Things to Do in Waconia

Drive A Tank teaches civilians how to handle tanks by placing them at the controls of an FV433 Abbot tank. Comprehensive tank experiences include lessons on the history of its use, from World War I up to its present function as the vehicle of choice for the most aggressive holiday shoppers. During certain packages, tanksters complete their militaristic forays by test firing WWII-era weaponry or crushing cars beneath behemoth treads.

Upon stepping off their boats, soldiers storm the beach and attempt to take over a foreign stretch of land. It's no mistake that this image might conjure up echoes of D-day—Special Forces Paintball's primary scenario reenacts the infamous Battle of Normandy. Real army trucks escort players to a central base camp before they ride boats to the beach, huddle in trenches, and defend their flag by laminating it atop multilevel bunkers. The facility's four wooded fields—spread out across 40 acres—accommodate players during 2-, 3-, or 4-hour private paintball, airsoft, and laser bouts or 5.5-hour walk-on games.

Outdoor enthusiasts Dan and Sandra Meer equip adventurers with canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards to explore a 60-mile stretch of the Mississippi River whose picturesque shores have been designated wild and scenic by the Department of Natural Resources. “One group we sent out on just a two- or three-hour trip counted 12 eagles,” Dan says, marveling at the myriad wild turkeys, muskrats, and deer that often congregate along the protected waterway to gossip about bald eagles’ unconvincing hair plugs. Gleaming schools of small-mouth bass lure fishermen to the rippling waters, and plentiful sandbars and shallow depths also beckon younger explorers. “We want to get kids involved,” says Dan—himself a former Boy Scout and now the father of two more Scouts. “Get them away from their screens.”

He and his wife entice those youths, and older adventurers as well, with day trips in canoes and kayaks whose hulls are made in nearby Wenonah. For overnight jaunts down the river, the couple rents both vessels and camping gear, and at their store—housed in an old creamery building on the riverbank—they sell new and used canoes and kayaks to dedicated paddlers who know the river so well they can fall asleep while swimming across it.

Characterized by tall oak trees, ponds, and streams, Monticello Country Club's 18-hole course stretches across 6,453 yards of fairways and greens. The course plots a winding path through the landscape, featuring multiple doglegs that favor golfers who can shape their drives or throw a 270-yard curve ball. Those looking to fine-tune their swings can employ the swing-honing powers of golf pro Kristi Dostal, who uses the club's facilities as her outdoor classroom for private and group lessons and junior camps. Name-brand gloves, clubs, hats, bags, and other course-ready gear line the racks of the club's pro shop, where players can stock up on golf accoutrements. After rounds or lessons, golfers can unwind at Otter Creek Bar & Grill with a steak sandwich, barbecue-chicken pizza, and other eats from its menu of casual American food.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course

• Length of 6,453 yards from the farthest tees

• Course rating of 71.7 from the farthest tees

• Slope rating of 125 from the farthest tees

• Five tee options

• Scorecard

Cross Country Soaring owner Don Ingraham brings more than 4,000 airborne hours of experience to his sailplanes' controls, maneuvering the engineless crafts through the air with bird-like agility. Tow planes loft each passenger flight airborne, sending planes thousands of feet up into the sky before leaving pilots and their guests gliding through the atmosphere without the noisy distraction of a typical flight. Each flight is different—sailplanes may gain altitude in thermal updrafts before bottoming out stomachs with daring dives. Picnic tables and couches cluster around the hangar, giving friends and family a comfortable place to watch soaring flights. Students eager to earn their own glider rating and fly solo can take advantage of Cross Country Soaring's experienced instructors, learning the ropes under the hawk-like eyes of seasoned pros.

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.