Things to Do-Minneapolis?

[pdq]

Speedy wrote:
Mainly Minneapolis is dead-boring. Just the way Minneapolitans like it.

Oh, p'shaw, Speedy - he's just being modest.

Minneapolis has a vibrant (live) theater scene, if you like that stuff (like I do), from oddball to the Guthrie for high class people watching, if not the show. Beautiful old-school Broadway-like theaters for travelling productions too.

A local used-to-be microbrewery (Surly) just opened a new, huge brewery and massive drinking hall for tours eats and beer - think Norwegian Octoberfest. In fact, it's easy to take a microbrew tour in Minneapolis, by pedal pub, bus, bike or car. Lots of day and night life near Target Field (where the Twins play), or if you're looking at a smaller scale, at the new minor league Saints park in Saint Paul.

If you're not looking for a wild time, yeah, shopping, sure. MOA creeps me out personally - too big and barn-like; lots of other places. Visit Garrison Keillor's bookstore - who know, he may be slumming that day. The museum formerly known as the Minnesota Institute of Arts (now just called "mia", yeah, like Mia Farrow) is free, IIRC, and has a large collection. The Walker has edgier stuff, and a nice scupture garden (about to be redone). Como Zoo is (mostly) free, and has a nice Conservatory. Science Museum of Minnesota is great for kids; I've never been to the Minnesota History Museum, but it sure looks impressive. Or tour the James J Hill mansion and stroll around Summit.

Food is plentiful on any of several "Eat Streets"; Central (mixed ethnic), University (Asian/African), Grand or Lyndale (eclectic). Some of my personal faves that are not overly pricy include Cucharacha, Barbary Fig, Day Block Brewpub (new), Holy Land Deli (another ethnic experience), Happy Gnome (if you can get on the patio) or WA Frost, patio or inside - a little pricier, but reeeally beautiful and they have an early prix fixe menu.

But bottom line, like others have suggested, I'd 1) check TripAdvisor and see what strikes you; 2) Google (or get a copy of City Pages) for news on summer festivals; there's almost always one going on, as we Norskys have to compress out celebratin' into 6 months or so; and 3) get out and about; there are few "dangerous" places around here, and some of the ethnic places (like the Midtown Global Market) are really fun and interesting.

PS- The State Fair (Aug 27-Sept 7) usually draws 2 million folks, out of a state population of 5+ million. May be more than you want, but it is an experience all to itself.

[yeoman]

Hey pdq, it takes a lot to blast us out of our burb but your post reminded me of lots of places to go that I'd forgotten about or didn't know existed. There's still time for us to go north (of 494) and sample some of the new downtown eateries before heading south for the winter trek back to Florida . Thanks again for the nice write-up.

[pdq]

yeoman wrote:
Hey pdq, it takes a lot to blast us out of our burb but your post reminded me of lots of places to go that I'd forgotten about or didn't know existed. There's still time for us to go north (of 494) and sample some of the new downtown eateries before heading south for the winter trek back to Florida . Thanks again for the nice write-up.

You're welcome. It's funny - we're happy in the north suburbs, but our kids (now grown) visit, and we go out to some of their old haunts and we realize that we happen to live next to an interesting, good-sized city (or two) that has a lotta good stuff going on that we really ought to check out now and then.

PS- The NYC daughter was in town and we went micro-brew hopping; Day Block (on Washington) had this wonderful, flavorful nectar (if you like really hoppy stuff like I do) they called a Trippel IPA, which we paired with a Banh Mi pizza they called Banh Mizza - super tasty. I'll go back there again.

[pdq]

PPS- TLB, if you're in Saint Paul, go to Cosetta's - big venerable Italian eatery and deli, reasonably priced and good for people-watching, or for dinner, go upstairs to Louis, their white-tablecloth (but still not pretentious or high-priced) sit down restaurant. Yummy stuff!

Okay, I stop now.

[Numo]

Speedy is wrong about Minneapolis (I think he is just being curmudgeonly), but his suggestion to head north to Duluth for a day is excellent. All of pdq's suggestions are very good. The one thing I might add is the city park system around the lakes.

Why anyone would want to visit a mall on vacation is a mystery to me, but to each his/her own.

[John B.]

Also, if you're into food show tourism, Andrew Zimmern (he's based here), Adam Richman, and Guy Fieri have all taped multiple episodes here.

There will be some sort of festival (perhaps multiple) each weekend now through Labor Day. Have to get it out of the system before winter comes. The State Fair is a decent bet if you're here the week before Labor Day.

[pdq]

Aggghhh - okay, just one more, sort of Polish flavored:

Go down to Surdyks (google it) and "shop" for wine and cheese some Friday or Saturday. Sample liberally from free wine tasting tables staffed by wine reps, and try several cheeses from the cheese side. Buy a bottle or a wedge so you don't feel guilty, then totter kitty-corner past the anique stores over to Kramarczuks, and try to decipher what the nice FOB Polish girls behind the counter are trying to tell you about the yummy cabbage rolls. Eat in a booth, or just pack a snack for later.

Walk a block or two down to the Mississippi for the view of downtown and the stone arch bridge; after a stroll along the river, if you're still hungry, double back and land at Nye's Polonaise Room; sounds fancier than it is, which is another venerable neighborhood institution, unfortunately about to go under the wrecking ball. If you're lucky, and it's evening by then, there may be a polka band going in the attached bar. Na zdrowie!

[sekker]

A few more points:

Twins game if they are in town - Target Field is great.

Cafe Latte in St Paul on Grand Ave is worth it for the chocolate cake.

The Dakota is an awesome destination for live Jazz.

The Source in Roseville is an amazing gaming store.

Children's museum is great as well.

[$tevie]

Eat something on-a-stick. :emoticon-animal-004:

[vision63]

$tevie wrote:
Eat something on-a-stick. :emoticon-animal-004:

Now we're talking.

I've not been to MIA but I have the Walker Arts Center. I spent 3 days having a blast. They have so many disciplines and programs. One of the greatest art experiences you can have.