A Weekend in Minneapolis

The editor shares her favorite holiday hotspots

Wendy Webb

Minneapolis is my hometown. I love it in every season, but it’s especially marvelous to spend time there around the holidays — all of the stores on the Nicollet Mall have their windows brightly decorated, lights twinkle happily everywhere, the atmosphere is festive and friendly, people are bustling here and there laden with packages, even the skyways are adorned.

Here are my favorite places to stay, restaurants and things to do in Minneapolis around the holidays. These are spots I visit again and again.

Where to Stay

Check with the Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Bureau, now called Meet Minneapolis, for holiday specials at downtown hotels (www.minneapolis.org). Many downtown hotels are running good deals in December. Here are my two favorite places to stay downtown.

W Minneapolis-The Foshay

My dad’s office was in the Foshy Tower when I was growing up, so I have a soft spot for this local landmark. It has recently re-opened as a gorgeous, film-noir-inspired hotel (think 1920s chic meets modern technology) with all the amenities, including the best location in town. Park your car here and walk everywhere. Don’t miss Prohibition, the hotel’s 27th floor bar, located in Wilbur Foshay’s former office. It’s a speakeasy-type of place that harkens back to an earlier time, and provides a breathtaking view of the city lights below. And, like most W hotels, the Foshay is pet friendly.

821 Marquette Ave.
612-215-3700
www.whotels.com/minneapolis

Nicollet Island Inn

You won’t believe this charming, elegant and romantic old world inn is so close to the heart of downtown. The rooms are beautifully appointed, and the bar-restaurant has a view of the river, which is especially pretty in the snow. And the inn always decorated for the holidays. You’ll feel pampered and very welcome here. Parking is free, which is a big plus downtown.

95 Merriam St. (Just across the Hennepin Avenue Bridge from downtown)
(612)331-1800
www.nicolletislandinn.com

Where to Eat

It was difficult to whittle down the list of my favorite restaurants downtown, because there are so many that I love. All of these meet my criteria — great food, comfortable surroundings, wonderful service and excellent selections of microbews and wine. But so many others do, too. Along with the three below, I also recommend Palomino (sit in the bar and order off the bar menu), the Oak Grill, Bellanote, Solera, Brit’s Pub, Rock Bottom Brewery, and, for my money, the best Chinese food in Minneapolis: Ping’s.

The Local

With its dark wood paneling, numerous alcoves for private dining, two enormous bars and Irish pub feel, this is one of the most welcoming places downtown. My favorite time to come? Late on a Saturday afternoon for appetizers and drinks. It’s not crowded and you can really enjoy this pub’s beautiful interior. Here’s a tip: If you’re planning on attending the Holidazzle Parade, call the Local early and reserve a table by the window, so you can watch the parade from inside.

931 Nicollet Mall
(612)904-1000
www.the-local.com

Zelo

I just flat-out love Zelo. The atmosphere is upscale and urban, you can dress to the nines if you want to, but the menu isn’t too far out and fancy. Sure, you can get steak or fish entrees, but you can also get casual dishes here — pizzas, great salads (I crave the Brasiliana), pasta to die for. The service is exceptional, and the bar is one of the hippest places in town. The best thing about the bar is, if you’re 40-plus, you won’t feel old. This is where people our age go.

831 Nicollet Mall
(612) 333-7000
www.zelomn.com

The Newsroom

Looking for a fun place for lunch while shopping on the Nicollet Mall? Stop into the Newsroom. It’s casual enough to bring the kids, yet offers some of the most upscale collections of beer, wine and drinks in town. If you’re in the mood for a great burger, look no further. Two words: Kobe beef. They’ve also got a huge selection of salads and sandwiches, but I never seem to make it past the burger.

990 Nicollet Mall
(612)343-0073
www.thenewsroommpls.com

Things to Do

When you’re done shopping and dining, take advantage of some of the great holiday activities Minneapolis offers every year. All of these things, with the exception of the Guthrie, won’t cost you a penny.

Drive Around the Lakes at Night

Drive around the chain of Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet when the sun goes down and look at all of the mansions with glittering holiday lights. Then stop by the rink on Lake of the Isles and do some ice skating.

The Holidazzle Parade

Every Thursday through Sunday from Thanksgiving through Christmas, downtown hosts the Holidazzle Parade. Float after float covered with twinkling lights makes its way down Nicollet Mall. It’s a great thing to do with the kids, but it’s usually very crowded, so come early. My tip? Park in the Macy’s ramp if you’re not already staying somewhere downtown. It’s easy to get to and quite safe. And don’t forget to bring mittens and hats.

Macy’s 8th Floor Animated Display

Since I’m a Minneapolis-born girl I always think of this as Dayton’s gift to the community at Christmastime. Now it’s Macy’s, but the event is still the same. It’s a free, annual themed display with animated puppets depicting anything from the Grinch to Snoopy to Alice in Wonderland. It’s enormously popular, so come early, make sure the kids have eaten because you’ll be waiting in line for awhile. This year, the theme is a “behind the scenes” look at a day in the life of an elf at Macy’s Santaland. David Sedaris fans will no doubt be snickering at this, but bring the kids anyway.

700 Nicollet Mall
8th Floor (take the elevators by the cosmetics)
(612) 375-2200

Period Rooms at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Since 1951, the MIA has decorated its American and European period rooms to show winter holidays as they were celebrated in times past. Nine rooms showcase a range of special occasions, from a feast in Tudor England to a 1770s Hanukkah celebration in Providence, Rhode Island. Throughout the holidays, visitors can enjoy tours by costumed docents who can speak to the gifts, toys, food, and social traditions of each period. Or, just walk through on your own, hand in hand with your sweetheart. It’s surprisingly romantic.

2400 Third Avenue South
(612) 870-3131

A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie

If you’ve never attended this longtime Twin Cities holiday tradition, do it this year. The new Guthrie, perched over the river downtown, is a gorgeous setting for Scrooge and his cronies. Before the show, walk up to the windows overlooking the river and you can get a good view of the new 35W bridge.

818 South 2nd Street
612-377-2224
www.guthrietheater.org