Marathoners running on one of the scenic parkways in Minneapolis. Lake Calhoun is in the background. (Photo courtesy of Brian Roberts)

Something for Everyone

The marathon is only one part of a larger weekend “Celebration of Fitness,” including other running events and activities for adults and kids of all ages. Many participants receive free t-shirts and medals for finishing their events. These events are all held around the Capitol Building in St. Paul, a beautifully scenic area adjacent to downtown St. Paul. Most of the family and kid-oriented events will be held on Saturday, October 4. To get a feel for what the family events are all about check out the videos in the menu on the right side of the events page which include:

• Medtronic TC Family Events & TC5K
• Diaper Dash (a race for infants who can’t yet walk)
• Harry & Shelly’s Mascot Invitational
• Toddler Trot
• Pioneer Press Family Activities Tent. 

If you or your kids are interested in participating in these events, there are several ways to register.

The beautiful Minnesota State Capitol Building in St. Paul is the hub of the activity on marathon weekend.  (Photo courtesy of Tim Wilson)

If you go:

All events start and finish at the Capitol Building (map), except for the marathon itself and the ten mile race, which both start at the Metrodome and end at the Capitol Building. Registration is closed for the Marathon and 10 mile race, but it is possible to register for the family events on the day of the event up to 15 minutes before the event starts. For more information, check out the official website.

 Spectators:

Spectators are welcome to watch any of the races from anywhere along the courses free of charge. A helpful guide for spectators (pdf) offers a lot of information on how to enjoy these events without breaking a sweat.

Road Closings/ Traffic Changes

Because the marathon and other races are run on city streets, they will affect traffic in the Twin Cities during the weekend in the form of road closures and detours.

These drained but determined marathoners have almost reached the finish line… and so has this post. (Photo courtesy of Drew Geraets)

Whew! All this blogging about marathons has left me virtually exhausted! But have no fear, I shall doggedly press on to give you more of the best attractions and entertainment the Twin Cities have to offer. Stay tuned for upcoming post stops at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Walker Art Center…

 Our next stop is the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, located about three blocks straight southwest of the Guthrie Theater (map). This one-size-fits-all (though not very comfortably) arena is home to the Minnesota Twins baseball team (not for long), and two football teams: the Minnesota Vikings (possibly not for long) and University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (definitely not for long). Both the Twins and Gophers will be moving into new stadiums in the next few years, and there is speculation that if the Vikings cannot reach a deal on a new stadium soon (and that looks likely) the franchise may be moved elsewhere. For now though, all of those teams call “The Dome” their home:

“The Dome” with its iconic white, cloud-like roof. (Photo courtesy of Chris B.)

The dome also hosts some high school tournaments, monster truck rallies, and other events.

The Experience:

I have been to “The Dome” for several Twins games and a Vikings game, and although they were both played in the same building, the experiences were quite different. At the Twins games I’ve been to, the atmosphere was light and fairly relaxed – a fun, family friendly environment. Also Twins tickets are relatively affordable, even the left field “Homerun porch”. Click here for more Twins ticket info. Here’s what the stadium looks like when it is in baseball mode:

The tall blue wall in right field is actually rows of folded up seats, which are unfolded for Vikings games. (Photo courtesy of jasonandrewlayne).

During the Viking game I attended, the atmosphere was much more tense and frenzied (it probably didn’t help matters that the Vikings were playing (and losing to) the Packers). It was also much louder at the Vikings game (don’t plan on carrying on any conversations if you go see the Vikes in the dome). Vikings tickets are more expensive than Twins tickets, and can be harder to get. For more info on Vikings tickets, click here. For info on Golden Gophers football tickets, click here. Here’s a photo of the stadium in football mode:

This was for a Golden Gophers game, but it’s basically the same for the Vikings. (Photo courtsey of NVJ)

WARNING: The Metrodome Will Blow You Away! (literally)

I think my favorite part of the experience was actually leaving the Dome, and not because I think the dome is bad. The real reason I like leaving the dome is because, as I warned above, it quite literally blows visitors away. This is due to the fact that the roof is partially supported by air pressure. This means that the air pressure inside the dome is higher than the air pressure outside the dome. Thus when you leave the dome, you are literally blown out by a surprisingly powerful blast of air in what is essentially a fully immersive lesson in the laws of physics. I take it as the Metrodome’s subtle way of saying “The game’s over, now get out!”. 

