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

Fall Travel: Where To Go and Where To Stay This Season

LOUISIANA Two years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, New Orleans is getting a shot in the arm from Smithsonian Magazine. The publication is teaming up with the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to host CultureFest on October 26-28th in “The Big Easy.” CultureFest is one of the magazine’s signature events, which showcases a particular state’s history, cuisine, arts and more. It typically draws several thousand visitors. In years past it has been held in Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Portland, Oregon. If you are planning to make the trip to New Orleans next month for CultureFest, you may … Continue reading

Family-Friendly Attractions In Charlotte, North Carolina

Like many travelers, my first introduction to Charlotte, North Carolina came during a business trip. At that time I didn’t have the ability (or desire) to visit all of the area’s most popular family-friendly attractions (I didn’t have children back then). I didn’t know what I was missing. And neither will you until you step foot into some of these kid-friendly attractions that cater to the curious child in all of us. Discovery Place The Discovery Place is a hands-on science and learning center located a few blocks north of “The Square” (the city’s oldest intersection in the heart of … Continue reading