Minneapolis Journals

Summer in Minneapolis

A July 2006 trip to Minneapolis by ontheroad97

View from the hotel Photo - Marriott Minneapolis City Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Quote: Nothing can compare to the vibe of Minneapolis in the summertime.

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Summer in Minneapolis

Overview

Quote:

A visit to Minneapolis in the summertime is a true treat. Nowhere I have ever traveled have I seen such an honest celebration of summer as in Minneapolis, and it's understandable--if you lived through bitterly cold, teeth-chattering, activity-limiting Northern winters, you'd be damn ready to party when the mercury began to rise!The Land of 10,000 lakes offers plenty to do. Just strolling around the downtown was immensely pleasant, and a short trip along the walking path hugging the banks of the Mississippi is a great way to get a feel for the layout of this extremely livable city. After that, take in a few museums or world-class theatre performances, then head out to the lakes. They're all aro...Read More

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Marriott Minneapolis City Center

Hotel

Quote:

Its central location for exploring downtown made this hotel ideal for a weekend getaway. Ended up getting a great deal ($70 a night) through Priceline and couldn't have been happier. The hotel was nice enough, with panoramic views of the city and river sprawled out in every direction below. Comfy beds, clean rooms, and plenty of space made the hotel the perfect home base between jaunts out and around the city.Situated on 7th Street downtown, it was an easy and pleasant walk to Orchestra Hall, the location of the city's famed Sommerfest. Along the way, if you're lucky enough to be here in the summer, you'll pass through a colorful open-air street market, where you can purchase fresh produce, fl...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 24, 2006

Marriott Minneapolis City Center
30 South 7th Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
(612) 349-4000

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Bakken Museum of Electricity and Life

Attraction

Quote:

In the mood to experience some of the quirkier attractions in the city, we took public transportation from downtown and ended up at Lake Calhoun. A short walk brought us to the Bakken, where we were like kids in a candy store. Contained in a beautifully historic setting is a unique museum documenting the history of electricity. Exhibits incorporate everything from electric eels to defibrillators to Frankenstein and much in between.One of the highlights was the exploration room, where there were tables of wires, batteries, lights, horns, and other miscellaneous fun stuff to get your hands on. It's also well worth the trip for the experience of playing a theramin, an inventive musical instrument...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 24, 2006

Bakken Museum of Electricity and Life
3537 Zenith Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota
(612) 926-3878

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Sommerfest 2006

Attraction

Quote:

Ostensibly the reason I traveled to Minneapolis is Sommerfest, an annual music event that runs for 24 hours--All 24 hours. Starting about noon one day, you can find an eclectic array of almost every type of music known to mankind crammed into a non-stop, multi-venue extravaganza.Although the weather was hot and a bit humid, Minneapolis locals fed off the summer fever vibe and were out in full force with broad smiles on each passerbys face. The heat only made the Dear Head beer taste that much better, and honestly, where else can you find classical, jazz, gospel, Americana, indie, country and much more all for free?The highlight of Sommerfest was seeing a few bands i...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 24, 2006

Sommerfest 2006
Downtown Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Riverfront Walk

Attraction

Quote:

As I arrived into Minneapolis a few hours before I could check in, I ditched my luggage and headed to check out the city. I started at the edge of the Mississippi River and meandered alongside for a while, enjoying the sights, the vibe, and the history of the town, much of which is tied to the River.

Hugging the riverbank is the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail, which makes a perfect introduction to the city. Being on the edge of town, the trail was quiet, and on a weekday in the summer, often I was the only one around.
Starting at the Hennepin Ave. bridge, meander Southeast and take in the perfect views of the mighty Mississippi. Back in the day, much of Minneapolis' commerce was driven by the flour mills that dotted the landscape here, and there are still remnants to be found at the aptly-named Mill Ruins Park. Here you can spend some time wandering through rusted metal skeletons and imagine how the area might have looked in its heyday. One of the highlights was looking through hulking pipes into the old foundations of the mills and factories that one stood here.

Nearby are the somewhat-underwhelming Falls of St. Anthony, that, while no Niagara, provided enough of an obstacle to watercraft that an adjacent lock was put into place. You can visit the Lock House near Mill Ruins Park and opt for one of the two daily tours to learn more about navigating the falls.

To get a good history of flour milling in Minneapolis, stop by the Mill City Museum at 704 S. Second St. A tip: if you don't want to pay to go through the museum, there are some free exhibits outside and in the lobby/gift shop area certainly worth a perusal.

Continuing a bit further along the walking path, you'll get a good glimpse of Minneapolis' "Next Big Thing"--the new Guthrie Theatre, which opened in 2006. Expectations are high for this steel-and-glass structure designed by architect Ralph Rapson, and the Guthrie will have big shoes to fill in a town that boasts more theatres per capita than New York. Regardless of what you think about what goes on inside, the outside of the new theatre is certainly spectacular, featuring a cantilevered viewing area that juts out a few stories above street level.

And there you have it: history, solace, and culture all in a few miles in one of my favorite US cities. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 22, 2007

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About the Writer

ontheroad97
Alameda, California

"I love visiting new places and finding local haunts. I've also contributed to Rough Guides travel an..."
1 journal
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4 reviews

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Marriott Minneapolis City Center

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