The “Homeruns” (Highlights) of the Metrodome:

1. No “Rain outs” – The Dome’s white teflon roof assures that no matter what the weather, the game will go on.
2. Easy Access Part I – A gently sloping ramp outside of the dome allows visitors to enter and exit the stadium on the level they are sitting on.
3. Easy Access Part II – The Metrodome is in downtown Minneapolis and easily accessible by public transportation, and only a short walk from the U of M campus.
4. It “Blows you away” – Quite literally too. When you open a door to leave the dome, the higher air pressure inside literally blows you out of the building. I personally find this to be a very fun way to leave a game. 

The “Errors” (Lowlights) of the Metrodome:

1. Tiny Concourses – The narrow concourses in the dome make it hard to navigate through throngs of people. This was especially problematic at the Vikings game, when it took me ten minutes to even get to the bathroom.
2. Boring Food – The food selection is fairly standard and boring. However you can avoid spending too much money if you go on a “Dollar Dome Dog Day” (any Wednesday this season), hot dogs (or “Dome Dogs”) are only $1. You could also invest (as I did) in 12 chocolate chip cookies for $5 (the cookies were actually pretty good).
3. Bring Earplugs – Especially for Vikings games. MInnesotans cheer their teams on loudly and proudly! Inside the dome, the noise can become uncomfortably loud for some. 
4. Traffic Nightmare! – Do not drive or take a bus anywhere near the Metrodome immdeiately before or after an event.  It took me well over an hour just to leave downtown on a bus after a Vikings game! For tips on the easiest ways to get to and from the Dome, read the “If you go” section.

Just For Fun: Memorable Metrodome Moments:

1. World Series Champions – The Twins won the World Series in 1987 and 1991. The 1991 series has been labeled by ESPN as “The Greatest World Series Ever Played”. 5 games were decided by 1 run or less, four were decided in the final at-bat, and three went into extra innings.
2. Perfect 10 – Jack Morris pitches 10 brilliant shutout innings to win game seven of the 1991 World Series and give the Twins the Championship. Morris allowed just 7 hits in what was unquestionably one of the greatest pitching performances in World Series history. Morris was also named series MVP.
3. What Goes Up Must Come Down, Right? – 1984 mediocre baseball player Dave Kingman of the Oakland A’s hit a towering pop fly in the dome that never came back down – the ball went through a small hole in the roof (that was supposed to be there) and left the stadium completely (I guess it is possible to hit a ball out of a domed stadium). Kingman was awarded a ground rule double.
4. The Player Currently Known as Prince Hits an Inside-the-Park homer – Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder hit a towering popup in the ninth inning of a game at the dome against the Twins in 2007, with his team trailing by two. Twins outfielder Lew Ford lost sight of the ball against the white roof. The ball fell near the outfield wall and by the time Ford retrieved it, Prince had become the heaviest baseball player to ever hit an inside-the-park home run (270 pounds). The Brewers later tied the game, but the Twins went on to win on a traditional homerun by Justin Morneau.
5. The Best By Favre – Brett Favre sets the all time career NFL passing touchdown record in a game against the Vikings in 2007 with his 421st career touchdown.

If You Go:

By Car: Don’t. But if you have to, I would recommend parking in the parking ramps just northwest of downtown, which are accessible via I-394 and I-94. Parking here will save you a little money and allow you to get out faster. From the ramps walk southeast on 4th, 5th or 6th street about 8 blocks, or hop on the light rail train at the Hennepin/Warehouse District Stop at 5th and Hennepin Ave. and get off at the Metrodome stop (map). The new Twins stadium will be directly adjacent to the “A” and “B” ramps. 

By Light Rail: The best way to go, though the trains do get extremely crowded. There are a number of places to park along the light rail line, including the Mall of America (which is free), and several park and ride lots. Click here for more info. The light rail stops right outside the dome, and it will allow you to avoid the heinous traffic after games.

By Bus: Buses are also available, though I don’t recommend them because they tend to get stuck in traffic with all of the cars. A good way to avoid traffic would be to walk northeast towards the Guthrie theater (the big blue cube-ish building, and then walk across the Stone Arch Bridge (it’s made of stone with a lot of arches – I know, so helpful, right?), and catch a bus in St. Anthony. For more bus info click here.

Now that we have seen the dome and it has blasted us back out onto the street, let’s head to our next stop. See you there!

