We took our granddaughter to the Mn History Center thinking that it would be fun. We were right…read more The exhibits are interactive enough to keep her entertained and informative enough to keep our attention. My favorite exhibit was a reenactment of the 1965 Fridley Tornado with radio coverage from WCCO's Boone and Erickson. You get to sit in a "basement" and feel what they felt...it was a lot of fun.

- Minnesota History Center…read more The Minnesota History Center was an interesting and worthwhile stop, especially for anyone who enjoys learning about state and regional history. Most of the main exhibits were located on the third floor, and I believe there were around five in total during my visit. The exhibits appealed to a wide range of ages, with some sections designed for children, others for young adults, and plenty of material that adults would appreciate as well. The museum covers a broad range of Minnesota history, including major weather events, the Greatest Generation, and different decades from the 1920s through the modern era. There was a good balance of historical information, artifacts, and interactive displays. Some of the more memorable items included a pair of the first original water skis ever invented and the steering wheel from the USS Minnesota. There were many other artifacts throughout the museum that helped connect Minnesota's history to larger events in American history. Overall, there is a lot to see and learn here. I would highly recommend the Minnesota History Center to anyone interested in history or wanting to better understand the people, events, and innovations that shaped the state.

If you love music, this is a very good place for you to visit. My girlfriend and I visited there…read morebecause my girlfriend is a pianist. When we first got there, we were a little confused about where it was because it was up on the second floor of the landmark center but once we got up there, we were very pleased to see all the wonderful instruments that they had available. There is a very delightful gentleman there who took us on a tour of the old pianos that you were not supposed to play in another section of the museum. After that, both my girlfriend and I very much enjoyed being able to play the other instruments that were available in the main section of the museum.

Absolutely wonderful space with instruments ranging from harpsichord to piano to Indonesian…read moreGamelan. There is a hands on keyboard practise space for exploration. Definitely recommend a visit!

Located right by the MIA...this is a very unique and interesting museum...that I didn't even know…read moreabout until I came here for an art workshop. Came here actually for an interesting art workshop called "Create 'Unexpected Art' with Becka Rahn" which involved creating images and computers and the final product would be a swatch of material from an image that I created!Which is to be mailed to the participant via mail.. which I haven't yet received...I took this workshop with a past participant who was raving about it ... I really did enjoy my experience and I am so looking forward to my finished product! $5 gets you in and also a tour of the museum/mansion.. oh what a deal.. and like Rhonda G. says below... it's really like having a Downtown Abbey right here in Minneapolis! FREE Parking that's connected to the museum, too! Look forward to attending more interesting events here in the future!

If you are a native Minneapolite - or even just a transplant / convert - check this place out. It's…read morekitty-corner from the MIA so you can make a day of museum hopping followed by a meal at one of the many restaurants along nearby Eat Street (Nicollet Ave). For a minimal fee, you'll be able to check out the fantastically-curated exhibits that explore different topics relevant to Hennepin County's history through photographs, textiles, paintings, videos, audio-recordings, sculptures, artifacts, and more. It is a full-sensory experience in a historic mansion that cannot and should not be missed. In addition to traditional exhibitions, they have unique and fun programming - which sounds like it will be more frequent according to an article I read recently about the new director! Plus, the mansion is available as a venue rental. I even considered it for my upcoming wedding! The biggest downsides (and biggest complaints I had while working there) are 1) the fact that the building is not handicap accessible and 2) the lack of air conditioning in the summertime. It's an unfortunate reality about many historic buildings but even more so for HHM...as a non-profit and lesser-known museum, lots of funding is needed to facilitate the appropriate and allowed retrofitting while still protecting the historic integrity. Admittedly, I am a bit biased in my love of this place. When I graduated with my B.A. in cultural studies and comparative literature, I began scouring the Twin Cities for non-profit gigs, especially those in the Arts. I landed my first post-college job as a museum administrator at the Hennepin History Museum despite having never stepped foot in the mansion or even knowing of its existence. It was an amazing experience and I learned a lot, but the most valuable thing I learned was what an exceptional gem HHM is. Please do not miss out on the opportunity to explore!

Love going here especially around the holidays for their lights displays. The café serves…read moreimaginative food and beverages. The building itself is architecturally interesting.

He Said: Overall, nice cafe/ restaurant. I sat outside…read morebecause it was a lovely day. Totally the right call. I ate pretty lite...ordered a salad with bread. My true score would be a little under 4 stars. Prices are high--$2 for 2 slices of bread?! The wait staff were not that attentive either, but they were nice. Pros: - Nice place to check out and grab a bite. - Ample parking Cons: - Higher prices - We waited a while to have our orders taken and to get the check

I absolutely love going to the Orchestra, whether they play in the community or at Orchestra hall…read more It's always a sublime experience and the service is second to none. They have drinks and snacks available before the show and during intermission. This past weekend they had a stand with freshly made ice cream sandwiches, and a beautiful area in Peavey Plaza to sit and relax.

Wow,wow, wow! I thought it would be a good experience, but I had no idea what being in Orchestra…read moreHall would be like. It was magical. Such a wonderful performance and venue.

