As a former resident of this great great town, I have to say I was dismayed and disappointed by this white, whiter, whitest 36 hours in Minneapolis. This is a city that has incredible diversity, a diversity I long for and miss living in Seattle. When I brought my Portland born husband there for the first time he was astounded by a city that he too thought was just a city full of nice white people in the midwest. It's SO much more and the people and culture reflect that. It was a real miss on Conlin's part.
1
The article "36 Hours in Minneapolis" is something you've seen before. An articles that portrays a city treasure's and must go to places, it can be done with other states too such as New York, California, and so on. I think this article is very appealing only because it's not like the ones you've seen before. Articles like this start with " Why you should visit...", or "What is it like in this state" except it starts with 36 Hours in Minneapolis. It gives a plan, so instead of going to a new place and not knowing what to do and picking what to do in a place, you have a schedule to follow.
Rather than sitting around watching a movie you've probably seen a million times or can easily watch anywhere, why not head over to the re-opened Viking Bar. The old classic is back on her feet and better than ever. Live music and a bit of what real Minneapolis is like for the locals. You can't do better.
http://www.startribune.com/the-viking-bar-reopens-this-week-with-music-a...
http://www.startribune.com/the-viking-bar-reopens-this-week-with-music-a...
1
All well and good but do come back on August 25 for the Great Minnesota Get-Together. It's the best state fair in our state!
And is a chance to get to St. Paul. A great city, too!
The article portrays a white-washed version of Minneapolis. It is astounding that Scandinavian eateries and Swedish museums are the author's idea of "cultural authenticity." In fact, the Twin Cities is also home to large populations of Native Americans, Somalii, Liberians, Hmong, East Indians, and other refugee and immigrant communities, not to mention African American and Latino families who have been here for generations. I am an African American woman and have chosen Minneapolis as my home. But so many of my friends and family have this idea I am the lone brown face amid so much white, because of articles like this one.
Pretty good choices with the exception of one: Switch out Clancy's Meats for Lowry Hill Meats. The roast beef sandwich at Clancy's is the best I've had in our country. Plus, you can take other things they sell -- fresh produce -- and make a picnic. Lowry Hill Meats is pretty limited to well, meats. And overpriced sandwiches with very little meat.
[Clancy's is off Lake Harriet and would have worked in Chain of Lakes Territory the author was covering.]
[Clancy's is off Lake Harriet and would have worked in Chain of Lakes Territory the author was covering.]
2
Lovely city and area...biking from the city to Stillwater (Gateway State Trail) was one of my favorite activities when I lived there in the 1990s.
1
Great start! As a NYC (raised) transplant to Minneapolis, this is a great start. Minneapolis has so many more interesting hotels (The Ivy and Nicollet Inn) and less touristy eateries, though those listed are fantastic. Minneapolis is a foodie town from old-school to forward thinking:up-and-coming Sioux Chef (indigenous eatery TBA), Eli's Downtown with its top notch specials and easy-going atmosphere, Cafe Lurcat on the lovely side of Loring Park, Restaurant Alma, Kramarczuk’s Nordeast, Cafe Erte/Peacock Lounge in the Art's District, the Eat Street area and Lyndale row restaurants. So nice to see a nod to this quaint city I've fallen for.
1
Nothing against Bachelor Farmer, but it's a Johnny-come-lately. Patrick Atanalian (Loring Café, Sanctuary), Isaac Becker (112 Eatery), Alex Roberts (Restaurant Alma) and others were offering James Beard Award-winning food as far back as the late 1980s. Also, Minneapolis has 77 other professional theatres besides the Guthrie; they do good work, but it would be nice to mention some of the other theatres once in a while.
2
You forgot St. Paul. Those of us who live in the fairer of the Twin Cities get a little touchy about that.
You see, Minneapolis tried to annex us back in the late 19th century and we haven't forgotten it.
You see, Minneapolis tried to annex us back in the late 19th century and we haven't forgotten it.
"You forgot St. Paul" - the most St. Paul-ish comment of all time.
For real though, St. Paul was just featured in the Times' Frugal Traveler blog a month ago. Let Minneapolis have this one ;)
For real though, St. Paul was just featured in the Times' Frugal Traveler blog a month ago. Let Minneapolis have this one ;)
2
DG -- After you, there's no bigger St. Paul person than yours truly, but this article wasn't about St. Paul: It was about Minneapolis. I say we ask the author to come back and do "36 Hours in St. Paul." I don't think she'd regret it.
Thank You
1
Can one get "fois gras" (sic) in the Bois, or does one have to go to Blois?
Fault de frappe.
Given how relentlessly the Times trumpets the virtues of unfettered immigration, particularly of refugees, it's surprising that Jennifer Conlin apparently didn't encounter any signs of Minneapolis's large Somali community in her search for "urban edginess and cultural authenticity."
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/12/refugees/419976/
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/12/refugees/419976/
3
Ah, Minneapolis: that glittering Oz on the prairie, as _TIME_ magazine once called it.
2
Thank you for writing about some of the wonderful ways to enjoy visiting Minneapolis. Those of us who live in Minneapolis treasure our beautiful lakes, our many magnificent parks and extensive safe biking routes. We also greatly appreciate our many other amenities, including high quality educational intuitions and the cultural institutions, dining establishments, entertainment venues highlighted in your article.
