Minneapolis or Bust!

Islands and beaches are great, but they can get old. Not to mention, most resorts are over-populated for your "not-so-private" getaway, and you can only post so many pictures to your Instagram of that #CarribeanSunset. If you’re looking to explore new places within the United States, why not take a trip to the Land of (over) 10,000 Lakes and the birthplace of Target? Yes, surprisingly enough I am talking about Minnesota, particularly Minneapolis.

First, let’s talk food. Located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis you can find ‘damn good food’ from award-winning chefs. Hell’s Kitchen is sure to enlighten your tastebuds with their made-from-scratch meals––not to mention that they make their own incredible peanut butter! Food isn’t all that Hell’s Kitchen has to offer. You can find live music and an underground décor appeal hidden within the walls. Dinner and drinks are a must if you ever find yourself hungry in Minneapolis.

Murray’s is another incredible dining option that reflects the history and character of Minneapolis. It has been a family-owned and operated restaurant since 1946 and doesn't seem to be closing any time soon! You can find this place filled with locals and visitors every night of the week due to the amazing menu and authentic appeal. I highly recommend ordering the Silver Butter Knife Steak, as it is hand-cut by their in-house butcher Boyd, and made from only their finest aged beef. 

Art and culture are huge in Minneapolis. If you're looking to take a stroll, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is the place to go. It’s free admission and home to the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry. The Garden is easily a crown jewel of Minneapolis that showcases more than 40 pieces of art and stretches across 11 acres. Depending on the time of year, certain seasonal displays will be placed as well in the Cowels Conservatory and Alene Grossman Memorial Arbor & Flower Garden. It’s a breathtaking sight for any art or nature enthusiast. 

If you’re more into sports, why not go and see a baseball game at Target Field? Enjoy the sunshine and clean air as the Minnesota Twins swing through the season. With a staggering array of special features and a view of the city from your seats, who wouldn’t want to spend an afternoon watching one of America’s favorite sports? Is baseball not your thing? No worries the Target Center is practically across the street. There, you can catch a great basketball game featuring the Timberwolves or Lynx. 

If you’re not into sports at all but still want to visit both Target Field and the Target Center, try catching a concert at one of the venues. During the summer, many artists like to stop by Target Field and perform outside with the great acoustics traveling miles outside of the stadium. Target Center has hosted incredible performers in the past such as Billy Joel, Beyonce, and Keith Urban.

First Avenue is a smaller venue that has hosted up-and-coming artists for years. Want to see big-name future performers? This is the place to go. What used to be a Greyhound bus station is now locally known as The Mailroom or The Entry. You won't be able to miss it due to the 531 stars painted on the exterior of past venue performers such as Prince, Semitonic, The Ramones, U2, Eminem, Metallica, and many more. You may recognize the venue once inside––it was the shooting location for the film Purple Rain. 

Let’s not forget about sleeping arrangements. Hotel Ivy is a luxurious place to stay and is located right in Minneapolis. You’ll be able to see incredible views of the entire city right from the comfort of your room! Notably, the Ivy Tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 but has been around since the 1930s. However, the tower was at one time boarded up. In 1993, the building’s heating system failed, and if you've ever been to Minnesota in the brutal winter months, you know that heat failure is unbearable. The building remained relatively untouched until 2008 when it transformed into the Hotel Ivy. The building is now equipped with a fitness center, a spa, pet-friendly rooms for your furry family member, and premium wireless High-Speed internet. The hotel isn’t shy of "Minnesota Nice" either with their accommodating Luxury Collection Concierge.

Overall, Minneapolis is just one small part of the incredible land of 10,000 lakes. Other cities a few miles away to venture out to include Wayzata, Minnetonka, St. Paul, and Bloomington. So while your co-workers are going on yet another vacation to the tropics to lay out in the sun, take a trip to Minneapolis and immerse yourself in culture like you never have before.