Downtown Skyway
by Tom_Fields
The winter weather in Minneapolis is notoriously bad. Once, I had a brief layover there while flying over the holidays. It was more than 10 degree below 0 fahrenheit. One way that people cope is by having a lot of covered, heated walkways. Downtown, most major buildings are connected by a network of these pedestrian walkways called the Skyway. Maps of it are displayed all along its length. Despite the awful winters, the city is still livable, because of innovations such as this.
You are looking southwest down...
by photobf
You are looking southwest down Hennepin Avenue toward the intersection with 9th Street. This picture was taken from the skyway connecting LaSalle Plaza and the Carmichael Lynch Building. Cafe De Napoli is on the far right. The State Theater is on the left.
not my pic
Make nice but not frienships
by Minneserenity
1--First off"Minnesota Nice" is more accurately "Minnesota Polite" at best. At worst it's "Minnesota/ Ice and/or Passive Aggression." And the farther west and northwest you go into our state, the more weirdly cliquish and covertly hostile they get. The demarcation linfe for this starts just west of the Mississippi in St. Cloud, MN--arguably the most boring city relative to its size in the state if not the country.
2--Therefore, *BEWARE*: Don't ever mistake "Minnesota Nice/Polite" for a potential friendship. Sure, they'll gladly give you directions if you're lost, call 911 on your behalf, pull you out of an auto wreck and maybe even give you CPR while the ambulance rushes to the scene. Then they'll even put on the inevitable "aw shucks" performance for the local TV news. But presume any closeness or warmth from your new acquaintance, and trust me, you'll get permanent frostbite from the cold shoulders you'll receive.
3--Bottom line: Unless you're foreign and fascinating, extremely rich, handsome, famous, or already have friends/relatives here who actually like/love you (as if you ever did!) I'd avoid eye contact, deal with ATM's and other non-human conveniences whenver possible, and for God's sake, whatever you do, stay in the right lane(!) unless you really want to find out how "nice" Minnesotans can get on the freeways where the *real* state motto is as follows:
Happiness is a destination, and %#@^% whoever/whatever gets in our way...oh, and praise Jaysus!
Here in MN we smugly like to think we're nicer everyone else.
Well, have *TWO* nice days!
The second one is on us!
See!
That'll learn ya!
Unpredictable weather
by xmanda
Traveling light is always a smart way to travel. Depending upon what time of the year you are visiting...the difference is clothing and weather gear dramatically changes.
FOR WINTER/FALL...bring gloves, a hat *something to cover your head*, a warm jacket, warm shoes, ANYTHING TO KEEP YOU WARM. winters aren't brutally harsh,, but we have them days ;)..
SPRING/SUMMER : bring a light jacket..spring time can be chilly. an umbrella is always smart to have handy due to storms and rain.
Minnesota weather is CRAZY. It goes from 10F to 40F in no time...or from 60 to 80F.
The best thing to do is check weather reports before visiting so you can be prepared. NEVER assume weather!! Toiletries and over the counter medical supplies are easy to buy over here..and the price usually is reasonable.
Always remember to bring prescription orders though...
Hockey history in New Hope!
by mazzzino
As I went to Minneapolis on work I was sent to the small suburban city of New Hope. I followed a Swedish team (Malmo Redhawks) who played in a youth ice hockey tournament.
I saw a few games in the nice little hockey arena which had two rinks.
What I didn't know was that it was historical ground. Not only had they had a few local players in the NHL, this was also the place where most of the game footage from the movie 'The Mighy Ducks' (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104868/) was shot.
Every year in November they also play the Nike Bauer National Invitational Tournament for players under 20.
New Hope Ice Arena
4949 Louisiana Avenue North, New Hope, MN 55428