Monticello

Why: It’s the last month of peak viewing season for nearly 900 trumpeter swans, best seen during feeding hours, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

How: To get to “swan park,” take I–94 north to exit 195, County Road 75 (East Broadway). Turn right on 75 and continue a quarter- mile to Mississippi Drive, turn left and park at the end of the road.

Stay: Between birding and shopping the Albertville Outlet Mall, an overnight is worth considering. Try to get one of the four rooms ($115–$175) at the historic Rand House Bed and Breakfast (763-295-6037). The 1884 Victorian country estate is one of the last in Minnesota.

Eat: The casual Crostini Grille (254 W. Broadway, 763-295-8898) is good for couples (even those with kids in tow) and offers pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches for lunch and dinner.

Pack: Binoculars and a camera for getting up close and personal with the swans.

P.S.: Photographers can submit their bird pics in a photo contest; see monticellochamber.com for details.