To those living in the area of MOA, I'm visiting (Minneapolis: homes, movie theater)

[exberwynite]

Will be visiting the MOA area in May (Memorial Weekend). What would you say is the most important things to know before I go?

2 Females in their 30's, want to do more than shop.

What areas to stay away from? What areas seem to attract people? As of right now, I know nothing of the area....

[golfgal]

What types of things do you like to do? That will help us narrow it down for you.

[chilaili]

Will you have your own car or relying on public transportation?

[exberwynite]

I have my own car, love to site see and walk, take photos... Hope to RELAX on this trip, not bringing the kids with. Not into nightlife anymore (or getting drunk). Theatre, sports, museums OK too. Main purpose is to see the mall, but will probably only do that for a few hours at a time, then want to do something else by midday (when the mall gets overcrowded)...

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by exberwynite

I have my own car, love to site see and walk, take photos... Hope to RELAX on this trip, not bringing the kids with. Not into nightlife anymore (or getting drunk). Theatre, sports, museums OK too. Main purpose is to see the mall, but will probably only do that for a few hours at a time, then want to do something else by midday (when the mall gets overcrowded)...

Awesome! I would suggest

1. Tickets to A Prairie Home Companion at the Fitzgerald Theatre (assuming the show is on while you're there)
2. Science Museum in downtown St Paul
3. Minneapolis Institute of Art near Uptown
4. Visiting Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles and/or Lake Harriet - you can park and take the walking path around any of these. I prefer Lake of the Isles as it twists and turns and has more interesting views.
5. Take the light rail to downtown Minneapolis just to wander the area
6. Go to Como or Apple Valley zoo
7. Drive out to the Minnesota Arboretum in Chaska. It's cheap to get into and very pretty to walk around the garden and then take the 3-mile drive.
8. Go down to the Stone Arch Bridge and walk across it to see the St Anthony Falls
9. Take a drive out to Stillwater
10. Go to Grand Avenue in St Paul, park the car at one end, walk to the other end and take the bus back

[talktobrent]

well i would say the one thing to skip on a short trip would be... MOA. If it's a warm out a walk around the lakes area in Minneapolis would be nice. new Guthrie theater would be worth checking out too.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Unless you are a die-hard shopper; the only other things to do at the mall are Underwater World, some restaurants (none of which are really special) and the movie theater. Camp Snoopy is neat to walk through.
There really isn't a bad area that you are going to drive through if you are going from attraction to attraction. The rougher areas are fairly residential.

[Haver]

You could listen to a CD of Beethoven's "Pastoral" while driving the "Grand rounds" (the loop of parkway that goes up the mississippi river, Minnehaha creek, and the chain of lakes), followed by a relaxing evening at the Lake Harriet bandshell listening to a concert (www.minneapolisparks.org for a schedule). Follow up with ice cream (at the concert or while walking around the lake) and a good restaurant (after; others will have to recommend). The above poster was right about Lake of the Isles, though - its prettier, and there are fancy homes in the area to gawk at. From the megamall, er, excuse me, MOA, take Cedar north until you hit the Lake Nokomis area to connect with the parkway.

You could also shop in the Southdale area (Southdale is just another mall, but Galleria is good and has the shops you're probably expecting the MOA to have, but doesn't) and then relax afterwards at Centennial Lakes Park. Its one of the prettiest of the parks around and has some good restaurants as well (QCumbers and Two Guys from Italy if they're still there). The Edinborough indoor park is next door as well, although they charge admission and might be noisy sometimes. You'll want to take 494 west to Xerxes or France to get to that area.

I've always loved Como Park and especially the Zoo. Its an older zoo and has a lot of early century charm - not ornate so much as, um, "balanced" with an inherent grace, and is small enough to walk comfortably around. The conservatory is also there and well worth a visit. I don't go there all the time so I can't give a good route - its a bit of a commute and Saint Paul is easy to get lost in. West River Road might be part of that route if you're going scenic.

Museums: Walker, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Children's. Those are the big three. There is also a thriving theater culture here but I'm a philistine so can't say what's what :/

All three recommendations are assuming you basically want to chill and have a quiet relaxing time. Also, while Minnesotans are pretty reserved and hard to get to know, most will open up if you ask for advice, like where to eat. Lots of Germans up here so we love to help out or give advice.