort Owner, but still love Resorts and Resorting
Edited by: Kathryn Rupnow, Riverside Resort Photo Credit: Riverside Resort What are some of your favorite memories growing up? Are they material items that you had or are they vacations you went on, camps that you went to, sports you played, friends you hung out with, or adventures you went on? Were any of your favorite memories spending time in nature, going on hikes, biking, playing at the beach, fishing, tubing, skiing, or just spending time at the lake?   Imagine driving your favorite brand new car off the dealership lot. You are so proud of that car and you want to show it off to everyone. You post pictures of it and brag about it to everyone you know. You probably take really good care of it and baby it a little (or a lot). But as the years go by and each little scratch, ding, stain, and mileage that gets added, it starts to lose its value. I’m guessing you even start to not care about it quite as much as you once did. Your pride for that car is not at the same level it was when you drove it off the lot, brand new. So not only did the monetary value go down but so did the sentimental value. Now imagine taking a week-long family vacation at a cabin on a lake. You go fishing, swimming, hiking, sight-seeing, shopping, golfing, ect. The possibilities are endless. Or maybe you just stay in your cozy little cabin to relax, enjoy the peace and quiet, read, and watch the sunrise every morning and sunset every night. If you have kids and you take them along, there will be times when you wonder why you chose to do this and why you thought it was a good idea to drive that long with kids that can’t stop fighting. It might drive you crazy and think you would probably never do that again. That is until next year. And as the years go by and you look back at those vacations from several years ago, do you remember all the fights in the car or kids complaining or the fish that didn’t bite or the rainy days you were stuck inside? Or do you remember the good times playing on the beach, swimming in the water when the kids actually got along for the first time in forever, teaching your kids how to fish or drive the boat for the first time, taking those sunset cruises, the potluck nights, the kids’ activities, the stories around the campfire, playing games and just spending quality time with your family. As the years go by and you look back at all these wonderful memories made you wouldn’t trade it for the world. For some reason when looking back the challenging parts seem to be not so challenging or may even be a little comical at times and the happy memories are what sticks the best and make it worthwhile.  The point I wanted to get across in these two examples is that material things tend to go down in monetary and sentimental value over time whereas experiences tend to go up in sentimental value over time. Memories from certain experiences are priceless and a gift that keeps on giving.  Making memories creates nostalgia, or remembering something from the past and wishing you could experience it again. Something that brings mostly happy memories of past events. Studies show that nostalgia makes us feel happier, have higher self-esteem, feel closer to loved ones, create more life meaning, increase optimism, boost our mood, reduce stress, feel loved and valued. It creates those warm fuzzy feelings, and may also help us deal with transitions. We, at Riverside Resort, have been helping families make memories for almost 100 years. It’s tradition, it’s nostalgia, it’s a gift that keeps on giving and adding sentimental value year after year. Submitted by: Beth Klinski Edited by: Kathryn Rupnow Photo Credit: Riverside Resort 
Benefits of Unplugged  Research everywhere shows how unplugging from work can improve productivity, creativity and eliminate burnout at work. And there is nothing like living in the now and being present, especially on a Minnesota vacation. Here is an article we like from becomingminimalist.com on benefits of unplugging.
