Coming for a visit - June 15-19

Hi,

We are coming for a visit to celebrate my daughter%26#39;s graduation from high school. June 15-19. She likes to shop, and see interesting sights.We will be staying at the Comfort Inn - Airport. This is what we have on our list..Twins b-ball game, Chanhassen dinner theater, MOA/Underwater Adventre Aquarium,Nicollet Mall, Zoo/IMAX, Fort Snelling, Minn Institute of Art, possibly the Sculpture garden, Guthrie Theater -just to tour on our own.

We heard, on the Food Network channel, about Casper %26amp; Runyons Nook - and we thought we should check that out also.

What is the weather like in mid June?

Any comments, or other ';must see'; suggestions?

Thanks

Coming for a visit - June 15-19

I%26#39;m not a big fan of the MOA, although I don%26#39;t judge people who go -- I promise. I do think better shopping (and by better I mean less touristy, outdoor windowshopping and nearby good restaurants as opposed to the chain places at the MOA) exists on Nicollet Mall. It%26#39;s shopping how it should be -- not in a huge indoor trap. But to each his own. I have been to Underwater Adventure and thought it was just ok. Kids seemed to like it though.

Weather in mid-June most likely will be hot and humid. Contrary to what lots of outsiders think, summers here are hot. Can be nice and in the %26#39;80s too. But the potential is there for triple digit spells with high humidity.

I%26#39;m always stumped on what a must-see is for different people. It really depends on what you like to do.

The most generalized must-see relates to what I consider Minneapolis%26#39; crown jewel -- it%26#39;s park system. And the best of that is the Chain of Lakes in and near the Uptown area, specifically Lake Harriet, which spawns a creek that flows for miles and eventually into the Mississippi. All along that is a trail system and well managed (but narrow) stretch of park ending with glorious Minnehaha Park, which features the falls (which could be dried up depending on the weather, so be aware of that) and the limestone/sandstone bluffs. Trees as old as can be -- towering oaks. You could rent bikes and ride to Fort Snelling along the flood plain trail, if you%26#39;re serious about seeing Fort Snelling. It%26#39;s just downstream from Minnehaha Park. See the city%26#39;s parks page for maps.

Coming for a visit - June 15-19

funny, I%26#39;ve never heard of Casper %26amp; Runyons Nook, but I just looked it up, and it%26#39;s in St. Paul.

However, I have heard the Psycho Suzi%26#39;s in Nord%26#39;East Minneapolis has been featured on Food Network too -

VERY fun place !!

http://www.psychosuzis.com/

Weather should be good, but bring jacket in case of rain.

I%26#39;d get your ChanDinner Tix soon, in case of sell out.

You could take Light Rail from Mall of America, and make a stop at Fort Snelling. Check their web site for times of any special events they have.

If you do Sculpture Garden, the Walker Art Museum is there too -

http://www.walkerart.org/index.wac

You can tour Guthrie %26amp; check out the ledge view for free. Consider walking the Stone Arch Bridge to the end %26amp; back, to get good view heading back into downtown. You could do that before or after Twins game - close by.

If you walk Nicollet Mall during the week, Macy%26#39;s on 7th street has awesome salad bar in their SkyRoom on 12th floor 11am. - 2 p.m. M-F for sure (don%26#39;t know about weekends)

The Nook (Have you had your Nookie today?) is a fun spot, but it%26#39;s not much more than a nook. Expect to wait during lunch/dinner rushes. They also have a location on West 7th at Randolph called the Shamrock Nook. Virtually the same menu as the nook, easier to get a seat, and would be easier for you to get to from the airport area.

Thanks for these suggetions....

I looked up Psycho Suzi%26#39;s - it does look like a fun place - I will run it by my family.

Also, looked up Shamrocks - since they have the same menu, but a bigger place.

I am getting our tickets to the Twins and the Chanhassen today.

We were thinking about gettingt a day pass, and taking the light rail to look around down town, and then to the game, but wondered, if we had any packages what to do with them?

