Minneapolis Official Visitors Guide - Fall/Winter 2007 - (Page 39) SHOPPING Gaviidae Common The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes The Bibelot Shop GOOD THINGS O P P O S I T E ( C L O C K W I S E F R O M T O P L ) : P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F T H E M A L L O F A M E R I C A ; P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F H . O. B. O. ; P H O T O S B Y J E N N A S C H N E I D E R M A N T H I S PA G E ( L - R ) : P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F M E E T M I N N E A P O L I S ; P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F V I S I T M I N N E A P O L I S N O R T H ; P H O T O B Y PA U L L I N D Q U I S T With no sales tax on apparel and the country’s biggest mall, the metro area’s sure to have that special something for everyone on your list. IN STORE I t may be a mini birchbark canoe you bought at Niagara Falls when you were 10 years old that always reminds you of that special family trip, or a wild Hawaiian shirt you picked up on your honeymoon that never ceases to bring back thoughts of warm island breezes. Wherever our travels take us, it’s always fun to pick up something that reminds us of the special places we’ve been, or to find unique gifts for family and friends. In this metropolis of trendy boutiques, one-of-a-kind shops, multiple “dales” and one mega mall, you’ll discover soon-to-be treasured gifts and stocking stuffers around every corner. With 3 million square feet of retail space, connected by skyway for chilly days, downtown Minneapolis is a shopper’s dream. The main artery is Nicollet Mall, a pedestrian-friendly street that’s decked in seasonal fashion during the fall-winter months. From ground- or skyway-level, shoppers can pop into the two-level Target store, the eight-floor Macy’s, and the upscale Gaviidae Common, which, by the way, is the scientific name for our state bird, the loon. Bargain hunters can find treasures at Marshall’s or Saks Off 5th, and those looking for upscale style will enjoy a trip to Neiman Marcus. For a cool counterpart to classic downtown browsing, trendsetters should head to Uptown, where fun specialty shops and vintage clothing stores line Hennepin Avenue in south Minneapolis. If you prefer to blend your browsing with a scenic stroll, make your way east to historic Grand Avenue. These 30 blocks run from the Mississippi River to downtown Saint Paul and are home to numerous shops and inviting eateries exclusive to Minnesota. A must-stop for the power shopper or holiday gift-giver is Mall of America. This local landmark is large enough to house 258 Statues of Liberty, 32 Boeing 474s, or seven Yankee stadiums. Macy’s, Sears, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom anchor the more than 520 stores set up in 4.2 million square feet of space. Shuttle across the street to Ikea, the Scandinavian home furnishings warehouse famous for its wide range of pieces and coordinated styles, all at affordable prices. Not only do we have the largest mall in America; we also have the oldest. Southdale Center, built in 1956 and located in the suburb of Edina, was the first fully enclosed indoor mall in the nation. It has grown to now encompass 130 retailers anchored by J.C. Penney and Macy’s. Across the street on the south end, you’ll find Galleria, an upscale mall with select stores such as Restoration Hardware, Tiffany & Co., Len Druskin, and Twill. Travel north on France Avenue and you’ll find another swanky spot known as 50th & France, where tree-lined residential streets open up to reveal a gathering of eclectic boutiques. Combine the art of shopping with works of art by visiting museum shops. At the shop located within the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, you’ll find distinctive gifts, jewelry, prints, and books from around the world. And unique home accessories, books, posters, jewelry, and more await in the Walker Art Center shop. The surrounding suburbs of Burnsville, Minnetonka, Roseville and others boast extensive indoor malls. Visit The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove or bag some bargains at the outlet mall in Albertville. In Minnesota, shopping is as diverse as the seasons. And with no sales tax on clothing or shoes, there’s no better reason to shop ’til you drop. What memories will you bring back from your visit to Minneapolis-Saint Paul? Fall/Winter 2008 Minneapolis&Saint Paul 39
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.