Labor Day Weekend In Minnesota

Known for 69 downtown blocks, Minneapolis has the longest continuous Skyway system in the world making it a great Labor Day attraction to all.

Minneapolis, a city of Lakes, has a bit of history in its pockets – an industrial past that is both gritty and opulent; affordable living that has been attracting millennials in addition to its cultural offerings and recreational activities; ranked highest for having the best parks in the country; and home to the late flamboyant singer, songwriter, and record producer - Prince. Known for 69 downtown blocks, Minneapolis has the longest continuous Skyway system in the world making it a great Labor Day attraction.

Ready for it?

"Unique and Different is the new generation of beautiful. You don't have to be like everybody else." Taylor Swift

No one was ready for the over-the-top show that Taylor Swift put on during her Reputation concert at the US Bank Stadium. I don’t pride myself as being a Taylor Swift fan (in fact, I didn’t know any of the song lyrics that she played at her Reputation concert – well, except Shake it Off, now that was one hell of a song). I did, however, enjoy the concert. It so happens, Taylor Swift is really, really good at this whole pop concert thing. Big rooms require big moods, and she cat walked onto the stage with the right eye roll and hair flip. Her beleaguered fame was stripped once she took the stage with the high wattage beats, indelible tunes, the perfect lighting, the pyro, musicians and dancers all of which made the experience exceptional. It definitely set the tone for the weekend.

Brunch O'Clock

It was another weekend, which meant, it was another time for a brunch adventure, only this time, it was in the Mill City. I’ve read some reviews that Birchwood Café was the place, and I was enthused when we finally decided to go there for brunch. The popularity of this place is no joke. It took us nearly an hour before we placed our order and found seats. Their menu was inclusive - whether you are vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or gluten-free – they have the deliciousness for dayzzz. The Avocado Toast with a side of Potatoes was delectable. I also opted to try the Oats Latte that everyone was raving about and all I’ll say is – move aside Almond Milk, there is a new dairy-free babe in town.

Minnehaha Falls

Perfect outdoor excursion for hikers.

Minneapolis has one of the best park systems in the country and the 53 foot Minnehaha Falls at the center of Minnehaha park was the perfect outdoor excursion for a hiker like myself. There are all kinds of bikes available to ride in the park. One can walk the trails or swim in the beach area, too. This place has a great natural scenery and the falls were lovely. There are playgrounds for kids, and picnic areas for a perfect casual date with bae.

Spoon and Stable

I love stomping on local mom and pop restaurants and outdoor bars when I travel to different cities. Spoon and Stable is a restaurant located in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis in what was once a horse stable. The locale was vibrant providing high-quality French inspired food with small portions that are perfect sizes for most people. They had a large selection of wine bottles, and their cocktail menu was spectacular. If you are ever in the area, hop in and try their Dark & Stormy made with tattersall S&S barrel rum, pineapple, ginger and spices. T’was AAAA --- MAAAZZEEE --- INNNG!!!!

Afternoon Glory

The Jucy Lucy (or Juicy Lucy) is known for Minneapolis’s contribution to the world cuisine as being one of the best cheeseburgers with cheese inside the meat. I am talking about Presidents and the Food Network glorifying this cheeseburger. It is worth the hype, period!!! There is controversy about who really came up with the Jucy Lucy – the 5-8 Club or Matt’s Bar. This beef sensation made with American cheese and freshly baked buns is worthy of being a Minneapolis food icon. The 5-8 Club didn’t have much of an appealing ambiance but, the food was great.

Kayaking

Nokomis is a small lake, but big enough for a paddler to get a good workout without covering the entire boarder. The winds were mellow and made for an easy paddle. No gasoline powered boats are allowed on this lake. There are lots of opportunities for a casual day out on the Lake Nokomis including swimming, canoeing, and fishing. The is also a park area near the lake where people picnic, walk their dogs, and jog.

Sculpture Garden 6pm

A quirky attraction, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden was our last adventure in the city. It includes the country’s largest sculpture gardens including the iconic giant spoon, and blue rooster. It took about 25-30 minutes to walk around and see all the sculptures. One of my favorite sculptures was the Blue Rooster (Hahn/Cock) towering nearly 25 feet and symbolizing pride, power, and courage according to the artist, Katharina Fritsch. This landmark is exceptional. The Cowles Conservatory is right next door to the sculpture garden and is free. If you haven’t gotten your feel from the sculpture garden, check out the Walker Art Center– it’s very artsy!