Things to do in April with out of town guests?? (Minneapolis: houses, theatres)

[MSMCGirl]

Hi Everyone! I have a friend and her husband visiting from London next week (mid April!). I have three full days to entertain them and show them the Cities. I warned them that April is a weird month in MN....not quite winter, but not quite spring either.....and that it's still "brown". Any recommendations on what to do (even a day trip would be fine) that might impress Londoners in April!?? We will spend a day at MOA (they want to do that...Lord help me!) Thanks in advance!!

[chilaili]

Well, as a Brit who lived in Minneapolis for 10 years the first thing to remember is that April could still be freezing cold with snow so remind them to wrap up. Secondly, without knowing what they like, I would take them to the Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Lake Calhoun (or Lake of the Isles, my personal fav), the MN Arboretum, ride the Light Rail into downtown, drive out to Stillwater and then north up to St Croix Falls, attend one of the gazillion theatres in town, go to Murphy's Landing in Shakopee.

[maui-intoxicated]

Show them a frozen lake.

Drive along the south side of the Mississippi River by harriet Island. Google E Filmore Ave.

Take them to a Twins Game.

Take them to Grand Ave for food and take them to MOA for shopping.

Take them over to the high bridge in Minneapolis.

Are they outdoor people, artsy people, or do they like trendy stuff?

[Goon-Squad]

Watch the snow fall...

[Grizzly Addams]

A whole day at MOA? Sounds terrible.... haha.

[roselily]

I actually like the MOA. I'd show them the skyway system in Mpls, maybe Fort Snelling if the weather cooperates, go see a play, go to a Wild game. Maybe take them to the Weisman or Walker-I wouldn't probably bother with MIA (don't get me wrong, I love MIA but it isn't going to be anything new to folks from London.) Maybe take them to the Hill house- it is different enough from historical English homes to be interesting. Take them to Surly or Liftbridge and take the tour (and sample). Take them to see the Minnesota Trail at the Zoo.

I agree with Lake of the Isles- great houses to see!

[maui-intoxicated]

The Saint Paul Cathedral. Anything that shows Irish ancestry and heritage.

Perhaps some Dakota indian tributes...tell them the story of how Dakota county came to be...although harrowing it's better than not knowing.

Take them to where the Minnesota and Mississippi river meet. Or take them to the mouth of the Mississippi and explain where it ends down in the gulf.

[chilaili]

Ooh! The history museum in St Paul would be great if it's a cold snowy day. Or the Science Museum if they're at all geeky . Sometimes the IMAX has great movies there.

[golfgal]

Depending on how well they get the US, maybe drive to Wisconsin and Iowa to illustrate how large the US really is. I know that was a really hard concept to grasp for foreign exchange students who didn't quite get that we couldn't just drive to Disneyworld for the weekend because they can drive for 5 hours and hit about 4 different countries. If nothing else, a drive down through the LaCrosse area and into about Dubuque, IA is lovely.

[MSMCGirl]

Thanks, everyone!! Some really great ideas!