Happier thoughts

[mrissa]

Minneapolitans: if you could take someone on his first tour of the Cities, what would you not want him to miss? Stipulating, of course, that he is a friend of mine, that is, a great big geek, and all right with whatever art, history, etc. we want to throw at him. Also fine with hiking or large amounts of walking. Where would you want to take him to eat? What is a Must See/Do for you?

Non-Minneapolitans: sort of the same question: is there something you've enjoyed when visiting Minneapolis or something you've always wanted to see here?

We already have some ideas -- I've made greykev read War for the Oaks as preparation, so we're doing at least some of the Emma Bull Inspired Tour Of Minneapolis (the Falls, the Conservatory, downtown, uptown, Byerly's). And I have my own favorite spots for eating and wandering and buying books and all those happy things. Also, Kev is a good friend to park in a corner with a book and talk to when you have things to say and not when you don't. So we're not going to have a problem with entertaining him. I'm just wondering what brilliant ideas you-all have.

Comfort reading proceeds apace.

Comments

[pameladean]

The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, and the associated Quaking Bog. The bog is fantastic. It's a peat-moss tamarack bog! In the middle of the city!

I'd advise plenty of insect repellent, though.

Pamela

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I have always wanted to go to the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, but no one would ever take me.

Oh woe and alack.

Where to go?

[careswen.livejournal.com]

Whenever my family comes up to visit from Oklahoma, I always make it a point to take them to one of the lovely water-settings around here, a different one each time. So far, they've seen Hidden Falls, Minnehaha Falls, and Lake Harriet. This year, I think I want to take them to Harriet Island, or maybe have a stroll over the Big River (where's the best place for that?).

And of course, Mom refuses to go a whole visit without a pilgrimage to the Megamall.

The Emma Bull tour is a great idea. Heck, someone should organize that as a local event (if it hasn't been done already, or even so), perhaps in tandem with one of our SF conventions? Geek Field Trip!!

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

You didn't specifically mention Peavey Plaza, but that's one of the important War for the Oaks sites downtown so you're probably including it.

The Lake Harriet Rose Garden can be worth seeing. Haven't looked yet this year, it might be getting started about now.

Walking around lakes -- at least one of Harriet, Calhoun, and Isles.

SF specialty bookstores (both of them) if indicated.

The timing is wrong for the State Fair or Renaissance Festival.

[porphyrin.livejournal.com]

Como. Zoo.

Enough said, right??

Re: Where to go?

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I've never been to Hidden Falls. Approximately where is it?

Bigdale scares me, because I see it as the precursor to a sinister corporate arcology in a cyberpunk future. So when I look at the people around me, I see them Wm. Gibsonized. This is not a happy thing.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

We are Isles partisans in my family, but I already did Isles twice this year and have not done Harriet or Calhoun (or Nokomis, which is about a block from C.J.'s). SF bookstoring is on the list (strongly indicated: greykev is a fantasy-geek-librarian).

Oddly enough the one thing he has done for Minnesota tourism before is the Ren Fest. Or perhaps not so oddly considering that I was his tour guide then, too. I'm totally going to State Fair and Fest this year, and Aquatennial, and possibly the Basilica Block Party, and I went to the Winter Carnival, and if you can think of any other festivals major or minor, I will probably drag one or more members of my family to them. Because I am home, and I'm going to wallow in it this year.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Well, it's right by the Conservatory -- I wouldn't skip the Zoo if I was going to the Conservatory anyway.

If you're going to be home one of the days in question (Thurs. through Tues.) and would like to meet the Kev, hang out, etc., we can schedule that day around you, since you're so close to the Conservatory and Zoo. Or other plans are possible, too. We'll talk this afternoon when I see you.

Fun Stuff

[(Anonymous)]

One of my favorite things to do is go to Lake Harriet on a weekend evening and, after walking or rollerblading around it, have a picnic outside the bandshell while listening to what's playing that evening. Right now there should be a show on every weekend evening at about 7:30, I think. (If you're interested, I've seen schedules online.) Also, one thing I keep thinking would be fun to do, but I've never actually done, is visiting Niagara Cave. It's south of Rochester and is supposed to be one of the largest caves in the US with a huge waterfall in one of the great halls. Oh, and I always like going to the MIA (Minneapolis Institute of Art).

Heathah

Re: Where to go?

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Hidden Falls is in St. Paul; a bit south of Ford Parkway (which corresponds to 46th St. on the Minneapolis side). Specifically, here (http://www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/depts/parks/userguide/hiddenfalls.htm#hiddenfallsmaps).

For a kinder, gentler view of arcologies, try Niven & Pournelle, Oath of Fealty. Or don't, it's probably not really your kind of book I'd guess. For nastier views, try Rober Silverberg, Tower of Glass.

Re: Fun Stuff

[greykev.livejournal.com]

Ooh, caaave!

M'ris? If you or one of the boys is a cavey-type person this sounds like fun! (Kevs like caves when vacationing)

And both the como zoo and "Minnesota zoological garden" in Apple Valley are listed as reciprocators for my zoo membership, FWIW.

Re: Fun Stuff

[timprov.livejournal.com]

I'm a cavey-type person. Niagara's a ways away, though. I wonder if any of the ones in the cities are open to the public.

Como Zoo is free. The Apple Valley one isn't far from us, if you're in a really zooy mood.

Re: Where to go?

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I Was A Teenage Libertarian; I read Oath of Fealty. And enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed any Niven, probably more than I enjoyed most Niven. I believe we still have a copy.

I also read Tower of Glass a little earlier than that, and yelled at the entity who lent it to me. "Why did you lend me this book without warning me? Did you want me to just go hang myself? What a depressing book!" That entity (Jeff, for those of you playing along with the Ralston version of the scorecard), responded, "Uh -- uh -- well, f**********ck, woman!" (Hence a superhero name, but I digress.) And confessed that he had not read it before blithely passing it on to me. Oops.

Re: Fun Stuff

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I will gladly see a cave. I would prefer not to go to the MN Zoo in Apple Valley, despite its proximity; I have not been impressed with it in the past. As T says below, you'd have to be in a really zooy mood. But if that ends up being what you'd like to do, we'll go.

Well, I can't literally TAKE you there

[pameladean]

Because I can't drive. But we might go there together.

If we chose a non-insect-infested time, say late September, we might get David to take us.

Just saying.

Pamela

Re: Well, I can't literally TAKE you there

[timprov.livejournal.com]

I believe no one in this case is her parents/grandparents. We haven't gotten there yet since we moved back, but I don't think that's reluctance on anyone's part so much as incredible busyness this spring.

Of course we'd be happy to have you along.

Re: Well, I can't literally TAKE you there

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

It is, in fact, worse than T has surmised: my mother would probably be thrilled to take me if only we had the time when she was in town. So it's incredible busyness on everyone's part.

But I do like you and David. (I'm sorry I didn't warn you to sit down before I gave you such a shocking revelation. I know I'm usually closed-mouthed and sullen and nobody can quite tell who and what I enjoy. But every once in awhile it just comes slipping out.)

Re: Fun Stuff

[timprov.livejournal.com]

The Apple Valley Zoo has Hans and Tessie (http://www.mnzoo.org/animals/tropics_trail/tapir/tapir_2.asp). And a really nice website, for that matter. Como, neither.