Here's some tips on seeing the beautiful Twin Cities
by Charlie Leck
I was with an old friend yesterday. He and I worked together back when I was with the Bureau of National Affairs. Now, nearly 40 years later, he heads a large and respected company in Atlanta. He and his wife are coming up to the Twin Cities in October. It will be her first trip here. His wife has always wanted to visit our extraordinary art museums and the Guthrie Theatre. It's a 40th wedding anniversary trip for them. Unfortunately, it is precisely when I'll be visiting my grandchildren in Chicago. Nevertheless, he asked for some tips on what to do. I thought you might like to peek at some of the ideas I gave him.
He took my advice and immediately canceled the hotel reservations he had and booked himself into the Chambers Hotel in Minneapolis. This is a very unusual hotel owned by a good acquaintance of ours. He's poured his soul into it and his extraordinary, mind-blowing art collection as well. The concept combines an art museum with a small, comfortable hotel. What a perfect place to stay when their trip here revolves around art anyway. The service at the hotel will be magnificent and The Chambers Kitchen is also one of the finest spots in Minnesota to dine. Mind you, none of the experience is inexpensive, but my friend said he could afford it. If I were visiting Minneapolis, this is the hotel in which I would choose to stay.
I arranged tickets for them to see a play at the Guthrie Theatre. This is one of the world's finest theatre companies and its production facility is considered the finest in the entire world. There are four theatres within the building and there are also two restaurants within the facility that provide an opportunity to dine before the various productions. I made arrangements for them at The Cue before the play. They'll enjoy that. Of it our local paper has said: "Cue is one production that genuinely merits that greatest of all Minnesota theater traditions, the standing ovation."
The two of them love art, so I've recommended all three wonderful museums in Minneapolis:
(1) The Minneapolis Institute of Art;
(2) The Walker Art Center; and
(3) The Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota.
They'll have two full days for doing the museums and that may not be enough time to do justice to these three fantastic places, so I recommended them in the order listed here. If the weather is good, I suggested they include a leisurely walk through the sculpture garden at the Walker Art Center.
They really won't have time for more but, if they did, I'd suggest a slow drive along Summit Avenue in Saint Paul and another along Grand Avenue, just a block south. Then I'd also suggest they hire a cabbie and ask him to drive them around the five basic lakes in Minneapolis (Cedar, Lake of the Isles, Calhoun, Harriet, and Hiawatha). There are 21 lakes within the city limits of Minneapolis. Again, if the weather is good, a stroll down the Nicollet Mall, right in the heart of Minneapolis, is also a treat. On Thursdays a really attractive Farmer's Market sets up on the mall.
My sister-in-law owns an interesting, unique and enjoyable little gift shop just outside of Minneapolis, in Saint Louis Park. If they were in a shopping mood, they could go visit Shorty's Loft and drop our names and take a walk around Excelsior and Grand. My friend shares my passion for golf, so I'd arrange a visit to The Minikahda Club, a very private and very historic golf club that sits on Lake Calhoun and on the western edge of Minneapolis, on the way out to Saint Louis Park
I wish I could be in town to tour this couple around and show them the indescribable beauty of both Minneapolis and Saint Paul. I'm betting they have a great time anyway.
If they had lots of time, here are some of the things I'd recommend to visitors to our city…
A leisurely walk out on the Stone Arch Bridge
It is very near the 35W Interstate Highway Bridge that collapsed and you can see the gap in the big freeway.
Yet the view of downtown and the old mills is reason enough to take the wonderful walk out behind the Guthrie Theatre.
Do the theatre thing…
Beyond the Guthrie, Minneapolis is loaded with fine theatres
presenting live performances of every sort you can imagine,
from classic to very contemporary productions.
A visit to the Minnesota Historical Society Museum
This is one of the most fantastic buildings I've ever been in.
In one direction it looks out on the State Capitol Building
and in the other over the Saint Paul Cathedral.
A visit to the Science Museum of Minnesota
It sits on the Mississippi River in Saint Paul and it's
a lovely, charming, modern museum.
See a Wild hockey game at the X..
Even if you don't like hockey, this is really an occasion
and you'll never forget the excitement and the
extraordinary arena in which it takes place.
Hoof a ride out to Wayzata and walk along Lake Street
This is a suburban community about 15 miles west of downtown
that sits on the north shore of beautiful Lake Minnetonka.
It will provide some fun shopping a half dozen good dining opportunities
from breakfast through dinner. Two of my favorite restaurants are on
Lake Street – Gianni's Italian Steakhouse and The Blue Point.
Visit 50th and France in Edina
This busy, suburban crossroad is just on the southwest edge of Minneapolis
and it's a lovely place to stroll and shop and grab something fun to eat.
Stroll along Milwaukee Avenue in Minneapolis
This is an old, restored, working man's neighborhood
originally built by the Milwaukee Railroad. It's a pedestrian
only street lined with magnificent trees of every sort.
Saturday Morning Farmers' Market
opens early on Saturday morning and provides lots of wonder sights.
It's just off Olson Memorial Highway, very close to downtown.
The Mall of America
is an absolute must if one is a shopping fanatic.
There is no mall in the world like it and there are now plans
to make it even larger. More people visit the MOA every year
than visit DisneyWorld.
A Paddlewheel Cruise on the Mississippi
can be great fun if your visit is during our good weather
season (May 15 through October 15).
For other exciting, evening dining I told them to try Cosmos at Graves 601 Hotel or the FireLake Grill House.
There's lots of good dining near downtown Minneapolis and that includes all of the following…
Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant
If you like Jazz, book yourself into the club setting for dinner.
Otherwise, the restaurant is exceptional even without the jazz.
Manny's Steak House
This is an honest to god, overwhelming steak house
with giant portions and a hefty price tag, too
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood
Right on the Nicollet Mall, across from Zelo's
you'll find this outstanding and very busy seafood
establishment. The prices are reasonable and good
food is guaranteed.
Monte Carlo Bar and Café
One can enjoy this very old style restaurant until late at
night and you'll be pleased with both the prices and the
quality of the menu items. It's basic and the choices are
limited, but you can count on any of the specialties of the
day to be wonderful. How's this for stability? This place
has been around for over 100 years.
Morton's Steakhouse
This is a national chain but it is really outstanding
and diners are never disappointed except with the
size of the check.
Murray's Restaurant
We really recommend this place. It's been around since 1946
and never disappoints. It's famous for its Silver Butter Knife Steak
and for its garlic toast; however, it has a very big menu with other
wonderful selections.
Oceanaire Seafood
Get great seafood here but not inexpensively.
This is another national chain but each of their restaurants
is done very locally and they are all top-notch. If you love
seafood, you'll love Oceanaire.
Palomino Restaurant and Lounge
Though it's a national chain, it gives you a real local touch and
you'll be delighted with the quality of their fare. We make it there
once a year for sure.
Solera's
This is a Tapas Bar & Lounge
and you can count on really tasty Spanish finger food
at a reasonable price
Vincent's Restaurant
You'll find this wonderful establishment right on the Nicollet Mall
and immediately across from Orchestra Hall. It's our favorite restaurant
in Minneapolis, but you'll find it very pricey.
Zelo
If you're looking for a solid restaurant with good food,
comfort, contemporary zaniness and reasonable prices
this may be the spot. We like it.
If you've gotten the idea that I love the Twin Cities, you got it right!
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