If you are coming to the upper Midwest anytime soon, don’t forget about Minneapolis. This is not just a “fly-over” state. The “little apple” is home to a wide array of dining locations and amazing things to see. So much so, that I live here and I still find new things to do (many of which are free or cost next to nothing). So take it from a native when I tell you that these are some spots that will not leave you disappointed.
Traveling the Suburbs
When visiting the city, don’t forget about the neighbors. Bloomington Minnesota, about 20 minutes south of Minneapolis, is home to Mall of America billed as the most popular tourist attraction in the world. With over 520 stores to browse through, this massive establishment houses something for everyone. There is an underground aquarium down below and a brand new theme park in the middle. This is a one stop location for entertainment that is certainly worth a day of exploration.
Uptown chique
This trendy little portion of the city is actually located south of the Downtown district. This area offers several up to date shopping and dining locations as well as a nearby lake excursion. You are in the land of 10,000 lakes after all. You can start off the day by cycling around the three mile track surrounding Lake Calhoun. The nearby Penn Cycle shop allows you to rent all types of bikes, while other nearby locations offer the rental of boats and other aquatic necessities. Then, as the sun sets, make your way just a block or so east and you will find Uptown’s Calhoun Square area booming with nightlife.
Here you will find exotic dining locations like Chino Latino. This luxurious establishment mixes Asian culture with Latino style (hence the name). They serve large portions that are meant to be shared. It is great for dates or groups of friends (just make sure your friends have adventurous stomachs). Across the street you can dine at The Independent, a fun night spot that mixes a classy dining atmosphere with an accessible and affordable menu, not to mention great happy hour specials. It is always a reliable way to start, or end, the night.
In the blocks surrounding these establishments, you will find a variety of unique shopping experiences. I would make it a point to stop at Urban Outfitters. Here you can explore two levels of clothing, accessories and gifts ranging from contemporary to retro, with lots of irony mixed in for good measure. It’s a great place to find unusual gifts that nobody will ever forget. Adult Mad Libs anyone? A rare gem is the Ragstock clothing store. Mix a thrift store with trendy new clothing lines and a smattering of costume supplies and you will get an idea of what this Midwest favorite is all about. If you are looking for a set of hospital scrubs or a gas mask, you can pick one up here while you shop for hats, jewelry and pretty much anything else you could ever want. I love a shop that knows how to multitask.
On your way towards downtown you can check out Minneapolis landmarks like the Brave New Workshop Comedy Theater. For more then fifty years, this ensemble theatre has been churning out seasonal comedy reviews and is the country’s oldest satirical theatre. Enjoy a show and even catch a drink from their wide selection of beer and wine. Then you can take in the sprawling Walker Sculpture Garden, a free, outdoor collection of permanent art pieces, including the famed Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture, a Minneapolis icon. You can also take a tour of the gorgeous Basilica of St. Mary, the first church of it’s kind in our nation.
Downtown entertainment
For a much grander selection of high end entertainment and shopping experiences, check out the bustling downtown section of Minneapolis. The Block E entertainment complex is a compilation of venues including The Hard Rock Cafe, Shout House dueling pianos club and even a movie theatre all in one building. For a change of pace, you can check out the Gameworks entertainment center. It combines a bar, restaurant, bowling alley and adult oriented arcade into one, dual level location.
For a quieter dining experience, away from the crowds, try Bellenotte, an Italian spot that offers fireplaces indoors and a patio outdoors. A wonderful menu and great prices make this a perfect stop on your trip.
If Italian isn’t your style, there are many parts of the globe represented in downtown. You can dine in the UK at Brit’s Pub, complete with authentic tea time and…lawn bowling? For some eastern fare, you could try Ichiban Japanese Steak House. Teppanyaki chefs will fillet and cook your meal right before your eyes, or you could try their all you can eat sushi bar, where a tiny river of boats carrying fresh sushi float right by your seat. Authentic Irish fare can be found at Kieran’s Irish Pub, while the popular Fogo de Chao serves Brazilian favorites.
Of course this is only a sampling of what Minneapolis has in store for your trip. I would encourage you to take a look at what you can see and do. Here are a few internet spots you may want to check out.
Useful resources
- mallofamerica.com - Take a look at what shoping and entertainment locations there are for you.
- www.minneapolis.org - The official tourism site for Minneapolis.
- www.theindependent-uptown.com - Take a look at this unique uptown dining experience.
- chinolatino.com - See the diverse menu of this Minneapolis establishment.
