Hopkins Community Education

Day 1 - Thursday, December 4, 2025

7:45 a.m. Leave from the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Hwy. 7, Hopkins, MN.

9:15 a.m. Make a rest stop at Tobies in Hinckley for Grab and Go snacks (on own).

9:45 a.m. Leave Tobies.

11:00 a.m. Arrive at the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth for the classic self-guided tour. The small rooms of the estate are decorated for the Holiday Season. The estate is located on the shores of Lake Superior. The tour will allow guests to view the family living and workspaces showcasing original interiors in styles ranging from Renaissance Revival and Colonial Revival to Arts & Crafts. It reveals the Congdon family and others who lived and worked at Glensheen and brings this magnificent mansion to life. Guests can view the basement, first floor, and second floor. The mansion’s central hallway is paneled from floor to ceiling with fumed oak, a process whereby the oak is treated with ammonia fumes to bring out the grain and imbue the wood with an unusual color.

12:45 p.m. Leave Glensheen.

1:00 p.m. Have lunch (included) in Canal Park at Grandma’s Saloon & Grill.

2:30 p.m. After lunch, spend time in Canal Park. You can get an ice cream treat at Love Creamery. Purchase premium chocolate at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or step inside one of the galleries featuring works of local artisans. Enjoy shopping or stop in at the Canal Park Brewing Company.

4:00 p.m. Check into Pier B Resort Hotel for a one-night stay. Breathe in the relaxing atmosphere, modern décor, and unheard-of amenities. Take time to relax and rejuvenate. Rooms have two queen beds and a view of the Duluth skyline. Enjoy the exceptional property located next to the waterfront. The Silos Restaurant serves dinner and breakfast (on own) - reservations are required.

5:00 p.m. “Bentleyville lights.” Walk or be transferred by motor coach to the Bayfront Festival Park to experience “Bentleyville Tour of Lights.” Local volunteers work for weeks to put together a magic place to celebrate the Christmas Holiday Season with the Duluth community. The area usually has fluffy snowflakes and crisp cool temperatures. Walk through the remarkable display with millions of lights, Christmas trees, music and where Santa’s helpers are strolling about. There is a gift store inside a warm building, plus an open-air merchandise area with about 15 Fire Pits. Throughout the 20-acre area, there is complimentary hot coco, coffee, popcorn, cookies and marshmallows that you can roast over the fire. Watch the little children anticipate an audience with Santa himself.

Return to Pier B Resort Hotel.

DAY 2 – Friday, December 5, 2025

Relax this morning at Pier B Resort Hotel. Take time for breakfast (on own) - reservations are required.

11:00 a.m. Check out time at the hotel.

11:15 a.m. Arrive at the historic Union Depot in downtown Duluth. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Spend time at The Lake Superior Railroad Museum. There are two working collections of model trains and during the holiday season, an exhibit of Lionel toy trains.

See the world's most powerful steam locomotives (the Mallet), the first steam engine in Minnesota (the William A. Crooks), one of the nation's largest displays of dining car china, cabooses, freight cars, a railway post office and much more!

12:15 p.m. Meet a local guide for a narrated sightseeing tour of Duluth. Duluth is Minnesota’s third largest city. It stretches along the lake, with many neighborhoods built on the steep hills. Hear about the history and see the interesting sights in the city.

1:15 p.m. Arrive at Blackwoods Restaurant in Duluth for lunch. Locally owned and family-operated since the early 90’s. Everything is fresh and made from scratch into slow-cooked classic meals.

1:30 p.m. Lunch service: Choose Menu at sign up:

ŸChicken Pot Pie Simmered with Fresh Carrots, Green Peas, Potatoes, and Pearl Onions with a Flaky, Golden Pie Crust. Served with a side of Cranberry Chutney, Fresh Baked Corn Bread, House Made Sweet Butter, Petite Dessert, Beverage.

ŸHome-style Meatloaf, covered in rich Gravy, served with Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Baked Corn Bread, House Made Sweet Butter, Petite Dessert, Beverage.

2:45 p.m. After lunch leave Duluth.

4:00 p.m. Stop at Tobies to purchase refreshments (on own). 

4:30 p.m. Leave Tobies.

6:00 p.m. Estimated return time to Hopkins.

$150.00 Deposit at the time of registration. Registration deadline is Sunday October 12, 2025 at that time the payment must be made in full. There will be no refunds for cancellations after this date.