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:
I love and enjoy this post Beth!
I knew from your opening picture, exactly where you were. I only recently saw Minneapolis had a statue of Mary Richards. What fun!
I was in Minneapolis for work and was so disappointed that I didn't get to see the statue! Someday!
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 :)
We love Minneapolis. My husband is from a small town about two hours southwest of there! Looks like you had a fun time!!!
Awesome trip. I have family there and was there for a family reunion about 6 years ago. It's beautiful with all the lakes.
I love that big water pitcher!!
My husband loves the show too. He even bought a whole set of DVDs together with another TV series - Lou Grant.
That was a fun weekend getaway, Beth! Never knew there was a statue of MTM.
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!
Thanks, Valerie! Hopefully we'll make it to the mitten state soon to see Comerica Park.
Sounds like a really fun trip, Beth. Way to go on spontaneity!
awesome clicks...so much fun :-)
I've heard a lot of good things about Minneapolis lately! Such a great little city!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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 ;)
That looks like such a fun trip! Glad you had a good time. I LOVED the first picture. So much fun!
how was the ballpark's food? i do love to watch baseball, but the food's the most important thing. :)
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
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.
The food was terrific, Grace!
Love that top photo! That's wonderful. Sounds like a great trip - Minneapolis is a fun place.
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. :)
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!
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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