Where Would You Take Someone If They Came to Visit Minnesota???

We took my in-laws to the bodies exhibit and everyone loved it(Son & Grandparents). Another idea is a Lake Minnetonka boat ride- the colors are changing and there are ones that serve food.

Have fun!

I love to take my parents around the lakes. A lot of cities outside of the upper midwest don't have the plethora that we do. I also would recommend pumpkin or apple picking, very Minnesota. I'd do a tour of the Capital. It's free and very historic. Also pop him into the Cathedral in St. Paul. It was built by city and and church money. I agree that St. Paul Grill has excellent food plus he can see the historic hotel which was built when St. Paul really didn't have much surrounding it, so beautiful. I'd walk him around the skyway system. There aren't that many cities that have it so people think it's cool to do. Go up and down Summit Avenue, the longest road of 19th century restored homes. If you can, do the James J Hill House Tour. Pretty cool stuff.

Nappa Valley Grill at Mall of America is outstanding for food and wines and service. He can also have a peak at the mall since people from all over the world have heard of it and some make pilgrimages just to go shopping there. I don't think he'll have any trouble filling up his time.

Since you have received many responses to where to go I thought I would add some really good places to eat. I am Italian and LOVE Italian food and seafood/sushi would definitely be at the top of my list.

As for Italian I love The Loring Pasta Bar in Dinkytown. It has a very eclectic atmosphere, amazing food and a fun little piece of local trivia is the fact that the building used to be an apartment building that Bob Dylan lived in. I also really enjoy Broders which is on 50th and Penn (I think Penn). Great food but I would recommend a reservation as it is rather small and is favored by the local neighborhood crowd. So those are my two faves. I also like the food at Bucca but if you are looking for a unique dining experience I would try one of the other two.

Sushi- I LOVE Sushi Tango in Uptown (Calhoun Square). They just re-opened after an extensive remodel and it is defiantly worth checking out. Best sushi in town as far as I'm concerned. Tiger Sushi and Fuji Ya in Uptown are also really good and you could start the evening at the Saki brewery across the street I think it's called I-Moto. I have only been there once but it is a really good place to have some Saki and try a little Japanese bar food before eating sushi. Crave in the Galleria in Edina also has really good sushi and an extensive menu with French/Italian fare. Again, not as unique as Sushi Tango or Fuji Ya.

Seafood is a hard one for me. I am from Florida and am rather particular about my seafood. I find that most places that are strictly seafood are not as good as restaurants/bistros that have a couple of seafood items on the menu. If they haven't closed for the season I highly recommend Sea Salt at Minnehaha Falls. The owners started out at Coastal Seafood and everything they serve is fresh and amazing. They are only open seasonally though which is a bummer. If you go there I suggest going a little earlier then you normally would as it can get busy during the dinner hour and you order at the register, but it is at the Falls and is a beautiful setting. I also hear the new restaurant at the Guthrie is really good (Sea Change?) and serves all seafood. So if you are going to a show there (which I highly recommend) then you should definitely eat dinner there.

Hope this helps! Another place to check is Minnesota Monthly magazine since they rate numerous restaurants monthly and always discuss what's new and the must see events around town.

Have fun!

The Importance of Being Earnest is playing right now at the Guthrie, which is a great play even for non-regular theater goers. Very funny, easy to follow and most things at the Guthrie are well worth your time and money! Also right near there is either The Spaghetti Factory or a good sushi restaurant (can't remember the name), but they're both on Washington very close to the Guthrie. Also the new building is pretty cool to tour...

Down the street from the Guthrie is the Mill City Museum, which is an historical museum about Minneapolis' past as a "mill-city." The building is very cool and the museum tours, I've heard are wonderful and informative. And then you can walk over the St. Anthony Bridge and view all the gorgeous river architecture, and the dam--it's a great walk and it's free!

OR--check out the Wabasha Street Caves in St Paul. They do great tours of the Caves--old gangster hang out and it's supposedly haunted. If you end up at the Science Museum, a small detour over there would be a great addition to the day. I know they have a website with info. Just google, Wabasha Street Caves.

Have fun--there's a ton to do! All the stuff I suggested would be great for the kids too.

The MN Landscape Arboretum is beautiful, with many gardens and walking paths, and there's a wonderful cafe if you want to grab lunch or a snack - very family friendly. Still a nice outdoors activity, even on a chilly day. Our favorite spot this time of year is the Two Harbors area of Lake Superior, but it can be even colder up there (though the fall colors should be spectacular). Closer in, a little walk through Wayzata with a coffee stop at Caribou is nice b/c there's a park for kids right on the lake and only a block from the main street. Excelsior has a playground too, with a Dunn Bros if you need a warm-up. Indoor exhibits I recommend include the Mill City Museum right downtown. It's in one of the old mills that's been restored, and there's a little cafe there too (I've taken kids.) Good luck!

I would take him and the kids to the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. I have been there a few times and it is a lot of fun. Different interactive exhibits that represent minnesota through the years. There is also a tornado house where you can actually go through a tornado. tons of fun...

I did go to the Titanic exhibit and absolutely loved it. But, I was also a big Titanic fan, so I'm not sure if I'm biased. I also saw the bodies exhibit and it was really good as well. I heard the Mary Poppins play (not sure when it stops running though) is really really good. M&S downtown MPLS has really good seafood and Maggiano's or Buca has really good, family-style italian.

Segway tours are tons of fun!! In this weather you just have to bundle up a little more and wear comfy clothes, but it is so much fun you won't even notice the cold! (and its not THAT cold...yet).

http://www.humanonastick.com/

I have been to the Bodies exhibit and it was really neat. I would go again for sure. Chanhassen Dinner theater is always a great place to go. Oklahoma! is in the large room and you can have dinner in there, or Always...Patsy Cline is in the fireside theater- you don't have to have dinner in for that one if you don't want to. Otherwise anything at The Guthrie would be fab. Origami Downtown is the best sushi restaurant IMO. Excelsior is a very cute town and it's close. Redwing is great b/c is very cute and quaint and a nice drive down the river, especially with the leaves. You can drive past Redwing a bit and cross over the river and drive back on the Wisconsin side. I have done that with many of my out of town guests and they have all loved it. It shows a nice side of MN.

Hope that helps! Have fun!

Loved the Titatnic Exhibit like really loved it

Stillwater is a great town to visit

A drive up to Taylors Falls just North of Stillwater is awesome with the fall leaves etc.

I saw the Titanic exhibit last weekend and I thought it was pretty awesome. The movie in the omni wasn't so great - it was pretty outdated and a little boring. But the artifact exhibit was so cool!! Then we walked to the St. Paul Grill for dinner - which was fantastic! They have steak, seafood, etc. That would be a good place to go too. It's at the St. Paul Hotel.
Stillwater is a cool place to visit too.