The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, a collection of outdoor gardens, woods, prairies and trails in the Twin Cities is in the running to keep its number-one ranking in the country-- but it needs your help!

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, located about an hour and a half northwest of Rochester in the west metro (in Chaska, actually) is owned and operated by the University of Minnesota.

I've never been there, but it was named as the 'Best Botanical Garden' in the country in a USA Today poll last year. And, the voting is on again this year-- and the Land of 10,000 Lakes' entry in the contest can use your vote! (You can vote HERE.)

If you're like me and don't know what a 'landscape arboretum' actually IS, here's how it's described in the contest:

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum comprises "1,200 acres of manicured gardens, woods and prairies, accessible via 12.5 miles of walkable trails and garden paths. The vast space, divided into 28 named gardens and 45 plant collections, showcases more than 5,000 plant species and varieties. Highlights include a Japanese Garden, Daylily and Chrysanthemum Walk, Kitchen Herb Garden, Maze Garden and Peony Walk," the contest notes.

So if you're looking to get some exercise and enjoy our native Minnesota landscape (and, yeah, you can even bring your dog with you), you might want to check it out. It looks like a pretty cool place, and it's only a short drive from Rochester. I'm going to have to put it on our list of things to do here in Minnesota this season!

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