Things to Do in Ham Lake

For years, Bill Ahmann mastered the complex inner workings of piston and turbine aircraft as an aviation mechanic. In 1997, he finally achieved his dream by founding his own aviation company out of Anoka County-Blaine Airport. Initially a small venture with a staff that totaled three, Bill's penchant for providing aviation-related services with a personal touch led to rapid growth and a second Twin Cities Aviation location in Saint Paul. In 2008, Bill's veteran squad of flight instructors helped the company achieve Part 141 certification, distinguishing it as a reputable flight school. Today, TCA's staff numbers more than 20 industry professionals drawn from military, commercial-airline, and other aviation backgrounds. Flying a tiptop fleet, the team boasts varied expertise in charter flights, FAA-certified flight instruction, and aircraft sales. The staff's experienced mechanics also service pilots and plane owners with repairs that range from routine safety inspections to refueling propeller hats.

The Director of Instruction at Edinburgh USA Golf Academy and PGA-certified instructor Adam Guili teaches swing-honing wisdom and results-oriented practice techniques accrued through a 14-year teaching career. Adam’s teaching philosophy is based on the notion that a sound short game and a simple golf swing are crucial to achieving success on the course, and he helps golfers develop a tension-free motion. During lessons, Adam can address any on-course concern, such as how to add length to drives or how to extract shirttails from ball washers.

There’s strength in numbers at Energy Pilates & Fitness: In addition to owner Debra Tourek, there’s a fitness director, 18 experienced and specialized fitness instructors, a childcare manager, and a medical director. They combine their powers to empower students to work their hardest. The team also emphasizes a fun, loose atmosphere, and each class can be easily customized to accommodate a range of workout needs and the current level of gravity. They lead 15 group classes that encompass different styles of Pilates, yoga, cardio workouts, Barrebody classes, kickboxing, and high-intensity interval training. Each instructor prepares his or her own unique workout routines; however, all routines focus on flexibility work, core work, and full-body conditioning. The studio also offers childcare for children 3 months old–11 years old during classes for an additional fee.

Radiating at a balmy 104 degrees with 35% humidity, Heat Yoga Studio is an ideal place to sweat out toxins or thaw TV dinners. The studio plays host to one-hour classes that begin with seated positions and flow into standing poses, backbends, and other asana that challenge students to find a balance between effort and ease. As instructors coach students through sequences, they emphasize pranayama, or breathing, in order to optimize circulation and focus. The classes are suitable for students of all levels.

The castle turrets of Lilli Putt Family Entertainment Center greet travelers from afar, inviting ladies and lords to wile away the day in a trifecta of leisure activities. Towering trees and domesticated dragons dot the landscape of a challenging mini-golf course. There, golfers can knock balls over ramps and around aquatic obstacles in all five seasons of the year. Guests can also celebrate the sun with a ride on one of Lilli Putt’s go-karts, which come in single- and double-seater models.

It's not everyday you see a brown raccoon on roller skates being chased by a group of children. Unless, of course, you're a regular at Cheap Skate. The shop's mascot, Ricky the Raccoon, has been known to take to the rink during some of the rink's special skating events, which include weekly all-you-can-eat pizza nights and family skate sessions. The calendar also offers plenty of open skate sessions so families can fit in a few laps around the rink at a time that works best for them. And, between spins, skaters can head to Cheap Skate's snack bar where they can fuel up with a warm snack, sip on a refreshing beverage, or rest their feet to ensure toes can still text on the way home.