First time visitor from California-business trip

I am going to Minnesota next week for 5 days on business and staying in Eagan and wondering if there were any cool sports bars in the area. Also looking for any places that would be considered must sees during my limited time there. I would like to check out as much as I can every day/night after work. Unfortunately, for a sports junkie like myself, I will miss the chance to catch a Twins or Vikings game.

First time visitor from California-business trip

You%26#39;re coming at the best time of the year, with the leaves changing.

I assume, as it%26#39;s a biz trip, you%26#39;ll have a car. Otherwise, based in Eagan, you%26#39;ll have difficulty getting around.

If you could reply and let us know what you like to do (other than sports), we can be more specific with recommendations.

But with how spectacular the leaves will be, any drive on a road outside the concrete jungle (95 up to Stillwater -- even farther up for views of the St. Croix Valley -- comes to mind. Stillwater is a beautiful town with a historic main street feel and lots of photo ops (bluffs, lift bridge, etc). Couple of nice places for a beer, too, like the Mad Capper. And if you%26#39;re here try our local product, Summit EPA. Delicious pale ale, a little like Sierra Nevada.

From Eagan, Stillwater would be 30 minutes or so. Really nice in the fall over there.

Also, I think the crown jewel of this city is its parks system. If you could find a bike to rent or borrow, do it. I would suggest looping around the Chain of Lakes in south Minneapolis. If you don%26#39;t do them all, make sure you get to Calhoun and the prettiest of them all -- Harriet. Gorgeous in the fall. Then, if you are a little ambitious. Ride the path (part of the park system, a trail that runs along Minnehaha Parkway and Minnehaha Creek) that takes you from Lake Harriet to the Mississippi River. It%26#39;s a beautiful ride with plenty of time to stop and rest and take in the scenery. It%26#39;s why the park system is a crown jewel -- all that well kept green space in a major city, surrounded by gorgeous, historic homes.

That path (part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway -- planty of google-able info on that) takes you to Minnehaha Park, which contains the famous Minnehaha Falls and a nice limestone bluff park. follow the creek downstream from the falls to get to the river -- about a mile, little more.

It%26#39;s a rewarding ride, taking you part Lake Nokomis as well. I believe you can download a map on the park system site if you search Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.

Otherwise, check out the downtown riverfront and learn about how this city got itself on the map, There is a short walking circuit with plenty of information on its flour mill history, and now there%26#39;s Mill City Museum down there too. Stone Arch bridge in itself is worth seeng. Refreshments at Pracna on Main.

That%26#39;s all for now. If you have any things you specifically like to do, let us know!

First time visitor from California-business trip

if you get really ambitious on that drive on Highway 95 up through Stillwater, you could take it all the way to Taylor%26#39;s Falls. Talk about your picturesque settings. Interstate State Park and the Dalles would be like a calendar in the fall.

You%26#39;d have to get an early start though, given how light isn%26#39;t lasting as long as it used to.

Besides watching/playing sports, I always enjoy cold adult beverages in a friendly and casual setting. I also like the great outdoors and cold weather doesn%26#39;t bother me (anything under 60 is considered cold in sunny SoCal). Basically, there are three things I would like to do before I head home-#1 enjoy some good beer/food and chill at a sports bar-#2 shop for some local souvenirs for the wife %26amp; kids back home-#3 take some cool pictures of your great state to show to the family and employees.

Sorry, I should have replied about the car. Yes, I will have a rental car and would like to sightsee as much as possible. Unfortunately, I will only be there from Sunday evening until Friday morning, and am only free to explore each day after 5p. I know it%26#39;s a crammed schedule, but something is better than nothing. I will hopefully get a chance to return before the end of the year.

Hubert%26#39;s is the best sports bar in this town, mostly for its proxomity to the Dome and its collection of memorabilia. It%26#39;s downtown, waklable from the light rail Downtown East/Metrodome stop if you decide to take the light rail from the MOA, which might be the way to go to avoid parking and driving downtown, which can be hectic. From Hubert%26#39;s, you%26#39;re not all that far from the riverfront. Really depends on how much you like to walk.

More on Stillwater -- that place is full of small shops (boutique and souvenirs). I think it%26#39;s something to put on the list. And definitely prime photo area showing a nice part of Minnesota. Grab an adult beverage at the Mad Capper or a few other places down there on the main drag.

There are a couple of places I%26#39;ve either heard of or read about and would like to hear your thoughts/opinions. The Mall of America, Minnehaha Falls, and Fort Snelling. Yes, I like to hike/walk, so getting around on foot is not a problem. I%26#39;m not really in to museums and such unless I%26#39;m with the family. I know this sounds corny, but I would just like to soak up as much of Minnesota that I can, while I can. It%26#39;s all about life experiences, even the short ones.

I suggest a visit to Minnehaha Falls/Park for everyone who comes here. It%26#39;s justa spectacular place, especially after a rain to get the falls roaring. Wonderful walk from the falls down the stairs and following the creek down to the Mississippi River. And you can enjoy a cold beer up on the patio of Sea Salt.

The Mall of America? Personal preference here, but I can%26#39;t stand the place. Some people love it, though. I just find it to be a larger version of a mall -- big and sterile with no good palce for a beer and a good meal (again, all in my opinion.).

If you%26#39;re looking for a little nightlife, the new hotspots in Minneapolis are the hotel bars (I know, I know .. hear me out). These aren%26#39;t your ordinary hotel bars -- they are lounges designed to attract more than the customers of the hotel and they are packing them in. Check out the top of the Chambers and the ice bar. Check out the W hotel bar in the Foshay Tower. And of course aloft, the newest.

As for Fort Snelling, it%26#39;s just downriver from Minnehaha Park, but if you%26#39;re limited to after 5 p.m. on weekdays, you might be short on time to properly see both on the same day.

I like Fort Snelling, interesting history, but I think it will be closed after 5 on a weekday. Gets busy on weekends.

Joe Senser%26#39;s Sports Bar in Eagan would be close and has great food and sports atmosphere. Can%26#39;t beat the number of large screens. www.sensers.com

Hard to find too many ';sights'; to see in terms of outside things given it is starting to get dark by 7-7:30. Of course Mall of America is inside and good for at least one evening. Lots of places to eat. Also for trips downtown park at MOA and take the light rail....beats driving in a strange city.

The MN Wild NHL team in St. Paul have games next week on Tue and Wed for which tickets may still be available...and always available via scalpers outside on the Kellogg St. entrance side. 鈥hl.com/schedule/schedule_download_0809.htm Excel Energy Center (recent RNC venue) or ';The X'; can%26#39;t be beat as a place to watch great hockey.