Thursday's Child: Destination Minneapolis

Thursday, August 1, 2013

You’ve probably guessed that I plan my trips well in advance.  Half the fun of travel is the anticipation, and I usually spend months (or at least weeks) thinking about where to go and what we’ll do on holidays.

This summer was a little different.  Andrew and I indeed had our plans ready a couple of months in advance, but a little floodwater meant we had to cancel.  Still, we wanted to get away for a long weekend, and that’s how I found myself booking airplane tickets on a Tuesday for a Friday getaway. 


Destination: Minneapolis, Minnesota

When we visited:  July 2013

Why to go:

To pay homage to my favourite TV character ever; to play a round of mini golf with holes designed by artists; to enjoy music in one of the best jazz clubs in North America.

What to see:

You may have guessed from the lead photo that Minneapolis has a statue to honour its most beloved fictional resident, Mary Richards from The Mary Tyler Moore Show.  Having watched this show throughout my childhood and teens, I was thrilled to see her statue, and to pose beside it.  The pouring rain barely dampened my enthusiasm, and my good-natured husband took photo after photo until we had one that was perfect.


Andrew and I love visiting new ballparks, and that was one of the reasons we chose Minneapolis for this trip.  (The other was the availability of last-minute plane tickets on points.)  We loved the game we saw at Target Field – the venue was intimate and the sightlines were excellent.  A Twins win meant fireworks after the game and a crowd of happy Minnesotans (and at least two happy Canadians).


The artist-inspired mini golf course was located in Minneapolis's lovely Sculpture Garden.  One hole depicted all eighteen holes at the Augusta National; another provided a pinball game through a facsimile of Paris’s Chateau de Bagatelle.


And one of our favourite experiences was an evening at Dakota Jazz Club, hearing the lovely Sarah Morris sing.

Where to eat:


We ate well in Minneapolis.  From Kramarczuk sausages at the ballpark to vegetarian tacos at World Street Kitchen, we enjoyed a fabulous selection of great food.  If you’re in town, don’t miss Huevos Rancheros at Hell’s Kitchen for brunch.  And not only was the entertainment great at Dakota, the halibut was terrific too, and the cherry crisp for dessert finished a perfect evening. 


29 comments:

Gloria Baker said...

I love and enjoy this post Beth!

Bonnie said...

I knew from your opening picture, exactly where you were. I only recently saw Minneapolis had a statue of Mary Richards. What fun!

Anonymous said...

I was in Minneapolis for work and was so disappointed that I didn't get to see the statue! Someday!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

My parents used to drive to Minneapolis for weekend visits a lot...only a few hours away and they loved the restaurants and shopping. So glad you made time for a little getaway :)

Julie said...

We love Minneapolis. My husband is from a small town about two hours southwest of there! Looks like you had a fun time!!!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Awesome trip. I have family there and was there for a family reunion about 6 years ago. It's beautiful with all the lakes.

Belinda said...

I love that big water pitcher!!

Angie's Recipes said...

My husband loves the show too. He even bought a whole set of DVDs together with another TV series - Lou Grant.

Barbara said...

That was a fun weekend getaway, Beth! Never knew there was a statue of MTM.

Valerie Gamine said...

Beth, you were so close to the mitten state! :D Thanks for opening my eyes up to Minneapolis - I've never been!! *Love* that first photo!

Beth said...

Thanks, Valerie! Hopefully we'll make it to the mitten state soon to see Comerica Park.

Trish Feehan said...

Sounds like a really fun trip, Beth. Way to go on spontaneity!

Anonymous said...

awesome clicks...so much fun :-)

Joanne said...

I've heard a lot of good things about Minneapolis lately! Such a great little city!

Kari said...

I am like you - I adore planning trips and think that the planning is half the fun. However, impromptu is great sometimes too and it sounds like you made the best of this quick trip away!

Amy said...

I've never been to MN, but it looks like a fun place to visit! We visited WI this summer kind of on a whim and it was really fun. I like these kind of trips.

Paula Montenegro said...

I´ve never been to Minneapolis, but your food description sure sounds good Beth! I can´t plan a trip with a lot of anticipation if my life depended on it.

Lisa @ Gone with the Family said...

I would never have considered Minneapolis for a weekend getaway - didn't realize there was so much to do there. Love your photo with Mary's statue and the mini golf course looks like so much fun! Yet another destination to add to my evergrowing list of places that I would like to visit!

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, now this sounds like an absolutely wonderful trip - I cannot say that I have ever visited Minneapolis but it certainly sounds (and looks) like a place worth visting - glad you enjoyed such a wonderful long weekend there, Beth!

Unknown said...

I've never been to Minneapolis but I see myself doing the exact same thing you did-paying homage to one of my favorite's Mary Tyler Moore...I will have to think about this special destination for a weekend getaway ;)
Love the first picture-just great ;)

Caryn Caldwell said...

That looks like such a fun trip! Glad you had a good time. I LOVED the first picture. So much fun!

grace said...

how was the ballpark's food? i do love to watch baseball, but the food's the most important thing. :)

Juliana said...

Wow Beth, what a fun weekend, Minneapolis...I never been there, and now seeing your post, it would be a place to be considered...
Have a fabulous week ahead :D

Amy said...

Sounds like a fun weekend there in Minneapolis. :) I've never been there before. Thanks for sharing your lovely weekend getaway. I need to plan my next trip.

Beth said...

The food was terrific, Grace!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Love that top photo! That's wonderful. Sounds like a great trip - Minneapolis is a fun place.

Stina said...

OMG, you look exactly like that statue.

My new WIP takes place in Minneapolis. Never been there. Fortunately only a small portion happens there. Fortunately there's a thing called Google. :)

Unknown said...

You are so cute Beth posing beside that statue! It looks like a wonderful adventure. I love big cities and all they have to offer!

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

Love your hat "tossing" picture! I just had my daughter in Minneapolis for freshman orientation and the parent tour included the statue and the house from the Mary Tyler Moore show.

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