Earnest’s guidebook
Where to Eat
Great Szechuan cuisine. If you like flavorful and spicy this is the spot for you.
Our favorite dinner items: chung king chili chicken, chili beef broth.
Our favorite lunch items: triple kung pao, chopped dry pepper chicken (reasonable lunch prices: comes with an egg roll, rice, soup and a salad).
Grand Szechuan Restaurant
10602 France Ave SGreat Szechuan cuisine. If you like flavorful and spicy this is the spot for you.
Our favorite dinner items: chung king chili chicken, chili beef broth.
Our favorite lunch items: triple kung pao, chopped dry pepper chicken (reasonable lunch prices: comes with an egg roll, rice, soup and a salad).
Open late nights, this busy corner restaurant in Dinkytown (University of Minnesota area) is busy, hot, and fresh food.
Our favorites: mongolian beef (dinner special), THE best Singapore Rice Noodles in Minneapolis (!), pan fried chicken, crispy spicy shrimp, curry chicken hot pot, chicken mushroom hotpot...
Hong Kong Noodle
901 SE Washington AveOpen late nights, this busy corner restaurant in Dinkytown (University of Minnesota area) is busy, hot, and fresh food.
Our favorites: mongolian beef (dinner special), THE best Singapore Rice Noodles in Minneapolis (!), pan fried chicken, crispy spicy shrimp, curry chicken hot pot, chicken mushroom hotpot...
Fast, authentic Mexican adjacent to a Mexican grocery store.
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Andale Taqueria
7700 Nicollet AveFast, authentic Mexican adjacent to a Mexican grocery store.
With ingredients fresh from the owner's garden (summer months), this place is tasty and authentic. Often a line out the door during the lunch rush hour.
Our favorite: spicy gyro!
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Gyropolis
2325 W 90th StWith ingredients fresh from the owner's garden (summer months), this place is tasty and authentic. Often a line out the door during the lunch rush hour.
Our favorite: spicy gyro!
Mugshots Coffee Company
10518 France Ave SSencha Tea Bar - Mall of America
60 E BroadwayTwin City Grill
Agua Fresca, House Made Popcicles, Ice Cream...authentic...lines out the door. Don't miss this stop to refresh yourself!
La Michoacana Purepecha
701 E Lake StAgua Fresca, House Made Popcicles, Ice Cream...authentic...lines out the door. Don't miss this stop to refresh yourself!
Glam Doll Donuts
2605 Nicollet AveHoly Land
920 E Lake StPham's Rice Bowl
920 E Lake StThe Vietnamese Egg Rolls are THE best we've had!
Things To Do
We are a fan of "Free", so check out some of these classic and some lesser known options. We also have always traveled with our (four) kids, so we have some tips for families and those who are on a budget.
Zoo del Minnesota
13000 Zoo BlvdFree! Some indoor, some outdoor activities. Walkable. Adjacent to beautiful parks, playgrounds and a small amusement area. (Como Town)
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Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
1225 Estabrook DrFree! Some indoor, some outdoor activities. Walkable. Adjacent to beautiful parks, playgrounds and a small amusement area. (Como Town)
Check out the free third Sundays of the month!
Children's Minnesota Minneapolis Hospital: Emergency Room
2525 Chicago AveCheck out the free third Sundays of the month!
Museo delle Scienze del Minnesota
120 W Kellogg BlvdA fun stop for maybe 1-2 hours. Trails. Small nature center (visit the raptors, say hi to a turtle and a few snakes). Has a small indoor play area for the tots.
Richardson Nature Center
8737 E Bush Lake RdA fun stop for maybe 1-2 hours. Trails. Small nature center (visit the raptors, say hi to a turtle and a few snakes). Has a small indoor play area for the tots.
Explore the trails, stop by the visitor center (about an hour should be good). They loan out binoculars so you can get a closer peek at the wildlife. Great location for birdwatching (bald eagles!)
