Visiting Minny...

[WRau1]

Hello T'Wolves fans.

I'll be visiting Minnesota Jan 8th - 11th and was wondering if any of you had any suggestions of things to do, sights to see and places to eat. I'm going to be staying at a Hotel near the Mall of America (not sure which one yet so any suggestions there would be welcomed), arriving late on Thurs the 8th and my only obligation is a work meeting Fri morning for a few hours. My g/f and I are going to be checking out the Mall (of course) but I'd like to hear some of what you guys think are things someone visiting your area shouldn't miss out on. Thanks!

Edited to add that it looks like I will be attending the Bucks v Wolves on Sat the 10th.

[shrink]

Its hard to answer a question like this without knowing the kind of person you are. Would you be interested in the Walker Art Center? Taking in a hockey game at XCel or going across the street to the Science Museum? The Winter Carnival won't start until a couple weeks after you're gone.
Minnesotans embraces outdoor activites when the weather gets cold -- maybe you'd like to cross country ski?

Maybe its best to let you see what other people think, and let you pick for yourself.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/GoListOvervi ... esota.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2005882_weekend-saint-paul.html

[Devilzsidewalk]

there's nothing to do here, mostly we just drown our sorrows in sweet lady liquor and browse City Pages for escort services

[WRau1]

there's nothing to do here, mostly we just drown our sorrows in sweet lady liquor and browse City Pages for escort services

Well, I live in Wisconsin so that isn't to far off of what we usually do.

I do like visiting art/science museums, how are they there? I'm not much for skiing or hockey though.

[Winter Wonder]

Not sure, but if you like LaCrosse and want to check out the Xcel center, I believe the Swarm has a home game on the 10th. Additionally, if you chose that event, the Science Museum with the Omnitheater is right by there and has been an enjoyable stop for those I know.

Mall of America is always a big draw, especially for a girlfriend. There is a close indoor waterpark as well if that floats your boat. Finally, if you are by the Target Center there are a number of fine drinking establishments that I am sure those more in the age range of "hitting down town" can provide names. And what is the gaming place down there? The large arcade place, Gamespot? or something?

[Devilzsidewalk]

there's also an IKEA store, everybody loves IKEA

[john2jer]

The McDonalds on 6th and Nicollett has the world's greatest french fries. They're worth a vacation by themselves.

This seriously might be the greatest thread ever for guys who have significant others they want to take out to enjoy new things.

I'm 28, lived here all my life, and have done pretty much everything I can think of about a million times. There's gotta be something new in this god forsaken town. Or something hidden I haven't tried yet. get's a little old going to the same restaurants, games, comedy clubs, etc...

PS: I went to Acme on Friday. I've been there, no doubt, a 100 times. Friday was the first time I ever walked out before it ended. I wasn't alone. Half the place was gone when I left. I have no problem with good wholesome vulgar humor. This guy was just down right dumb, though. I think he knew it because he kept commenting on how bored the crowd looked.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I'm 28 too and lived here most of my life - I try to find new things to do as well. Hopefully by spending as little money as possible.

I branched out a little on Friday and went to the St Paul Chamber Orchestra at the Ordway and I was pleasantly surprised. I don't know anything about classical music and was expecting to be resting my eyes, but this guest they had, this violin wiz from Finland named Pekka Kuusisto, was absolutely amazing. He was the lead guy and opened with a 29 minute piece with few breaks and did some things with that little fiddle that had me awe-struck. Makes me wish my parents had sent me to a music academy instead of a shoe-shining apprenticeship when I was young.

[john2jer]

I propose a permanently stickied thread on this forum with great ideas from our local residents so that the 2-3 tourists we get each year have some ideas ready for them, and for those of us that have lived here for ever and don't know what to do with an evening outside of the usual. I'm getting a little old for the clubs. The girlfriend still likes them, but I end up getting cranky. I'm old.

