"Picnic, play, perambulate" Scandia Things to Do Tip by goodfish

Besides exploring the museum, Gammelgården is just a peachy spot to have lunch alfresco, stretch your legs and let the kids wear off some energy. Johnson Memorial Park is adjacent to the museum site and provides picnic tables and a playground for a casual lunch or mid-afternoon break. Picnic supplies or take-out can be picked up at a couple of places just a stone's throw from the park:

Scandia Store and Deli
14758 Oakhill Rd
http://www.scandiamn.com/scandiastore/
This is just across the street from Elim Lutheran Church and the cemetery

Scandia Cafe
21079 Olinda Trail
http://www.scandiamn.com/scandiacafe/
Right behind the deli

Meister's Bar and Grill
14808 Oakhill Road
http://www.meistersbar.com/index.htm
An easy cut-over from the park on 209th St - you can walk to it.

The museum property backs up to a pond with a small walking bridge: a pretty place for family photo-ops. You might even land in here during one of the outdoor festivals or musical to-dos so check the website for events.

If you have the time and the interest, drive just a mile or two south on Olinda Trail to The Hay Lake School and Erickson Log House Museum; another piece of area history and the original location of the Gammelgården's chapel. Nearby is a monument marking the site of the log home built by those first three Swedish settlers to come to Minnesota in 1850. See this website for information:

http://www.wchsmn.org/museums/scandia/

Another park - Lion’s Park at Hay Lake - is close to this museum and has grills, picnic tables and a shelter.

Address: Gammelgården Museum, 20880 Olinda Trail, Scandia
Phone: 651-433-5053
Website: http://www.gammelgardenmuseum.org/