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Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
3815 American Blvd EExplore the trails, stop by the visitor center (about an hour should be good). They loan out binoculars so you can get a closer peek at the wildlife. Great location for birdwatching (bald eagles!)
In the summer has a fun little splash area for the kids. Be careful, it's built into the landscaping so it's not as kid friendly as those made with the rubber surfaces, but our kids love this one!
Nicollet Commons Park
12550 Nicollet AveIn the summer has a fun little splash area for the kids. Be careful, it's built into the landscaping so it's not as kid friendly as those made with the rubber surfaces, but our kids love this one!
If you have kids, you CANNOT miss this park! Locals call it "Chutes & Ladders" and may just be the biggest park you've seen, and it's all free! Situated on the peaceful Hyland Lake you can also rent kayaks, canoes and snow shoes (in the winter of course). Hiking/walking/biking trails (paved). Volley ball area, picnicing area, etc.
Hyland Lake Park Reserve Visitor Center
10145 E Bush Lake RdIf you have kids, you CANNOT miss this park! Locals call it "Chutes & Ladders" and may just be the biggest park you've seen, and it's all free! Situated on the peaceful Hyland Lake you can also rent kayaks, canoes and snow shoes (in the winter of course). Hiking/walking/biking trails (paved). Volley ball area, picnicing area, etc.
Centro di Storia del Minnesota
345 W Kellogg BlvdFREE Tuesday evenings!
It's free to roam around the sculpture garden and get a picture with the iconic "Cherry on a Spoon".
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Walker Art Center
725 Vineland PlIt's free to roam around the sculpture garden and get a picture with the iconic "Cherry on a Spoon".
Must see...walk the trails, get a picture both above and at the base of the falls, if you're up to it take a hike down to where Minnehaha Creek meets the giant Mississippi river (not strenuous - we've done it with a toddler on our backs and preschoolers in hand).
Rent a quadricycle. Eat at the famous Sea Saltery. (Fish and Chips?)
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Cascate di Minnehaha
4801 S Minnehaha DrMust see...walk the trails, get a picture both above and at the base of the falls, if you're up to it take a hike down to where Minnehaha Creek meets the giant Mississippi river (not strenuous - we've done it with a toddler on our backs and preschoolers in hand).
Rent a quadricycle. Eat at the famous Sea Saltery. (Fish and Chips?)
A short jaunt away from the Twin Cities is the beautiful Willow River State Park. Just be warned, while there is a paved trail down to the falls, it is much more difficult coming up. Would not recommend pushing a stroller back up, although we have done it with a toddler on our back in a baby carrier, we had to take a few breaks on the way up.
Bring your water shoes for wading in the ICE COLD water if you're up to it.
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Willow River State Park
1034 Co Hwy AA short jaunt away from the Twin Cities is the beautiful Willow River State Park. Just be warned, while there is a paved trail down to the falls, it is much more difficult coming up. Would not recommend pushing a stroller back up, although we have done it with a toddler on our back in a baby carrier, we had to take a few breaks on the way up.
Bring your water shoes for wading in the ICE COLD water if you're up to it.
Valleyfair
1 Valley Fair DrIf roller coasters are your thing, head here!
If you have toddlers, consider a point pass, or on Tuesdays you can get a toddler pass for a discounted price.
You can also get a twilight pass (after 6pm) for a discounted price, with unlimited rides until it closes.
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Nickelodeon Universe
5000 Center CtIf you have toddlers, consider a point pass, or on Tuesdays you can get a toddler pass for a discounted price.
You can also get a twilight pass (after 6pm) for a discounted price, with unlimited rides until it closes.
Another iconic place to get some photos taken, along with great views of the St Anthony Locks and Dam, and if you're up to it, stop at Izzy's (nearby) for some ice cream and the Mill City Museum for a glimpse into the history of Minneapolis.
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Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge
100 Portland AveAnother iconic place to get some photos taken, along with great views of the St Anthony Locks and Dam, and if you're up to it, stop at Izzy's (nearby) for some ice cream and the Mill City Museum for a glimpse into the history of Minneapolis.