[IcemanMN]

in the middle of winter, go visit the Como Park Conservatory. A bazillion plants under glass, including a nice selection of palm trees! Como Park is pretty much a year-round destination, especially if you have kids. http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

[Devilzsidewalk]

I hate clubs, and luckily my girlfriend does too. She likes renting movies and saving money, so we usually just unfold the Sofabed we got at IKEA ® (Wohnst Du noch oder lebst Du schon) and relax with some popcorn. And she's also Japanese, so we play video games too. Of course.

I eat, play video games, and watch movies. I'm not sure why I'm not fat, its not even Wii, its XBox 360.

[john2jer]

We usually work out a lot, we don't always do the same things there, but it's spending time together without having to be right next to each other. Plus, I get to check out the hot chick in the gym without getting in trouble. I coach traveling basketball too, so that takes up pretty much every other weekend in the winter. But it's that off weekend I'm left scrambling because heaven forbid the girl play "Entertainment Director" one night.

Seriously, I can't wait until I get married so I can just get fat, lazy, and lay around the house happy. It's exhausting dating, especially in Minnesota where it's -50 degrees 9 of the 12 months of the year.

Devilz, you'd be so much cooler if you traded that XBox in for the original NES. That and Guitar Hero is about all I'll play. Thank god for Wii and the ability to download the old school games. I don't have apposable thumbs, so the new controllers don't work for me.

[deeney0]

there's nothing to do here, mostly we just drown our sorrows in sweet lady liquor and browse City Pages for escort services

Well, I live in Wisconsin so that isn't to far off of what we usually do.

I do like visiting art/science museums, how are they there? I'm not much for skiing or hockey though.

I really like the Science Museum in St. Paul, it's usually got pretty entertaining traveling exhibits, and the permanent stuff is nothing to pass over either. Hopefully something good will be playing at the IMAX when you visit.

If you like modern art, the Walker is a must - and if it's a nice day, the Sculpture Garden across the street.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Devilz, you'd be so much cooler if you traded that XBox in for the original NES. That and Guitar Hero is about all I'll play. Thank god for Wii and the ability to download the old school games. I don't have apposable thumbs, so the new controllers don't work for me.

well I can't be cool in everything, I have to give people a chance to at least try and catch up. I actually have an original top loader NES that I bought. I don't play it at all. I need new games. GF plays her Japanese Playstation 1. It looks excruciating to me.

I workout on my own, but she's not the iron pumping or stairmaster type. She does figure skating in the winter. I bought some hockey skates to try and bond, but its a work in progress. I'm not a natural. It gives me a new perspective on hating hockey at least.

[Winter Wonder]

Como is a great call as well. As for comedy, I have had luck at the Minnesota Comedy Club in Maplewood, by the Myth nightclub; though I would not be a regular at comedy clubs by any stretch of the imagination. Another place of note that tends to get high praise is the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. Now that may be a bit of a hike from the MoA area, especially for an out-of-towner, but if your so inclined, it is usually fairly highly reviewed.

As for the NES argument, about 3 or so months ago I went out and bought a couple new parts and fixed two old NES gaming systems. I had a blast playing the old games. Graphics really didn't factor in when measuring fun. And it's not as bad when you get married for the turning lazy/fat; it's the sympathy weight and having kids that add the lbs. Now, when they get older and are running around more and such, that is when I hear it can reverse abit, otherwise not so much. And yes, coaching a wintersport (basketball especially) destroys most freetime, though even highschool level games are down by 9:30-10:00 at the latest. Heck, most times people don't even hit downtown or grand until that time or later....

[Winter Wonder]

Skating is a pain, especially with bad ankles from basketball injuries and surgery; but hating hockey is never a bad thing!

Plus, I think Devilz is now working for IKEA or has been mezmorized by the vast product line and efficiency, so take what he says with a grain of salt. Now Costco, they have everything.

[john2jer]

Como is a great call as well. As for comedy, I have had luck at the Minnesota Comedy Club in Maplewood, by the Myth nightclub; though I would not be a regular at comedy clubs by any stretch of the imagination. Another place of note that tends to get high praise is the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. Now that may be a bit of a hike from the MoA area, especially for an out-of-towner, but if your so inclined, it is usually fairly highly reviewed.

