Thank you to those of you who responded to my previous post. We now have a tentative itinerary. We would love to hear your thoughts. Keep in mind that I will be spending most of my time during the day on Monday - Thursday at a convention with lots of walking involved. My husband will be free during this time and would love some ideas too. This is what I%26#39;ve planned for our free time:
Sat. 5/2
1. Arrive at the airport at 6:00 in the morning.
2. Take the rental car to Minnehaha falls and spend about 2-3 hours walking around.. (Questions: Is parking clearly marked? Will there be maps available that mark the trails, gardens and other sites to see? The best map of the area I%26#39;ve found is at: minneapolisparks.org/documents/permits/weddi鈥?/a> Finally, I know I read a bit about construction in the area, will it impact us much?)
3. Drive to the hotel (Double Tree Guest Suites) and take a nap.
4. Go to the Festival of Nations at St. Paul%26#39;s River Center.
Sun. 5/3
1. 9:00 am - 11:00ish - Enjoy a walk past the Berger fountain in Loring Park, past Loring Lake, and through the Sculpture Garden.
2. 11:00ish to 12:00ish - go to Matt%26#39;s Bar for a Jucy Lucy. (Does anyone know if it%26#39;s open then? There hours aren%26#39;t listed on their website.)
3. 12:00ish - 4:45ish - Go to the the May Day Festival at Powderhorn Park to watch the parade and enjoy some of the ceremonies and festival.
4. 6:00 pm - 7/8:00 pm - Convention stuff for me (husband%26#39;s open).
5. Drive to Gateway Park to see the fountain illuminted at night.
6. Drive along West River Parkway between I35 %26amp; I94. Someone mentioned that it%26#39;s beautiful at night when it%26#39;s all lit up.
Mon. 5/4
1. 8:30 - 5:30 - Convention for me (husband%26#39;s open)
2. 6:00 - 8:30 - Visit the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden %26amp; Quaking Bog in Theodore Wirth Park. Drive around Cedar Lake, and Lake of the Isles along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.
3. 9:00ish - Go to White Castles on 100 W. Lake Street (Yes, we%26#39;re on a bit of a budget)
Tues. 5/5
1. 9:00am - 9:30 pm - Convention for me (husband%26#39;s open)
Wed. 5/6
1. 7:30 am - 5:00 pm - Convention for me (husband%26#39;s open)
2. 5:15 - 7:15 pm - Bucca di Beppo on Harmon Place
3. 7:30 - 9:30 pm - Convention for me (husband%26#39;s open)
Thurs. 5/7
1. 9:00 - 3:15 - Convention for me (husband%26#39;s open)
2. 3:45 - 4:45 - Walk along Nicolette Mall for the Farmer%26#39;s Market for dinner, and to see the Birth of Freedom statue, Peavy Plaza fountain, and Mary Tyler Moore%26#39;s statue.
3. 5:00 - 6:30 - Drive around Lake Calhoun %26amp; Lake Harriet on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. I%26#39;ve read these are the two prettiest lakes. (Question: Is there a special place to stop and walk around a bit, and is it marked?)
4. 6:30 - 8:30 - Visit Lyndale Park to see the Heffelfinger and turtle fountains, although I%26#39;m guessing they may not be running as it%26#39;s so early in the year. Visit the Rose, Peace, Japanese and Perennial Gardens, along with the bird sanctuary if time.
5. 9:00 - ? - Go to Brit%26#39;s Pub??
Fri. 5/8
1. 7:30 - 8:30 - Hell%26#39;s Kitchen for breakfast
2. 9:00 - 11:30 - Mill Ruins Park, Guthrie Theater%26#39;s endless bridge, Gold Medal Park, Heritage Trail, Nicolette Island, Boom Island. (Question: I know the Fabled Falls %26amp; Forgotten Walls Quest minneapolisparks.org/documents/parks/river_f鈥?/a> starts at Mill Ruins Park, but where does it end? Do we have time to do this quest and the 1.8 mile heritage trail walk?)
