Things to Do Here

There's nothing better than showing out-of-towners around the Twin Cities, as it introduces us to things we are always around but hardly see. Which is another reason to rejoice that so many people from Northfield are making the trip up to the big cities to have a look around. Here's some things to see and do, in no particular cultural or relevant order.

Mall of America. I scream, you scream, we all scream for more scream. More more more. This is a mall, people. A very big mall. It's like having four malls smooshed into one, which means you have about every mall store available here, like the Gap, Gap Kids, Gap Body, GapMaternity, babyGap, GrannyGap, GapTeen, GapEarWax, and Spencer Gifts. There's also some other things tucked away here and there that may be worth seeing, like Lego Land, Underwater Adventure, and the Chapel of Love. Oh, and IKEA is just across the street. Just think, they are thinking about doubling the size of this baby in the next five years.

Walker Art Center. Heh, heh. Nancy's a member of this swank art center. It's very cool and stylish and worth the visit, to view and talk about the art and to stroll the scuplture garden. And it's free on Saturday, July 1, part of the First Free Saturday programs.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Nancy recommends a visit to the MIA. The Walker is great for contemporary art, and the MIA is a comprehensive museum whose collection spans many centuries and continents. The new modern wing designed by Frank Gehry (the architect who designs the cool kitchen stuff for Target), opens on June 11th. The collection of Asian art is one of the best in the country, thanks to the Dayton family (also of Target fame). Maybe soon the MIA will put some large red circles on the facade of the museum.

Minnesota Twins. Yep, Greg was here when the Twins won the World Series in 1991. And Nancy and Greg took Max to his first Yankees game just a few weeks ago, with the Twins winning 6-5 in the ninth inning. The Twins will be in town the weekend of July 1, with two games against the Milwaukee Brewers. You could take in the June 30 game at 7:10 p.m., skip out of our wedding early on the evening of July 1, or see the Sunday game at 1:10 p.m. the next day. Hey, maybe we'll go too.

Golf. Nancy's three brothers will likely try to fit in a family round of golf while they are here, and Greg may join them, though he's not much of a golfer. Now we just need to get Nancy out there. There's some pretty good municipal courses, including the newly redesigned Highland National Golf Course not far from our house. There's also the Mississippi Dunes Golf Course as well as dozens of others in and around the Twin Cities.

Taste of Minnesota. We've never been to this, but it's a big deal each year in St. Paul, not far from our house. In fact, we'll hear the fireworks late on Saturday night. Basically, this is a music and food festival centered around July 4. So, lots of people, food, music.

Other things include Minneapolis MOSAIC, the Science Museum of Minnesota, the World's Largest Ball of Twine Rolled by One Man (though it's about an hour away; Nancy adds that is is worth the trip, I am a big fan of the twine ball), as well as the World's Largest Spoon and Cherry Made by One Man and One Woman. We'll keep adding to the list.