The Minnesota Bucket List

Minnesota - the land of 10,000 lakes. Having been to Minneapolis a couple of times, I’ve concluded there’s a lot to explore. Below are my top three cities to explore, all three teeming with food experiences, art, and history.

Duluth

Type of visit: Historical, outdoor - Great for a relaxing weekend!

WHERE to stay

• Canal Park Lodge

• Endion Station Inn

• Fitger’s Inn

• Lift Bridge Lodge

• Merryweather Inn Bed And Breakfast

• Oldenburg House

• Park Point Marina Inn

• Pier B Resort

• South Pier Inn

WHERE to dine & drink

• Big Daddy’s Burgers

• Camp Creemee

• Juice Pharm

• Loaf and Ladle

• Lulu’s Pizza

• New Scenic Cafe

• Northern Waters Smokehaus

• Sara’s Table Chester Creek Cafe

• Sir Benedict’s Tavern

• The Rathskeller (speakeasy)

• Va Bene

• Valentini’s

• Wild State Cider

• Zeitgeist

• Zen House

Things to see & do

• Canal Park

• Enger Tower

• Great Lakes Aquarium

• Historic Congdon Estate (Glensheen Mansion)

• Lake Superior And Mississippi Railroad

• Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium

• North Shore Scenic Drive

• Split Rock Lighthouse

• The Depot

• Vikre Distillery

Minneapolis

Type of visit: City, historical - GREAT for foodies and art-lovers!

WHERE to stay

• 300 Clifton

• Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District

• Elliot Park Hotel, Autograph Collection

• Emery, Autograph Collection Hotel

• Four Seasons

• Hotel Alma

• Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis

• Loews Minneapolis Hotel

• The Hewing Hotel

• The Lofton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

• The Marquette Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

WHERE to dine & drink

• Al's Breakfast

• Bar La Grassa

• Broders' Pasta Bar

• Café and Bar Lurcat

• Cobble Social House (speakeasy)

• Colita

• FIKA Café

• Hola Arepa

• Kramarczuk Sausage Company

• Martina

• Matt’s Bar - Opened in 1954, they’re known for the original and famous “Juicy Lucy” burger that prompted President Obama to make a visit.

• Milkjam Creamery

• Petite León

• P.S. Steak

• Red Rabbit

• Saint Genevieve

• Sanjusan

• Sooki & Mimi (Also has a speakeasy inside)

• Spoon and Stable

• The Bungalow Club

• The Butcher's Tale

• The Cardinal Room (speakeasy) - Top-rated!

• The Lynhall

• Tilia

• Travail Kitchen and Amusements

• Volstead's Emporium (speakeasy)

• Young Joni (Also contains a speakeasy inside)

Things to see & do

• Guthrie Theater

• Mall of America

• Mill City Museum

• Mill Ruins Park

• Minneapolis Institute of Art

• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

• Minnehaha Falls

• Minnehaha Mile

• North Loop/Warehouse District

• Stone Arch Bridge

• The Foshay Museum and Observation Deck

• Turnblad Mansion (American Swedish Institute)

• Walker Art Center

• Weisman Art Museum

St. Paul

Type of visit: City, historical - Home to F. Scott Fitzgerald and Frank B. Kellogg!

WHERE to stay

NOTE: Minneapolis is a short drive to St. Paul, so hotels in the city work as well!

• Celeste of St. Paul

• The New Victorian Mansion Bed & Breakfast

• The Saint Paul Hotel

WHERE to dine & drinK

• Bullvino's Churrascaria

• Cecil's

• COOK ST PAUL

• Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit

• Hyacinth

• Joan's in the Park

• Luci Ancora

• Mancini’s Char House

• Meritage

• Moscow on the Hill

• Myriel

• Red Cow St. Paul

• Saint Dinette

• The Rathskeller Cafe

• Tongue in Cheek

Things to see & do:

• Alexander Ramsey House

• Birthplace of F. Scott Fitzgerald

• Cathedral of St. Paul

• Center For Lost Objects

• Fitzgerald Theater

• James J. Hill House

• Minnesota Transportation Museum

• Mounds Theatre - Another one of the top haunted buildings in the U.S.!

• Museum of Questionable Medical Devices

• Old Muskego Church

• Saint Paul - Changsha China Friendship Garden

• Summit Avenue - Victorian Mansions line this street, including F. Scott Fitzgerald’s and Frank B. Kellogg.

• The Old Schmidt Brewery - It’s said to be one of the most active paranormal buildings in the U.S.!

• Wabasha Street Caves - Once a speakeasy during the Prohibition era!