3. 12:00 - 1:30 - Paddleboat cruise from Boom Island Park.
4. 2:00 - 6:00 - Como Zoo %26amp; Conservatory
5. 7:10 - ? - Twins Game
6. 10:30ish - ? - Nye%26#39;s Polonaise
Sat. 5/9
1. 8:00 - 9:30 - Mickey%26#39;s Diner for breakfast
2. 9:30 - 11:30 - Check out the Landmark Center %26amp; Rice Park on a quest to find Peanuts statues using this map: startseeingart.com/downloads/downtownstpaul.鈥?/a> .
3. 12:00 - 2:00 - Saint Paul Gangster Tour
4. 2:00 - 3:00 - Grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol Building
5. 3:00 - 4:00 - Summit Hill/Cathedral Walking Tour -http://minneapolis.about.com/od/citiesneighborhoods/ss/cathedralhill.htm (We%26#39;ll drive it if running out of time).
6. 4:00 - 5:00 - 5 8 Club for a Juicy Lucy (if time)
7. Depart at 7:10 pm
All thoughts and ideas are appreciated and we thank you very much for your time. We%26#39;re really looking forward to our visit.
8 Day Itinerary Review
Seems like overall you have quite a plan that will give you things to do and a feel for Minneapolis. Here%26#39;s a few thoughts off the top of my head:
5/2 - I believe parking is clearly marked, though it%26#39;s been a while since I%26#39;ve been to the Falls. I would suggest bringing cash in quarter form and/or coin dollar form. Should you need to pay meters for parking, in Minneapolis it%26#39;s only quarters and dollar coins.
5/3 - Matt%26#39;s is probably open, though I only question being it%26#39;s a Sunday. Last time I was there it was actually during lunchtime, but during the week.
5/4 - for husband - is he into museums at all? Minneapolis has a number of museums, including Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and others. Shopping options include downtown Minneapolis and if your Doubletree is downtown, he could take the Light Rail Train to Mall of America (plus have a nice ride through the city). Unfortunately, it appears the Twins are out of town, so obviously no afternoon games to check out. If your husband is a gambler at all, there are casinos somewhat close to the city, though a car would be needed (or check out the shuttles offered by the casinos, not sure of schedules). Closest casino is Mystic Lake, next is Treasure Island. Alternately, there are the Minneapolis ';chain of lakes'; if your husband wants to check out ahead of time.
A thought on White Castle - much as I love their food, the neighborhood this one is located in is not ideal - especially at night. I hate to be a scaredy-cat and frankly I brave a fair amount and try not to give into stereotypes of what neighborhoods ';are supposed to be';, but you may want to be at least mindful of this fact.
Finally, have you checked out www.minneapolis.org. It%26#39;s the official visitor%26#39;s association website. May have ideas for a few more things to check out.
Hope that helps some...
8 Day Itinerary Review
Have you pics a place to eat after Festival of Nations in St. Paul ? There鈥檚 a few fun places you might want to check out. Cossetta鈥檚 and Red鈥檚 Savoy have been recently mentioned on this board.
For Thurs 05/07, consider parking the car in by Calhoun at the northern tip (by Lake or Lagoon Streets), and walk south for part of Calhoun, but then also walk north to get part of Lake of the Isles, they both have a different feel to them. Calhoun really buzzes with energy, but Isles is more subdued.
minneapolis.org/media/鈥mlakesarea.pdf
Also, the Nicollet Mall Farmer%26#39;s Market has the best stuff early in the day, so maybe your hubby swing by and nab stuff before it%26#39;s gone. It may be all picked over by the time you get here.
For Friday the 8th, you spend the day almost in the same area, which is convenient, EXCEPT, you zip over the Como Park. Maybe fit that in to another day?
Also, consider making a reservation for breakfast, just in case it鈥檚 packed at Hell鈥檚 Kitchen.
