We're pretty big fans of Minneapolis. For those of you who are not familiar with the city we have created this page to introduce you to the city we call home.
Sara: I grew up in White Bear Lake, a suburb of St. Paul. People think of this as a cold place, but that ignores the fact that we have an absolutely gorgeous summer, spring and fall. With an abundance of rivers and lakes we have lots of ways to enjoy the great outdoors - regardless of season. The people here are great - a stranger ran after my bus once for half-a-block just to return my dropped mitten. There are amazing places in the world, but the Cities are right up there.
Neil: Minneapolis has a lot of converts. I am one of them. When I came here for my medical school interview it was 20 degrees below zero. Air temperature. Despite that, you could find hearty souls outside going about their daily business. Over the four years that followed I fell in love with the city and the state. Although I have visited many places, I am not sure that I have ever found a better combination of everything I want (outdoor activities, interesting people, a great music scene and a foodie culture) with so little of what I don't (traffic, crime). If you're new to the Cities I hope that you have a wonderful time here during out wedding weekend.
The Guthrie - one of the best regional theaters in the US
The Current - a service of MPR; one of the best radio stations we've ever heard. Stream it online!
The Walker - a modern art museum in a beautiful building with a great outdoor sculpture garden
Mill City Museum - A museum about Minneapolis' roots as a flour town. Built in the ruins of the world's largest flour mill.
Sports and recreation:
The Twins - Minnesota's AL Central baseball team. Now complete with new stadium!
Our public parks - take a walk around the lakes if you have time
Dining:
112 Eatery - Chef-driven, New American cuisine. One of our favorites. Reservations are a must. The steak tartare is delicious (and big enough to be an entree).
Hell's Kitchen - Perhaps the best breakfast in town. Reservations suggested (on OpenTable). Try the porridge, buffalo burger or lemon cakes.
Fort Snelling http://www.mnhs.org Hwys 5 and 55 St Paul, MN 55111-4060 (612) 726-1171
The restored fort welcomes you to the 1820s. Soldiers, fur traders, servants, cooks, tradesmen, officers and laundresses are eager to share their stories with you. Take part in the fort's everyday life. Shoulder a musket, mend clothes, scrape a hide or sing along with soldiers' songs. Take tea with Mrs. Snelling or sample the soldiers' bread ration. Shop for supplies at the sutler's store, where only the prices are modern. At historic Fort Snelling, visitors are always welcome and the modern world is checked at the gate. A multimedia exhibit in the officers' quarters shows how historians have traced life at the fort. Back in the visitor center, take in exhibits and films and browse through the gift store. For contact information, directions, and more information about Historic Fort Snelling, return to the top of this page to explore our web site or email us at ftsnelling@mnhs.org. $10 adults, $8 senior citizens, and $5 children ages 6-17.
St. Paul Gangster Tours http://www.downinhistory.com 215 Wabasha St S St Paul, MN 55107 (651) 292-1220 (651) 224-1191
Historic sightseeing tours of 1920s & 1930s Gangster-Era in St. Paul. Saint Paul Gangster Tours takes visitors on a historical odyssey back over 80 years to days when St. Paul was considered the citadel of American crime. Costumed characters as your guides accompany guests on their 2 hour journey. Reservations required. (Combine this with our Historic Cave Tour for a day to remember!) $22.00 for a show on wheels, reservations please
Science Museum of Minnesota http://www.smm.org 120 Kellogg Blvd W St Paul, MN 55102 (651) 221-9444 (800) 221-9444
Located on the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul, the Science Museum of Minnesota has a 100-year history of unforgettable science fun and education. The museum is known for its combination of cutting-edge technology and hands-on entertainment, including convertible-dome 9 story high Omnitheater, and a world-class collection of fossils and artifacts. The museum also boasts Experiment Gallery, Egyptian mummy.
Four distinctive limestone buildings remain today, marking the American Fur Company's control over the region's fur trade between 1825 and 1853. The Henry Sibley house, centerpiece of the site and the times, was begun when Sibley was a young bachelor and regional manager of the fur company. During his tenure, the house changed as he married and began a family just as the area itself was being transformed from isolated trading post to organized territory to statehood. Explore the site's restored historic structures, including a fur company cold store and the Jean Baptiste Faribault hotel. Unravel stories of the fur trade, uncover memories of changes to the structures, and browse through furnished mid-19th century interiors and exhibits. Guided tours are $6 adults, $5 for senior citizens, $4 for children ages 6-17. Free for children under age 6
St Croix Bluffs Regional Park http://www.co.washington.mn.us 1 0191 St. Croix Trail South Hastings, MN 55033 (651) 430-8240 St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park is a 579 acre Regional Park located on the wild and scenic St. Croix River. The park offers a variety of landscape types including rolling upland hills, wooded ravines, and 3/4 mile of river frontage. Facilities include a modern campground, picnic shelters, hiking and cross-country ski trails, play areas, boat launch and a small-group retreat/meeting facility. Parks vehicle permit required - $5.00 per day
St Louis Park Aquatic Center http://www.stlouispark.org 3700 Monterey Dr St Louis Park, MN 55416 The St. Louis Park Aquatic Park offers a great opportunity for a fun family day. The Park includes four-story water slides, drop slides, a diving area, a sand and water play area, a zero depth entry pool, water toys, a picnic area, gazebo, concession stand and much more. It's simply a wonderful place to spend a warm, sunny day! $8.50/adult(ages 6-54), $4.50/child(ages 1-5),$4.50/ages 55+, $4.50/everyone after 5pm
Saint Paul Saints - Baseball http://saintsbaseball.com 1771 Energy Park Dr St Paul, MN 55108 (651) 644-6659
Outdoor summer entertainment since 1993. American Association professional baseball club. Games played at Midway Stadium from May through September. Known for outlandish promotions and Fun is Good motto. Affordable fun that won't break the budget with tickets starting at just $5. Excellent group options including pre-game picnics and specialty seating areas. Advance ticket purchase recommended but not required. General admission: $5 adult, $4 youth/senior. Bleacher reserved: $8 adult, $7 youth/senior. Reserved: $12 adult, $11 youth/senior.
