Minneapolis – Highlights, Fun and Signs of Hope

Time to Explore Minneapolis

After a successful Day 1 in Minneapolis, this is the part where the realization of traveling during a pandemic fully hits us, the search for an open coffee shop. We went on a bit of a quest, unsuccessfully walking to three spots listed as open.

At a corner, we were fortunate enough to be stopped by a gentleman who observed our touristy state. He gave us a quick personal story about standing on the balcony during the Foshay Building Grand Opening when he was 3 (Foshay! That’s fun to say).

He then told us that if we stand on the opposite street corner it was the perfect spot to get the tallest buildings in Minneapolis all in one shot. He was wrong, those aren’t the tallest buildings, but what we learned was that Minnesotans are just such friendly, helpful people. 

Finally, giving up on the coffee search, we settled for the closest Starbucks. We were lucky enough to stumble upon another Minneapolis Mural.  Please tell us if you know what song this is:

Sister side note (ssn) – This beautiful mural is 5 stories high and was painted in 1972. Apparently one of most difficult piano solo pieces, it is written by French composer Maurice Ravel called “Gaspard de la Nuit.” The section depicted on the building comes from the third movement, called “Scarbo.”

Minnehaha Falls

We wanted to make sure to get to Minnehaha Falls nice and early.  Less people, less heat.  Pandemics apparently send people out to nature more, and the Falls were first on our must-do list.  Finding such an amazingly beautiful, lush, green spot right in the middle of a huge metropolis is shocking.  But it was gorgeous.  We walked down and around the falls.

The landscape is beautiful, and the entire city park area is so well done.  Commemorated with historic information about the “fashionable tours” of the 1800s, presidential visits, and the Longfellow song “The Song of Hiawatha”, the entire area was a great place to relax, enjoy a morning, learn a little something about the area, and feel a little more connected to nature.

The Minneapolis Protests

Leaving The Falls, we realized we were mere miles away from the site of recent protests.  While trying to remain respectful of this city and all the turmoil it has been through lately, we also wanted to take the opportunity to see the reality of the area and educate ourselves so that we can share with others.

The area leading up to the third precinct is a cute little downtown neighborhood, it really is heartbreaking to think about how badly these events have shaken the people locally.  But there were many many memorials & murals all in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, tributes to George Floyd, and messages of unity.  We spotted many boarded-up windows, several burned buildings, and the completely blocked off ruins of the 3rd Precinct police building that had been burned by protesters that first week.

We Will Carry this Experience with Us

It was sobering, enlightening, and moving. In an attempt to not get too political we are sharing merely pictures of what we experienced and hope that you will take the time to learn your own truth beyond what you read in the media (and P.S., Black Lives Matter).

ssn – we really felt compelled to go visit these tributes, not as looky-loos but to show respect and feel connected. I think we can both say that the city, only one month after George Floyd’s murder, had an uplifted, not defeated spirit. There was very much a positive energy and sense of unified support. The art is tragically beautiful, moving and brought us to tears more than once.

And Then We Needed Food

That’s our transition to happier topics, hope you enjoyed it.

We had been recommended The Hen House Eatery for breakfast. It had great reviews and was located near our hotel.  Oh, so cute little downhome farm-y feel of a restaurant, and they had mimosas…and breakfast shots.  The place was super cute, the service was amazing, the food was just ok.

We loved their selection, and feel in better times it was probably a great place. Everything seemed to need salt, and our breakfast shots lacked bacon.  But like I said, we are in times where there are no condiments on the table, and the servers have an outlined path they must follow around the restaurant.  So while we cannot give this our glowing recommendations, we will definitely give them the benefit of the doubt and try them again later on.

Is That a Viking Ship?

With full bellies, we backtracked a few blocks because down a side street we saw a Viking ship.  And who would we even be if we didn’t go climb on a Viking ship!!!  The entrance to Viking Stadium has an amazing metal ship outside! So huge applause to them for going with the theme of their team, and for providing us a little entertainment.

ssn – this did hurt our Seahawks souls just a little…

Stone Arch Bridge

Also high on Peggy’s list was seeing the Stone Arch Bridge.  And with good reason, it’s also highly ranked on all “must see” lists for Minneapolis.  It’s a foot (and bike) bridge, about a half mile in length, over the Mississippi  River (The Mighty Mississip, the Ole Miss, The Old Man, Big Riiiver).

So we got our steps in, laughed a lot, experienced some locals moving at increased speeds which Peggy said was just this thing called “jogging”. But I took it to mean we should get off this dang bridge because the locals probably knew better than us that it was going to collapse. . .potayto potahto. . .

ssn – so Patti geeks out over literature, I geek out over architecture. I fell in love with this…Mill City Ruins. Another side note – with all of the construction going on, there was no way to actually see the Stone Arch Bridge from the shore so we had to grab a stock image, very frustrating!

Paisley Park (sort of)

With a few hours to kill before our next meal, we needed the make our way to the outskirts of town to see Paisley Park.  It was listed as closed due to Covid, but we decided it was worth the drive to see it. Just to be there, and hope for a good photo opp.  But, alas, it was all locked up, couldn’t even get into the parking lot to pose for a selfie with all it’s purpley magnificence or perform our rendition of Raspberry Beret for security. This obviously would have swayed them in our favor to gain private entry to the museum and recording studio. 

Betty Danger’s Country Club

“Dinner” on day two was one of the plans we had been looking forward to the most:  Betty Danger’s.  In all it’s glory of all you can eat, all you can drink, mini-golf and Ferris Wheel paradise. We had reservations for 5:30 and had zero intention of being late.  Reservations are a must, and it’s a timed entry.

Make Every Minute Count

So get there on time to get front of the line for drinks!  All you can drink, and they are top shelf, not well drinks, poured with love from the amazing bar staff. They have a selection of Ivy League and Sports themed cocktails, but you can also just get beer, wine or a shot.  The food, again, all you can eat, was an awesome selection of chicken filets & sliders and fries and donuts (which we forgot to try!); not health food by any stretch of the imagination, but way above the flash fried frozen food we were expecting.

A couple of drinks, a couple of sliders, a side of awesome sauce, and we were off for a round of mini-golf. . . or was that a Ferris Wheel ride. . .well, first one, then the other.  Plenty of giggling, posing like pin-up girls with our putters and animal statues (that forbade mounting).  We left 90 minutes later, stuffed, buzzed and sorry we didn’t book a back to back reservation with Psycho Suzi’s, Betty Danger’s Non-Ferris-wheel-having, tiki bar themed sister venue.

ssn – Betty Danger’s was a blast!! Everything was on-theme, pink & green throw back Country Club cute! But watch your time, when your 90 min session is up, it is up!! Highly recommend!

We finished off our night with a walk to see the famed Bob Dylan Mural and then called it a night, looking forward to St. Paul and a drive up north for Day 3 – St. Paul and Duluth.