Tips for Visiting Macalester and Carleton

[Anonymous]

Going to be checking out Macalester and Carleton. Will be in winter because that's when it works with our schedule and figure we'll probably get the full MN winter experience.

Any tips on where to stay near Macalester and lunch / dinner recommendations near both campuses?

[Anonymous]

It is mind alteringly cold there. Until you've lived there, you have no idea how terrible true cold can be. Good that your DC will experience it before going to school there. So many families visit in October or May, and then end up unhappy when most of college is spent in a deep freeze.

[Anonymous]

I'd stay in Minneapolis and day trip to Carleton, especially in winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is mind alteringly cold there. Until you've lived there, you have no idea how terrible true cold can be. Good that your DC will experience it before going to school there. So many families visit in October or May, and then end up unhappy when most of college is spent in a deep freeze.

I came from a very temperate climate and had no problems at Mac! I even enjoyed it. All you need is the very warmest down coat and a hat. The buildings are very warm.

[Anonymous]

Carleton grad here. I definitely recommend making sure you see downtown Northfield (not hard, since it's right by campus, but in the winter people might be less likely to walk there!). I like Hogan Brothers for lunch, great for soup and sandwiches (hoagies).

You might also want to try lunch on campus—East Dining Hall is the newer cafeteria, while Burton Dining Hall is the older one. I found on campus visits with my kids that it was really nice to get a feel for the way college students eat.

[Anonymous]

We toured St. Olaf and Carleton in one day and then spent the night in Minneapolis before touring Macalester. They are not far apart and there is no need to stay out in Northfield. Lots of great restaurants, etc. in Minneapolis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carleton grad here. I definitely recommend making sure you see downtown Northfield (not hard, since it's right by campus, but in the winter people might be less likely to walk there!). I like Hogan Brothers for lunch, great for soup and sandwiches (hoagies).

You might also want to try lunch on campus—East Dining Hall is the newer cafeteria, while Burton Dining Hall is the older one. I found on campus visits with my kids that it was really nice to get a feel for the way college students eat.

I am PP. Agree with the above. We grabbed subs from Hogan's between the Carleton and St. Olaf tours. Northfield is a very cute town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We toured St. Olaf and Carleton in one day and then spent the night in Minneapolis before touring Macalester. They are not far apart and there is no need to stay out in Northfield. Lots of great restaurants, etc. in Minneapolis.

Stay in St Paul please! 😢

[Anonymous]

Mac probably has some good recs for places to stay on their website. It’s a nice neighborhood. If you just want convenience and to save money, you can stay by the Mall of America near airport. Easy but not charming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is mind alteringly cold there. Until you've lived there, you have no idea how terrible true cold can be. Good that your DC will experience it before going to school there. So many families visit in October or May, and then end up unhappy when most of college is spent in a deep freeze.

I came from a very temperate climate and had no problems at Mac! I even enjoyed it. All you need is the very warmest down coat and a hat. The buildings are very warm.

Same for me at Carleton, coming from a subtropical climate! I don't remember students being unhappy with the cold. I think most of had an inkling of what to expect even if we hadn't lived in that climate before. We dressed warmly and got outside to enjoy winter, doing cross-country skiing in the adjacent arboretum or ice skating or playing broomball or hockey in the ice rink set up in the middle of campus.

[Anonymous]

DS and I stayed here for the Mac/Carleton portion of our college tour and loved it:

https://www.celestestpaul.com/

And a yummy dinner here:

https://www.frenchmeadowcafe.com/

[Anonymous]

No tips, but I heard the area around Carleton smells like Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Ole Store in North-field is nice for dinner. For lunch maybe Reunion or Hogan Bros.

If you decide to stay in Northfield, the Fairfield is very conveniently located. Can walk to campus and the main part of town easily.

Our kid from a sunny state had no problem with the weather. It gets cold, with the most extreme part being usually 2-3 weeks. Makes for spectacular winters (cause the snow lasts for days before turning brown.) Winter break is 6-7 weeks so it’s well paced with the seasons.

Spring is nice too, but Fall is the most amazing if there when the leaves are changing.

Be sure to allocate at least an hour for the Arb. You can’t really get Carleton without seeing it. That end of campus is like a mini national park. You would need a weekend or more to see the whole thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No tips, but I heard the area around Carleton smells like Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Have fun!

Depends what they’re making at the malt o meal plant.

[Anonymous]

If you poke around Northfield stop off at Content Books and the two popular coffee shops in town, Goodbye Blue Monday and Little Joy. Stick your head into Family Fare to see the grocery selection so you get a sense of what’s available. The town is adjacent to and walkable from campus. Take a ride and check out the strip with the Target, health center etc so you see what other amenities are nearby.

For what it’s worth, we toured on an insanely cold day and it did not deter my DC, who loves winter and Carleton.

We also really liked Mac and it has a lot to offer (including merit aid) but the Arb was what won the day for Carleton. It’s a fantastic resource. My DC goes into the Cities maybe 2-3 times a term—it’s not that far—but also likes being in the more rural environment.