September 2010 - Parks & Recreation - 52

Where to Eat
From casual burger joints to internationallyinfluenced cuisine, Minneapolis offers a
wide array of dining choices. Within walking
distance of the Minneapolis Convention Center is a string of establishments on the aptly named Eat Street such as Ichiban, Brit's
Pub and Zelo.
A trip to Minneapolis wouldn't be complete
without a sampling of the Juicy Lucy, the city's
most famous culinary invention-a hamburger patty with a hidden burst of oozy cheese.
They're found all over town, but serious burger aficionados can compare and contrast at
long-time rivals 5-8 Club and Matt's Bar,
which both stake claim to inventing the Lucy.
Looking for something a bit more refined?
Then head to Restaurant Alma, where
2010 James Beard Award-winner Alex Roberts transforms artisanal ingredients and local produce into seasonal American cuisine.
Another choice for foodies is the 112 Eatery,
where Chef Isaac Becker presents creative,
affordable cuisine, like the popular bacon,
egg, and harissa sandwich.
And for those after-dinner drinks, Esquire
magazine called Nye's Polonaise Room
the best bar in America. The joint features
classic cocktails, Polish specialties, and on
weekend nights, the World's Most Dangerous
Polka Band. The best jazz music in town can
be heard at the Dakota Jazz Club. At this
fashionable spot, you'll also find a surprisingly ambitious and successful dinner menu.

Where to Shop
The first stop for Minneapolis shopping
should be the Nicollet Mall, located in the
heart of downtown. This pedestrian mall features the corporate flagship of Target, as well
as Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Saks Off Fifth,
and a wide variety of national retailers and
local boutiques. During the mall visit, an absolute must is checking out the statue depicting the iconic television scene of Mary Tyler
Moore joyfully tossing her cap into the air, a
moment that was filmed at Nicollet.
If that's not enough to meet your shopping
needs, then hop on the light rail for a 40 minute
ride to the Bloomington-based Mall of America, which contains more than four miles of store
fronts. And for when you need a slight shopping

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SEPTEMBER 2010

break, the mall also houses an aquarium, the
largest indoor theme park in the United States
and a life-size maze of mirrors and glass.
Anyone looking to pick up a few gifts for
their loved ones at home should check out the
Midtown Global Market, home to more
than 50 independent locally owned businesses specializing in internationally themed specialty foods, arts and jewelry.

What to See
Minneapolis is a city bursting with bountiful parks, impressive cultural facilities, and
ground-breaking architectural works.
Choosing among Minneapolis' plentiful parks
is a challenging task, but you can't go wrong with
Minnehaha Falls Park. This quaint park has
both landscaped and wild elements, featuring a
53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs and river overlooks. The park offers both indoor and outdoor
picnic areas, as well as the esteemed seafood
restaurant, the Sea Salt Eatery.
Architecture buffs should head straight
to the Weisman Art Museum, designed
by the legendary Frank Gehry. This striking, stainless steel and brick building is a
fantastic place to encounter art, and especially the changing schedule of exhibits in
its five galleries.
Minneapolis is the third-largest theater
market in the country, behind only New York
and Chicago. One place to see first-rate performances is the Guthrie Theater, where a
stunning $125 million structure houses three
stages. Even if plans prevent seeing a show,
just stop by to admire the architecture and
check out the Endless Bridge, a cantilevered
walkway overlooking the river.
Founded in 1879, the Walker Art Center
is one of the country's " big five " museums
for modern art. The permanent collection includes works from America's greatest artists, including Edward Hopper, Georgia
O'Keefe, and Andy Warhol. The Walker Art
Center is also home to the Minneapolis
Sculpture Garden, a place where nature
and art merge. At this scenic seven-acre
garden with free admission, stroll along
tree-lined walkways while viewing an impressive collection of large sculptures,
including the often photographed " Spoonbridge and Cherry. "
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September 2010 - Parks & Recreation

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