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Make sure to bike Summit Ave in St Paul (Blue door pub isn't far from the street). The street is popular for all the Victorian mansions including the Governor's mansion.
Thanks for the great suggestions. I'm going to be staying in Bloomington near the Walmart on 78th. The public trans is very good in that area. Basically I get in on the 6th of May in around 3:15p so maybe not doing much that day...Then I have until noon on Saturday (May 10th) before I have to be back at the airport for my flight back home to Arizona.
I definitely want to check out downtown Minneapolis, the lakes, downtown St. Paul, Mall of America, and some of the neighborhoods. I love photography and love taking pictures of architecture and older style homes.
Any recommendations for cheap eateries that are good? Anything off the beaten path I should take a look at? I'm also considering moving here so I REALLY want to get a decent feel for the city before I head back home. Thanks all!
Definitely make it a point to see the Cathedral and Summit Avenue.
If I was you, here's the must-see's I'd try and check out (in order):
(1) Mall of America (love or hate malls, you HAVE to see it if you're here, since everybody you know will ask you what it was like, as the MOA is all most people outside of the city/state know about it) (2) Chain of Lakes (either Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun and/or Lake of the Isles....lots of things to do at the lakes themselves and plenty of beaches, including a "party beach" in Thomas Beach on Calhoun) (3) Downtown Minneapolis Entertainment (Nicollet Mall for happy hour, Hennepin Ave for theatre or Target Field for MLB baseball, and 1st Ave for bar-hopping -- planned your whole night!) (4) Lake Minnetonka (gorgeous suburban large party/entertainment lake where million/billionaires live, and where you should try and rent a boat or at least hang out someplace on the lake, like in Excelsior or Wayzata) (5) Uptown Minneapolis (for fun rooftop happy hour or nightlife on a nice day) (6) Nordeast/University of MN (brew-pubs/breweries and dive bars, fun area for bar-hopping or going out) (7) Other Minneapolis Districts (Linden Hills, Eat Street/Nicollet Ave, Lake Street, Hennepin Ave, 50th & France, Lyn-Lake, The Wedge, Loring Park, Central Ave, University Ave) (8) Downtown Minneapolis Sights (Stone Arch Bridge, Izzy's Ice Cream at Gold Medal Park, or Mill Ruins Museum) (9) St. Paul Districts (Summit Ave and Grand Ave are two streets worth seeing, and I believe there is also a mafia tour bus of some kind that you can take part in to see the city and learn about MN gangland of yore) (10) Shakopee (Mystic Lake Casino, Canterbury Card Club, and Valley Fair Amusement Park)
Hello all, I am going to be visiting the MSP area May 6th-10th and cannot wait! I've always wanted to live/visit Minneapolis. For a first time visitor, what should I check out? I am considering relocating since it seems like a nice place, so I am planning on renting a bike and exploring around.
I'm on a budget but want to experience what Minneapolis has to offer. What do you recommend? What should I expect weather wise (visiting from HOT Arizona).
Also, would anyone be willing to give me a tour of the city? I'd be willing to pay for gas and lunch. I would love to have an insiders view to the city! Thanks and can't wait to visit!
Fellow Arizonan here about to pack up our things, within the month, and head back to Minnesota (I grew up there). I think you'll really like it unless you like the heat of Arizona. Minnesota does get hot though for a few months. Let me rephrase myself it gets warmer and you might sweat a bit for a week or two throughout the year. Nothing even close to Arizona heat that lasts for 6 months. Or wait I think it was just in the 90's last week?
As for May I'd bring rain gear, jeans and a sweatshirt, t-shirt, shorts... Ya never know.
I'd recommend going around lake Calhoun for a ride, eating a place in uptown, crave rooftop happy hour in downtown, mall of America, St. Paul creamery for ice cream, loring park.
