Spouses, partners, and children will find many reunion activities on campus to enjoy. But, if there are moments these special guests of reunion-year alumni wish to escape, there are plenty of things to do and places to go in the Twin Cities.
Museums
Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum
Named after an art-collecting alumnus from the U. of M. and designed
by architect Frank Gehry, this museum is also a
Twin Cities monument.
333 E. River Rd.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-625-9494
weisman.umn.edu
Historic Fort Snelling
Restored 1820s military outpost.
200 Tower Ave. At Hwys 5 & 55, near airport
St. Paul, MN 55111
612-726-1171
mnhs.org/places/sites/hfs
Intermedia Arts Minnesota
This electric, eclectic gallery is an inspirational
haven for all things hip, urban and creative.
2822 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-871-4444
intermediaarts.org
Mill City Museum
Built within the ruins of a National Historic Landmark, the
museum provides a multi-sensory, interactive journey through
Minneapolis history.
704 S. 2nd St.
Minneapolis, MN 55401-2163
612-341-7555
millcitymuseum.org
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
An impressive collection of art, from antiquity to the present,
housed in a great, sprawling building.
2400 3rd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-3131 or 888-642-2787
artsmia.org
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The largest urban sculpture garden in the country, featuring more
than 40 sculptures and the Cowles Conservatory.
726 Vineland Place
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-375-7600
garden.walkerart.org
Minnesota Children's Museum
A colorful, five-story indoor playground that educates as it
entertains.
10 W. 7th St.
St. Paul, MN 55102-1104
651-225-6000
mcm.org
Minnesota History Center
Glorious architecture and expansive exhibits that are fitting tributes
to the past and present.
345 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102-1903
651-259-3000 or 800-657-3773
mnhs.org/historycenter
Science Museum of Minnesota/Omnitheater
Dazzling riverfront digs that house thumbs-up fun and hands-on
learning. A full-immersion movie experience, with an image 10
times larger than conventional flicks.
120 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102-1208
651-221-9444 or 800-221-9444
smm.org
Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum
Stylized re-creations of Twin Cities railroad history are depicted in
more than 3,500 square feet of model-railroad heaven.
1021 Bandana Blvd. E. Suite 222
St. Paul, MN 55108-5111
651-647-9628
tcmrm.org
The Walker Art Center
This sleek, soothing space houses a stunning collection of
modernist works.
1750 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-375-7600
walkerart.org
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Cultural Venues
Brave New Workshop
Improvisational comedy and topical satire have made this Dudley
Riggs legacy legendary.
2605 Hennepin Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-332-6620
bravenewworkshop.com
Children's Theatre Company
A major regional theater devoted entirely to works for children.
2400 3rd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55404-3597
612-874-0500
childrenstheatre.org
Guthrie Theater
America's regional theater movement was born when Sir Tyrone
Guthrie founded this Minneapolis company.
818 S. 2nd St.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
877-447-8243 or 612-377-2224
guthrietheater.org
Mixed Blood Theatre
Founded by Jack Reuler '75, this professional, multi-racial company promotes cultural pluralism and individual equality through artistic excellence
1501 S. 4th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
612-338-6131
mixedblood.com
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Minnesota's premier performing arts center. The Ordway's International Children's Festival featuring performances for children occurs the same weekend as Reunion 2010.
345 Washington St.
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-224-4222 (box office), 651-282-3000 (main)
ordway.org
Penumbra Theatre
This theater has been making art from an African-American perspective
for 28 years, collaborating with such vanguards as August
Wilson and Laurie Carlos.
270 N. Kent St.
St. Paul, MN 55102-1744
651-224-3180
penumbratheatre.org
Stepping Stone Theatre
A theatre in its 21st year of serving youth from diverse backgrounds by teaching life skills through theatre.
255 Victoria Street North
St. Paul, MN 55104
651-225-9265
steppingstonetheatre.org
Theatre in the Round
The Cities' oldest amateur theater company has established
a sterling reputation.
245 Cedar Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
612-333-3010
theatreintheround.org
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Minnesota's premier performing arts center.
345 Washington St.
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-224-4222 (box office), 651-282-3000 (main)
ordway.org
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Attractions
Padelford Packet Boat Company Inc.
Travel like Mark Twain on an old-fashioned Mississippi riverboat.
Four riverboats provide for an enchanting escape. Two landings,
one on Harriet Island in St. Paul and another on Boom Island in
Minneapolis, are the pick-up points for these narrated tours.
800-543-3908
riverrides.com
Valley Fair Amusement Park
The closest amusement park to the Twin Cities, just 40 miles
away, has everything: water park, roller coasters, children's rides,
mini-golf and bumper cars.
One Valleyfair Dr.
Shakopee, MN 55379
800-FUN-RIDE
valleyfair.com
Down in History Tours
Down in History Tours offers a fresh and unique alternative to
the typical city tour. Tours offered: Historic Cave Tour, St. Paul
Gangster Tour and seasonal tours.
