Minneapolis—-More than Just Home to the Mall of America

I admit it; one of my first trips to Minneapolis, Minnesota was to visit what was then the world’s largest indoor shopping center–the Mall of America. The massive retail establishment is located in the suburb of Bloomington and is worth the 20-minute car ride from downtown Minneapolis. It is considered the Mecca of malls and with 2.5 million square feet (another 1.1 million square feet is being added), more than 500 stores, an indoor amusement park, a 1.2 million-gallon aquarium with more than 8,000 fish and other aquatic creatures, a virtual submarine ride, a wedding chapel, a NASCAR simulator, 50 … Continue reading

Infamous Minneapolis Airport Bathroom Getting Make Over

In a previous blog I described how a single restroom in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was fast becoming one of the Twin Cities’ most popular tourist attractions. Thanks to Senator Larry Craig, the infamous airport men’s room where his recent arrest took place is now getting new stall dividers that stop just shy of the floor. It’s an addition airport officials say makes the stalls less inviting for inappropriate liaisons. Currently, the dividers leave enough space so a person could easily duck under them. Back in June an undercover police officer said Craig allegedly used the open space under … Continue reading

Visiting Minneapolis Airport’s Infamous Bathroom and What NOT To Take Through An Airport Turnstile

Only in America… That’s what I thought when I heard that the bathroom stall made famous by U.S. Senator Larry Craig’s arrest in a sex sting has become a major tourist attraction in the Twin Cities. According to employees at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, thousands of travelers have been taking pictures of the infamous site where the prominent lawmaker claimed he was merely trying to pick up a piece toilet tissue that fell to the ground. The Idaho Republican was arrested June 11 by a Minneapolis airport police officer and later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Since then … Continue reading

More Minneapolis Must-Sees

In the wake of the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis I have been writing about my favorite Twin Cities attractions. I realize the bridge tragedy is causing many to amend their travel plans and find alternate routes in the Minneapolis area, but hopefully the incident won’t deter you from visiting. The Twin Cities is a vibrant space that has so much to offer. Here now are a few more of my favorite places to visit in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and whenever I visit the Minnesota Landscape … Continue reading

Minneapolis’ Must-See Attractions

In a previous blog I wrote about the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis. In the wake of the tragedy many visitors have been forced to amend their travel plans to the Twin Cities. According to officials, for at least the next 15 months, drivers will have to find alternate routes to get to and from the city and the northern suburbs. Despite the fact that it will be a challenge (and a frustration) for most travelers, it doesn’t take away from the vibrancy of the Twin Cities. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area has so much to offer visitors … Continue reading

Minneapolis’ Road To Recovery

Wednesday’s collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge hit close to home for me. Not only do I have friends and family who live in Minnesota (my cousin’s husband is a doctor at a hospital where many of the bridge victims were treated), but I have crossed that bridge many times myself. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the 35W bridge, it is a major Twin Cities artery. It connects downtown Minneapolis with the University of Minnesota and the northern suburbs. The bridge is packed every day. Typically, you have about 140,000 vehicles (bumper to bumper) trying to speed … Continue reading

Giving Thanks for Safe Travel

I think it is safe to assume that when most of us get behind the wheel of our vehicles we wholly expect that we will get to our final destination in one piece. In fact, many of us are probably so busy either trying to dodge traffic so we make it to said destination on time or are completely distracted by the ten million other mental notes we are formulating in our minds that the thought of NOT getting to work, school, the supermarket or the pediatrician never occurs to us. Bottom line: Safe travel is something many of us … Continue reading