My favorite Twin Cities weekend: a cheese-stuffed Jucy Lucy, a walk across the Stone Arch Bridge to the Mill City ruins, art at the Walker and Mia, then a loop around the lakes and over to St. Paul for Summit Avenue and Mickey's Diner. These are the ...
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I order the original Jucy Lucy at Matt's and wait a minute before biting in, because that molten cheese center is no joke.
Matt's Bar and Grill
I settle the Jucy Lucy rivalry myself by getting the Juicy Lucy at the 5-8 Club the same weekend I hit Matt's.
5-8 Club
I hike down the stairs to the bottom of Minnehaha Falls for the best view of the 53-foot drop.
Minnehaha Falls
I walk the Stone Arch Bridge at sunset for views of St. Anthony Falls and the downtown skyline.
Historic Stone Arch Bridge
I ride the Flour Tower at Mill City Museum and finish on the observation deck overlooking the river.
Mill City Museum
Even without show tickets, I walk out onto the Guthrie's Endless Bridge for a free view of the Mississippi.
Guthrie Theater
I book Indígena by Owamni for Sean Sherman's Indigenous cooking, now in its new home inside the Guthrie.
Indígena by Owamni Restaurant - Minneapolis, MN
Spoon and Stable is my pick for a special-occasion dinner in a gorgeous old North Loop horse stable.
Spoon and Stable
I grab a late-night slice at Pizza Lucé after a show in the Warehouse District.
Pizza Lucé Downtown
I catch a concert at First Avenue and find a favorite band's star on the wall outside, Prince's club forever.
First Avenue
I catch a Twins game at Target Field for the skyline views and a walleye sandwich in the stands.
Target Field
I get a smoked Polish sausage and pierogi at Kramarczuk's, a Ukrainian deli that's been in Northeast for decades.
Kramarczuk's Sausage Co. Inc.
I go to Hai Hai for Vietnamese street-food dishes and a tropical cocktail on the patio.
Hai Hai
I squeeze onto one of the 14 stools at Al's Breakfast for blueberry pancakes in a space barely wider than a hallway.
Al's Breakfast
I love the shiny Frank Gehry building at the Weisman Art Museum, and admission is free.
Weisman Art Museum
I always take a photo with Spoonbridge and Cherry at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
I spend an afternoon at the Walker for contemporary art, then step right out into the sculpture garden.
Walker Art Center
Mia is always free, and I could wander its huge collection of period rooms and old masters for hours.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
I pick up a box of over-the-top donuts at Glam Doll's pink Eat Street shop.
Glam Doll Donuts
My Eat Street ritual is a big bowl of pho or bun at Quang, a family-run Vietnamese favorite.
Quang Restaurant
I graze my way through Midtown Global Market, from Mexican and Somali dishes to Scandinavian treats.
Midtown Global Market
I bowl a few frames and grab dinner and a beer at Bryant Lake Bowl, which has a little theater in the back too.
Bryant Lake Bowl and Theater
I walk or bike the loop around Bde Maka Ska and rent a paddleboard when it's warm.
Bde Maka Ska
I do a few rides at Nickelodeon Universe inside Mall of America, the biggest mall in the country.
Mall of America®
The Cathedral of Saint Paul's massive dome is breathtaking, and I always stop in when I'm in St. Paul.
Cathedral of Saint Paul
I tour the James J. Hill House and then stroll Summit Avenue to see the Victorian mansions.
James J. Hill House
I take the free guided tour at the Minnesota State Capitol to see the golden horses up close.
Minnesota State Capitol
I grab a stool at Mickey's Diner, the 1939 railroad-car diner, for eggs, hash browns, and a malt.
Mickey's Diner
I get a slice of Cossetta's thin-crust pizza and pick up cannoli from the pastry shop on the way out.
Cossetta
I go old-school at Mancini's Char House for a steak off the open charcoal grill and live music in the lounge.
Mancini’s Char House
I bring friends to the Science Museum of Minnesota for the dinosaur hall and the views over the Mississippi.
Science Museum of Minnesota
Como Zoo is free, and I always walk through the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory's glass palm dome.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
I end a Grand Avenue stroll with a scoop in a malted waffle cone at Grand Ole Creamery.
Grand Ole Creamery
I go to Hmongtown Marketplace for papaya salad, Hmong sausage, and purple sticky rice at the food court.
