The Best Twin City
I visited Minneapolis, MN last July, and it was my most memorable trip of the summer. The weather was beautiful, which made it perfect to enjoy the lakes and the myriad of bike trails. There are 22 lakes within the city limits, and I chose to enjoy a Saturday morning biking around Lake Calhoun. The bike path and beaches were filled with other bikers, roller bladers, kayakers, and paddle boarders. I enjoyed all of the bustling activity under the hot sun. Afterwards, I munched on some phenomenal fish tacos from the Tin Fish, a local fish joint that sits right on the waters of Lake Calhoun. I enoyed the fried walleye, which is a Minnesota delicacy.
Needless to say, it was a wonderful, yet exhausting day enjoying the great outdoors. I went back to my luxurious room at the Grand Hotel, one of Minneapolis's acclaimed, five star hotels. After a rejuvinating nap I met a friend for wine and hor dourves at the award winning 112 Eatery. We treated ourselves to their famous steak tartar, and decadent mussels in a guajillo broth before heading to see a show at the Guthrie Theatre. Minneapolis is known for its theatre scene, with the second most seats per capita, next to New York City.
After a Broadway show at the Guthrie, we hit the town with some friends who lived in the city. We went to the Shout House, a dueling piano bar, for some familiar tunes and serious laughs. It was college ID night, so we got in free by showing our student ID's. Bypassing the $5 cover allowed us to take advantage of a few of the $2 drink specials.
It was a long, and unforgettable night. Unfortunately, it was an early to head up north to enjoy more of Minnesota's 10,000 plus lakes. Minneapolis has a lot to offer and I highly recommend exploring the city to see what hidden gems you can find. Chances are it will be a fun experience filled with mid-western, "Minnesota Nice", hospitality.
