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GOT
GUESTS?
So, family and
friends are coming for a visit. They want to see not only where you
live but the area as well -- and you’re short on entertainment
ideas. Well, before you scream for help, review these suggestions.
Minnesota and the Twin Cities Metro area have lots of entertainment
offerings. If these don’t appeal to your guests’ preferences, look
in the Community Pages of your telephone directory. Also see the
‘Social Events’ and ‘On Your Own Activities’ pages for current, limited-run
activities. And don’t forget guests of Newcomers are welcome to
attend all Newcomer activities.
If you find
something that others might like for their families or guests that
isn’t listed, please
tell us about it.
HISTORIC SITES & MUSEUMS
The metro area
offers a number of ways to learn about and celebrate the past.
American
Swedish Institute
(a.k.a. Turnblad Museum), 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, 55407,
612-871-4907. Explore the museum of Swedish-American art, culture
and history within the 1904 former home of newspaper publisher Swan
Turnblad. The 33-room castle features turrets, gargoyles, handcarved
woodwork and porcelain tile stoves. Listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. Open Tues, Thurs-Sat noon-4, Wed noon-8, Sunday
1-5. Closed Mondays and holidays.
Basilica of St.
Mary,
17th St at Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, 612-333-1381.
“America’s First Basilica” stands as a gateway on the western edge
of Minneapolis. Built in 1908, its 280-foot copper dome and
15-foot-diameter rose windows highlight the imposing structure. This
downtown parish is committed to the spiritual, social, and artistic
well-being of the city. Tours are available year-round, except
holidays and Holy Week. The Basilica store is open Saturdays,
Sundays, and for special events and tours. www.mary.org
Cathedral of
St. Paul,
239 Selby Ave, St. Paul 55102, 651-228-1766. Constructed from
1906-1915 as the mother church for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and
Minneapolis, the Cathedral has become a treasured landmark, a venue
for cultural events and a serene place for meditation. The copper
dome of the cathedral soars 306 feet. The interior is a decorative
masterpiece containing unique pieces of sacred art, including three
rose stained glass windows and four large mosaics executed by
Vatican studios. Guided tours Mon, Wed, Fri at 1pm except on
holidays. Self-guided tour books are available for a donation.
www.cathedralsp.org
Govenor’s
Residence,
1006 Summit Ave, St. Paul 55105, 651-297-2161. Official residence of
the State’s first family, formerly the Horace Irvine home and
donated to the state in 1965, it’s a three-story brick English Tudor
with 20 rooms, nine fireplaces and four porches. Limited public
tours available. www.admin.state.mn.us/buildings/residence
Historic Fort
Snelling,
Highways 5 and 55, 200 Tower Ave., St. Paul. 612-726-1171. Open
May-October. Once the most northern-most outpost of the U.S. Army,
this restored fortress lets you experience life as it was in 1827.
Built on the bluffs above the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, it
was accessible only by water or forest trail, making it truly
remote. Costumed guides lead tours, demonstrate crafts and practice
military drills complete with the firing of muskets and cannons.
Admission: $8 adult, $7 seniors, $4 children 6-12. www.mnhs.org/fortsnelling
===>>
Hear
fascinating speakers at monthly WWII roundtable discussions, 7 PM,
second Thursday of each month Sept. to May.
James J. Hill
House,
240 Summit Ave, St. Paul 55102, 651-297-2555. Home of the Great
Northern Railway empire builder James J. Hill. Completed in 1891,
the 36,000 square-foot Richardsonion Romanesque mansion features a
sky-lit art gallery, crystal chandeliers, pipe organ, stained glass
windows and elaborate woodcarving. Explore servant and family life
in this Gilded Age mansion. Elevator offers handicapped access. Open
year-round Wed-Sat 10-3:30, and Sunday 1-3:30, as well as other
times by advance arrangement. Walking tours of the historic
surrounding neighborhood are offered every Saturday from
May-September. www.mnhs.org/hillhouse
Mickey’s Dining
Car,
36 Seventh Street West, St. Paul 55102, 651-222-5633. Listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, this authentic 1930s art deco
architecture makes it the “quintessential diner.” The
stick-to-the-ribs fare and great breakfasts make it a local
institution. Open 365 days a year, 24 hours per day.