The Museum of Lake Minnetonka proudly operates the historic restored 1906 Steamboat Minnehaha. Enjoy a leisurely cruise around Big Island and the Lower Lake's peaceful bays. Learn about the place in history the Minnehaha held in the early 1900's. Travel from Excelsior to Wayzata to visit the historic Wayzata Depot, or an evening trip to Wayzata to enjoy live music. After your steamboat ride, experience the fine restaurants and shopping in the lake towns of Excelsior or Wayzata. Adult $10 and $15; Children age 2 thru 12 $5. Infants free
19.0 km trackset. 8.0 km skate-ski. Mostly intermediate level trails. Located in Minneapolis and Golden Valley, between US Hwy 12 and Golden Valley Rd on Wirth Pkwy. Trail runs through open parkland and woods, adjacent to snowboarding and snow tubing area. Lighted trails available at night. Fireplace at chalet. Chalet open Thurs and Fri evenings and all day Sat and Sun. Maps along trail. Ski pass required. Ski passes sold at trailhead.
A fun and safe environment for all ages! Preschoolers and tots will enjoy scampering through the zero depth “beach” area, complete with interactive play structure, water basketball, water volleyball and shallow water play area. Youth and adults can enjoy the thrill of one of the metro area’s largest indoor waterslide. Challenge yourself to the tropical water walk or climb aboard one of our giant sea creatures. We can fill your day with endless fun as you enjoy a tropical getaway! $8.00/adult, $7.00 Youth/1-17 and 65+, $28/immediate Family, living in same household
Underwater Adventures Aquarium http://www.sharky.tv Mall of America East Entrance, Level One Bloomington, MN 55425 (952) 883-0202
Bursting with 1.2 million gallons of water and over 5,000 living sea creatures, Underwater Adventures Aquarium takes visitors through four amazing adventures, including our famous full-submersion tunnel that takes you 14 feet below the surface of the water. Come face-to-face with your favorite fish in an angler's paradise, jaw-to-jaw with the colossal alligator gar, nose-to-nose with giant sea turtles and touch live sea creatures! Adults (13+) $18.99, Children (3-12) $11.99. Children under 3 free
Valleyfair Family Amusement Park http://valleyfair.com One Valleyfair Drive Shakopee, MN 55379 (952) 445-7600
Valleyfair is the largest amusement park in the upper Midwest. Enjoy over 75 exciting rides and attractions, including eight exhilarating roller coasters, numerous thrill and family rides, energizing live entertainment, the six-story Pepsi IMAX(R) Theater and Whitewater Country Waterpark – included with admission.
Come hear and see the history of these sandstone caves. You will explore the original mined caves and see the finished caves (once a romantic night club called The Castle Royal). Hear the legends of the gangster massacre and ghostly lore in the most unique setting from Chicago to San Francisco. 45-minute walking tour - reservations not required. $5 per person.
Water Park of America is America's Biggest Indoor Water Park adjacent to the Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America. Experience the world's longest family raft ride. Slide 90' above the Twin Cities skyline in clear enclosed slides, hang ten on MN's first surf simulator, and ride the Lake Superior Wave Pool. General admission rates are $17.95 to $39.95 and is subject to availability
Weisman Art Museum http://www.weisman.umn.edu 333 East River Road University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 625-9494
With teaching as its central mission, the museum utilizes the resources of a great research University, offering audiences access to new perspectives on art and culture. Housed since 1993 in a striking new stainless steel and brick building, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the museum serves a university community of more than 60,000, as well as the thriving cultural community of the Twin Cities and Minnesota. The collection features early 20th century American art, including the world's largest collection of works by Marsden Hartley and Alfred Maurer, as well as important pieces by their contemporaries Milton Avery, Lyonel Feininger, and Georgia O'Keefe. The museum's collection also includes contemporary art, traditional Korean furniture, and American, European, Asian, and ancient Native American ceramics.
