Favorite air conditioned places to hang out and chill? (Minneapolis: neighborhood, theater)

[Haver]

Well, its projected to hit 100 on Thursday.

What are people's favorite places to hang out in when beating the heat? I have no a/c at home, and while I could just go to a mall or a library with my having to spend several hours inside on that day, it might as well be some place really interesting, where I can walk around for a couple miles, sit down and read on my Kindle, grab a quick lunch, surf the Internet for a while and be someplace with FANTASTIC air conditioning (I know some places have crappy a/c to save money...)

Its the flip side of being half Sami: I can walk around in January without a Jacket half the time and feel comfortable, but the first hint of warm weather ... KaBOOM!

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Where are you located? I only asked because I'd feel dumb making this suggestion if you live in Elk River or something. My favorite random hangout place is Spyhouse Coffee shop on Eat Street in Minneapolis (25th St S and Nicollet Ave). Yes, it's a coffee shop, but it's a popular hangout for grad students, hipsters and the like. I always enjoy my time there whether I'm surfing the web, reading the newspaper or chatting with some friends. The other cool thing about Spyhouse is when you leave you're in a cool part of town. If you want you can walk north and go straight into the Nicollet Mall area, which is pretty lively in the summertime. We've gone there a couple times now and there was always something going on with horse carriages, bike taxis and people everywhere.

[Haver]

That sounds good. I'm coming from the Nokomis neighborhood.

Still open to recommendations, keep them coming please :-)

[golfgal]

Do you want to do your walking in an air conditioned place or do you want to walk outside then move into the A/C?

The only places I can think of to walk those long distances inside would be the various malls, MOA being the best choice because it is just bigger. If you want to walk outside, walk around one of the lakes for the breeze coming off the lake-or along the river. You could head out to Stillwater for a change of pace, walk along the river there then head toward the library or coffee shop there. The old part of the library there is just beautiful.

[audadvnc]

How about Sea Salt, over by the falls?

[uptown_urbanist]

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is one of my favorites. They have to keep the temperature and humidity levels stable year-round for the sake of the collections, so it always feels good in there. It's big enough that you can easily spend many hours wandering around (I especially love the period rooms), grab something at the cafe and hang out at one of their tables for awhile, browse the shop, then head back off to check out some Ancient Egyptian pottery or some contemporary art. It's free, too (or pay what you can). There are some spots with great views of the park and downtown, too, so there's a nice mix of feeling connected with the outdoors (and just pop out into the MCAD courtyard or across the street to the park if you want a shot of heat) as well as feeling removed from it all, as in the period rooms.

Any local big museum is going to have the air-conditioning factor covered. You could do the same sort of thing at Minnesota Historical Society, the Walker, etc., but I think MIA is the best option to just while away a long afternoon.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is one of my favorites. They have to keep the temperature and humidity levels stable year-round for the sake of the collections, so it always feels good in there. It's big enough that you can easily spend many hours wandering around (I especially love the period rooms), grab something at the cafe and hang out at one of their tables for awhile, browse the shop, then head back off to check out some Ancient Egyptian pottery or some contemporary art. It's free, too (or pay what you can). There are some spots with great views of the park and downtown, too, so there's a nice mix of feeling connected with the outdoors (and just pop out into the MCAD courtyard or across the street to the park if you want a shot of heat) as well as feeling removed from it all, as in the period rooms.

Any local big museum is going to have the air-conditioning factor covered. You could do the same sort of thing at Minnesota Historical Society, the Walker, etc., but I think MIA is the best option to just while away a long afternoon.

Good call. I don't even like art for the most part and I was impressed with that place.

[Minnesota Spring]

I'd just take a dip in Lake Nokomis. I'm sure the water is still plenty chilly.

[laxster]

I always like to hit up Lifetime Fitness. Clean, plenty to do to keep entertained, and the swimming pools (indoor and outdoor) are nice! Plus a shower afterwards and I feel like a million bucks.

[Glenfield]

Take in a movie at the Riverview Theater then step across the street to the Riverview Cafe.