lindsyb

Hello,

We are spending the weekend in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area next week and are looking for suggestions for things to do and see. We are 40-somethings and like the outdoors, good food but not a lot of shopping (so Mall of America is probably out.)

We are staying at the St Paul Hotel and have tickets to the Wild game on Saturday night but the rest of our time is open. We will have a rental car so can certainly go a bit further away too.

We haven't been to this area before so all recommendations are helpful. Thanks!

ziggypop

Lindsyb, I'm not sure what your interests are but the Science museum is one block from the St. Paul Hotel and my wife and I found it very interesting. The St. Paul Grille has good food but my new favorite restaurant in St. Paul is Meritage, a french restaurant a couple of blocks from your hotel. You will need reservations. You are only a block or two from the Mississippi river and if the Timberwolves are in town I guarentee that plenty of tickets will be available for the game, in Minneapolis. Check out Lubertas post just before yours for lots of suggestions about Minneapolis. Enjoy your trip, I hope this weather holds out for you as it is in the 70's today again. ziggypop

lindsyb

Thanks for the suggestions Ziggypop! We will certainly look up Meritage and I will try to find Lubertas post for other ideas.

sunburned

Lindsyb, I agree with ziggypop that Meritage is a great choice, especially given its proximity to the SP Hotel. For a more adventurous (and indigenous) experience you could try Lenny Russo's Heartland which specializes in locally-available ingredients, prepared in ways you're unlikely to see elsewhere. It's in the historic district of Lowertown which is a long-ish walk but a short drive or cab ride. Personally I wouldn't bother having dinner at the Hotel as the food is good but very traditional. But if you like great classic cocktails and single-malts, the hotel bar is among the very best anywhere.

Since you like the outdoors, here are a few things to consider(depending on weather):
- drive west on Summit Avenue (admiring the grand old mansions along the way) to the bluffs overlooking the Mississipi. You will find lovely paved walking trails in either direction that have wonderful views of the river.
- a short drive to the east on Rt. 61 (yes, the same one of Bob Dylan fame) will take you to Battle Creek Park. Park at the bottom and walk up past the waterfalls on the paved trail. One of my favorite walks in the area.
- if the sun is out, walk around the lake at Como Park, about a 15 minute drive from your hotel.
- further away (but still within 20 minutes) is the Chain of Lakes in Minneapolis. If the weather is nice it seems like virtually everyone in the Twin Cities is out walking, running or biking around Lakes Harriet or Calhoun.

You said you don't like shopping but if you like historic small town charm (i.e. antique shops, wine bars) you might enjoy Stillwater, which is about 20 minutes to the east on the St. Croix river.

I hope the nice weather holds for your trip, as Minnesota can be very changeable this time of year. But on a crisp, sunny day, the Twin Cities are hard to beat.

ziggypop

Lindsyb, I totally forgot about the St. Paul chamber orchestra wich plays at orchestra hall just a couple of blocks away from your hotel. Its reasonably priced and worth every penny. I think the link is www.spco.org. You can probaly get tickets at the window the day of the concert or arrange for tickets through the hotel. Sunburned is absoultly correct about the St.Paul Grill, its a better bar than restaurant but has a very good sunday brunch.

TC

Hi Lindsyb, My two favorite restaurants near your hotel are Pazzaluna and Sukura. Both are outstanding. Pazzaluna has a great happy hour.

http://www.pazzaluna.com/

http://www.sakurastpaul.com/

Another wonderful brunch/lunch place is on Grand Avenue -- Cafe Latte.

http://www.cafelatte.com/

Como Park is a good outdoor walking location with a small zoo and a lovely Victorian conservatory. I believe the fall chrysanthemum show is on display at the conservatory now.

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Just to forgo confusion, the orchestra hall across the street from your hotel that zippypop references to is The Ordway. The Minneapolis location is officially call Orchestra Hall.

http://www.ordway.org/

Walk through the weekend Farmers Market near your hotel. It is lovely. All the offerings are raised within a 75 mile radius of St. Paul. Its a lively Sunday morning stroll within a few blocks of your hotel. Ask the front desk for directions. Have your morning coffee at the Black Dog cafe just across from the Farmers Market.

http://blackdogstpaul.com/black-dog-directions.shtml

lindsyb

Wow - thanks everyone! I am printing this to take with me. We are looking forward to our weekend away.

TC

Dear Ziggy....FYI, I mean no disrespect with you name. My fingers just don't seem to want to type that particular combination of letters. Zizzy, Zippy, Ziggy. We love ya anyway. I promise to do a better job of proof reading in the future.

Enjoy your weekend, Lindsyb. Bring your jackets. Its getting cooler.

boots08

I might be at that game too, lindsyb. Who are you cheering for?

boots08

TC- Approx. what time does the Farmer's Market start and end on Sunday?

Is there such a market in Minneapolis?

lindsyb- I second sunburned's recommendation to see the quaint town of Stillwater. It's definitely worth the short drive.

If time permits, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is worth spending at least a few hours at. Admission is by donation, and they have a nice little cafeteria that serves very good lunch/cafe fare.

And a couple of restaurants we've enjoyed in St. Paul are Cafe Ena, Barbary Fig and the Black Sea.

lindsyb

Thanks All! Boots08 - not sure who to root for - we are Boston Bruins fans. And hubby is also a general hockey fan. Usually when traveling I root for the home team!

TC

Boots08, Below are links to both the St. Paul and Minneapolis Farmers' Market web sites. You should be able to find hours, directions, parking, directory, etc.

The two markets are quite different. The St. Paul Downtown (5th Ave.) market is smaller - with emphasis on locally produced items. "The Market is operated by the St. Paul Growers' Association, Inc. The association allows only fresh, locally grown produce to be sold--directly from the grower to the consumer. Also available are bakery goods, cheese, poultry, buffalo, venison, beef, pork, lamb, maple syrup, eggs, bagel sandwiches, honey, organic plants and produce, flowers, plants, shrubs and many other items."

http://www.stpaulfarmersmarket.com/

The Minneapolis Lyndale weekend market is huge with the following list of products for the Fall season. They also have an expansive craft section with handmade local art as well as imported objects from around the world. There is live music, lots of goodies to sample, places to sit for a bite and great people watching. Both markets have smaller outposts around the city during the week. The big markets are on the weekend -- both Saturdays and Sundays.

"Besides all of the fabulous meat vendors selling beef, bison, lamb, pork and poultry, we have vendors selling: fresh peanuts, rutabaga, pumpkins, green onions, parsnips, hot and sweet peppers, tomatillos, all varieties of tomatoes, long beans, brussel sprouts, bottle and snake gourds, squash, apples, bitter balls/melon, green beans, eggplant, carrots (rainbow), ground cherries, cauliflower, kohlrabi, broccoli, cabbage, beets, potatoes (sweet and fingerlings), lettuce, baby bok choy, mustard greens, and every kind of herb you can imagine. Don't forget the jams, jellies, cheese, eggs, maple syrup, honey, wild rice, hummus, pasta, locally baked breads, chocolate and cut flower vendors."

http://www.mplsfarmersmarket.com/

boots08

Thank you very much for this info TC- very helpful!