Of course, we have many others such as our world class Minnesota Orchestra, the Dakota, our internationally acclaimed jazz club featuring the some of the best vocalists and musicians in the world, and Bunkers, our great soul and R and B club that, on occasion, included Prince joining jam sessions. Unfortunately, your article did not also feature our rich and vital cultural communities, including Native-American, African-American, Latino, Somali, Hmong, Vietnamese, and others that add much needed “seasoning and excitement” in a city with so many Scandinavians.
Understandably, an article about Minneapolis in a travel section does not acknowledge our apartheid of racial and economic disparities that are among the worst of any larger city in the country and our “Minnesota Nice” way of not fully recognizing them. While Minneapolis is, indeed, a fabulous place for affluent white people, please don’t mistake us for a city that does not have the same very serious and inadequately addressed problems of inequity and racism found in cities all across our country.
Of course, we have many others such as our world class Minnesota Orchestra, the Dakota, our internationally acclaimed jazz club featuring the some of the best vocalists and musicians in the world, and Bunkers, our great soul and R and B club that, on occasion, included Prince joining jam sessions. Unfortunately, your article did not also feature our rich and vital cultural communities, including Native-American, African-American, Latino, Somali, Hmong, Vietnamese, and others that add much needed “seasoning and excitement” in a city with so many Scandinavians.
Understandably, an article about Minneapolis in a travel section does not acknowledge our apartheid of racial and economic disparities that are among the worst of any larger city in the country and our “Minnesota Nice” way of not fully recognizing them. While Minneapolis is, indeed, a fabulous place for affluent white people, please don’t mistake us for a city that does not have the same very serious and inadequately addressed problems of inequity and racism found in cities all across our country.
Thank you for writing about some of the wonderful ways to enjoy visiting Minneapolis. Those of us who live in Minneapolis treasure our beautiful lakes, our many magnificent parks and extensive safe biking routes. We also greatly appreciate our many other amenities, including high quality educational institutions and the cultural institutions, dining establishments, entertainment venues highlighted in your article.
Of course, we have many others such as our world class Minnesota Orchestra, the Dakota, our internationally acclaimed jazz club featuring the some of the best vocalists and musicians in the world, and Bunkers, our great soul and R and B club that, on occasion, included Prince joining jam sessions. Unfortunately, your article did not also feature our rich and vital cultural communities, including Native-American, African-American, Latino, Somali, Hmong, Vietnamese, and others that add much needed “seasoning and excitement” in a city with so many Scandinavians.
Understandably, an article about Minneapolis in a travel section does not acknowledge our apartheid of racial and economic disparities that are among the worst of any larger city in the country and our “Minnesota Nice” way of not fully recognizing them. While Minneapolis is, indeed, a fabulous place for affluent white people, please don’t mistake us for a city that does not have the same very serious and inadequately addressed problems of inequity and racism found in cities all across our country.
Of course, we have many others such as our world class Minnesota Orchestra, the Dakota, our internationally acclaimed jazz club featuring the some of the best vocalists and musicians in the world, and Bunkers, our great soul and R and B club that, on occasion, included Prince joining jam sessions. Unfortunately, your article did not also feature our rich and vital cultural communities, including Native-American, African-American, Latino, Somali, Hmong, Vietnamese, and others that add much needed “seasoning and excitement” in a city with so many Scandinavians.
Understandably, an article about Minneapolis in a travel section does not acknowledge our apartheid of racial and economic disparities that are among the worst of any larger city in the country and our “Minnesota Nice” way of not fully recognizing them. While Minneapolis is, indeed, a fabulous place for affluent white people, please don’t mistake us for a city that does not have the same very serious and inadequately addressed problems of inequity and racism found in cities all across our country.
9
Fun article. Except the line: "The British stage director Sir Tyrone Guthrie could never have imagined that the theater he founded in 1963 to create a resident acting company outside of New York would one day become an architectural icon."
The original Guthrie building was an icon when it was built. It won many awards and was widely written about, including in the pages of the New York Times. It did more than perhaps any other building to put Minneapolis on the map architecturally. It fell victim to declining interest in international modernism, but that doesn't mean it needs to be erased from history.
The original Guthrie building was an icon when it was built. It won many awards and was widely written about, including in the pages of the New York Times. It did more than perhaps any other building to put Minneapolis on the map architecturally. It fell victim to declining interest in international modernism, but that doesn't mean it needs to be erased from history.
4
Great suggestions for a great trip! And there are hundreds more sights & activities to choose from, especially when you include the St. Paul side of the 'Twin Cities' moniker. (After all, the MSP airport designator means Minneapolis-St.Paul)
Ours is one of the worlds great metropolitan areas to explore and live in and I'm happy to be a part of it, thanks for the article.
Ours is one of the worlds great metropolitan areas to explore and live in and I'm happy to be a part of it, thanks for the article.
6
You forgot to mention all the amazing bookstores we have in this city. We are one of the most literate cities in the nation: Wild Rumpus has not only books and cats and chickens. Also, just off Lake of the Isles is Birchbark Books and just off of Lake Calhoun is Maeger's and Quinn and then there is Open Book and so may more.
3
Aaargh, thanks for spilling the beans. Now I won't be able to grab a spur-of-the-moment, no-wait bite at Ste. Genevieve anymore.
2
Aardman -- I'm impressed you correctly wrote the feminine "Ste." instead of the masculine "St." It's too bad the Genevieve folks didn't do the right thing from the get-go.