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Home , Mary Tyler Moore, Walker Art Center

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 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, 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 and 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 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. 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 TV 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 , 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 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 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 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. (renaissancefest.org) nepin Theatre Trust. Three of the theaters—the State, Orpheum and Pantages— Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, Aug. 21-Sept. 1, 2014 are former vaudeville/movie houses that were restored to their original opulence Spice up your Twin Cities visit with a late-summer and reopened in the 1990s. Tours spotlight the history and architectural flour- fling at the “Great Minnesota Get-Together.” Savor food on a stick, see farm animals being born and ishes of the majestic venues, built between 1916 and 1921. The Orpheum’s inte- enjoy Mighty Midway carnival rides, big-name touring rior, done in rich Victorian colors, is highlighted by a 2,000-pound chandelier made acts, a daily parade, rodeo, horse shows, agricultural from brass and Italian crystal. The 2014-2015 Broadway on Hennepin season exhibits, and arts and crafts displays. One of the nation’s largest state fairs, it attracts more than two starts with a return engagement of The Book of Mormon (Aug. 20-Sept. 7). Also million visitors annually. (mnstatefair.org) on the schedule are Motown the Musical, Dirty Dancing, Jersey Boys, ’s White Christmas, I Love Lucy on Stage and Kinky Boots, the 2013 Tony Oktoberfest, New Ulm, Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 2014 winner for Best Musical. (hennepintheatretrust.org) This Old World celebration, held in a Southern Min- nesota town that touts its German heritage, features Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is Saint Paul’s premier performance German brass bands, polka bands and New Ulm’s space, presenting a diverse range of productions, from musical theater and famous Concord Singers. Fest-goers enjoy German dance to multicultural fare. Fronting Rice Park in the heart of downtown, it food and August Schell beer, brewed locally since 1860. The festival is held at four locations--downtown (the is also home to the site of a musical glockenspiel, plus German restaurants Minnesota Opera Obtain Minnesota visitor guides and itineraries and contact group- friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info and import shops), the brewery, Morgan Creek and Saint Paul Vineyards and Holiday Inn. (newulmoktoberfest.com)

24 April 2014 LeisureGroupTravel.com

PLAN YOUR TRIP

MINNESOTA ON STAGE every Friday and Saturday night. (chanhassendt.com) Some of the Twin Cities’ most spectacular performances take Chamber Orchestra. Recent shows in the 1,900-seat Music place in a church that was built as a theater seating 1,200 to 1,400. Theater included ’s The Wizard of Oz and North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills stages Easter and The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, with Bring It On: The Musical Christmas spectacles that draw groups from all over the Midwest. and Blue Man Group coming this spring. Construction is underway Expect showstoppers like flying angels in harnesses and horses on the 1,100-seat Concert Hall, which will replace the McKnight and donkeys coming down the aisles. All Things New, an original Theatre, with completion expected in spring 2015. (ordway.org) Easter production with music, boasts a cast of 200 (its final season In Plymouth, a suburb 20 minutes west of is this April). Again this December, a cast of Minneapolis, Plymouth Playhouse is home Commonweal Theatre Company thrives in the little town of Lanesboro. 125 will present a version of It’s a Wonderful base for The Church Basement Ladies, Life with a gospel message. The church has a which has kept audiences around the nation huge kitchen that serves a dinner buffet in the in stitches the past nine years. The Last 400-seat Great Hall before or after select per- (Potluck) Supper, the fifth and final install- formances. (nhlc.org) ment of the series of plays about Lutheran Commonweal Theatre Company brings women in a small Minnesota town, ends its visitors to the historic town of Lanesboro (pop. Plymouth engagement this spring, but The 750) in Southeastern Minnesota’s Bluff Coun- Church Basement Ladies (produced by Min- Underferth Jason try. Reflecting the area’s high concentration neapolis-based Troupe America, Inc.) will continue touring the of Norwegian-Americans, the company annually does a work by country. Returning to the intimate 211-seat theater this July, after 19th century Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, the only theater a triumphant national tour, will be Troupe America’s Ring of Fire— in America with such a commitment. The 2014 season features The Music of Johnny Cash. Though the “Man in Black” himself is Ibsen’s Brand, Arsenic and Old Lace, Around the World in 80 Days, never impersonated, Ring of Fire performers take the audience Every Christmas Story Ever Told and Arcadia. The 200-seat, state- on a journey through Cash’s life and music, from the cotton fields of-the-art theater opened in 2007 occupies a former cheese factory of Arkansas to the Grand Ole Opry, featuring more than 35 of his and sports an interior design reflecting the region’s history and nat- hit songs, from “I Walk the Line” to “A Boy Named Sue.” Plymouth ural beauty, with barn doors as bathroom stalls and stone walls Playhouse is located in the Best Western Plus Kelly Inn, where that recall the surrounding bluffs. (commonwealtheatre.org) LGT groups can sleep, dine and be entertained under one roof. (plymouthplayhouse.com) Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, another Twin Cities-area favorite, has been pleasing crowds since 1968. Recognized as the nation’s largest professional dinner theater and noted for lavish costumes and sets, it serves up the best of Broadway year round and, as the largest restaurant in the state, can serve 1,000 guests a night. Dinner is served at the table with choice of entree, and groups are recognized from the stage. The Midwest premiere of Disney’s The Little Mermaid plays through August, with Hello Dolly! coming after Labor Day and running through January 2015. The four-theater com- plex also presents concerts (rock, pop, country, jazz), and Stevie Ray’s Comedy Cabaret is

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26 April 2014 LeisureGroupTravel.com