Minneapolis has an abundance of good food, art, and design. Go see for yourself.
Rest your tired dogs at the brightly colored Aloft Hotel. Situated within walking distance of the Mississippi River, the hotel has zero pretension and shuffleboard and oversize tic-tac-toe in the lobby.
Behold the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home to the iconic “Spoonbridge and Cherry,” a nearly 29-foot-tall fountain-cum-sculpture. (The “I’m holding the cherry stem” photo is mandatory for visitors.)
The Walker Art Center houses one of the best collections of contemporary art in the country. Aside from 12,000-plus pieces of visual art, the institution hosts performances, film screenings, and lectures.
It’s cheesy. It’s overwhelming. It has more than 500 stores. But the Mall of America (or Mega Mall to locals) also has a roller coaster. Need we say more?
It’s going to be an ugly year for the struggling Minnesota Twins. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the fruits of the year-old, open-air Target Field. Win or lose, franchise players Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau make for good eye candy.
Fun fact: The last three James Beard Award winners for Best Chef: Midwest hail from Minneapolis. Don’t miss Tim McKee’s La Belle Vie (2009), Alex Roberts’s Restaurant Alma (2010), and Isaac Becker’s 112 Eatery (2011).
The city’s strong Scandinavian traditions shine at The Bachelor Farmer, a farm-to-table restaurant that specializes in upscale Nordic fare. (Read: nary a hot dish in sight). Downstairs, Marvel Bar is a speakeasy-inspired spot with killer craft cocktails. Skol!
Hit Ingebretsen’s for authentic and imported Scandinavian goods and classes in traditional Nordic craftsmanship.
Any musician who made it big has played at music mecca First Avenue. (You might recognize it from Purple Rain. NBD.)
Nye’s Polonaise Room is a trip back in time, thanks to its original 1950s decor, a tuxedoed piano player, and a back room devoted to a house polka band made up of Minnesotan old-timers.
Feeling refined? Hit afternoon tea at Brit’s Pub, complete with finger sandwiches and scones. Fuel your competitive fire with lawn bowling on the rooftop deck. (Toss the balls with a very Minnesotan “Uff da!” to fit in.)
The moniker Land of 10,000 Lakes is no joke. The Chain of Lakes, a thirteen-mile path that winds around four lakes, has plenty of canoe, kayak, and bike rental spots along the way.
Minneapolis was voted the No. 1 biking city in the country by Bicycling magazine. See why via the Midtown Greenway, a six-mile, car-free path built on a former railroad line.
Speaking of green, Minnesota has no sales tax on clothing. Shop along Nicollet Mall, a pedestrian- and bike-friendly street in the heart of Downtown.
Continue your tax-free spree in the more eclectic Uptown area for a blend of larger retailers and small boutiques. Used bookstore Magers & Quinn is a must.
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