Minneapolis Things to Do Tips by Stephen-KarenConn Top 5 Page for this destination

Mary Tyler Moore Statue

If you're an old timer like me, or even if you're of the younger set but watch old re-runs on television, you have seen the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Her show was a situation comedy based in Minneapolis. It was one of my favorites back in the 1970s.

Mary Tyler Moore, with bright smile, upbeat attitude and cheery disposition was truly one of America's sweethearts. She is honored and remembered fondly by the people of Minneapolis with this statue which stands on a downtown sidewalk, in front of the building where her fictional character (Mary Richards) worked.

A plaque beneath the statue reads: MARY TYLER MOORE: Who can turn the world on with her smile?

Don't leave Minneapolis without stopping by to pay your respects and have your photo taken here. There are other Mary Tyler Moore sites in Minneapolis and you may learn about them by clicking on the web link below.

Directions: Seventh Street and Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Gunnar Wennerberg Statue

In Minnehaha Park there is a statue of the Swedish poet and composer Gunnar Wennerberg (1817-1901). There is no information about Wennerberg on the statue except for his name, and even that is difficult to read. However, with a little research I learned more about him.

Gunnar Wennerberg was a native of Lidkoping, Sweden and a teacher who worked to reform the system for educating teachers in his home country. Wennerberg also chaired the committee that organized Sweden's national museum, served in the Swedish parliament and was a cabinet minister for several terms. After he retired he served as the Governor of the county of Kronoberg.

Wennerberg's musical compositions were mainly written for duets, trios and male choruses, although as a university student, he wrote cheery songs. In later life his songs reflected patriotic and religious themes.

Directions: In Minnehaha Park, between the John H. Stevens House and Minnehaha Falls.

Website: http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Gunnar_Wennerberg

Minnehaha Falls Minnehaha Creek / Falls Review

This magnificent 53-foot waterfall was made famous by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem, A Song of Hiawatha, which he penned in 1853. Longfellow, who lived in Massachusetts, only saw the falls in photographs. For the city of Minneapolis it is a wilderness treasure in the middle of an urban area, a natural feature few other cities can match.

Minnehaha Falls is the main attraction of Minnehaha Park and has been a magnet for both locals and tourists city for almost 200 years. Minnehaha comes from the Dakota Indian language, " Mni" meaning water and "haha" being falls. "Minnehaha" is also sometimes translated as "laughing waters."

A popular hiking loop begins at the falls and follows the course of Minnehaha Creek through fields, woods, marsh and a deep ravine.

Address: 4900 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55417

Directions: Near the entrance of Minnehaha Park

Phone: 612-230-6400

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnehaha_Falls

Minnehaha Park

Our favorite of all the places we have visited in Minneapolis is Minnehaha Park on the banks of the Mississippi River. Established in 1889, it is one of Minneapolis’ oldest and most popular parks, drawing more than ½ million visitors each year.

Minnehaha Park is comprised of 193 acres of fields and forests centered around a magnificent 53-foot waterfall - a touch of wilderness grandeur in the city. There are hiking trails which lead along Minnehaha (Laughing Waters) Creek to limestone bluffs and river overlooks. Also the visitor may find many other points of interest including historic sights, recreational opportunities and picnic areas.

The remaining tips in my "Things to Do" section will outline a few of these attractions in a very special park.

Address: 4801 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55417

Directions: The entrance to Minnehaha Park is at the intersection of Hiawatha Ave. in Minneapolis

Phone: 612-230-6400

Website: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=4&parkid=252

Basilica of St. Mary

The Basilica of St. Mary is not a tourist attraction but an active Catholic parish with a very full schedule of services and ministries. Visitors are welcomed. Even for the non-religious person it is well worth seeing simply for the historical and architectural values.

St. Mary was the first basilica built in America and is one of only 40 basilicas in the United States today. It has been a cornerstone of the Catholic faith in Minneapolis since 1914, and is considered a co-cathedral with the Cathedral of St. Paul in the nearby Twin City.

Address: P. O. Box 50010, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Directions: Located on the corner of Hennepin and N. 17th Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Click the web link below for more detailed directions.

