A Little Help from Veteran Game Attendees

This is basically my rundown of how my weekend goes when I head up to Minneapolis for a game. I’m from Illinois, so an out-of-towner as well. I’m also just a couple years out of college, so maybe my itinerary would be of interest to you.

If I’m staying one night, I always choose Saturday night. If I’m staying two, Saturday and Sunday (take Monday off). I usually try and get up there earlyish on Saturday and take the Lightrail from downtown Minny to the Mall of America. Women love shopping and spectacles, and that’s exactly what the MoA is. If MoA isn’t your lady’s style, I would highly recommend the “”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicollet_Mall" >Nicollet Mall" portion of Nicollet Avenue downtown. Minneapolis, compared to other metropolitan areas, is very nice and clean, and Nicollet Mall is the best example of that. It’s a nice walk, with many very cool stores.

After blowing money at MoA or on Nicollet I like to hit up the bars that literally surround the Holiday Inn. There is a “five points” intersection right in front of the hotel, and there is a bar on every corner. It’s pretty awesome. I personally like Corner Bar (they’ve got AWESOME pizza), Sgt. Preston’s, and Bullwinkle’s. Crowd in these places has usually been pretty young, college-age types every time I have gone. If you and your lady are looking for more of a fancy, wining-and-dining kind of place, I won’t be as much help there. I’m more of a sports bar guy than a martini bar guy, although I do know of a place called Martini Blu (I believe its near the corner of 4th and 2nd). Never been there though.

Saturday usually ends with me stumbling the 50 yards back to the hotel from the bars. Sunday is, of course, gameday and all the bars nearby offer pretty awesome Sunday brunches. I generally hit up one of them (along with a Bloody Mary) before heading to the Dome (which is not too bad of a walk at all). Sunday night is then a night to find something else wacky to do, or go hit up one of those spots you liked the night before. If you’re cool enough with the bartenders at Corner Bar on Saturday they’ll remember you on Sunday and hook you up.

If you have any other specific questions, just post them up on here. I love promoting the fine establishments I frequent whenever I travel up there!

Hmmm.

Well from the holiday inn metrodome, it would be best to simply walk to the dome. It’s a four block walk or so, but much better than paying for parking.

Below the inn, there is a Grandmas restaurant which is not a bad place to get some breakfast if you can stand the “tons of random crap on the wall” type restaurant.

Grumpy’s is a good place as well, and on the way.

Otherwise, they have food outside the dome. From dogs to ribs, and beer.

Get your beer and food before you sit down, the isles are long so you want to avoid moving once the game stars.

Other than that, good luck in the troughs. Your ol’ lady will be happy she doesn’t have to deal with a drunken guy in purple and gold mardi Gras beads and an AP jersey leaning into you while you do your business.