Favorite Things: Minneapolis

Minneapolis, thought of as the Minie Apple of New York, is a great place to live or visit. Over the years I've had many visitors ask me what there is to do in Minneapolis and it always takes me a minute to answer. After living here for so long it's easy to take advantage of what the city has to offer. Add these to your bucket list!

1. Brit's Pub

After living in Dublin for half a year and traveling to London quite a bit I can honestly say, this is the place to go for authentic fish and chips. On the weekends from May through September Brits has lawn bowling on the roof. It's quite popular so come early to reserve your turf. They also feature rugby and futbol matches and in the summer features movies on the rooftop for free.

2. Target Field

Whether you are a baseball fan or not the new home to the Twins is a definite must see. I had the honor of making history attending a Red Sox game the first week. Watching the game from the Delta Sky360 Ledges Club has it's perks; drinks and food fit for a king. This is how baseball is meant to be enjoyed; outdoors in all of natures glory.

3. Minneapolis Farmers Marke

Every Thursday from 6a-6p May through November. The Nicollet Mall location is in the heart of downtown. Visitors get the unique experience of watching the the workaholics slow down to enjoy the fresh and local produce, flowers, meats and crafts during the "lunch rush." Of course, the best time to go is right away when the selection is ripe for the picking!

4. Minneapolis Sculpture Garde

Home to the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen the Garden is located next to the Walker Arts Museum. The garden is filled with modern and contemporary pieces and is best experienced in the spring and summer. Bonus: it's free!

5. Stella's Fish Cafe

One of the best happy hours around. If you are an oyster lover, this is the place to go. During "Oyster Orgy" get fresh oysters for $0.69 every Friday from 3-6p. From their regular menu, you simply can't go wrong. Choose your dish in complete confidence!

6. Lake Calhoun

Always super busy in the summer it is the perfect place to plop down and people watch. Or, if you are more of the active type, the lake boasts a 3.2 mile bike and skate trail or a 3.1 mile one for walkers and runners. Both trails follow the lake's shoreline. Paddle boating, fishing, volleyball, soccer, softball or archery is also available.

7. Orpheum Theatre

Minneapolis boasts the second highest live theatre (seats) per capita next to New York. The Orpheum is my favorite. It's elegant, rich in history and yet not pretentious. With such attention to architectural detail and design one tends to feel they are in Paris rather than Minneapolis.

8. Orchestral Hall

Home to the internationally-acclaimed Minnesota Orchestra. Also convenietnly located accros the street from Brit's Pub. The acoustics are top notch; best in the region.

9. Spill the Wine

After a long day of work or being a tourist, Spill the Wine is where you go to sick back, let the wine flow freely and just be. It's the perfect place to sample wine and dine on tasty appetizers or enjoy a long meal.

10. Uptown Theatre

Best in the city for showing independent and foreign fills. Embracing old school charm, the theatre is the only one in the area to have true balcony seating. Films do not usually last very long here, a few weeks. At this point, most of the films move down the street the the Lagoon Cinema, a more luxurious version of the Uptown Theatre.