Activities/Restaurants
NorthStar Tavern
When Tate and Hannah first moved to Bloomington, NorthStar Tavern became one of their go-to places to bring friends and family when visiting! So yummy and a great atmosphere!
Twins Target Field
Tate has been a Twins fan since... well, since forever! Catch a Minnesota Twins Game while you're in town; Tate and Hannah enjoy going to them at Target Field (and on dog-friendly days, especially).
Taste of Scandinavia Bakery & Cafe
Tate and Hannah first tried Taste of Scandinavia the weekend after moving into their home as it's close by... they've been hooked ever since! Full of yummy sweets and comfort food, you can't go wrong no matter the meal!
Minnesota Zoo
A great day of entertainment for littles (or the young at heart!)
Shantytown Grill
A dive bar/burger joint nestled into Tate's and Hannah's East Bloomington neighborhood, you won't be disappointed by the yummy diner-style menu!
Hyland Greens Golf Course
This well-maintained 9-hole course is a great spot in Bloomington if you want to hit the links while you're visiting!
Nine Mile Brewing
A lovely brewery/eatery in Bloomington named for the infamous "Nine Mile Creek" that runs through the city. Hannah and Tate love to bring Rooney here (on the patio) on a sunny Saturday afternoon!
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Hannah & Tate love an annual trip to the Ren Fest here in MN. They're dog-friendly, too, in case you have your pup up with you. We highly recommend using a Park & Ride location and taking the bus to/from the festival. Once you're there, don't forget to try a turkey leg ;) A great way to spend your Saturday or Sunday while you're up in the cities!
Perk Up Kitchen
Tate and Hannah love grabbing a yummy brunch at Perk Up on a Sunday morning!
Tailgate Sports Cafe
Down the road from Hannah's and Tate's home, this sports bar is a great place to catch a game with a beer and burger!
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
If you prefer the art scene, the Minneapolis sculpture garden is a must-stop! Tate and Hannah enjoy a morning stroll through the sculpture garden with a warm cup of joe from one of the amazing local coffee shops nearby!
Heather's Restaurant
A sweet eatery for all meals of the day with indoor and outdoor seating!
Mall of America®
Hannah and Tate only live a few blocks away from this tourist destination! Shop until you drop!
Tap Society
A nice little bar for a quick bite/drinks on your way to cocktail hour!
Minnehaha Falls
A great scenic spot to stop and take some photos, go for a little hike, or to simply sit on a bench and get some fresh air! Tate and Hannah love to bring Rooney to the falls and walk the trails around the park!
Ze's Diner Bloomington
Tate and Hannah love having this family-friendly time capsule of a diner in their East Bloomington neighborhood. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and plenty of sweets)! Many different styles of food are offered via their menu, not just diner style food, too!
Twin Cities Premium Outlets
A large outdoor outlet mall with something for everyone! Shop until you drop!
Nomadic Cafe
This is a local hidden coffee shop in East Bloomington that makes the best spicy chai latte!
Valleyfair
If you like amusement park rides like Tate does (and NOT Hannah), then Valleyfair might be the perfect way to spend your Saturday after the wedding! Just don't stuff your face before you hop on the rollercoaster...
Bricksworth Beer Co.
Tate and Hannah love to come to Bricksworth Brewery for their peanut thai chicken wings and for Tuesday night trivia with Michael (groomsmen), his wife Katie, and their son Kasper. Can't go wrong with a night a Bricksworth!
Bloomington Farmers Market
The Saturday Morning Farmer's market in Bloomington is one of Tate's & Hannah's favorite summer/fall spots! Live music, good food, and fresh flowers are a great way to start the weekend off :)
Andale Taqueria
If you are a Mexican food fan, lucky for you: East Bloomington is blessed with AMAZING authentic Mexican food. Andale Taqueria is one of the best; in fact, Guy Fieri even visited it for his television show, Diners, Dives, and Drive-Ins. Hannah highly recommends the beef lengua tacos!
