I don't know how much traveling you will do when in MN, but the Franconia Sculpture Park might be of particular interest to someone who loves garden junk. The sculptures are usually made of recycled and/or natural materials. Artists from all over the world compete for grants and construct and display their work. It has recently been moved, though is still close to the original site, and I'm not sure how many sculptures they have at this time. I will possibly be going by it today and will give you an update if you'd like.

I copied and pasted a bit of information about it below.

Franconia Sculpture Park
Junction Hwy 8 and 95 South of Taylors Falls, MN (651) 465-3701
Take a guided tour through an outdoor, rotating collection of over 60 comtemporary sculptures that have been created by local, national, and international artists. "Kids Make Sculpture" workshops are also offered to children ages 4 to 18.

kms

Margo,
Stillwater is wonderful, you won't be disappointed. If you have time, head south of the cities to Redwing. Another wonderful little town, full of antiques and wonderful shops. It is on the Mississippi River, so is a beautiful place as well!!!!
Jenny

I don't have any suggestions,but I can't wait to see what you come home with!

Redwing has already been suggested to me and if we have time I'm going to try to get there.

That sculpture exhibit sounds interesting. I'll have to see if we'll be anywhere near there.

Thanks

If you can make it to Wabasha... not far from Redwing...
They have a National Eagle Center where you will get to see bald eagles up close... they're AWESOME! http://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/

There's also the The Lark Toy Company http://larktoys.com/ out on Hwy. 61 Which has the most amazing collection of old toys and an indoor carousel that's beautiful. My oldest dd lives there and the kids LOVE going to those places.
Down along the river in Wabasha is Slipperys bar and restaurant where parts of the movie
"Grumpy Old Men" was filmed. http://www.slipperysumr.com/

Here is a link to info on Franconia Sculpture Park

http://www.franconia.org/about.html

Too bad this isn't the first weekend in May, the Red Wing area has a 100 Mile Garage Sale up and down the Mississippi River on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin side. Anyone interested can check it out at http://www.mississippi-river.org/garage.html Not as good as the one in Alabama but still a gorgeous area of the country and you can find some great buys.

In Maiden Rock, Wisconsin there is an awesome place that is a garden junker's dream. The guy literally has a barn full of "junk." It is right on the river and it is called The Red Barn. Maiden Rock is across the Mississippi from Red Wing and maybe 15-20 miles south.

If you have kids along, another great stop is Wabasha (home to the characters in the Grumpie Old Men movies - and they sure don't let you forget it!) where they have the National Eagle Center. Anything and everything you ever wanted to know about eagles can be learned there. Plus you can see a couple of bald eagles up close and personal. You can read more about it at http://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/. If you go, say hi to Harriet and Columbia the two bald eagles there for me!

here's a web site for Stillwater, MN in case you want to check things out ahead of time. Rochester, MN has antique shops too. If you are in Mankato, New Ulm isn't too far away and has lots of German influence. A brewery tour there too.
http://www.schellsbrewery.com/

Here is a link that might be useful: Stillwater, MN

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas. I fly up tomorrow and then to stillwater. Looking forward to new sceanery. The visit will be taken up with a lot of family stuff so don't know how much junkin I can do. Plus with flying, i'm limited to what I can bring back. I'll have pics and stories in about a week so be sure to check out the blog.

Here is a link that might be useful: blog