Hey there, traveler!
Interested in Minnesota? Good choice. But, as a native Minnesotan I might be bias. These are some of the best things the Twin Cities area has to offer, in my opinion.
Best time to go? I would say the Fall. It's not freezing cold yet, but it's not blistering hot either. And the colors are gorgeous.
Where to stay? Depends on your budget. Luxury - The Saint Paul Hotel - it is conveniently located close to downtown St. Paul where you will find Mickey's Diner, the History Museum, the Science Museum, the Landmark Center, lots of good restaurants, and the Children's Museum.
There are plenty of more budget options as well especially close to Downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America.
Make sure you check out lots of restaurants. They are exceptional.
These depend on the time of year you go...
1. Apple and Strawberry Picking
My favorite place for apple picking is Aamodt's Apple Farm. But there are so many good places to do both of these activities you almost can't go wrong. A lot of the places sell other things too like apple crumble crust, honey, and hot air balloon rides. After Aamodt's, take an early dinner at Danny's or happy hour at the Lion's Tavern.2. Minnesota State Fair
Aahh...the great Minnesota get together. It's the largest state fair in the U.S. by average daily attendance. And with Sweet Martha's Cookies, fried mac and cheese curds, and frozen chocolate covered bananas on a stick...why wouldn't you want to go? There are rides, animals, food, and concerts.
3. Ice skating, sledding, curling, skiing etc.
Winter sports are BIG. Try them all. It might be cold at first, but with all the fun you hardly feel it after a while. Make sure to wear layers. For skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing check out Buck Hill or Afton Alps. Sledding can be done almost anywhere, but many people go to the Town and Country Club. Most parks and neighborhoods set up outdoor ice skating rinks, but there are some indoor ones, too.
4. Check out a sporting event
They might be famous for having many poorly ranked sports teams...but they'll still show you a good time. If you're not looking to spend a lot of money on tickets, check out the Saint Paul Saints in their new stadium.
5. Check out the fall colors or Christmas lights with a nice drive
Sometimes it can be very fun to take a drive (in the winter) or a walk (any other time) around different areas/lakes to see the scenery. Minnesota is quite beautiful. Take a stroll around Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun, or Lake Harriet. Take a fall cruise on a Stillwater river boat down the St. Croix River.
6. Visit Fort Snelling
This historic fort overlooks the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. There are actors who teach you about what it was like to live in Fort Snelling while it was active. It's educational and very cool.
Top Year Round Things to Do:
1. Visit the Mall of America
With a theme park, tons of shops, a bowling alley, a movie theater, an aquarium, and more there are endless possibilities. I would definitely recommend a few of the rides at Nickelodeon Universe and a visit to Sea Life Minnesota.
2. Go to Minnehaha Falls
Whether you go in the summer or the winter this place is beautiful. There are walking paths, picnic areas, places you can wade into Minnehaha Creek, restaurants, and of course the beautiful waterfall.
3. Take a trip up to Duluth
It's quite the hike, but if you have a car, this is highly recommended. Whether you go for the day or for a couple days, this city is so cute. It is located on Lake Superior's coastline although it looks more like the ocean. There are beautiful lighthouses and breathtaking views of nature.
4. Take a tour of the Guthrie
The Guthrie has beautiful views of Minneapolis and is also an incredibly cool theater. They offer tours to anyone who wants to see it. Minneapolis is home to more theater seats per capita than any other city outside of New York. After seeing the Guthrie you will understand why.
5. Mill City Museum
This is such a cool building with a gorgeous view. You can take a tour to see the period equipment and the iconic mill that was once the world's largest.
6. Take a tour of Paisley Park
Prince's former residence is now officially a museum! You can now take a tour of the legendary Minnesotan's monstrous home. You can also go see his gold star on the side of First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis.
There are a couple of Zoo's near the Twin Cities. The first is Como Zoo and Conservatory. This is a free zoo although I recommend making a donation when you enter. But, yes, it is absolutely free and home to a variety of animals. Attached to it is also a children's theme park and a conservatory. Don't skip out on the conservatory! It's beautiful and there are some animals (a sloth!) in one of the rooms. The second zoo is the Minnesota Zoo. This one costs money, but is really, really cool. They also do events occasionally that are fun like Adult's Night (hint: there's alcohol and no children).
8. Nelson's Ice Cream
Don't forget to head over to Nelson's for a extra large cone of deliciousness!
9. Stroll through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Most people have at least seen a picture of the big spoon, but see it in person along with a bunch of other really cool art pieces!
10. See the 112 year old St. Paul Cathedral
Located near the mansions of Summit Hill and Downtown St. Paul, the St. Paul Cathedral is a beautiful building. And if you think the outside is beautiful, the inside will take your breath away. It also has a great view of Downtown St. Paul.
Bonus!
Visit a brewery!
Minnesota has so many good beers. One of the more popular breweries is Summit. They have a large beer hall and a good outdoor area. Surly and Bauhaus are my personal favorites. Their atmospheres are so energetic and fun. Bauhaus is not as well known, but definitely caters to a fun loving crowd. They also have a resident food truck that is delicious. And Surly has such a good area to hang out and drink in, especially when the weather is nice. There space is very large and beautiful.
See you soon!
~The Flighty Blonde
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