Be sure to cross the footbride at the north end of Nicollet Island to Boom Island, also, consider bringing snax and take a rest at the southern tip of Nicollet Island by the pavillion - there%26#39;s picnic tables and stellar views.
Across from St. Anthony Main, is WaterPowerPark, be sure to spend 10 min walking out to the end of the trail there - more stellar views -
www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp鈥?/a>
You will love Nye鈥檚 鈥?be sure to hit both sides of the bar 鈥?Polka Room and Piano Bar. Bring your camera!
Before the game, maybe get a burger at Ike鈥檚 or the RedWagon.
During your stay, head to the W Hotel and have drinks on the 27th floor Prohibition. There鈥檚 also an observation deck you might want to check out during the day or at sundown.
www.exploreminnesota.com/listing.aspx鈥?/a>
Also, Buca has a happy hour 4 - 6.
Maybe stop at the bar first for 2 for 1%26#39;s, and nab a few slices of free pizza.
I can address the rest of the post later when I have more time. I can definitely help you on Minnehaha Park parking. I%26#39;m a regular there -- ha.
Coming from the airport take 5 east to Hiawatha Ave/Hwy 55 west toward Minneapolis. when you merge onto Hwy 55 west stay to the right and exit to Hwy 55/Hiawatha Ave and the Highway 62 split. If you look at Google maps this will be easier to follow.
Now you%26#39;re on Hiawatha Avenue.
Very quickly, you%26#39;ll see a light for 54th Street. Take a right. this takes you into the park. Follow the road around (it%26#39;s now called Minnehaha Avenue) to the roundabout and take your first right, which is Godfrey. The parking lot will be shortly to your right. It%26#39;s a dollar for a couple hours. You pay the vending machine and put the ticket on your windshield.
Then follow the path down toward the large red-roofed structure and the falls are on the other side.
The construction won%26#39;t affect you that much. They%26#39;re rebuilding (re-fortifying) the creek walls below the falls. That means some of that area can%26#39;t be walked. But you can still take the first flight of stairs down to below the falls for another view. If you follow the path across the bridge above the falls and walk another 200 feet or so there is a plasctic encased map to give you your bearings. I would recommend you take the stairs down and follow the path along the creek down to the Mississippi River. It takes about 25 minutes to get there. It%26#39;s a pretty walk and the merging of the creek and river is scenic enough. Once in a while you%26#39;ll see the far wall defaced by graffiti, but just ignore it. You%26#39;ll probably see some peopple fishing down there -- great spot.
Finding the path down might be tricky as the easiest route there will be blocked. But you can still get there. I can let you know how if you would like.
Wow! Thank you all so much! I will be printing this and taking it with us.
As to my husband, he is not a huge fan of museums or mall shopping. He likes walking around cities and seeing interesting things. He likes scenic drives - he%26#39;s considering Duluth, Stillwater, a scenic drive around the arboretum in Chaska (I believe), Minnetonka, ... He wonders if there%26#39;s anything exciting along the Missiissippi River besides where we are going. I%26#39;m also thinking maybe Dinkytown, Eat Street, or more time in St. Paul. He likes sports and good cheese. He may go to a casino. Thanks to the 27th floor of the Foshay tower, I%26#39;m sure he%26#39;ll go there too--he likes heights. (I will also try to see if I can get us there at sunset). I think he may also go to the Farmer%26#39;s Market early as suggested. (Good idea!)
Also, thanks to the heads up on White Castle. We decided to nix that. We%26#39;ve also added breakfast brunch at Ike%26#39;s after Minnehaha falls and before the hotel.
As to Como Zoo %26amp; Conservatory being out of the way, although it%26#39;s not ideal, we think it is best due to the time of the boat cruise. We will be adding a lunch at Cafe Latte before Como. This will be on a Friday night. Thinking about traffic and that the Twins game starts at 7:10, how long do you think it will take to get back?
As for food on the night of the Festival of Nations, we will be eating there. It sounds as if there will be lots to choose from.
