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Some of you know that I am a native Minnesotan, who also went to college in the Twin Cities and has also chosen to live my adult life here. That’s a LONG time in one place in today’s millennial world and mindset. Even though the Twin Cities has been my home for the course of my life, I am always finding new spots to love and patronize. 
In early February 2018, The Big Game (Super Bowl LII) was held in Minneapolis. Despite the snow, freezing cold temps (what we’re well-known for), and passive-aggressiveness, the travelers all-in-all loved their experiences in our Cities. If you haven’t been, I would absolutely encourage you to come and see the Cities I love and call home.
Here are a few of my favorite spots + recommendations, depending on your vibe and what you’re hoping to get out of your visit:
Minnehaha Falls (Minneapolis)
Minnehaha Falls (pronounced Mini-Ha-Ha) is a gorgeous waterfall right in Minneapolis. Located in a charming neighborhood, the falls has a short but scenic hiking trail running through it that you can easily utilize to get some stair stepping in with some great views! There are a number of walking/running and biking trails which run through the Grand Round area where the Falls is located and provide ample options for exercise. Minnehaha Falls is incredibly popular with natives and tourists alike. On good weather days, the trails and the falls are packed with people and on mediocre days (like the one when the photo was taken), you’ll still find people eager to capture this gorgeous view and get some steps in.
Eat: One of my absolute favorite places to eat in the Twin Cities is Sea Salt Eatery. Sea Salt is open from April through October (open and close dates vary by year but are always announced on its Facebook page and website) and has a variety of seafood options. I always gravitate toward the scallop tacos: two corn tortillas with HUGE portions of bay scallops, including a corn/onion salsa, cilantro, and a spicy/tangy pink sauce. They have rotating soups (including creole and gumbo), which I taste occasionally, too (treat yo’self!)
Grand Avenue/Summit Avenue (St. Paul)
Grand Avenue is one of those very long streets with tons of “cute” (a very Minnesotan term) shops + restaurants, many of which have long lasting family legacies and history attached (and in some cases, last names). In more recent years, Grand Avenue has also added some smaller scale bigger brand names to its list of tenants, including LOFT, The North Face, and Pottery Barn. Small shops that win my heart on this stretch of pavement (formerly cobblestone) are some of the local legacies and favorites like Red Balloon Bookshop (an independent children’s bookstore), Baby Grand, Bibelot, and Cooks of Crocus Hill.
Summit Avenue runs parallel to Grand Avenue, so you are separated by only a block and can make a giant loop on foot, bike, or other forms of transit if you wish. When the weather is nice, I love to take a long stroll down several blocks of one of the two parallel streets and then turn to go down the side of the other. Sometimes, I like to eat on Grand Avenue first (and peer into the shops) and then walk off my calories down the side of Summit Avenue. Summit Avenue is mostly residential (think old brownstones and mansions). The architecture on this street is seriously impressive; in fact James J. Hill’s residence is at the end of the street and is open to the public for tours and also has occasional events (I LOVE the Victorian Ghost Stories event run by the Minnesota Historical Society, which also operates the house). This summer, the Minnesota Historical Society is offering 90-minute walking tours of Summit Avenue from May 8-September 30, 2018 if you want to know more about its long history and some of the very cool stories that go along with these homes.
Eat: Two picks here. Sushi lovers: meet my favorite fresh fish spot; Saji-Ya. I have been patronizing Saji (as I call it) regularly for the past 10 or so years. I’ve eaten the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to sushi and none hold a candle to what I get here on Grand Avenue at this establishment. Don’t like sushi? No problem. They have Teppanyaki reservations as well as non-fish items available in the dining room (like delectable Chicken Teriyaki bento boxes). After dinner, I always stop into Cafe Latte for a dessert and a handcrafted espresso drink. You could certainly also dine at Cafe Latte if Saji-Ya doesn’t sound appealing to you. Cafe Latte offers a variety of salads, soups and chilis, spreads with bread, sandwiches, desserts, and beverages. You go through a cafeteria-like line and seat yourself. This place is always PACKED and they don’t take reservations; so go at an off time or get there early.
Minnesota State Capitol (St. Paul)
When you’re finished exploring Grand and Summit Avenues, head just down the street to the Minnesota State Capitol, which is a thing of gold, marble, and stone splendor. The Minnesota Historical Society operates the tours here, too, and they’re very interesting (and free!) The Minnesota State Capitol is consistently ranked one of the most impressive in the nation and is worth a quick tour or self-guided walk.
Check out some of the amazing textures and work recently completed at the Capitol below! Built in 1905, the building underwent a recent renovation north of $300M to restore many facets to proper working order and preserved items ruined by some of our weather conditions and wear. I love all of the textures — I’m a sucker for good marble, stone, and gold.
Mall of America (Bloomington)
If you have never been to Mall of America and love shopping, do yourself a favor and go. It’s really a supersized mall with ample dining options, tons of retailers, an amusement park, attached hotels, a movie theater (which includes fresh food options like nothing you’ve ever seen before) and lots of parking if you have a vehicle.
Mall of America (aka MOA, “The Mall”, or “The Mega Mall”) does a great job with the “extras” to ensure you know how to navigate this behemoth of a retail and entertainment center. WiFi is available, as are options to get mall directories on your phone via mobile or app. Mall of America’s PR and social staff do a great job engaging with you as you move about the mall — albeit creepy at first, it’s cool that they have taken such an interest in their visitors and is super helpful. MOA regularly has fashion, family, and community events, which makes it so much more than “just a mall”. From fashion shows to celebrity visits, family days to goodie bags, they really truly do it all.
The digital touch screen directories spaced well throughout the floors also help even the most seasoned of mall veterans (yours truly) navigate to unfamiliar places and new retailers. The screens not only show you options of locations, but also give you a walkable route from the directory screen, also allowing you to text the walking directions right to your phone so you can follow along as you walk (SUPER cool!)
Want to stay close to Mall of America so there isn’t a need for a car? Stay at one of the hotels attached or nearby. My personal favorite is Radisson Blu Mall of America (and, for full disclosure: Radisson Hotel Group pays my salary by day, but the hotel is truly phenomenal!)
Have you visited the Twin Cities? What were some of your favorites?
