Excursion Options

1. Saint Paul Gangster Tour

It is hard to believe that innocent, mild mannered, holy St. Paul, Minnesota, of the placid upper Midwest, was ever home to the likes of Ma Barker and John Dillinger. The tumultuous ‘30s in St. Paul were not as peaceful as current times. Notorious gangsters attempted to dodge the law in a number of unique sites in the city. Experience life in the ‘30s by visiting historical landmarks, gangsters’ hideouts, the natural beauty of our river city, and places where St. Paul’s Finest caught up with them.

• Cost: $30
• Includes: Tour
• Time: 1:30pm - 4:30pm

2. Stillwater Boat Ride and Loome’s Theological Bookseller

Stillwater, located 20 minutes east of St. Paul on the beautiful St. Croix River, is the birthplace of Minnesota. The St. Croix separates Minnesota and Wisconsin, and is lined by picturesque trees and bluffs that will be at peak color change in late September. Looking for a quality set of the Summa, or a rare-edition theology book? Stillwater is the place to find it at Loome Theological Booksellers, known to scholars throughout the world as the “finest theological bookstore in the world.” Loome’s specializes in rare, used, and out of print works that are highly sought after. The staff at Loome’s will give a brief tour of their facility (a renovated Protestant church), and open their enormous stacks of works by Augustine, Aquinas, de Sales, Von Balthazar, Rahner, Lonergan, Guardini, Ratzinger, Wojtyla, and many others to our group. Loome’s will also prepare orders placed in advance to be picked up on our visit. Orders must be placed through their Web site at www.loomebooks.com. Mention that you are with NCDVD when you place your order. After browsing through the bookstore, ride the riverboat and enjoy the fall colors; cash bar on board. The day will close with dinner at a fine restaurant in the fall beauty of a Minnesota river town.

• Cost: $60
• Includes: Tour, boat ride, and dinner (sorry, books not included!)
• Time: 1:30pm - 8:30pm

3. Twin Cities Architecture Tour

Minneapolis and Saint Paul are home to an abundance of architectural treasures, including the magnificent Cathedral of Saint Paul and the Basilica of St. Mary’s, works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Cesar Pelli, and unique turn-of-the- 20th-Century homes on Summit Avenue. Join St. John Vianney College Seminary staff and architecture buffs Frs. Bill Baer and John Klockeman on an afternoon tour of the most beautiful buildings in the Twin Cities, beginning with the Cathedral and ending with the Basilica.

• Cost: $30
• Includes: Tour
• Time: 1:00pm - 4:30pm

4. Golf Outing

The Town and Country Club is the second oldest continuously open club and course in the nation, and the nicest in the Twin Cities. Members of the club, generous Serrans, have invited NCDVD convention participants to join them for an afternoon on the links in the beautiful fall Minnesota weather. Come to relax, enjoy the weather, and test your patience on this picturesque course along the Mississippi River.

• Cost: $60
• Includes: Greens fees, 18 holes
• Time: 12:30pm - 5:00pm

5. Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals

Come and see Johann Santana, Tori Hunter, and the Twins take on the Royals and Mike Sweeney at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, home of Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett and two World Series Championships, and Major League Baseball. Seats are between home plate and third base in rows 8-10.

• Cost: $25
• Includes: Game ticket and van from hotel to Metrodome and back
• Time: Game begins at 7:10pm