I CONIC M INNESOTA It’s not a trip without seeing some of the state’s signature sights By Randy Mink Any group visit to Minnesota should include a few of its one-of-a-kind attractions—special places prime for photo opportunities and bragging rights. Here are seven of those only-in-Minnesota crowd-pleasers that add pop to a tour itinerary. Spoonbridge and Cherry, Minneapolis This whimsical water installation draws visitors to the heart of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, an 11-acre green space with more than 40 sculptures from the Walker Art Center’s The monumental fountain-sculpture Spoonbridge and collection. Spoonbridge and Cherry has been a city symbol since Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen is the big draw at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. its completion by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen in 1988. The spoon tips the scale at 5,800 pounds and the cherry Around,” the scene of a tam-tossing Mary Richards, the main char- weighs 1,200 pounds. The free-admission garden, a crown jewel acter in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, was filmed partially in front of the city’s park system, is located just across the street from the of Dayton’s department store (now Macy’s) on the 12-block transit Walker Art Center, one of the nation’s most visited contemporary corridor reserved for pedestrians, bicyclists, taxis and buses. Many art museums and famous for its cutting-edge 20th century art. tourists assume the pose next to Mary, appearing to fling a hat into Within the sculpture garden is the small Cowles Conservatory. the air. Nicollet Mall buzzes from morning to night, offering scads Meet Minneapolis Meet (walkerart.org) of stores, restaurants and sidewalk cafes. Visitors gravitate to Tar- get’s two-level flagship store and the three indoor shopping malls— Mary Tyler Moore Statue, Minneapolis City Center, IDS Crystal Court and Gavidae Common (with The opening sequence of a beloved 1970s TV sitcom set in Min- downtown’s largest food court). Buses are free along the mall, and neapolis is memorialized by an eight-foot bronze statue on Nicol- the Minneapolis Farmers’ Market holds forth every Thursday from let Mall in the downtown shopping core. To the tune of “Love is All May to October. 22 April 2014 LeisureGroupTravel.com Mall of America, Bloomington millions of vacationers since 1937. Made of steel, cement and Located 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and Saint wood, the giant statues are touched up each year before the Paul, this retail magnet for the Upper Midwest draws more than summer tourism season begins. Four blocks west of the mythi- 40 million visitors a year to its 520 stores and restaurants, mak- cal lumberjack and his trusty ox is the Bemidji Woolen Mills out- ing it far and away Minnesota’s most popular destination. let store, which brims with the warm clothes it’s made for loggers A city unto itself, the nation’s largest shopping and entertainment and outdoorsmen since 1920. Another group favorite: The historic complex—all under one roof—contains the largest indoor Chief Theater, home to the Paul Bunyan Playhouse, a profes- amusement park, Nickelodeon Universe—and even has its own sional summer stock company. (visitbemidji.com/bemidji/ zip code. It would take 86 hours if you stopped in every store for paulbabe.html) 10 minutes. Talk about shop ’til you drop! And remember, Min- nesota imposes no sales tax on clothing and shoes. The next Mississippi River Headwaters Post, Itasca State Park phase of the megamall’s expansion is set for completion in 2015. A tree trunk sign greets tourists who make pilgrimages to the (mallofamerica.com) Mississippi River Headwaters site, where the mighty river begins as a humble stream flowing out of Lake Itasca on its 2,552-mile SPAM Museum, Austin journey to the Gulf of Mexico. A trail leads from the Mary Gibbs A favorite for generations of Americans, SPAM has been manu- Mississippi Headwaters Center to the Headwaters Post, where factured in Austin since 1937 by Hormel Foods Corp., one of the some people wade across the river’s source while others negotiate largest food production companies in the world. Celebrating the the neatly placed stepping stones. Outdoor display panels and ex- luncheon meat in the navy blue-and-yellow pull-tab can, the fun mu- hibits in the Headwaters Center discuss the river and early explor- seum is a wonderland of memorabilia, from radio jingles and TV ers. Minnesota’s first state park, established in 1891, also offers an commercials to a letter from Gen. Dwight Eisenhower recognizing excursion boat, a historic lodge with restaurant and exhibits about re- the importance of SPAM to his troops during World War II. On a gional lore in the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. The town of Park make-believe production line you can don a white butcher coat and Rapids, a gateway to the park 20 miles south, has an attractive race