What to check out in Minneapolis

Walker Art Center & Sculpture Garden

Walker is one of the most praised contemporary art centers in the country. They have a world-renowned collection of contemporary art which includes 11 galleries and special exhibitions! In the warmer months be sure to check out the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden! It is one of the largest urban sculpture parks in the United States, featuring works by leading American and international artists, including the monumental fountain sculpture Spoon Bridge and Cherry.

Mill City Farmers Market

Be sure to check out the farmers market’s on Saturday mornings. They have a wide variety of local food vendors as well as the art work of local artists! Nothing like eating some fresh dumplings and wandering through the farmers market! Don’t miss it! It’s located next to the Guthrie Theater, which in itself is worth seeing!

Nicollet Mall

A pedestrian only street in downtown Minneapolis filled with great restaurants, trendy shops and hoppin’ bars! It’s definitely worth a stroll. It seems as though all roads in Minneapolis lead to Nicollete, so you’ll have no trouble finding it.

Fun on the Water

Minnesota is after all the land of 10,000 lakes, so it would be just a pity not to check out some of them! Lake Minnetonka is a great day trip, but there are also many lakes within the city itself! There are several small lakes in the city; the larger of the small lakes are Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet. I recommend Lake Calhoun where you can walk, bike, or jog around one or more of the lakes! I packed a picnic and sat and ate a lakeside lunch with an old friend! It was magical!

I hope you learned some fun facts about Minneapolis and are ready to see it for yourself. I loved it so much I might just move there! So be sure to look me up ;-)

Where to Stay in Minneapolis

W-The Foshay

The Foshay itself was once the tallest building west of the Mississippi, now it’s one of the smaller buildings in the city, but has held its dignity and charm nonetheless. It is now home to the uber posh W-The Foshay hotel. With its low lights and ultra modern décor, the W certainly is a spectacular hotel. The ultra modern rooms are very clean and the atmosphere truly creates a unique experience! The location of the hotel is fantastic as well. It is within walking distance to many great attractions including Tennepin Theater District, Weisman Art Museum, Walker Arts Center and Sculpture Garden, Nicolette Mall, and others. I stayed here on my first night in Minneapolis, and it was phenomenal- I plan to stay there again!

Tip: For a great view, visit the Foshay’s observation deck, or a few floors below check out the Prohibition - the Foshay’s trendy cocktail bar! I enjoyed sipping Cava and seeing the spectacular view of the city!

I stayed at the Foshay for $123 per night. This is significantly less than the average rate which falls around $240. If you are interested in staying at the Foshay- contact me for low rate details!

The Depot Renaissance

This classically beautiful hotel was once the train station of the Milwaukee Road Line. Opening in the late 1800’s, it was bustling with activity from the get go. The depot reached its prime in 1920 when it had nearly 30 trains a day departing. In 1971 the last train left the station, and it was later converted into an elegant hotel complete with high ceilings, beautiful trim and the feeling of being in a grand railroad station. It stands as a reminder today of this classic travel experience; The Depot is a fantastic place to stay in Minneapolis. As if the spectacular architecture isn’t enough, they have plenty of fun things to do on property, including a 15,000 square foot indoor water park, a full service bar and restaurant, and an enclosed seasonal ice skating rink! It’s within walking distance to many fantastic Minneapolis attractions including: Guthrie Theater, Nicollet Mall, and Saint Anthony Main!

Insider Tip: Book in advance and you can stay at this beautiful hotel for only $99 per night! Far less than the normal rate that falls around $200.

Smitten with the Twins

The Twin Cities that is! I just travelled to Minneapolis and St. Paul for the first time, and I am loving’ it! On my first day I spend the day and an overnight on the beautiful Lake Minnetonka. Minnesota has 10,000 lakes and I decided, to see a few of them! Then I spent the next several days exploring what the Twin Cities have to offer and thus far I have discovered this…Minneapolis (the hip and modern twin) can rival any major city in poshness, its far cleaner than LA or NYC and the people are significantly friendlier than those in most major cities! In addition to great art venues, good eats, and fabulous shopping Minneapolis offers a variety of outdoor activities as well! There are actually several lakes in the city! I had a picnic at Lake Calhoun yesterday! On a Thursday afternoon the paths were filled with runners, bikers, walkers and roller bladders! Then myself the picnicker and dozens of sun bathers soaking up the sun and celebrating the start of summer! St. Paul (the quant & quiet twin) is a beautiful riverside city that has a great mix of classic architecture and history combined with a chic and modern flair! The city is filled with small shops, awesome independent restaurants and lovely parks!

Over the next several days I will write about the sites, sounds, grub and love that can be found in Minneapolis!