Mill City
Museum,
704 2nd
St. S, Minneapolis, 612-341-7555. Family Four Pass, 40%
discount. Tue-Sat 10–5. An attraction for all ages, MCM chronicles
the flour milling industry that dominated world flour production for
roughly a half-century and fueled the growth of Minneapolis,
recognized across the nation and around the world as “Mill City.”
www.millcitymuseum.org
Minneapolis
Institute of Arts,
2400 3rd Ave. S, Minneapolis, 612-870-3131 (24-hour info
line 612-870-3200). Ranked among the top ten comprehensive U.S. art
museums, the museum is dedicated to bringing art to life for
everyone. The museum houses more than 100,000 works of art
representing more than 5,000 years of world history. www.artsmia.org
Minnesota
Children’s Museum,
10 West Seventh St., St. Paul 55102, 651-225-6000. MCM creates
experiences that spark children’s learning. Explore seven galleries
packed with hands-on adventures and enjoy special activities. Hours:
Tue/Wed/Thu/Sat/Sun, 9-5; Friday, 9-8. Mondays (Memorial Day to
Labor Day) 9-5. Admission. www.mcm.org
Minnesota
History Center Museum,
345 West Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul 55102, 651-296-6126. Explore
Minnesota’s history through museum exhibits that feature large-scale
objects, hands-on experiences and multimedia presentations. In the
library, access the Society’s vast collections related to
Minnesota’s past, uncover your house’s history or trace your
family’s heritage. Open Tue 10-8, Wed-Fri 10-3, Sat 10-5, and Sunday
noon-5. Admission. www.minnesotahistorycenter.org.
Minnesota State
Capital,
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, St. Paul 55155,
651-296-2881. Free 45-minute guided tours are available throughout
the year of this 1905 Cass Gilbert masterpiece. Tours are offered on
the hour; last tour begins one hour before closing. Groups of 10+
need reservations. Handicap accessibility is located under the main
steps. Art treasurers discovery booklet and Capitol mall walking
tour brochure are available for a small fee. Open Mon-Fri 9-4, Sat
10-3, Sun 1-4. www.mnhs.org/statecapitol
National Eagle Center, Wabasha MN. Learn about our national
symbol, the Bald Eagle. See the three resident birds eat half-frozen
mice (usually 1pm feeding). Warning! Don't sit in the front row.
Raptor Center
at the U of M,
1920 Fitch Ave, St. Paul 55108, 612-624-4745. Have your own Raptor
learning adventure by meeting live eagles, owls, hawks and falcons.
Featuring guided tours, special programs and a gift shop, the center
is open Tue-Fri 10-4 and Sat/Sun from noon-4pm.
www.theraptorcenter.org
Schubert Club
Collection of Keyboard Instruments,
Landmark Center, St. Paul. Monday thru Friday 11-3, other times by
appointment 292-3267. Also Gilman Ordway Manuscript Collection.
Science Museum
of Minnesota and IMAX Omnitheater,
120 West Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul 55102, 651-221-9444. Come for great
hands-on approach to science, learning and entertainment! Featuring
innovative exhibits, a convertible-dome Omnitheater, a brand new 3D
cinema, a world-class collection of fossils and artifacts, and an
outdoor Science Park (open seasonally). The museum also boasts the
popular Experiment Gallery, an Egyptian mummy, an authentic
Mississippi River towboat, and other interactive exhibits and
displays for all ages. www.smm.org
Twin City Model
Railroad Museum,
1021 East Bandana Blvd, St. Paul 55108, 651-647-9628. This museum
has a 3,000 square foot operating model railroad featuring many
local scenes, landmarks and famous trains from the 40s and 50s. It
also boasts one of the area’s greatest collections of railroad art,
a gift shop and a new museum video. www.tcmrm.org
Walker Art
Center.
A new-and-improved Walker reopened in Spring 2005 after more than a
year of renovation. The expansion doubled its space and helped the
museum stay true to its mission of redefining how contemporary art
is presented and experienced. Part of that includes allowing art
galleries to flow into one another—but that’s just the tip of the
iceberg. The completely overhauled space now includes a restaurant
by Wolfgang Puck overlooking Minneapolis’ bustling Hennepin Avenue,
an open-balcony theater where (besides seeing plays) guests can view
artists rehearsing for a new theatrical production or poetry
reading, a cinema, innovative performance spaces and educational
lounges. Thus, artistic, educational and social experiences are
brought together and transcend one another. Don’t miss “Skyspace” by
James Turrell, an underground room where guests can view the
changing sky through an 11-by-11-square-foot opening in the ceiling.
Click here for
Amusement Parks; Parks, Zoos, and Recreation.
Click here for
Racetracks & Casinos; Sightseeing Tours & River Cruises.
Click here for
Theatres & Performances;
Other Attractions. |
