What to do in Minnesota?

[remphish1]

Hi all. I will be in Minnesota late April-early May for a few days. I will have a car so I don't mind traveling. So far I am planning on hitting up a Twins game at the new stadium. I have been to the Mall of America so I don't care about that stuff. I guess I am looking for a genuwine Minnesota expierence. Any cool lakes and hiking I must do? Is there anything going on in Deluth? Any bed and breakfast recommendations...thanks!

 

[Guest Speed Racer]

I don't know about stuff up North (I've only ever been to friends' cabins), but I know a fair amount around the Twin Cities. I do know that Duluth and its neighboring areas will still be quite chilly and may even get some snow at that time of year, so if you plan to go up there bring the clothes to do it.

 

I know there's good hiking up there, and Minneapolis has an exceptional trail system for biking.

 

What are you interested in doing while you're here?

[cryptique]

They have lakes in Minnesota?

[Guest Speed Racer]

If you're into commies, socialists, hippies and mini-donuts, you don't want to miss the May Day parade in the Powderhorn neighborhood of Minneapolis; I think that's the first Saturday in May.

 

If you're into awesome guitars, Willie's is a happenin' spot in St. Paul where Wilco have picked up some gear in the past, also frequented by Cheap Trick and any number of other big names. Really cool vintage gear.

[watch me fall]

They have lakes in Minnesota?

 

I've seen one! And it was huge.

[uncool2pillow]

Trip to the Electric Fetus. Lots of cool restaurants in bars in uptown Minneapolis. The sculpture museum, the Walker Art Museum, the Minnesota Institute of Arts. Duluth is a fun old lake town. Grandmas is a fun place to eat a meal a drink a few beers.

[watch me fall]

Duluth is a fun old lake town. Grandmas is a fun place to eat a meal a drink a few beers.

 

I wasn't all that impressed with Grandmas. Although, I did get to meet JUDE there so I guess there's that. Duluth (the part I saw) was very nice.

 

I loved Minneapolis the few times I visited. My friend lived on Hennepin so we basically stayed around that neighborhood. Couldn't tell you any of the names of the bars/restaurants although one was a chinese place that was famous for its "punch". Woah that was some good stuff. Went to a cool record store, too.

[Guest Speed Racer]

If you're into breakfast, Al's Diner in Dinkytown is a fun (if time-consuming) stop. Maybe 10 feet wide, 14 stools, awesomely snotty staff, amazing hangover food. Dirt cheap. If you go at a peak hour on a weekend, expect to wait about an hour, standing either in the cramped diner or outside. If you go at 6am on a Saturday (my Al's time) or in the morning on a weekday, the wait will be either 15 minutes or non-existant.

 

Lots of other great breakfast eateries, too. It's my favorite meal to eat out.

 

Also, AWESOME Vietnamese food all over town. Quang's is my favorite, and it's dirt cheap.

[Winston Legthigh]

Emily's Lebanese Diner is great, but so is Holy Land.

 

If you want a Minneapolis Original, hit Matt's on Cedar for a Jucy Lucy, or the 5-8 Club for a Juicy Lucy. Both claim to have invented it. I prefer Matt's if not solely for the spelling. (A Jucy Lucy is a burger with the cheese inside. Let it cool for 5 minutes, or you'll be dealing with mouth/chin burns)

 

Der Gasthof Zur Gemiutlicheit (sp?) on University is a great old-timey German place, with the glass boots and polka band. Food is meh, but the beer is great. (don't set the boot down! It must be continually passed.) Grumpy's, my old haunt, is a great bar right around the corner from the Gasthof. Cheap Guinness.

 

Lake Calhoun is a nice 3 mile walk around. Westerberg lives in one of those houses (or used to).

 

The Turf Club is a cool place for local live music (on University in St. Paul) as is the 400 Bar, the Triple Rock, and Whiskey Junction/Cabooze - the last three are all in close proximity on Cedar Ave.

 

(I'd avoid Grandma's, I wouldn't wipe my dog's ass there.)

[remphish1]

I don't know about stuff up North (I've only ever been to friends' cabins), but I know a fair amount around the Twin Cities. I do know that Duluth and its neighboring areas will still be quite chilly and may even get some snow at that time of year, so if you plan to go up there bring the clothes to do it.

 

I know there's good hiking up there, and Minneapolis has an exceptional trail system for biking.

 

What are you interested in doing while you're here?

 

Well it is kind of silly but the purpose of my trip is to concur the last of the 50 states. My plan is to fly into Minneapolis...next day head to Fargo (and spend all night partying after concquering NORTH DAKOTA!) spend the night then go on to Winnipeg (Trying to get to all the Canadian Providences eventually too!) then I have 3 days to get back to Minneapolis. I can hit up anywhere between that is a semi resonable drive. I like to hike and bike my wife not as much. I wouldn't mind boating/canoing/rafting out there. Would like to see the Capital in St Paul too because I like that stuff but other than that I am pretty felxible...

[Winston Legthigh]

I wouldn't mind boating/canoing/rafting out there.

Probably out of the question. The ice usually doesn't melt until mid-May, but that rule might only apply to Ely, which is way the fuck up north, and out of your way.

 

But if your trip was solely about canoeing, Ely is the first place I'd recommend.

 

If Alexandria isn't too far out of your way (and it looks like it's not), I'd recommend stopping to see the Kensington Runestone and reporting back to us as to its veracity.

