Where to take a 20 year old (St. Paul, St. Anthony: rent, houses, living)

[mngirl22]

My husband and I are moving back to MN soon. We really want our daughter to move with us but she is not convinced. We have family there and have visited many times but she has only seen the southern suburbs. We are visiting next week and want to show her that there is so much more to Mpls/St. Paul then she has seen. Do anyone have suggestion as to what we should show her and fun things to do. Thanks in advance!

[golfgal]

What does she like to do? Why doesn't she want to move?

[mngirl22]

She likes the outdoors. She likes outdoor concerts, coffee, tye dye, natural stuff. Walkable areas.

She does not want to move beacuse of the MN winters and because she has friends here. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!! I have not lived up there in many years so am out of touch with what is going on. Thanks!

[uptown_urbanist]

Check out downtown around the Stone Arch Bridge -- have dinner somewhere on the St. Anthony side of the river (the other side from downtown), walk over the bridge itself and check out the river, walk around the Mills District, etc.

Have lunch or a snack at the Tin Fish restaurant/snack bar on the shore of Lake Calhoun (where Lake Street runs into the lake), then walk around Lake of the Isles and check out Uptown. Maybe rent a boat (there's a stand right there, too) and canoe through the little canal that links Lake Calhoun with Isles.

Walk up "Eat Street", the part of Nicollet south of downtown, near the MIA; I think it's been about 10 years, maybe more, since it got the Eat Street name in reflection of its many, many restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, markets, etc., many of them started by immigrants from all over the world.

Wander around the Sculpture Garden and check out the iconic spoon and cherry sculpture.

There are probably some outdoor festivals or concerts next week; you could check listings in places like City Pages or online.

[mngirl22]

Great suggestions, thank you!!!

[nicholemarie]

Yeah those are some awesome ideas!! I think another cool spot she might like is the Midtown Exchange Building. Lot's of cool vendors and food there. Very cultural. =) Maybe sometime during the weekend bring her to Minnehaha falls too! In the summer time around here there are always TONS of cool festivals too. I good idea would be to check out the City Pages magazine. (They are free and you can find them all around town.) Or have her go to Citypages.com...they have tons of great info on what to do, whats happening in the next few weeks, and the low down on places. I used to hate living here when I was younger but now I have such an appreciation for it and absolutely love the cities.(I am 21 too, so about the same age as her, and enjoy a lot of the same type of stuff.) Of course, I could do without the wretched winters, but if you can get through that few months of cold it is worth it. Good Luck!!

[mngirl22]

Thanks Nicholemarie!! It is great to get ideas from someone her age!! I know if she sees all the great spots in the cities she will love it!

[Kid Cann]

You should come here during the Basillica Block Party, Taste of Minnesota, State Fair, swing by a Twins Game at Target Field and do the Segway tour in NE MPLS, and go rent bikes and visit the greenway. Check out the Cherry and Spoon, Loring Park, Lake Calhoun, Stone Arch Bridge.

When you're exhausted, go to sleep and get up and do it all over again, but in St. Paul. Check out the Cathedral, State Capitol Building, The Bluffs, and Check out a St. Paul Saints game at the Midway, and Summit Avenue!

[Radical_Car]

Well if your daughter is 20 then she is a legal adult and can make her own choices, though MSP is a great area and try to convince her, but the ultimate decision is still hers

[mngirl22]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! We are back from our trip and had a great time! We walked around lake Calhoun, down Lake Street, and had lunch on Stellas roof. It was great! We also went to Antler Park at Lake Marion. She also took the Lightrail downtown with her brother. She loved it all and is planning on moving to MN. Yipee!