against the clock. The gift shop sells hundreds of different three-block shopping district along Main Avenue, SPAM logo items and every variety of the meat. Not far from the plus a number of summer theater options. museum, the Hormel Historic Home gives insight into the life of Nearby is Tamarac National Wildlife George Hormel, who founded the meat-packing company. In the Refuge, a place to see migratory red-brick mansion, groups can take part in a cookie bake and/or waterfowl and lush beds of wild rice enjoy a traditional German lunch buffet. (spam.com) grown by the Ojibwe. (http://dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/ World’s Largest Boot, Red Wing itasca/narrative.html) The Red Wing Shoe Store & Museum displays the world’s largest boot, created in 2005 for the company’s centennial. It’s a size 638½ D, stands six feet tall and weighs 2,300 pounds. Tours of the factory are available from May through October. Other diversions in the scenic Mississippi River town include stage entertainment at the 1904 Sheldon Theatre, gaming at Treasure Island Resort & Casino, two wineries and the fall foliage that blankets the bluffs. The Pottery Shopping District on Old West Main features the new Red Wing Pottery Museum in the former Minnesota Stoneware Co. building and Red Wing Brewery, which recently re-opened after a 60-year hiatus. (redwing.org) Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, Bemidji On the shores of Lake Bemidji in downtown Minnesota icons, clockwise from top: Bemidji, in a landscaped parking area next to the Mary Tyler Moore Statue, Mall of America, visitor information center, stand the massive stat- Mississippi Headwaters, ues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, World’s Largest Boot, and Paul Bunyan and a photo opportunity if there ever was one. The col- Babethe Blue Ox. orfully painted northwoods folk heroes have awed LeisureGroupTravel.com April 2014 23 TOP MINNESOTA EVENTS Judy Garland Festival, Grand Rapids June 10-15, 2014 The Judy Garland Museum every year honors the legendary singer and movie star, born Frances Ethel Gumm in Grand Rapids in 1922. There are lectures, stage performances and The Wizard of Oz film show- ings. Visitors are encouraged to wear their favorite Oz character costume. This year’s 38th annual festival Hennepin Avenue playhouses in downtown Minneapolis include the historic State Theatre. marks the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz (1939) movie, and the museum debuts its new 3,000-piece Wizard of Oz exhibit. (judygarland museum.com) MINNESOTA ON STAGE Bayfront Blues Festival, Duluth Aug. 8-10, 2014 he Twin Cities area has a reputation for the quality and quantity of its Showcasing nearly 30 national performances on two T theater companies. A marquee theater destination, Minneapolis-Saint concert stages, this is one of the Midwest’s largest Paul claims 75 professional theater groups and more than 30 performance outdoor music festivals. Events also include a Moon- light Mardi Gras Cruise and blues acts at nearly 20 venues. Another bragging right: Minneapolis boasts more live theater seats per nightclubs. The event takes place in Canal Park on capita than any other city outside of New York. Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the Across the state, groups will find first-rate theatrical fare in smaller towns as world. (bayfrontblues.com) well. From Broadway musicals and religious productions to classic works by Shakespeare and Ibsen, Minnesota’s calendar is a theater lover’s dream. The nationally acclaimed Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis is known far and wide for its innovative presentations of both classic and contemporary works, including Shakespeare. Housed since 2006 in an architecturally striking building with a blue exterior, it features three stages and dramatic public spaces, including a 175-foot cantilevered lobby overlooking the Mississippi River. There are many dining and bar options. Jousting knights at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival Backstage tours highlight the steps that take a play from conception Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Shakopee to performance, with stops at the Aug. 16-Sept. 28, 2014 Journey back in time to a 16th century European costume, props and set shops. Up- village at one of the country’s largest renaissance coming productions include Hamlet, fairs, now in its 44th year. Highlights include jousting The Three Musketeers and My Fair by knights in armor, elephant rides, belly dancing, Lady. (guthrietheater.org) games, entertainment on 16 stages and 120 food The Guthrie Theater offers backstage tours. booths. Some 250 artisan booths sell everything from For splashy Broadway musicals, period attire to real battle axes. The event, held on top comedy acts and big-time concerts, head to downtown Minneapolis’ weekends, welcomes almost 300,000 people each Hennepin Avenue Theater District, home to four venues operated by the Hen- year.