Hello AABC Members! I am super excited to welcome you to the land of 10,000 lakes this fall! I love my home state of Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis has a special place in my heart. We have a lot to offer for all of you visiting the state. I hope I can give you some amazing ideas for you to add to your trip to Minnesota. There’s truly something for everyone here.
Weather - What to Expect (or Not?)
First things first, everyone is talking about the weather in Minnesota! November might be cold or warm. Our weather is pretty fickle and in early November, you never know if you can wear short sleeves or need to pack your parka! Be sure to check the weather report the week of your trip. No matter the weather, in Minnesota, we embrace it and always have fun things to offer.
When the weather is chilly, that is when I recommend a good sauna or hot tub! Check out Cedar & Stone at the Four Seasons Hotel for a guided sauna experience or stay a night at the Hewing Hotel to use their rooftop sauna and hot tub. Another option is The Watershed Spa. The Watershed is a unique community bathing spa with a lot of great amenities. All of these options are less than a 10 minutes drive from the conference hotel.
A Walkable Town
The conference hotel is situated in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. There will be so many places within walking distance to explore. Nicollet Mall is a pedestrian street with restaurants and shops just down the street from the Hyatt. While walking the Mall check out the Mary Tyler Moore statue! Minneapolis also has an extensive skyway system so you can walk all over, no matter the weather. Check out the details online here: https://www.minneapolis.org/map-transportation/minneapolis-skyway-guide/
My Favorite Restaurants
Minneapolis has award winning restaurants and renowned chefs. First, check out Owamni! This indigenous restaurant was started by the Sioux Chef Sean Sherman. They pride themselves in a “decolonized dining experience.” One of my favorites is Young Joni, started by Ann Kim. This place has delicious food inspired by the chefs’ Korean heritage, drinks and a great atmosphere. Nearby the conference hotel, check out Lotus (Vietnamese), The Local or Brits (Irish Pubs), Café and Bar Lurcat, Bucca Di Beppo (Italian, family style) and Sonora Mexican Kitchen.
Art & Music Scene
Do you love Art? Within a 4-minute walk of the conference hotel is the Walker Art Museum & Sculpture Garden. Minneapolis also has a vast amount of murals throughout the city. Check out the “Crown our Prince Initiative Mural” of Prince, another 4 minute walk. You can find it on the corner of 1st Avenue and 8th Street.
We also have a thriving Music scene here in Minneapolis. Did you know that Lizzo and Bob Dylan are also Minnesotan musicians? Down the street from the conference hotel is Dakota, an intimate music club with food & drinks. They always have an outstanding performer every night. You can also check out a concert at First Ave. First Ave is one of the longest-running, independently owned and operated venues in the United States. Lizzo and Prince both started their careers in this venue! If you are a Prince lover, then a tour of Paisley Park is only a 30-minute drive from Minneapolis! Be sure to reserve a spot as they usually do not have availability for drop ins.
Getting Outside
Minneapolis has one of the best bike trails and city park systems in the entire country. Always ranked in the top 5 places to bike, it is easy to get around! If the weather is good, I recommend biking around to see the Mighty Mississippi, Stone Arch Bridge, Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska Lake.
I really hope you enjoy your time in Minneapolis!!
Jillian Helleloid
Director of Billing & HR
Willow Midwives
