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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

111 Things To Do In Minnesota in 2011

I love making and checking off lists (even though most of mine involve errands, chores, to-dos, etc...).  So, you can imagine my excitement when I came across this list of fun things to do in Minnesota.  It made me realize that John and I have gotten into a bit of a rut when it comes to going out and doing things around town.  (Although, this might have a little to do with the fact that I am currently 8 months pregnant).

We love going out to eat, but we often end up going to our good'ole favorites, even though there are so many other restaurants out there to experience.  I realize that our lives are about to drastically change, and that there will be less time and money for this kind-of thing, but I feel like it will be important to make at least some time for dates and socializing with friends.  Plus, a lot of these things would be feasible with an infant in tow.  That being said, there were several things on the list that I know for a fact we won't be doing (i.e. sky diving, or ice fishing).  I deleted those items, along with a few things that we have already done...  In their place, I added several restaurants that we've been meaning to try, a couple of my New Year's Resolutions, and a few things that we like do at least once a year.

Here is the edited list.  I'm hoping it will inspire us to get out and try some new things in 2011!

111 90 Things To Do In 2011
  1. gulp a lavender tea latte or Thai tea shake from The Tea Garden
  2. watch a flick outdoors (bring a bottle of wine and salads from D’Amico)
  3. try Naviya's Thai Brasserie in Linden Hills
  4. enjoy some lemonade slushies at Fletcher's on Lake Minnetonka
  5. savor the whipped truffle brie at Barbette
  6. join a new mama group at Amma Maternity
  7. sip a wine flight at People's Organic Coffee & Wine Cafe in the Galleria
  8. try out one of the salsa nights held at Loring Pasta Bar on Friday and Saturday nights
  9. take a nap (or just spend a relaxing afternoon) in Guthrie Park
  10. drink a rose gimlet at the Red Stag
  11. plant a vegetable garden
  12. have drinks at the new Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge
  13. visit the Pipestone National Monument (stop and visit Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home in Walnut Grove)
  14. mix Spring Grove Soda (Lemon Sour) with Jack Daniel’s
  15. taste farm-to-table at its best at Quarter/quarter in Harmony
  16. sing along with Mike "Piano Man" Maresh on a weeknight at Nye’s Polonaise
  17. snag some deals at K&G Fashion Superstore in the HarMar Mall
  18. visit Victor's 1959 Cafe for a Cuban brunch
  19. play mini-golf at Centennial Lakes
  20. take a winter walk on Park Point Beach in Duluth
  21. eat at Anchor Fish & Chips
  22. get a facial from Brook at Blink in NE Mpls.
  23. wander the stacks at Common Good Books
  24. dance at 'Wants Vs Needs' at Club Jäger
  25. try the juicy buns at Grand Szechuan in Bloomington
  26. sniff the dirt at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
  27. take a drive up the North Shore from Duluth to Thunder Bay
  28. try the turkey burger at Be'Wiched Deli in Minneapolis
  29. plan a summer BBQ party for John's golden birthday
  30. savor fall with apple picking at Afton Apple
  31. get quenched on the cucumber pear margarita at 3 Squares
  32. take a cooking class
  33. train for and run the TC 10-mile (Oct. 2)
  34. eat the Crème Brulee French Toast at Wilde Roast Café
  35. sip/eat a cognac Alexander at Ike's
  36. try the caramelized onion cream cheese wontons at Ginger Hop, then dance them off at Honey
  37. visit the Macy's 8th Floor "Day in the life of an Elf" display, then watch the Holidazzle parade
  38. happy hour at Liquor Lyle’s (9-11pm everyday)
  39. stomach Zorbaz's Macho Nachoz
  40. check out the sandcastle contest at the Calhoun Beach Bash
  41. get royally good Khao Pad Kapi at Sen Yai Sen Lek
  42. attend the Twins vs. Brewers series at Target Field (July 1-3)
  43. bring Jackson to his first Twins game
  44. sip on the iced coffee at Quang's
  45. run in the Torchlight 5K
  46. attend open mic night at Acme Comedy Co.
  47. order the butterscotch pudding at Nick and Eddie
  48. attend a summer dance at the Ordway
  49. munch on the pot brownie at Bin Wine Bar
  50. dine at sunset at Lake Calhoun's Tin Fish
  51. order the chicken lollipops at Curry 'n Noodles in Hopkins
  52. spend a summer day at Excelsior Commons Beach
  53. drink Buck Hunter wine at Chateau St. Croix
  54. order a Marusya Gold cocktail at Moscow on the Hill
  55. dip into the raspberry chocolate chip ice cream at Sebastian Joe's
  56. travel to the top of the Foshay Tower/W Hotel
  57. check out Modern Cafe for breakfast (try their hash)
  58. attend candlelight yoga at Corepower Yoga (Fri. or Sun. evenings)
  59. enjoy sake on the rooftop of moto-i
  60. have a burger on the back patio at the Lookout Bar & Grill in Maple Grove
  61. kayak or canoe...anywhere
  62. have dinner and dessert at Travail in Robbinsdale (try the agnolotti)
  63. try stand-up paddle boarding at Lake Calhoun
  64. get a reservation at 112 Eatery (try the tagliatelle with foie gras meatballs)
  65. take a three-mile walk around the Arboretum in autumn
  66. stroll through downtown Stillwater, then eat at Luna Rossa’s (try their pistachio gelato)
  67. gussie up at Glamorama in August
  68. chomp on the #5 from Black Sheep Pizza
  69. take in the scenery at Minnehaha Falls
  70. try the chefwich at Victory 44 in Minneapolis
  71. swoon at the Luminary Loppet
  72. put your hands in the air at Soundset 2011 (May 29)
  73. dine at Forum Restaurant
  74. run/bike/walk/skate the Chain of Lakes in fall
  75. savor the mac 'n cheese or tuna casserole at Haute Dish
  76. sip on 'Enter the Dragon' at Barrio
  77. embrace the cold at Chamber's Ice Bar
  78. indulge in one perfect latte at Kopplin's
  79. eat at Bread & Pickle at Lake Harriet
  80. eat at Piccolo
  81. attend Rock the Garden
  82. have a turkey burger at Blvd. Kitchen & Bar in Minnetonka
  83. eat at Spill the Wine
  84. try the tasting menu at Sanctuary (M-Th nights, $35)
  85. eat at La Belle Vie
  86. find Hidden Beach on Cedar Lake in Minneapolis
  87. eat at Kikugawa
  88. try the agnolotti at Bar La Grassa
  89. plan a date night at King's Wine Bar in Minneapolis
  90. sip on a liquor infusion in the lounge at Heartland in St. Paul

    2 comments:

    1. Hi Erica,

      Clearly I need to move back to Minneapolis to go to all of the fantastic stuff on this list! I only did a few of those things, but the food/drink suggestions sound divine!

      Congrats on your pregnancy. I'll add your blog to my reader and keep up with what you're doing :)

      I'd love for you to stop by my website too!
      http://thefoodadvocate.net

      - Beth

      ReplyDelete
    2. Hi Beth!

      Let me know if you're in town and you can help me cross off an item on the list- your choice!

      I just subscribed to your blog. Your recipes look delicious!

      ReplyDelete