Normandale Japanese Garden
Normandale Community College here in Bloomington cares for a beautiful garden that's full of color no matter the season (winter aside, of course). Enjoy a little stroll! Bonus: it's free!
Lake Nokomis
Lake Nokomis is one of Tate's and Hannah's favorite places to go for a long walk, swim, or fish. It's got a beautiful beach, walking & biking trails around it, and if you like kayaking, they do offer kayak rentals. Enjoy this gem in South Minneapolis!
Wally's Roast Beef
A cheap, fast classic restaurant for a quick lunch (note: they ONLY open over lunch)... You can't go wrong with this local classic! Saturday special is two roast beef sandwiches ;)
Town Hall Tap
Hannah and Tate love this moody "hole-in-the-wall" pub in South Minneapolis! Enjoy a cold one!
Electric Fetus
Electric Fetus is just one of many record stores in the area that Tate enjoys hunting for vintage records at... It's been around for 58 years in Minneapolis, so they must do something right! ;)
Hyland Lake Park Reserve
Playgrounds, trails, and nature... fun for the whole family! Tate and Hannah enjoy hiking on the trails here year-round!
Snuffy's Malt Shop
Snuffy's is a great spot for a LARGE, classic diner-style meal, complete with a malt. Just be prepared to ask for a to-go box, and even if you think you need the "family size" serving of fries... you probably don't :) Trust us!
General Store of Minnetonka
If you like home decor and gift shops, this is the place for you. Perfect for finding some MN souvenirs, boutique-style clothing, and home goods (along with everything else you can think of)! Easy access right off highway 7!
Glam Doll Donuts
Tate and Hannah love their donuts and this place is a solid Minneapolis staple, if you like pastries and coffee, that is! They make many unique (as well as classic) donuts at this joint!
Arboretum
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska is a great activity for the whole family! We suggest setting aside a good chunk of your day to walk around all of their gardens (the rose garden is our personal favorite) along the trails. In the fall, don't forget to check out their apple orchard and grab a bite at their indoor cafeteria where they utilize the food they grow. We LOVE their homemade ice cream!
Quang Restaurant
Quang is the BEST Vietnamese restaurant in the Twin Cities area... if you're looking for a hearty pho or a spicy bahn sandwich, you must make a stop here while you're in the area. This is where Tate and Hannah went for their Valentine's Day dinner earlier this year :)
Roxy's Cabaret
If you like a good drag show, check out Roxy's Cabaret in downtown Minneapolis on the Nicollet Mall. Grab a ticket for their usual showtime slot on Saturday nights at 7pm!
Sovereign Grounds
One of the best corner coffee shops in South Minneapolis... Tate and Hannah love to stop here after church service on Sunday morning! Bonus for anyone with kiddos: they have a playroom attached to their coffeehouse so you can enjoy a brew while your littles burn off some steam :)
Mill City Farmers Market
Mill City Farmer's Market is a Saturday morning staple spot, running through the late fall. Nestled right along the Missisippi River near the Stone Arch Bridge, this is a beautiful spot to buy a bagel and enjoy a little stroll through the Historic Mill District.
Denny's 5th Avenue Bakery
Denny's is close to Tate's and Hannah's house, so they will often walk Rooney down to this locally-owned & operated bakery in their neighborhood on a Saturday morning. You can't go wrong with Denny's... they've been busy since 1969!
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary
A beautiful park to check out for anyone who loves nature... even more beautiful on a comfortable fall day! Enjoy the outdoors and get some sunshine!
American Swedish Institute
Minnesota is known for the deeply Norwegian and Swedish immigrants who settled in the state. The Swedish Institute is a fun window into the heritage and culture of those immigrants who helped in making Minnesota the place we now call home... In fact, our Swedish ancestors are responsible in part for why Minnesota is the only state to say "Duck, Duck, Gray Duck."