There are a variety of things to do in Hastings, Minnesota, including exploring its unique parks and natural attractions. The city is located mostly in Dakota County, with a portion in Washington County. The city sits on the confluence of the Vermillion, St. Croix, and Mississippi Rivers, and is home to a population of 22,154 according to the 2020 census.
St. Croix Valley Nature Center
If you are looking for a day out with your family, consider visiting the St. Croix Valley Nature Center in Haspings. This privately funded nature center has a variety of activities and classes for all ages. Visitors can learn about Minnesota and Wisconsin wildlife, and participate in environmental education programs. The center is also home to a sustainable apple orchard.
This private nonprofit nature center is five miles north of Hastings on the scenic St. Croix River. Its mission is to foster appreciation and stewardship of the natural world through environmental education, conservation practices, and outdoor experiences. The center features 725 acres of diverse habitats and a hands-on Visitor Center. It also has hiking trails and access to the St. Croix River.
This nature center is open year-round and situated near the confluence of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. It provides K-12 environmental education curriculum and hosts thousands of public events and programs. You can also hike through a restored prairie and apple orchard.
Vermillion Falls Park
Vermillion Falls Park is a scenic destination that offers hiking trails, a picnic pavilion, and a scenic waterfall. It is located on the edge of the town of Hastings, and is accessible to all ages. The park is free to visit. The walking trail and waterfall are the most popular features of Vermillion Falls Park.
The west parking lot at Vermillion Falls Park has a paved path that leads to a covered viewing platform. This is the best place to view the falls, since you can get a good sense of the force of the water. You can also hike downstream to see a bend in the river. There are also spur trails that lead back to the river.
Vermillion Falls Park is part of a series of connected greenspaces along the Vermillion River. It sits a few miles downstream from the city, with Old Mill Park and Vermillion River Linear Park. In addition to the waterfall, the park also features Gores Pool Wildlife Management Area and the Hastings Scientific and Natural Area.
Alexandra Park
The park was officially opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales on June 26, 1882. They were greeted by Robert Marnock, the renowned Victorian horticulturist. Marnock laid out the main park and planted limes, maples, beech cultivars, hollies, and oaks. This was a significant event for the community and received significant media coverage.
The park is now a Grade II listed park. It is home to a large tree collection and is a popular place to play sports. There are also ponds filled with wildlife. The park also includes a cafe, a war memorial, and a boating lake. The park was restored in 2004 with the help of Heritage Lottery funding. The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the park and presented Princess Alexandra with an album of photographs.
In addition to large trees, Alexandra Park contains a lake, which was used as a freshwater supply for St Leonards and Hastings in Victorian times. Today, course fishing is permitted in the park’s Buckshole Reservoir, managed by the Hastings, Bexhill and District Freshwater Angling Association. There are also many wildlife habitats, including a large number of ducks and other birds.
MacEachron Waterfront Park
There are many attractions in Hastings, NJ, but one of the best is MacEachron Waterfront Park. This 1.3-acre park features picnic tables and benches by the water. The beautiful setting is also perfect for a leisurely walk. Moovit can show you how far it is from your location to the park and provide directions.
The free River Spirit Music Waterfront Concert Series will be held every Tuesday evening at 7pm at MacEachron Waterfront Park. The concerts will feature regional and national acts. The first concert will feature Birds of Chicago. The music will be a mix of rock, soul, and gospel, and is guaranteed to be fun for all ages.
The neighborhood also features a farmers’ market, which opened in 1998. The market started out with six vendors, but has grown to nearly thirty. The market is not only a great place to support local growers, it’s also a great place to learn about sustainability.
Those looking to enjoy the scenic views of the Hudson River will also appreciate MacEachron Waterfront Park in the village. Located on River Street, this park is close to Harvest on Hudson, an Italian restaurant. It’s also home to the Hastings Farmers Market, where you can buy local, farm-fresh produce. The park also has picnic tables for people looking to enjoy a nice meal.
Hastings Gallery
Hastings Contemporary is a museum of contemporary British art located on The Stade in Hastings, East Sussex. It is a not-for-profit organisation. Originally known as the Jerwood Gallery, it opened in March 2012 and cost £4m to build. The museum houses permanent and temporary exhibitions. It has hosted works by internationally renowned artists.
The Hastings Gallery has played an important role in transforming the cultural landscape of Hastings. It attracts more than 50,000 visitors every year and collaborates with local schools and community groups. The exhibitions and programs at the gallery have been acclaimed nationally. Past exhibitions have included works by Rose Wylie, Balraj Khana, Nigel Cooke, Paula Rego, and Keith Tyson.
The Hastings Contemporary was originally named the Jerwood Gallery, but rebranded itself as Hastings Contemporary in July. It features British and international contemporary artists, including Tal R. The late artist Roy Oxlade was the husband of Rose Wiley. The gallery opened in 2012 and was nominated for Museum of the Year in 2014. The museum is now undergoing a new curatorial direction under the direction of Liz Gilmore. The new program will focus on modern British art and will champion painting.
The Hastings Contemporary focuses on contemporary and modern art, with a programme of works by prominent international and British artists. The gallery also shows work by emerging practitioners. Originally the Jerwood Gallery, the gallery has grown to become a leading centre for contemporary art in the South East.
Battle of Hastings re-enactment
You can get a taste of the Battle of Hastings by attending the Battle of Hastings re-enaction, held each year at the Battle Abbey in Hastings, East Sussex. The event draws people from all over the world. This historic battle was one of the most famous battles in history, and the participants of the re-enactment bring a lot of history to life.
The Battle of Hastings re-enaction takes place on the same field where it took place in 1066. Here, you can see how the Norman king William defeated King Harold, which changed the face of England. There are also historical lectures and living history camps, which give you an opportunity to learn about the history of the battle.
If you’re in Hastings this weekend, be sure to check out the Battle of Hastings re-enacted on Saturday and Sunday. The battle lasted for a whole day and is one of the most important events in English history. To watch the battle, arrive early for the best view. The re-enactment takes approximately an hour, and a host will explain what happened on the battlefield.