215 Wabasha St. S.
St. Paul, MN 55107-1805
651-292-1220
wabashastreetcaves.com
Minnesota Twins
Minnesota's major league baseball team
twins.mlb.com
Saint Paul Saints
St. Paul's minor league baseball team
saintsbaseball.com
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Neighborhoods, Pedestrian Areas and Shopping
Dinkytown, Minneapolis
A colorful, diverse, funky neighborhood adjacent to the University of Minnesota campus around 4th St. and 14th Ave.
Grand Avenue
A charming and vibrant 25-block avenue, stretching from the river to downtown St. Paul, with diverse restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops. Called "best mix of local and national [stores] along one strip" by Mpls St. Paul Magazine, Dec. 2004.
grandave.com
Lowertown
An historic neighborhood rich with artists’ studios and galleries, restaurants, parks, coffee shops, churches and the 150-year-old St. Paul Farmer’s Market—downtown St. Paul, near the corner of 5th and Wall.
Mall of America
This cement-and-plastic behemoth is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the U.S. At 4.2 million square feet, it’s the size of seven Yankee Stadiums and home to more than 500 stores, 60 eateries, a 14-screen movie theater, an indoor amusement park and an aquarium.
8100 24th Ave. S.
Bloomington, MN 55425
952-883-8800
mallofamerica.com
Mercado Central
A Latin American mini-mall with one-stop shopping for everything south of the border. The shopping heart of Minneapolis’ Latin American community can be found at 1515 E. Lake St., Minneapolis.
mercadocentral.net
Midtown Global Market
An internationally themed public market featuring fresh and prepared foods, restaurants, and a selection of arts and crafts from around the world.
midtownglobalmarket.org
Mississippi River Boulevard
Just over a mile west of Macalester down Summit Avenue, explore 72 miles of trails with a scenic view of the river.
Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
This 12-block pedestrian shopping mall is home to shops, theaters, department stores, and restaurants. On Nicollet Ave., between Washington Ave. S. and 13th Street S. in downtown Minneapolis.
Summit Avenue
Longest uninterrupted stretch of Victorian homes in America. Once home to F. Scott Fitzgerald (559 Summit Ave.) and Sinclair Lewis. One block north of Macalester.
Uptown, Minneapolis
Young and hip, this city neighborhood offers great shopping along lively sidewalks. The neighborhood is dotted with coffee shops, European-style bakeries, delis and three independent movie theaters.
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Parks
Como Park, St. Paul
This 450-acre park includes an 18-hole golf course, zoo, conservatory,
the historic Cafesjian’s Carousel, Como Lake, Japanese
gardens and Como Lakeside Pavilion. There are amusement rides,
paddleboat rentals, a mini-golf course, pony rides and an outdoor
pool.
Chain of Lakes, Minneapolis & W. Suburbs
The Chain of Lakes, both a part of the Grand Rounds and one of Minneapolis’ most highly visited locations, comprises a number of parks along a chain of connecting lakes. A 13.3-mile biking/walking/jogging path encircles the entire chain, providing a beautiful setting for activity.
Harriet Island Park, St. Paul
A grand green space down by the riverside including steps leading down to the Mississippi River, an expanded and renovated pavilion, the 12-acre Great Lawn, a 20-foot-wide riverside walkway and a new gateway to the West Side.
Indian Mounds Regional Park, St. Paul
Built to enshrine seven 2,000-year-old Hopewell Indian burial mounds, this historic park has nice skyline views and quiet, shady
spots to rest.
Minnehaha Park and Falls, Minneapolis
A 171-acre regional park best known for its massive and impressive falls.
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Fun Facts
Minnesota inventions
Masking and Scotch® tape, Wheaties® cereal, Bisquick®, HMOs, the Bundt® pan, Aveda beauty products, Spam® and Green Giant® vegetables…
By any other name…
The original name of the settlement that became St. Paul was Pig’s Eye Landing, named for the French-Canadian whiskey trader, Pierre “Pig’s Eye” Parrant, who had led squatters to the settlement.
The skyways
Minneapolis’ famed skyway system connecting 52 blocks (nearly five miles) of downtown makes it possible to live, eat, work and shop without going outside.
You want beaches? We’ve got beaches!
Minnesota has 90,000 miles of shoreline, more than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined. And, Minnesota has one recreational boat per every six people, more than any other state.
We’ve got culture, too...
Minneapolis is home to the oldest continuously running theater (Old Log Theater) and the largest dinner theater (Chanhassan Dinner Theater) in the country. And the Guthrie Theater is the largest regional playhouse in the country. Not to mention, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is the largest urban sculpture garden
in the country.
Toast anyone?
The first automatic pop-up toaster was marketed in June 1926 by McGraw Electric Co. in Minneapolis under the name Toastmaster. The retail price was $13.50.
More Minnesotan ingenuity
Rollerblades were the first commercially successful in-line roller skates. Minnesota students Scott and Brennan Olson invented them in 1980 when they were looking for a way to practice hockey during the off-season. Their design was an ice hockey boot with three inline wheels instead of a blade.
Gangsters in sedate St. Paul?
In the 1920s and 1930s, St. Paul was known as a safe haven for many of the country’s most notorious hoodlums. As long as a gangster didn’t commit any crimes in St. Paul, that person was free to come and go as he or she pleased.
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