If I was you, here's the must-see's I'd try and check out (in order):
(1) Mall of America (love or hate malls, you HAVE to see it if you're here, since everybody you know will ask you what it was like, as the MOA is all most people outside of the city/state know about it) (2) Chain of Lakes (either Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun and/or Lake of the Isles....lots of things to do at the lakes themselves and plenty of beaches, including a "party beach" in Thomas Beach on Calhoun) (3) Downtown Minneapolis Entertainment (Nicollet Mall for happy hour, Hennepin Ave for theatre or Target Field for MLB baseball, and 1st Ave for bar-hopping -- planned your whole night!) (4) Lake Minnetonka (gorgeous suburban large party/entertainment lake where million/billionaires live, and where you should try and rent a boat or at least hang out someplace on the lake, like in Excelsior or Wayzata) (5) Uptown Minneapolis (for fun rooftop happy hour or nightlife on a nice day) (6) Nordeast/University of MN (brew-pubs/breweries and dive bars, fun area for bar-hopping or going out) (7) Other Minneapolis Districts (Linden Hills, Eat Street/Nicollet Ave, Lake Street, Hennepin Ave, 50th & France, Lyn-Lake, The Wedge, Loring Park, Central Ave, University Ave) (8) Downtown Minneapolis Sights (Stone Arch Bridge, Izzy's Ice Cream at Gold Medal Park, or Mill Ruins Museum) (9) St. Paul Districts (Summit Ave and Grand Ave are two streets worth seeing, and I believe there is also a mafia tour bus of some kind that you can take part in to see the city and learn about MN gangland of yore) (10) Shakopee (Mystic Lake Casino, Canterbury Card Club, and Valley Fair Amusement Park)
Thanks for the great suggestions! This helps a lot!
Fellow Arizonan here about to pack up our things, within the month, and head back to Minnesota (I grew up there). I think you'll really like it unless you like the heat of Arizona. Minnesota does get hot though for a few months. Let me rephrase myself it gets warmer and you might sweat a bit for a week or two throughout the year. Nothing even close to Arizona heat that lasts for 6 months. Or wait I think it was just in the 90's last week?
As for May I'd bring rain gear, jeans and a sweatshirt, t-shirt, shorts... Ya never know.
I'd recommend going around lake Calhoun for a ride, eating a place in uptown, crave rooftop happy hour in downtown, mall of America, St. Paul creamery for ice cream, loring park.
Hi there, I actually cannot stand the summer heat. I'm originally from Alaska so I'm used to the colder weather. I've been in Arizona for just over 10 years. I am definitely looking forward to a different weather pattern when I visit.
We were just in Minneapolis for a week this past August, I huge relief from 106 temps in Austin, TX. Thoroughly impressed with Minneapolis, definitely check out chain of lakes, minnehaha falls, old mill factory, etc
If I was you, here's the must-see's I'd try and check out (in order):
(1) Mall of America (love or hate malls, you HAVE to see it if you're here, since everybody you know will ask you what it was like, as the MOA is all most people outside of the city/state know about it) (2) Chain of Lakes (either Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun and/or Lake of the Isles....lots of things to do at the lakes themselves and plenty of beaches, including a "party beach" in Thomas Beach on Calhoun) (3) Downtown Minneapolis Entertainment (Nicollet Mall for happy hour, Hennepin Ave for theatre or Target Field for MLB baseball, and 1st Ave for bar-hopping -- planned your whole night!) (4) Lake Minnetonka (gorgeous suburban large party/entertainment lake where million/billionaires live, and where you should try and rent a boat or at least hang out someplace on the lake, like in Excelsior or Wayzata) (5) Uptown Minneapolis (for fun rooftop happy hour or nightlife on a nice day) (6) Nordeast/University of MN (brew-pubs/breweries and dive bars, fun area for bar-hopping or going out) (7) Other Minneapolis Districts (Linden Hills, Eat Street/Nicollet Ave, Lake Street, Hennepin Ave, 50th & France, Lyn-Lake, The Wedge, Loring Park, Central Ave, University Ave) (8) Downtown Minneapolis Sights (Stone Arch Bridge, Izzy's Ice Cream at Gold Medal Park, or Mill Ruins Museum) (9) St. Paul Districts (Summit Ave and Grand Ave are two streets worth seeing, and I believe there is also a mafia tour bus of some kind that you can take part in to see the city and learn about MN gangland of yore) (10) Shakopee (Mystic Lake Casino, Canterbury Card Club, and Valley Fair Amusement Park)
I second this list!