Thanks for the head%26#39;s up on Bucca%26#39;s happy hour--I may just have to hit that during the convention. :) Also, thank you for the head%26#39;s up on Water Power Park. We%26#39;ve added that to the list. And thank you for the parking tips by Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. We%26#39;ll do that.
Finally, thank you for the detailed info for the area around Minnehaha Park. And, yes, I would love more info about the trails and the gardens there.
Overall, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all of your time!!!! We are getting so excited and think that we are going to LOVE Minneapolis/St. Paul thanks to this forum.
My name is Steven Linse and I am a manager at Nye%26#39;s Polonaise. It%26#39;s great you will be coming to Nye%26#39;s on that Friday night. Lou Snider will be playing at the piano bar for karaoke starting at 8:30. She has been playing there since 1965 and everybody loves singing to her playing. The World%26#39;s Most Dangerous Polka Band will also be playing that night in the ';Old Side'; bar. People young and old enjoy dancing to all of their wild polka songs. Please call me to let me know your name(s) and I will make a reservation in one of our sought-after retro booths.
Sincerely,
Steven Linse
612-379-2021
Upon reading this, I%26#39;m a little concerned about you having such a stringet schedule. You might consider being open and present to experiences and know which activities are your priorities.
Also, I%26#39;m unsure but I think 6-8:30 might be a little late for the Eloise Butler Flower Garden. They do close 1 hour before dark, which right now would likely be between 6:30-7, earlier if it%26#39;s a cloudy day. I%26#39;d also avoid a park this dense past dusk. Know that it%26#39;s my favorite park and I live in the area. But it%26#39;s huge and there are lots of secluded areas. However, it should be gorgeous with spring color as everything started to burst this week. The lakes might be a safer bet this time of day.
A nice scenic drive would be from Stillwater north on Hwy 95 to Taylors Falls and St.Croix Falls.There are a couple state parks,scenic stops,etc. along the St Croix River.
The return route could be along Hwy 8 to 35 south back to the cities.If you husband likes cheese,there is Eichten%26#39;s Cheese and Buffalo farm on Hwy.8.
Impressive how thoroughly you%26#39;ve researched everything, Californigander. So often people just come on the board and ask: What should I do?
I don%26#39;t know ...What kind of things do you LIKE to do?
Hope you enjoy your trip.
Oh,and onemore thing about M%26#39;haha Park. Make sure to park in the pay lot -- remember right on Godfrey (which juts out of that roundabout) and a quick right into that lot. Further down is a permit lot -- poorly marked. People think they can park for free there and get ticketed all the time. I think it%26#39;s entrapment.
There are two levels at the park -- above and below the falls. With beautiful stone staircases (some being refurbished) connecting the two. If you follow the path on the upper part from the falls and head toward where downstream is, you%26#39;ll find more staircases to allow you to get to the area where you can start the walk down to the Mississippi. The first set of stairs (on the paved side (paver blocks) of the viewing area will let you down but you won%26#39;t be able to walk downstream much because of the work on the creek walls.
If you follow the path back up top down toward downstream, you%26#39;ll find a staircase at the end of the stone wall that should still be closed for refurbishment. At the bottom of those stairs is a clearing where the path to the river starts. You can get to that clearing by using the next set of stairs.
To get there, continue following the path away from the falls (you%26#39;ll see a small outdoor concert stage on your left). Couple hundred feet up you%26#39;ll see the stairs (which were a bit broken up as they%26#39;re next for refurbishment) that will get you down there. Just backtrack toward the creek and follow the path that runs along it downstream.
HI, I love that you are so organized. I wish I was.
A thought I had was that The Walker Art Museum and the Sculpture Garden downtown Minneapolis is free on Thursday nights from 5-9. You could consider going there that night. There is a place near by for dinner that is fun and lively called Joe%26#39;s Garage.
yelp.com/biz/鈥T0lyljTBO7pUjNb-hg2Tg
Another place which is good with dinner and they have specials is The Palomino. They are a chain though...........
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