Help! ~ Vacation Planning (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina: coupons, rent, theater)

[Aurora Rose]

Hi everyone! Okay, so here's the story. Two of my best friends and I (we're all girls) are coming up to the cities for the first week of August. I have family and friends up there and used to live there, so I'm in charge of finding things to do. The only problem is that our main attraction got nixed (we were going to go see Spamalot) and now I'm stuck on ideas. Neither of them have been to the cities before, and I want to make it a memorable trip. I've already planned on at least one, probably two, days at the MOA ,but, as for anything else, I'm stuck. I've talked to them already, and they really don't want to go to a museum or the sculpture garden. One of them is a huge Beatles fan; she's basically a modern-day hippie. Also, they're both vegetarians so I'd like to find some good restaurants, but I'm really having no luck, neither online nor through family. Finally, we're all huge music and theater fans, but we don't want to pay a lot...we're three teenage girls, we CAN'T pay a lot. Any ideas would be helpful!

[Minnehahapolitan]

I'll do for bredth over depth. (Theaters) Brave New Workshop (27th & Henn) The Ritz Theater Northeast (Ballet?), Hennepin Theaters, Mixed Blood, De La Jeune Lune, The Cedar, The Southern, The Varsity, First Ave. (of course) Hopefully that gets you somewhat started, I can't help much in the way of Vegetarianism, sorry.

[JenLee]

I'm going to sound like a broken record here soon, but I strongly recommend checking out the MN Dept. of Tourism for help.

Okay, so my daughter works for them at a rest area coming into the state; but the people at those rest area tourist info centers are invaluable when it comes to where to go, restaurants, etc. besides which roads will actually be open and how to avoid the road construction!

I was going to suggest that you go to the Fine Line Music Cafe; but I'm not sure if there is an under age area or not.

The Science Museum of MN and the Omni Theater are a lot of fun for every age; my daughter and I both have memberships because we enjoy it so much. It's a great way to spend a whole day for less than $20. A tour of the State Capital is free, and if the weather is nice, you can go out on the roof and take pictures of the golden horses rear ends!

There are several water parks throughout the Twin Cities; if you stop at a rest area info center there are magazines and booklets that have coupons in them to lower admission prices. And you should be able to find coupons for some good restaurants in them too.

Ikea is a store that you would probably like to go through. It's different than any other store in the area and you may find the perfect decoration for your rooms for a souvenir from this trip.

As far as Vegetarian restaurants, check out the happycow.net website for Mpls. There are quite a number of vegetarian/vegan restaurants listed there.

[lisa_23]

There are many places to eat that are vegetarian friendly. Several in the Uptown area, Lake and Hennepin. Also in Edina there is a place called The Good Earth. That is the best eatery. Have fun!

[Ben Around]

Great vegetarian in the warehouse district: Cafe Brenda.

For something different: go to Lake Calhoun and rent a canoe. You can paddle through the Chain of Lakes. Afterward, head for Sebastian Joe's for some ice cream.

Also different but fun are the farmers markets. Mpls.' is the biggest, St Paul's is great too. Also a very nice small scale one on Saturday only at Midtown, Lake & Hiawatha. Never been there, but the international market at the old sears builing sounds interesting. All kinds of exotic ethnic shops.

An afternoon in Stillwater could be pleasant, strolling around the antique shops and walking over to the St. Croix.

Check out the Twin Cities Reader website the week before you come to see what plays, concerts, etc. will be in town.

If you like baseball, if the St Paul Saints are playing that weekend, their games are a blast.

[BeckyS]

Minnesota has many, many great original musicians and bands. A local music site is musicscene network. I will say now that it leans to metal and hard rock, but they do list bands and you can post something there asking for vacation fun advice. You could try checking out "Rubber Soul" for the Beatles fanatic; they are a Beatles cover (tribute?) band. You said you're teenagers - I'll assume that you are over 18. If you're under 18, there aren't many shows to go to but there are many 18+ shows. You can check City Pages - Music, Restaurants, Movies, Arts, News and Classifieds Weekly in Minneapolis & St. Paul for information on shows and also restaurants - just use the tabs on the web site.

[kuan]

The best Indian veggie restaurant is Nalapak on Central Avenue, about 2 minutes south of 694. Around $10 per person for buffet lunch.

As for music, it depends on what kind you like of course.