You'll love Mpls. I lived there for many years. The people are very friendly. Be sure to see the Mall of America, you can visit the Rain Forest Cafe there and you can ride a roller coaster if you want to. If you feel like heading to the suburbs, check out Stillwater. It's about 30 minutes from downtown Mpls and has wonderful shops and restaurants. There is a wonderful German restaurant there called Gusthaus Bavarian Hunter. Fabulous food and even a fat little German accordion player. For Chinese try Leann Chin. Also check out one of the many lakes in the area, and the casinos if you like to gamble. Have fun!!

I've lived in Mpls. for fifty years .I recommend walking around the Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet areas. Boone Island on the Mississippi River could be interesting. You could also take a boat ride through the locks on the Mississippi. Lord Fletcher's on Lake Minnetonka is a wonderful place to eat. It's expensive, but the view and food are worth it.

Having lived near Minneapolis/St.Paul for many years, here are my recommendations:

1) Mall of America--lots of unique shops and restaurantes. If you go on weekend days it'll be crowded and uncomfortable. Weekdays or weekend evenings are pleasant though.

2) A walk around Lake Calhoun is nice with the city in the backround, but again, weekends will bring parking problems and congestion.

3) The town of Stillwater is about half an hour's drive and offers antique shops and restaurantes galore. It's located on the scenic St. Croix river and Andiamo boat tours are great. They have two and a half hour lunch and dinner cruises up the St. Croix.

4) St. Paul is the cultural capital of the area and within a few blocks area you can a) tour the capital (unique architecture), b) tour St. Paul's Cathedral (huge, gothic church built early 1900's with incredibly ornate architecture and fixtures, c) visit the Minnesota History center (large building with exhibits demonstating the hisory of the state), d) visit the Science Museum of St. Paul (large collection of exhibits topped off by a 45 minute omnitheatre (surround sound and picture) presentation--currently World's Greatest Places is playing.

5) Drive down Summit Avenue in St. Paul--blocks and blocks of elegant Vicorian houses and churches.

6) These would be the most unique restaurants to fit the above itineraries. Rain Forest Cafe in Mall of America, Heart Throb Cafe in downtown St. Paul (block from science museum) featuring 50's atmosphere and waiters on rollar skates, Cosetta's in St. Paul, an italian restaurant and market (best italian food amidst unique atmosphere in area). In Stillwater, eat on the boat or at Esteban's (mexican) or Vittorio's (italian)

Feel free to e-mail if you need more info

I live in St. Paul and also would recommend a drive down Summit Avenue. Check into tickets for "A Prairie Home Companion" with Garrison Keillor at the Fitzgerald Theatre downtown. (Every Saturday night, 5-7 p.m., live broadcast, very fun to watch these talented people -- music, skits with sound effects, stories, etc.) We love Muffeleta's restaurant (if you're looking for something more fancy -- Como area.) Dixie's on Grand Avenue has good food -- southern style. The Khyber Pass on St. Clair is a favorite of ours -- Afghani food, casual, inexpensive, and a sitar player some weekend nights. Enjoy your stay! E-mail me if you have more questions!

One place I would definately recommend is the Minnesota Landscape and Arboretum. It is located in the charming town of Chanhassen, about a 25 minute drive SW of Minneapolis. There are acres of nature many gardens, so beautiful! Also the rose gardens located on Lake Harriet is a very nice detour if you decide to take a stroll around the Lake, which I recommend. On the west end just outside the downtown area is the Walker Art Museum and the Guthrie Theater. Both a must, located in the affluent neighborhood of Lowry Hill. Lake of the Isles is a very nice lake located just behind the theater, nice short walk and many historic homes along the way. As for restaurants, Muffelletta's in the st. Anthony park neighborhood in St. Paul is very good. Manny's restaurant is great for steak. Lucia's and Figlio's are great Italian. brenda's is located downtown in the Warehouse district near many art galleries, very good, serves many great vegetarian restaurants. There are so many great restaurants I'm sure you won't be disappointed with any of the ones i've recommended. I hope you enjoy your stay in Minneapolis, For more info Pick up a City Pages for a list of things to do while you're here. Have fun!!!

I second the recommendations for Mall of America (wear good walking shoes) and the Minnesota History Museum in St. Paul. I was fascinated by all the stuff they had there, including census records containing the Ingalls family and birth announcements of Frances Gump (Judy Garland)