[Guest Speed Racer]

If you just want to get out in a boat on a lake, you can rent on Lake Calhoun and canoe around there and Lake of the Isles. Walking around Calhoun is nice, but if you really want to see obscene houses and goofy architecture, walk around Lake of the Isles.

 

I second Matt's Bar for the Jucy Lucy excursion.

 

Turf Club is also great. Check out the City Pages a week or so before your trip to check out what will be playing where.

[remphish1]

If you just want to get out in a boat on a lake, you can rent on Lake Calhoun and canoe around there and Lake of the Isles. Walking around Calhoun is nice, but if you really want to see obscene houses and goofy architecture, walk around Lake of the Isles.

 

I second Matt's Bar for the Jucy Lucy excursion.

 

Turf Club is also great. Check out the City Pages a week or so before your trip to check out what will be playing where.

Ha...I already looked on pollstar..only thing playing is OWL CITY..ouch! I would love to see something at the First Ave!!!! I did snag tickets in Winnipeg to see Our Lady Peace (Who I used to like a LOT more when I was younger). They are playing one of my favorite albums of theirs though in its entirety so that should be fun.

[Ghost of Electricity]

Would the drive from Canada take you anywhere near Hibbings? Then you could do a Dylan pilgrimage.

 

Is Garrison Keillor still doing his radio shows live?

 

A friend of mine is the manager at Greatwater Brewery (I think I got the name right) in downtown St. Paul. You could stop in and say hello for me.

[remphish1]

Would the drive from Canada take you anywhere near Hibbings? Then you could do a Dylan pilgrimage.

 

Is Garrison Keillor still doing his radio shows live?

 

A friend of mine is the manager at Greatwater Brewery (I think I got the name right) in downtown St. Paul. You could stop in and say hello for me.

 

Wow Dylan was really from the middle of nowhere! If I head to Duluth that wouldn't be too far...thanks for the pointer!

[Reni]

you could get some pancakes and get laid.

[Moss]

You could visit the old Replacements house (see the cover of Let it Be). It's at 2215 Bryant Avenue S. Then have a beer at the CC Club where they (and Husker Du) used to hang out.

[remphish1]

I'm leaving later this week and am very excited! I have booked tickets to the Twins Vs Tigers game on Monday woot! Other than that planing on visitng the Mill City Museaum,First Ave, The Capitol, Ft. Snelling etc. Also final questions Matt's or 5-8 Club if I only have time for 1 I see two vote for Matt's? Need to get the Ju(i)cy Lucy!

 

Yay!

[Moss]

I'll be in Minnesota the first week of June. Don't really have an agenda yet. Would like to see a show at First Ave., Hit Surly brewing or whatever else might be good. Spending a night in Duluth I think (visiting some kind of lighthouse).

 

A twins game, that's a great idea. I need to check if they will be in town!

[Winston Legthigh]

I'm leaving later this week and am very excited! I have booked tickets to the Twins Vs Tigers game on Monday woot! Other than that planing on visitng the Mill City Museaum,First Ave, The Capitol, Ft. Snelling etc. Also final questions Matt's or 5-8 Club if I only have time for 1 I see two vote for Matt's? Need to get the Ju(i)cy Lucy!

 

Yay!

Definitely Matt's. Jucy Lucy. Yes.

[Guest Speed Racer]

Oooh! I think I'm hitting up a Twins/Tigers game, too! A friend with season tickets invited me moments ago.

 

As for Matt's, I went to a place last week that blew them out of the water. Well, only foodwise, there's something really classic about Matt's (lack of) ambiance. But I did go to the Blue Door Pub, which has Blucys - bleu cheese and garlic-stuffed burgers. The lady had one with bacon and currant jam on top, and I had one stuffed with bacon and cheddar. They have a MUCH wider beer selection than Matt's, an outstanding array of appetizers (deep-fried pickles, anyone), and it's just great. But go during an off-time, or expect to wait an hour. SO WORTH IT, though.

 

Be sure to walk by the Guthrie and cross the Stone Arch Bridge when you see the Mill City Museum. The bridge is a great walk/bike.

[remphish1]

Back from the trip! Minnesota is a nice state

 

Went to 5-8 and Matt's...Matt's is the winner!

 

Anyhoo..I spent time at Mill City (Stone Arch Bridge), Went to a Twins Game (Beautiful Stadium), Mall of America, The Capitol, Ft. Snelling, Walked along the river, Dinkytown, First Ave and more. Minneapolis is a well run city, great mass transit and friendly folks. My only complaint is the drivers seem more clueless then those in NJ and when mergining on a highway drivers slowly hover near highway on ramps instead of stepping on the gas and letting traffic flow (Alas not a major negative)!!!

 

From there I went to Fargo (which was surprisingly nice) and Winnipeg (which was surprisingly not nice). Had a nice time...did a lot of driving and now back to work! Thanks for everyones previous suggestions!

[Moss]

In Minneapolis right now. Just got back from eating dinner at a place called Tryg's which I really liked. Food was great and they actually had Surly Beer on tap which I have wanted to try. Surly Bender to be exact. Heading to Duluth tomorrow. I really like Minnesota every time I am here.

[Smokestack Joe]

i will be in minnesota on the 15-17th of june for twins vs rockies. i will be going to Matt's Bar.

[jff]

Sorry to revive an ancient thread, but...

 

My wife and I just decided to go to Minneapolis for the Who/Joan Jett concert in October.  We'll be staying very close to the Target Arena, and we will most likely not have a vehicle.  we'll probably only be in town for two days.  Any recommendations of nearby things to do or places to eat would be much appreciated.