Make Memories  A vacation at Riverside Resort is all about memories; if it’s a family hike, reeling in that fish, a synchronized jump off the dock, or learning to ski. These memories are not easily created if you’ve spent your time checking emails, taking calls, and analyzing reports. Being socially connected is a fundamental need that we don’t get unless we are with other humans, physically. Research shows that connecting with others helps relieve stress. Click here to find out more on the importance of human connection. And speaking about social, how about social media, not only is it a good idea NOT to post while on vacation for safety reasons but staying in the present and off the scroll bus will only make your vacation that much better. So put down the device, get off the laptop and connect on your vacation with your travel companions or meet someone new. Delegate and Plan  Make sure you have a plan in place so you can unplug. Set up an effective out of office. Here are some great tips from Indeed on writing that memo. Find someone to take your calls if needed and fill your shoes. Most likely this could be someone that is looking to prove themselves. People like to be helpful, not only will the break benefit you but it will in turn make the helper feel needed and respected. Just make sure that person is taking their well needed vacation as well. And if you’re the household manager make sure any appointments, registrations, and bills are scheduled beforehand. Don’t waste that precious vacation time with these daily tasks. Submitted by: Megan Johnson
Edited by: Kathryn Rupnow Photo Credits: Riverside Resort  Well, it’s happening. School shopping may be done, maybe that school bell will ring in your school district, maybe it isn’t. But summer is on the down swing and poof, GONE! You might think that all of Minnesota is gathering for our winter hibernation or southern migration. But there is more than enough time to enjoy a long or short Minnesota Vacation at Riverside Resort this fall. Here are some top reasons to get here before the trees are bare, the ground is white, and the lakes are hard. Come to just take in the crisp, cool, tranquil fall.  1. Fall Colors- Minnesota is home to 52 native trees, consisting of coniferous and deciduous trees. And that equals a spectrum of brilliant fall colors. You could travel to the most northern part of the state to the southern to catch the fall hues. CLICK HERE for a list of the Top 10 Drives in Minnesota.. You can also chase the rainbow with this Fall Color Tour from the MN Department of Natural Resources.  2. Tranquility- Lake vibes are always laid back but there is nothing more laid back than the fall. As the summer wraps up in these small communities that are home to many Minnesota Resorts less visitors line the streets, restaurants, and shops and everything slows down like the leaves slowly falling and everything is much quieter. So if you are looking for some peace and quiet a Fall Minnesota Vacation is a must book. And there is nothing more tranquil than our state bird’s call which is heard throughout that fall. We are home to 12,000 Common Loons. In September, Minnesota’s adult loons travel to their winter home along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina south to Florida, or on the Gulf of Mexico. Younger loons follow a month or so later. Before they fly south they will gather on the lake to entertain us one last time with their calls. CLICK HERE to learn more about our state bird.  3. Fishing- As the weather cools the fish become more active. Just like the wild life above the water, fish become more active in order to fatten up for winter and they also start to form schools. This means it’s a great time for fishing for you! So don’t miss out on the fall bite and CLICK HERE to check out this link for some fall fishing tips.  4. Value– The Minnesota Resort vacation is already an affordable one, but top it off with some of their fall specials, it’s a no-brainer to join us in the fall. If you already stayed with one of our owner-operated resorts make sure to ask them about fall specials.  Come Fall in Love with Minnesota Fall. It is right around the corner as dabbles of color are starting to appear along the tops of our maples and steam is starting to emerge from the water as the cool down begins. But don’t worry, we aren’t going anywhere; we will be here all 12 months. Don’t miss out on any of our seasons at Riverside Resort. Based on Blog Submitted by: Megan Johnson
Edits by: Kathryn Rupnow Photo Credit: Riverside Resort  When our kids were nine, seven and five, we took them to Disney World. You know this kind of family vacation, right? It’s often referred to as the best family vacation for kids. It’s the vacation that every kid dreams of and that every parent hopes they can some-day give their kids while they are still young. Well, it can also require lots of advance research on how to navigate the parks, the hassle of flying, it’s very expensive, and don’t even get me started on the crowds! But we were able to give our kids the best vacation for kids …… or so we thought. After we returned home, I asked the simple question, “What was your favorite part about vacation?” And much to my astonishment they all three said, “Eating sugared cereal for breakfast in our bedroom while watching cartoons!” (Both sugared cereal and eating in their bedroom were taboo at home, but some rules are ignored on vacation.) And while I was happy for their honest answer, I was thinking to myself “What!? After all the hassle and time and money we spent, your favorite part was something we could have just done at home?!?!”
So these answers really got me thinking. Vacations for kids don’t have to be fancy or expensive. Simple will do just fine. I realize many families take more than one vacation in a year, and I encourage you to make one of those vacations a simple one.  Minnesota resorts, like Riverside Resort, are one of the best places for a simple family vacation. Most are a four to eight hour drive from the Twin Cities, Iowa or the Dakotas (no flights needed). They are a safe place for kids to roam and offer a quiet, friendly atmosphere in a natural environment. Cabin and boat rental rates are very affordable. After spending a week at a Minnesota resort, when asked what their favorite part of vacation was, I would imagine answers like these: “Going to the store all by myself to buy ice-cream.” “Riding my bike everywhere.” “Building sand castles at the beach.” “Eating as many Freeze Pops as I wanted without having to ask!” “Sitting on the end of the dock with you.” “Playing on the splash mat.” “Fishing with daddy.”  Submitted by: Jennifer Bateman
Edited by: Kathryn Rupnow Photo Credit: Riverside Resort |
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