Thanks

i didnt read most of the other posts above, so i apologize for any repeats:

You have to go to the nook on randolph and hamline though, the W 7th location just isnt the same... just get there at an off hour (open at 11am... but get there before to get a seat, or go around 3pm). I%26#39;ve heard, however, that Matt%26#39;s Bar is better... But ive never been.

Mid June can be warm to hot, but this has been an exceptionally cool year so far. Even during a hot summer, I%26#39;d expect the evenings to be nice in June.

I%26#39;d add the science museum to your list.. its in downtown st. paul. check their website for traveling exhibits in june as well as which shows will be at the omnitheatre.

Talk a walk near pillsbury park in downtown mpls and walk across the stone arch bridge. many famous mpls photos are taken from the east side of the bridge with the skyline in the background.

walk down grand ave in st. paul for trendy shops and restaurants. summit ave one block north is lined with 100 yr old mansions that are fun to look at.

Minmehaha park for a rather large ~50ft waterfall for right in the middle of the city as well as trails that go to the river.

Maybe get outside of the city... Check out stillwater for lots of shops and restaurants and nice walk along the st croix river. Lots of antique shops too. Its about a 45 min drive from downtown mpls. For nearby hiking check out afton state park or taylor%26#39;s falls, both on the st. croix river. If you have more time, check out duluth - you%26#39;ll love it. And if you have even more time, drive up hwy 61 along the north shore of lake superior.

PS, ive been to psycho suzi%26#39;s at least four times and have never gotten a table. I have drank there and i wasnt impressed, but i have heard the food is good.

I%26#39;m also new to MN, just wondering can one do these walks in dowtown (Parks, River) in evening-night period, is it safe?

Re: downtown Minneapolis safety. I%26#39;ve never felt threatened or had a bad vibe doing the riverfront pathways from Stone Arch bridge to Hennepin Ave post-dark-10 pm. I wouldn%26#39;t recommend going through the vegetation on the dirt paths after dark, but the regular walkways have never given my wife or me trouble. As always, don%26#39;t be drunk and be aware, but don%26#39;t be scared.

I live near Matt%26#39;s Bar. Somehow, this place (rather than the hundreds of other neighborhood bars in south Minneapolis) became THE place that trendy people went for a burger and fries at a hole in the wall dive bar. There are several better places with more character, IMO. Cardinal on 38th, for example. Matt%26#39;s has a flat-screen TV. That%26#39;s not a dive, to me.

I like the Cardinal. And for the biggest dive in all of Minneapolis, there is the Sunrise Inn on 46th Street and 34th Ave. They don%26#39;t come more divy than that. Be warned.

Before it was remodeled the 5-8 Club used to be another great Minneapolis dive.

I agree with the earlier poster, the original Nook is definitely better and worth the wait. I mentioned the Shamrock Nook as an alternative as the original is so small and it could be a long wait for a table.

So I%26#39;m a little bored today; below are some great St. Paul neighborhood spots - several have also been on The Food Network - that have not yet been mentioned:

Mickey%26#39;s Diner - a downtown classic …citysearch.com/profile/…mickey_s_diner.html

The Dairyette - an east side classic, it%26#39;s on Maryland just west of White Bear Ave

The Gopher Bar - Great Coney%26#39;s, on East 7th near the far east end of downtown. Beware if you%26#39;re sensitive to foul language as the f-enhimer does get thrown around liberally here. twincities.citysearch.com/profile/5516894

Cecil%26#39;s Deli - Highland Park%26#39;s outstanding Jewish deli %26amp; restaurant http://www.cecilsdeli.com/

Red%26#39;s Savoy Pizza - Best pizza in St. Paul - try the sausage %26amp; sauerkraut. Seriously. It%26#39;s a few blocks east of the Gopher at East Seventh %26amp; Hyw 52. www.theoriginalredssavoypizza.com/DTHome.html

The Groveland Tap - great neighborhood joint and similar to The Nook. http://www.grovelandtap.com/

Enjoy your trip. :)

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