As for the NES argument, about 3 or so months ago I went out and bought a couple new parts and fixed two old NES gaming systems. I had a blast playing the old games. Graphics really didn't factor in when measuring fun. And it's not as bad when you get married for the turning lazy/fat; it's the sympathy weight and having kids that add the lbs. Now, when they get older and are running around more and such, that is when I hear it can reverse abit, otherwise not so much. And yes, coaching a wintersport (basketball especially) destroys most freetime, though even highschool level games are down by 9:30-10:00 at the latest. Heck, most times people don't even hit downtown or grand until that time or later....

This will be the first year I haven't coached since I graduated high school, so I'm a little curious on how crazy I'm going to go. But a typical tournament weekend is spent at the gym almost all Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, depending on the distance from home. Going out Friday night or Saturday night isn't an option when you have a game at 8am the next morning. I like to watch all the games and scout future opponents, and maybe try to pick up something new from other coaches.

[Winter Wonder]

Fair enough. I was speaking mainly from my experience coaching in a highschool program (JV/assist V) We had another staff member do most of the scouting and otherwise is was two hour practices on non-gamedays, usually done by 7 dependent upon late or early practice, and gamedays were guaranteed busy until 10. Saturday early practice was rough, but doable, Saturday late morning practice was perfect.

It is tough to remember what travelling was like, but I can see that you are fitting in an awful lot more in a short amount of time with fewer people. Of course, you still had most of your week for freetime. You will miss it I bet though. I know my time coaching is coming to an end sooner than later. I am going to miss it, but I should be able to pick it up again at sometime, just not enough time at this point though. Regardless, good luck with going through withdrawal, we can set up a support group since I will be a member in the not to distant future.

[john2jer]

Fair enough. I was speaking mainly from my experience coaching in a highschool program (JV/assist V) We had another staff member do most of the scouting and otherwise is was two hour practices on non-gamedays, usually done by 7 dependent upon late or early practice, and gamedays were guaranteed busy until 10. Saturday early practice was rough, but doable, Saturday late morning practice was perfect.

It is tough to remember what travelling was like, but I can see that you are fitting in an awful lot more in a short amount of time with fewer people. Of course, you still had most of your week for freetime. You will miss it I bet though. I know my time coaching is coming to an end sooner than later. I am going to miss it, but I should be able to pick it up again at sometime, just not enough time at this point though. Regardless, good luck with going through withdrawal, we can set up a support group since I will be a member in the not to distant future.

My hope is this is a one year deal. I've lost patience with the program I was coaching for. Parents are a little more involved at the younger grades, and they'll take a lot out of you. Plus, I plan on moving in the spring, and don't want to just spend one year with a new team before leaving. Oh and I'll be spending some time in the Bahamas with my girlfriend, hopefully, if I can get myself out of trouble. Apparently I'm a guy, and guys do stupid stuff once in awhile that get us in trouble. WHO KNEW!?

So I'll start over next year with a new group of kids wherever I move to.

During the week is fine, but Mondays suck. There's absolutely nothing to do in this town on Mondays besides go to the movie theatre.

[Winter Wonder]

Back to topic, I was going to suggest a piano bar as another option. The one I remember best is on Grand (Bonfire?) but I know I had been to a couple in Minneapolis and I figured there had to be a few more around the MoA area. I thought they were ok myself, but I always hate going to places where it is so loud it is difficult to talk. As for places more unique to the Twin Cities, I think I am drawing a blank for date type places. Family places with little kids I may have a few.

As for parents, don't get me started. Being a parent myself and watching what my sister went through I can understand where they are coming from. They want the best for their child, I get that. As a coach though, you have to do what you think is best for all the kids and team as a whole. Parents tend not to get that being protective and all. Not that coaches are infallible, but they generally have a larger picture of what is going on with the team and contrary to some parents' beliefs, we aren't out to ruin their children. Personally, haven't had bad luck with parents, but I have seen the horror stories.

And be careful in the Bahamas, I came back from the caribean married....