A few things i'd add:
In downtown Mpls, check out the quirky Foshay Tower, an art deco bldg designed to resemble the Washington Monument and now a W hotel. They have a museum and observation deck on the top floor. There's also a somewhat pricey, but fun bar on the 27 th floor called Prohibition.
The IDS Crystal Court is worth checking out as the informal town center of downtown.
A good place for lunch in downtown is the Skyroom on the 12th floor of Macy's Dept. Store. They have a great salad bar ( plus soups & fruit) for $10, plus a deli, grille, pizza and other options. Outside the Skyroom is a nice, but small display on the history of Daytons, Marshall Fields, and Hudsons Dept Stores.
The lakes District is essential to see in Mpls ( as well as the dwtn riverfront with the Stone Arch Bridge, St. Anthony Falls, Guthrie Theater observation platform ( the endless bridge)), but you also may want to add Minnehaha Falls, which is usually very impressive in May due to high water levels from spring rain and melted snow. If you have the time you could ride a Nice Ride bike from Minnehaha Falls & Minnehaha Park, west along Minnehaha Parkway to Lake Harriet/Calhoun and Isles.
Grand Avenue & Summit are essential to see in St. Paul, especially between Cathedral Hill west to Hamline or Snelling (at Macalester College). Selby between Dale and Western has a nice historical character to it, with several cool restaurants and the St. Paul Curling Club. In downtown St. Paul, check out Rice Park, a beautiful square surrounded by several beautiful & historic buildings (Landmark Center has the clock tower and is usually open if you want to check out the equally impressive, but a bit dated, interior). Mears Park and Lowertown is also worth walking around. Can't forget Mickey's Diner on 7th Street between St Peter & Wabasha. This place somehow seems to appear in any movie that's filmed in the Twin Cities!
I second this list!
A few things i'd add:
In downtown Mpls, check out the quirky Foshay Tower, an art deco bldg designed to resemble the Washington Monument and now a W hotel. They have a museum and observation deck on the top floor. There's also a somewhat pricey, but fun bar on the 27 th floor called Prohibition.
The IDS Crystal Court is worth checking out as the informal town center of downtown.
A good place for lunch in downtown is the Skyroom on the 12th floor of Macy's Dept. Store. They have a great salad bar ( plus soups & fruit) for $10, plus a deli, grille, pizza and other options. Outside the Skyroom is a nice, but small display on the history of Daytons, Marshall Fields, and Hudsons Dept Stores.
The lakes District is essential to see in Mpls ( as well as the dwtn riverfront with the Stone Arch Bridge, St. Anthony Falls, Guthrie Theater observation platform ( the endless bridge)), but you also may want to add Minnehaha Falls, which is usually very impressive in May due to high water levels from spring rain and melted snow. If you have the time you could ride a Nice Ride bike from Minnehaha Falls & Minnehaha Park, west along Minnehaha Parkway to Lake Harriet/Calhoun and Isles.
Grand Avenue & Summit are essential to see in St. Paul, especially between Cathedral Hill west to Hamline or Snelling (at Macalester College). Selby between Dale and Western has a nice historical character to it, with several cool restaurants and the St. Paul Curling Club. In downtown St. Paul, check out Rice Park, a beautiful square surrounded by several beautiful & historic buildings (Landmark Center has the clock tower and is usually open if you want to check out the equally impressive, but a bit dated, interior). Mears Park and Lowertown is also worth walking around. Can't forget Mickey's Diner on 7th Street between St Peter & Wabasha. This place somehow seems to appear in any movie that's filmed in the Twin Cities!
Now I'm thinking I should have booked the 7 days instead of 4. Seems is so much to do and not enough time! Guess I'll have to hit the ground running everyday from Sunup to sundown
Hi there, I actually cannot stand the summer heat. I'm originally from Alaska so I'm used to the colder weather. I've been in Arizona for just over 10 years. I am definitely looking forward to a different weather pattern when I visit.
I lived in Anchorage for a year for work. If you move here, the north shore of Lake Superior past Duluth is very similar to Alaska with smaller "mountains" and thick lush forests and tons of rivers, creeks, and an ocean (Lake Superior)
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