I always look forward to the Edina Art Fair because I know that I'm going to see quality artwork,…read morepottery, glassware, and other crafts. Only top quality artists are selected to display their work and it is one of the top rated craft and art fairs in the Twin Cities. I always find work that is creative and unique when I visit. Whether you actually buy something (which I frequently do), or whether you are just browsing for the fun of it, it's time well spent. The Edina Art Fair also has an ever increasing variety of foods they offer. They are now concentrated in one area, which makes it even easier to see what they have to offer. Pro Tips: 1. If you can, come when it opens on Friday at noon. The crowds are much less and the street parking is much easier. If you cannot do that, I recommend coming at 10 am, when they open on Saturday and Sunday to beat the rush. It's much easier and enjoyable to see the exhibits without the crush of people. 2. If you are looking for inexpensive snacks or drinks, go into the Holiday Gas Station, which is located in the food area. For example, you can buy any size fountain drink for a dollar vs. much more expensive and smaller drink options than are available from the vendors.

Always a great time at the Edina Art Fair. There are so many talents artists showcasing their…read moretalent. This year I racked up and upgraded my kitchen. I bought a cutting board from Kindler Woodworks, olive oil from Coccinella and a knife from Vivront. Until next year!

I brought my kids here for their "turf tot" hours and they LOVED it. In the winter, a few days per…read moreweek, the Hopkins Pavilion covers the rink in grass and then puts out kids "attractions" like bounce houses, tricycles, and items to climb on. It only costs $5 per child to get in, and my kids played for a solid 2 hours. When it's cold out, this is a great spot for young kids to run around, and it's awesome that they open at 8am. If you are looking for a reasonably priced kids indoor play area that wont break the bank, this is a fantastic option!

The best part about this arena is there are really good heaters in the stands for the fans and it…read moreusually feels crowded because it's not too big. Things generally run on time here and the tournaments that I've been here for went off very smoothly.

I used to go to the Metrodome as a kid in the late 90's/early 2000's, and this was my first time at…read moreTarget Field since it replaced the dome several years ago. This is such an amazing and beautiful upgrade!! My review is based on a concert experience, but I hope to come back for a game someday! I visited from out of state for the Noah Kahan concert and everything was very well organized. I arrived during the opening acts and there was no line at all to get in. There were plenty of staff in place to keep crowds under control and ensure that people got to the correct section. My seat was on the field and I loved that there were bathrooms and concessions available in this area so that I didn't have to leave the field while I was there. My only complaint is that it was extremely difficult to get phone reception, and others around me had the same issue. I really liked the area surrounding this park as well. Lots of hotels, restaurants, etc in walking distance, and so many parking lots and garages that were very reasonably priced.

A NORTHERN PASTIME…read more The Minnesota Twins' home ballpark is a great venue to watch a game. I took my family on vacation to Minneapolis in early June, and in doing so I was able to check off Target Field from my list of MLB stadiums (7th in the AL, 12th overall).  Tickets on a weekday afternoon to see the Twins play the Chicago White Sox were pretty cheap, far less than what I expected. Security was friendly and we got our stroller + stuff in easily.  We sat in section 133, an area in right-center field that always has shade thanks to a large upper deck directly above it.  In front of us were some planted flowers, props to the Twins landscaping crew for keeping things green and colorful. In several spots at Target Field, you can find grab-and-go kiosks stocked with a number of classic ballpark snacks at reduced prices: $4 hot dogs, $3 peanuts, $3 popcorn, $4 pretzel w/cheese, and $5 cans of light beer. These no-frills offerings were PERFECT for me and the fam, plus it saved us a bunch of money. When we stopped at guest services to get a "my 1st Twins game" certificate for the kids, the guy behind the window tossed a couple of dog-eared papers our way and said nothing.  No midwestern warmth for visiting fans as my Sox proceeded to paddle the Twinkies 8-0. Once the game ended, we hit a massive traffic logjam trying to leave the top deck of the parking garage.  Since there was only 1 way out--the bottom floor--we had no choice but to wait for all the lower levels to clear in turn.  A full hour and a half later, I was able to drive everyone (now fast asleep) back to the hotel.  Ooof. When a Twins player hits a home run, a large neon sign in center field features "Minnie and Paul" shaking hands, a nod to Minnesota's former minor league teams the Minneapolis Millers and the St Paul Saints.  This sign also flashes 'Twins Win' anytime the home team secures a victory. * TL;DR * Target Field is one of the nicest stadiums I've experienced in the big leagues--Truist Park (Atlanta) and Nationals Park (D.C.) also fit this mold. Being able to get ballpark snacks for cheap was absolutely clutch, as my kids weren't interested in a $12 Kramarczuk's sausage and I was thankful to not shell out $14/beer.  We dug the open-air vibes of the right field concourse and overall facilities were nice. I still gotta dock a star because leaving the game was absolutely brutal.  No stadium is perfect and exiting traffic can often be a hassle, but 90 minutes of not moving isn't fun for anyone.  A different parking scenario for us and it's a 5* experience for sure. If you find yourself in the Twin Cities between April and October, check the Twins schedule and try to catch a game here.