        Our first stop is the Segway Magical History Tour of the Riverfront District of Minneapolis. I found this tour to be a very fun and informative way to experience the past, present, and future of the heart of Minneapolis. Before embarking on this tour, my only familiarity with Segways came from the sitcom “Arrested Development” and news reports about a certain world leader who had some difficulty riding one (apparently even the motorized machine segment of the population doesn’t support him). Rest assured, passengers of this blog tour, riding a Segway is not nearly as difficult as he made it look. Yes, it took me a while to become completely comfortable on the vehicle, but once I did, it was actually a whole lot of fun. For more info on segways and how they work, click this link or the official Segway website.

These riders posed on the Stone Arch Bridge to show the world just how important (and stylish) people look when they are riding on a Segway.

 The approximately 2.5 hour tour starts at a storefront in the St. Anthony Main building complex on the historic and beautifully preserved Main Street in St. Anthony (see map), the oldest street in the oldest part of Minneapolis and a sight to see in itself. Landmarks along the tour include The Pillsbury A-Mill (of the famous Doughboy), Stone Arch Bridge (“The Most Romantic Spot in Minneapolis – more on this in a later post), Mill City Museum (“The Most Explosive Museum in the Country” – coming soon in a later post), The Guthrie Theater, The Hennepin Avenue Bridge, Boom Island, and Nicollett Island. 

My “Fab Four” (highlights of the experience):

1. Riding a Segway is a Lot of Fun –  Unless you have $5,000 burning a hole in your pocket, this may be your best chance to experience being a “human on a stick” (in the only good way that phrase can be interpreted.)  Plus I really enjoyed getting bemused looks from surprised onlookers.

2. The Guides – I thought they were very knowledgeable and funny (One guide remarked, “Don’t ride your Segway into the river – that’s a completely different tour and it’s much more expensive”). They also quickly assuaged my fear of pulling a “W”.

3. Nicollett Island – I’ve lived in Minneapolis for two years and was (along with many other Minneapolitans) shocked to discover this picturesque preserved victorian style neighborhood quietly tucked away right in the middle of the city. If the guides don’t mention it, ask about the donkey when you get to the island.

4. Free Pictures and Coupons - Feel free to bring a camera (don’t take photos while riding though).  Guides also take digital photos on all tours which can be downloaded for free. Coupons for free admission to the Mill City Museum, and discounted meals at several unique nearby restaurants are available. See the “Doesn’t this sound lovely?” section below for more info.

Tour Riders in front of the new Guthrie Theater building and Sir Tyrone Guthrie himself. If you ever put a giant photo of a guy on the side of a building, you should probably try to find one that looks a little less like a certain former German leader.

The “W’s” (Aspects of the tour that fell flat):

1. The Price – $69.95 per person makes it one of the most expensive attractions I’ve found in the Twin Cities (though still $4930.05 cheaper than actually owning a Segway).

2. Tours are Seasonal – Unsurprisingly Segways don’t work well on snow and ice.

3. Not for Everyone – Riders must be aged 13-80 and weigh less than 280 pounds.

4. Slow Going – Most of the tour was spent whizzing along at fully twice the speed of walking (though the vehicles were capable of double that speed. On one tour we got some time to try going as fast as we could).

5. Time is of the Essence – Time commitment is 3.5 hours. I felt like I spent a lot of time waiting for things to happen or guides to give information or directions.

The Top Five Reasons Why You Need to Go on the Magical History Tour:

5. There is no better (or more fun) way to experience the heart and history of Minneapolis!

4.  When are you going to have another chance to ride a Segway – unless you take a tour in Washington DC, San Francisco, L.A., or one of these cities.

3.  It is a great family or group bonding experience! 

2.  The guides are very knowledgeable and funny, and keep the riders feeling safe and comfortable!

1.  It is extremely fun! 

Doesn’t this sound lovely?:

Have a blast cruising the Riverfront District on a 3pm Segway tour, then take advantage of the coupons offered at the end of the tour and enjoy dinner on a patio overlooking the Main Street, the river, and downtown Minneapolis at one of these restaurants: Vics, Pracna on Main, or Tugg’s Tavern.

Important Info:

Hours: Tours run 7 days a week at 10am and 3pm

Cost: $69.95 per person (kind of steep, but well worth it!)

Location: St. Anthony Main - 125 Main St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 (See the interactive map)

For more information, check out their website. Also check out this video.

The photos on this page both came from the Segway Magical History Tour Photo Gallery.

And now ladies and gentlemen, it’s on to the next stop of our blog tour,  Stone Arch Bridge and Mill Ruins Park. See you there…