"What to do in Minneapolis?" Topic

Game wise, yes, but otherwise, too. My wife has to go to Minneapolis for training at the end of July and wants me to go along.

But I'll be on my own each day during the week.

I like out of doors activities like flat water canoeing or day hikes. I'm also a model railroader. Good used book stores? And movies – both making and watching. Hobbywise, I'm strictly interested in historical gaming, mostly eighteenth and nineteenth century.

Anyone who know the area, I'd love some advice related to the above.

Thanks!

If you like model Railroads, then you want to go over to Bandana Square. Not far from there is one of the better used book stores in St. Paul, don't remember the name right now, but it is located at the corner of Snelling and University.

That area is also home to several good hobby shops with nice selections of Train stuff – Scale model supply which is on Lexington between University Ave and 94 – just up the road from Bandana Square. If you take Hwy 36 east and get off on Rice st. you will find Hub Hobby.

This same area has two major gaming stores, The Source with a nice selection of historicals and a group that meets on Monday nights and another that meets every other saturday. The other is Fantasy Flight games.

Also, if you like Zoos and gardens and want some place to walk while in that area, try the Como Zoo and Conservatory, which you would pass leaving Bandana Square and heading to Scale model supply on lexington ave. I should note that Scale model supply has a lot of used Railroad stuff for sale. Plus, it is the only place that I know of with about a `12 foot section of brass bits for trains.

In terms of movies, I am sure you will find a lot of interesting places. I know there are some unique theaters in the Upton area of Mpls – down Lake St, towards Lake Calhoun.

Games Stores would be The Source sourcecomicsandgames.com

and Tower Games
towergamesmn.com

We have a model railroad museum you will wish to see.
tcmrm.org

There are a ton of lakes (Minneapolis is the City of Lakes) and several regional parks (and city) with hiking trails.
metrocouncil.org/parks.aspx

And depending on when in July, there is the Minneapolis Aquatennial (sadly abbreviated this year) July 22-25.
aquatennial.com

There is also Fort Snelling historicfortsnelling.org

the Minnesota sculpter garden

walkerart.org/garden

Twins baseball in Minneapolis

link

Saints baseball (minor league) in St. Paul saintsbaseball.com

Mill City Museum millcitymuseum.org (note: great spot on the Missippi in Minneapolis and near the Stone Arch Bridge, an historic Railroad bridge which is now a pedestrian walkway across the river to a nice area of parks and restaurants.)

P.S. Miniatureships mentioned a used bookstore in St. Paul. That would be Midway books.

The Uptown area is worth a visit. Two very fine used book stores (Magers & Quinn, and Booksmart), two excellent theaters (The Uptown, an art-deco gem, and The Lagoon, an avant-garde modern multi-screen) and two great canoeing lakes (Calhoun and Lake of the Isles, complete with canoe rentals) all within easy walking distance. Not to mention an amazing variety of eateries.

(Can you guess why I live here?)

Don't forget the Mall of America. One of the largest malls in the world. If you have kids they have an indoor amusement park in the middle.

The mall is also hosting a Star Trek exhibit for at least a few more months.

Also call up GHQ models and ask for a tour, even if 6mm is not your thing people have had favorable comments about it.

If you like wave pools (or your kids if you have em) then the bunker hills wave pool is my favorite – not as nice as Disney's Typhoon Lagoon but if you get there at the right time you can actually catch a wave for some body surfing.

Both zoos in the area are nice, the State zoo in the south and the Como Park zoo is a very nice smaller zoo.

Ditto on the source for games and Bandana Square train layout – if you like trains you will LOVE that one.

The riverboats nearby are nice to try while you are there.

riverrides.com

Great place to visit in the summer, both days of it!

"…both days of it… lol! Yeah, I hear ya.
If you're gonna drive around make sure you have GPS or a good map. I swear you cant drive three blocks without hitting a river, lake, or something else to go around.

Don't forget the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul.

There is the Jackson Street Roundhouse over in St. Paul – the Minnesota Transport Museum.

There's a great independent model railroad shot at the junction of Lexington & University in St. Paul just off I94.

If you drive 30 minutes east Stillwater is a great town with some good bookshots.

If you want to do lunch one day, let me know.

Well, unfortunately – for my wife, the trip got indefinitely postponed. But, from the response, I'd have to rate Minneapolis as a fine place to visit. So, thanks to all of you for your responses. Perhaps she'll get rescheduled. Just hope it isn't in winter! I'm a Californian – and not a skier.