Visit Minnesota's beautiful Landscape Arboretum followed by lunch at Thaliwala (sister restaurant to our favorite Indian) - OR - Grab donuts at Baker's Wife and coffee from Northern Coffee Works Hike Minnehaha Falls or Fort Snelling State Park Play Pickelball at Nokomis Community Center courts (bring your own paddle) Have a beer at Venn Brewing
Take in some art at Walker Art Center + Sculpture Garden or the Minneapolis Institute of Art Grab lunch at Gai Noi (tip: parking at Gai Noi can be challenging, but it’s a short/ picturesque walk over the pedestrian bridge from the Sculpture Garden) Visit open artists' lofts at Casket Arts (2nd Saturdays) Have a beer at Indeed Brewing or a cocktail at Earl Giles Distillery Eat dinner at Centro (tacos + margs) or Gorkha Palace (favorite Indian restaurant)
Start the day with breakfast at Hola Arepa or pastries + coffee at Black Walnut Visit the American Swedish institute - OR - Grab coffee + pastries at Rustica Admire the mansions on a casual stroll around Lake of the Isles (~2-3 miles) Continue on to Mill City Museum Walk (part of) the Stone Arch Bridge Grab a beer at Pyres Brewery or a burger at Parlour (tip: go at 4pm to avoid having to make a reservation)
Start with breakfast at Original Pancake House (tip: put yourself on the waitlist to minimize your wait time) For plant lovers, visit Bachman's Flagship store Double down at Mall of America or window shop Galleria Recharge with coffee + a pastry at Cafe Ceres Search for antiques and treasures at the corner of 50th Ave and Xerxes Ave (Loft Antiques, Queenie + Pearl, Hunt + Gather) Grab Lunch at Ama Sushi (great lunch specials) or Coconut Thai Make a dinner at reservation Pizzeria Lola, Rosalia Pizza, or George and the Dragon
Get nerdy at the Science Museum of Minnesota or the Children’s Museum Check out the real and toy trains at Choo Choo Bob's Train store in Saint Paul's Union Depot Play putt putt and other arcade games at Can Can Wonderland (fun for adults + children alike!) Parents, treat yourself to a cold one at Bad Weather Brewery
Walk the quaint + historic downtown Stillwater Grab a beer at River Siren Brewing Drive up the road to William O'Brien State Park and take in the Fall foliage or check out the Franconia Outdoor Sculpture Park Relax on the patio with a glass of wine at Rustic Roots Winery Buy yourself a plant at Abrahamson's nursery
Drive 2.5 hours north to Duluth, MN Walk along Lake Superior in Canal Park and Picnic Point Have lunch at North Waters Smokehaus Hike Jay Cooke State Park, Gooseberry Falls, or Ely's Peak to admire the Fall colors Get ice cream at Love Creamery Do your own Microbrew Tour at the numerous microbrews (Bent Paddle, Ursa Minor, Warrior, Wild State Cider) The next day have breakfast at Duluth Grill