If you’ve been to Jackson Minnesota on any occasion, there is a 90% chance that you have driven by Fort Belmont…
But have you gone in??
Your kids (or even yourself) may have visited the fort at some point on a field trip, in the current location off of I-90 or the earlier location of hwy 16 & hwy 71.
Until earlier this summer I hadn’t either. Earlier this summer I switched my summer plan, instead of having someone come (paid) to come in and play with my kids etc. , giving myself the opportunity to get things done and get a break. We switched our plan to doing one (sometimes more and sometimes less) adventure per week.. with a relatively small budget ($30). It was awesome and memorable. The day that we visited Fort Belmont was HOT. It was one of the only hot days this summer.
I had a huge anxiety about taking my son (2 year old) with because he is a little all over the place, and traditionally when I think of historical places (museums etc.), I don’t think child friendly. Our tour guide was incredibly patient and we had a great time.
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5 things to check out at Fort Belmont
The tower.
This likely is not the official name but this what we call it everytime we talk about that day, and we drive by the tower on I-90. It was one of our favorite parts of the Fort climbing 57 steps (we counted) to the great aerial view of the rest of the beautiful scenery of the Des Moines River and Fort Belmont.
The Visitor Center
Again their is likely a more official name to the first building that you are likely to enter at Fort Belmont but this was a definite favorite. We loved the teepee, the cars, and most definately the variety of toys that the kids were able to enjoy for themselves.
The Log House
My kids are anti- nap as it comes… but they wanted to try to take a nap in this beautiful log house. I of course was calling their bluff.
Belmont Church
This church was moved from its location several miles north of town, and barely a crack was put on it. My kids play our piano on a daily basis, so they loved the chance to “play” the antique organ at the church. We were also able to see several beautiful period wedding dresses.
But really… minus the horrible warm weather we loved our trip and would recommend it to visitors of any age coming to Jackson Minnesota.
Check out their yearly event the weekend after Labor Day.
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