From Illinois to Bloomington MN (Minneapolis, St. Paul: hotel, theater, restaurants)

[exberwynite]

Going to Mall of America over Memorial weekend. We're driving in from Illinois / Wisconsin border. Have any suggestions on where to stop along the way (site seeing, rest area, great restaurant).

Once we're there, are there any sort of skyscrapers to visit ?

If we take the light rail downtown during the day, what is there to see / do, anything? (theatre / movie, restaurant, sight see).

Is Minnesota known for any type of food? (Like Chicago is known for Pizza)

[kuan]

You should stop in Tomah, WI and have the pie at Burnstad's.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by exberwynite

Going to Mall of America over Memorial weekend. We're driving in from Illinois / Wisconsin border. Have any suggestions on where to stop along the way (site seeing, rest area, great restaurant).

Once we're there, are there any sort of skyscrapers to visit ?

If we take the light rail downtown during the day, what is there to see / do, anything? (theatre / movie, restaurant, sight see).

Is Minnesota known for any type of food? (Like Chicago is known for Pizza)

No offense but you do realize that Minneapolis and St. Paul are actual big cities right? There is plenty to do and see in the metro area. There are numerous theaters, museums, etc.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by exberwynite

Going to Mall of America over Memorial weekend. We're driving in from Illinois / Wisconsin border. Have any suggestions on where to stop along the way (site seeing, rest area, great restaurant).

Well, the Wisconsin Dells is on the way, and I'd recommend the Duck rides myself. Those Duck drivers are crazy.

Once we're there, are there any sort of skyscrapers to visit ?

There are four 50-story skyscrapers in downtown Minneapolis, but I don't know what they might have in terms of observation decks. Not as tall as the Sears Tower or John Hancock Center (I've been on both), but they're tall enough.

If we take the light rail downtown during the day, what is there to see / do, anything? (theatre / movie, restaurant, sight see).

I suspect there's a lot to do downtown, but I spent most of my 40+ years up there in the Twin Cities suburbs so I don't really care so much.

Is Minnesota known for any type of food? (Like Chicago is known for Pizza)

Lutefisk, perhaps, but I wouldn't recommend it personally.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by golfgal

No offense but you do realize that Minneapolis and St. Paul are actual big cities right? There is plenty to do and see in the metro area. There are numerous theaters, museums, etc.

I don't think they meant to imply it was a small city, just looking for ideas on what to do.

[exberwynite]

Golfgal, Thanks for your words of wisdom.... I think I'll just drive into "THE BIG CITY" and head North then I'll turn right at the first street and see what I find.

Does anyone know about the 4 skycrapers mentioned by rcsteiner? Do these skyscrapers have restaurants on the upper levels that are open to the public?

[MNNative]

Originally Posted by exberwynite

Golfgal, Thanks for your words of wisdom.... I think I'll just drive into "THE BIG CITY" and head North then I'll turn right at the first street and see what I find.

Does anyone know about the 4 skycrapers mentioned by rcsteiner? Do these skyscrapers have restaurants on the upper levels that are open to the public?

For being the one who's asking for help you sure know how to burn bridges...

Minneapolis and St Paul, like Golfgal pointed out, are rather bustling cities and I think it's just surprising to hear someone ask for ideas in such a way that implies the area might have little to offer. It's like someone saying "Hey, I'm coming to Chicago/New York/Los Angeles, am I going to be bored?"

But, seeing as though you need some travel guidance, here are a few suggestions, for what they're worth:

*Into art, theater, culture?
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Walker Art Center
garden.walkerart.org
Welcome to the Weisman Art Museum
Mill City Museum
What's Happening | Guthrie Theater
Hennepin Theatre District
Many Tastes, One Place. | Midtown Global Market

*Interested in architecture, landmarks?
Landmark Center
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foshay_Tower
IDS Tower
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Saint_Mary
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_Saint_Paul_(Minnesota)

*Looking for some outdoor attractions?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Anthony_Falls
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnehaha_Creek
Chain of Lakes

*Don't plan on blowing all your money at one mall?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicollet_Mall

This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what you can see and do here in the Twin Cities. There are restaurants, bars, night clubs, comedy clubs, sports arenas/games etc etc etc! For some more ideas and info: The Best of the Twin Cities | Mpls.St.Paul Magazine + mspmag.com

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by exberwynite

Does anyone know about the 4 skycrapers mentioned by rcsteiner? Do these skyscrapers have restaurants on the upper levels that are open to the public?

Well, the IDS Center has a restaurant called "Windows on Minnesota" on the 50th floor.

My quick search doesn't find anything for 225 South Sixth (we call it the Stanley Cup building ), the Wells Fargo Center, or 33 South Sixth.

FWIW, a list of the tallest buildings in Minneapolis is here.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Well, the IDS Center has a restaurant called "Windows on Minnesota" on the 50th floor.

I think that closed as a restaurant years ago and is more of a special occasion banquet hall now for the Marquette Hotel.

[BarbaraMN]

There are tons of things to do here. Maybe you could be more specific about what types of activities and restaurants would interest you.

Personally, I think a trip to both downtowns would be nice--the two cities are quite different from one another. I'd skip any restaurants that are on skyscapers--since the cities aren't that big, being "on top" isn't that exciting and I'd rather pick somewhere with great food and ambiance and save the view for sightseeing.

As for places to stop on the way. There are some beautiful areas in Baraboo (not sure that is spelled correctly) but they'd require more time than just stopping for a quick visit.