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Minneapolis Destination Guide
Text by Ashley Thompson Photo by John Noltner
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Patrons relax in the lobby of the Guthrie Theater's McGuire Proscenium Stage. |
This design mecca on the prairie offers exciting attractions, indoors and out.
 ith several new star architect-designed buildings—museums, a theater, and a library—Minneapolis has become a design mecca on the prairie. "People here love the arts and are passionate about them," says Ralph Burnet, art collector and owner of the Chambers Minneapolis hotel. But the more cosmopolitan of the Twin Cities is also a great place to enjoy the outdoors, laced with 13 miles (21 kilometers) of trails and a chain of lakes. On September 1-4, 2008, the Twin Cities will host the Republican National Convention. Check out the latest tourist-friendly happenings with these online newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other resources.
Read more about Minneapolis in the City Life section of the July/August 2008 issue of Traveler.
Blogs
Podcasts
Newspapers
Magazines
Maps
Books
Movies
BlogsThe RakeThe Rake's "Secrets of the Day" blog helps visitors get the inside scoop on goings-on around town. Blogger Cristina Córdova scours the Twin Cities scene for tips on everything from local cinemas and concerts to restaurant specials and temporary art exhibits.
Minneapolis Metblogs
Minneapolis's branch of Metroblogging, which started in Los Angeles, is locals' take on Minneapolis-specific issues. This is a great way for visitors to catch up on the news culture, the controversies, and the gossip that grips the town from day to day.
Foodie File
One of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's blogs, the new Foodie File takes bites out of the local cuisine scene and serves them up in anecdotal ways. Although somewhat untested, Foodie File is backed by Minneapolis-based food critic Stephanie March, who heads up the magazine's ever-growing restaurant guide, and MSP's senior editor, Adam Platt.
Girl Friday: Confessions of a Minneapolis ConciergeLively and candid updates on shopping, dining, parties, and cultural events around town from Alexis McKinnis, an independent concierge and a sex/dating columnist.
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Podcasts
Building Minnesota
Building Minnesota is a collaborative radio, blog, and podcast effort focusing on local architecture and design news. Renovations of city landmarks, LEED certification buzz, and interviews with masterminds of some of the state's most recognized buildings are just some of what Building Minnesota offers up. A good mix of history, local culture, and design news.
Fast Facts
• The population of Minneapolis is 373,188.
• The median age is 33.6.
• Average temperature in January is 13°F (-10.5°C), in July, 73°F (23°C).
• Minneapolis's skyway system connects more than 80 blocks (eight miles or nearly 13 kilometers) of downtown. | Pioneer Press "Playlist"Presented by the St. Paul Pioneer Press's website, twincities.com, "Playlist" is a once-a-week rundown on the top weekend events—concerts, movies, and more—to hit the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. It streams every Tuesday.
Walker Art Center "Art on Call"
The Walker Art Center boasts active new-media programs, including regular podcasts geared to its exhibitions. Subscribe and receive new podcasts automatically, or pick up a free iPod at the Walker's front desk to listen to audio tours or podcasts while browsing the galleries.
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Newspapers
Star Tribune
A major Twin Cities newspaper, the Star Tribune and its website are full of entertainment and culture-related news. Of particular interest are the blogs, the entertainment section, slide shows, and photo galleries of the Minneapolis area. Its Nightlife + Dining notes zoom in on the city's top restaurants, clubs, and bars.
City Pages
City Pages is an edgier, arts- and entertainment-focused online and print weekly for Minneapolis and St. Paul. Quirky blogs, music reviews, and loads of calendars that cover everything from festivals to comedy to the "A-List picks" of the day make it easy for travelers to choose the best entertainment options outside of the Mall of America during their stay.
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MagazinesMpls.St. Paul Magazine
Peruse Mpls.St. Paul Magazine's website to get a true feel for the best of Minneapolis with its comprehensive city guides (bar guide, restaurant guide, recipe guide, even a shopping guide with more than 900 stores), or dig a little deeper with in-depth articles covering the local arts scene.
Twin Cities Imbiber
Twin Cities Imbiber points you toward the best drinking experiences to be had in Minneapolis, whether coffee, tea, wine, or beer. Both a bi-monthly print and an online publication, Imbiber can be found free in cafés, pubs, and other drinking spots.
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Minneapolis Riverfront DistrictThis illustrated PDF map of Minneapolis's Riverfront shows color-coded points of interest, including parks, attractions, lodging, and dining. The area's light rail connectors and bike paths are also highlighted. Print it out for free before trekking down to the water's edge.
Johnnyroadtrip.com's Downtown Minneapolis MapJohnny Roadtrip allows users to home in on four of the city's key sports spots (Metrodome, Target Center, Mariucci Arena, and Williams Arena). Johnny's also highlights two Twin Cities neighborhoods, the Warehouse Business District and the University of Minnesota, and lists the top local dining and drinking places. A good resource for sports fans coming to see their favorite Minnesota-based team.
Meet MinneapolisMinneapolis's Official Convention + Visitors Association offers downloads of several handy PDF maps, including downtown, the lakes area, Nicolett Mall, and the city's eight-mile (12.8-kilometer) skyway system, the longest in the country. These elevated, enclosed bridges connect the city and protect pedestrians from traffic and extreme Minnesota weather.
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Books
The Antelope Wife, by Louise Erdrich (1998). This epic, myth-filled novel follows several generations of two urban Ojibwa families who have settled in Minneapolis.
Lost Twin Cities, by Larry Millett (1992). Illustrated with black-and-white photos, this architectural history book is full of compelling anecdotes about the buildings of Minneapolis and St. Paul lost to urban development and progress, and the structures that replaced them.
Old Glory: An American Voyage, by Jonathan Raban (1981). Veteran travel writer Raban journeys down the mighty river that flows through the Twin Cities in a 16-foot (4.8-meter) motorboat. He starts in Minneapolis and eventually ends up in New Orleans, sketching witty, contemporary portraits of people and places he encounters along the way.
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Movies
Fargo (1996)
Although named after a city in the neighboring state of North Dakota, much of Fargo was set and shot in Minneapolis. A dark comedy of kidnapping, murder, and deception, the Oscar-winning 1996 flick stars William H. Macy as Jerry, corrupt car salesman, working under his wealthy father-in-law. When Jerry finds himself about to be caught in the middle of a scheming corporate scam, he hires two kidnappers to hold his wife for ransom. It's all up and down from there, as pregnant police officer Marge (played by Frances McDormand) is hot on their trail.
Purple Rain (1984)
Known and respected more for its soundtrack than its cinematic quality (the film won the Oscar in 1985 for Best Original Song Score), Purple Rain is a semi-autobiographical account of Minneapolis native Prince as he works his way to the top of the music world. The First Avenue Club, downtown Minneapolis's "danceteria since 1970," is featured multiple times in the film, and is still a hot spot for the region's music scene.
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