Phone: 612-333-1381

Website: http://www.mary.org/

Mall of America Mall of America Review

The Mall of America, in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington is the largest shopping mall in the United States and the number one tourist attraction in the state of Minnesota. People literally travel from all over the world to shop and play in this unique place. I list it here as a "Things to Do" tip because the Mall of America is a "Must See" whether or not you go shopping.

The Mall has over 500 shops, numerous restaurants, a wedding chapel, an aquarium an indoor amusement park complete with roller coasters and much more. It is on three very large levels and you should plan 2 or 3 hours just to walk through the place. Some people spend an entire weekend here.

Karen and I enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon and evening at the Mall. We had a nice dinner, did a little shopping, and a LOT of walking and looking. You can find everything here you can imagine - and then some.

Address: 60 East Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425

Directions: At the crossroads of Interstate 494 and Highway 77.

Phone: (952) 883-8800

Website: http://www.mallofamerica.com

Colonel John H. Stephens Statue

This statue honors John Harrington Stevens 1820-1900, the first white settler on the west bank of the Mississippi River in what is today Minneapolis, Minnesota. He provided ferry service across the river in exchange for the right to occupy the site, which was then part of the Fort Snelling military reservation.

Stevens, born in Quebec, Canada, became a colonel in the United States Army and saw duty in the Mexican-American War. He later served in the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1857–1858 and the Minnesota Senate in 1859–1860. He returned to the house once later in 1876.

Address: 4801 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55417

Directions: In Minnehaha Park, in front of the John H. Stephens House.

Phone: 612-230-6400

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_H._Stevens

John H. Stevens House

This small white house, preserved in Minnehaha Park, was the first wood frame house built west of the Mississippi River. It was the home of Colonel John H. Stevens who served in the United States Army doing the Mexican-American war.

As the city of Minneapolis has expanded and developed the house was been moved several times. The final move to this spot in the park was in 1896, with the help of hundreds of Minneapolis school children and a team of horses. The house was loaded on a trolley and pulled to its current location in Minnehaha Park. It is periodically open for viewing free of charge, and the outside and grounds may be seen at any time.

Address: 4801 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55417

Directions: Near the entrance to Minnehaha Park.

Other Contact: johnhstevenshouse@msn.com

Phone: 612-722-2220

Website: http://www.johnhstevenshouse.org/

Nicollet Mall Nicollet Mall Review

Nicollete Mall, a pedestrian street, is the place where things are happening in downtown Minneapolis. The "Mall" stretches for several blocks between Washington Avenue and South 13th Street. The street has very wide sidewalks and a two lane roadway on which only busses and taxis are allowed.

Along the way are numerous shops, restaurants with outside dining, hotels, etc. Weather permitting, you may see street entertainers and vendors which help to create a festive atmosphere. In the 1100 block, Peavey Plaza provides a nice place to relax, with fountains and shade trees.

On the beautiful spring day of our visit to Minneapolis the street was loaded with people. Street entertainers and vendors helped to create a festive atmosphere. It certainly seems to be the place to see and be seen in Minneapolis and no trip to the city would be complete without taking a stroll through Nicollete Mall, whether you're shopping, looking, or just stretching your legs.

Address: Nicolette Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Directions: Between Washington Avenue and South 13th St., in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicollet_Mall

Mask of Chief Little Crow

A mask of Chief Little Crow of the Sioux can be seen in Minnehaha Park near the Falls. Chief Little Crow was the eldest son of Cetanwakuwa (Charging Hawk). However, his father's name was mistranslated Crow instead of Hawk, and hence the son became known by the whites as "Little Crow." His real name was Taoyateduta, His Red People.

The mask commemorates the chief, who was killed by a white wood-chopper named Lamson in 1863, the year following the 1862 Dakota conflict. This was during the same time as America's War Between the States.

The mask is in an area considered to be sacred to American Indians.

Address: 4801 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55417

Phone: 612-230-6400

Website: http://www.dlncoalition.org/dln_nation/chief_little_crow2.htm