Minnesota - Can anyone tell me about it?

[SunFloridaDisney]

My DD 21, the art student, and DH, photographer, are planning on going to an art exhibit at the Walker in Minneapolis sometime this summer.

We've been talking, and depending on how much (or how little) time DH can get off work, we may skip our tentative trip to Florida, and take our family vacation to Minnesota instead. (Myself, DH, and 4 kids)

We frequently camp, and what little I know of Minn. there are lakes and places that might be nice. But what most concerns me is the weather. I gotta tell ya, I live for summer (see the siggy) and I like it HOT. When people talk about the heat in Florida, well, that isn't a problem for me, I belong in a warm climate! I've always thought of Minnesota as somewhere I didn't particulary want to go because of it being too COLD.

So........tell me about it?! PLEASE

Also, what is there fun to do, and what shouldn't we miss?????

Thanks DISers, I know someone can help me out.

 

[DawnCt1]

I have never been to Minnesota but I have heard that there are two seasons: Winter and Almost Winter. There are lots of lakes and they have funny accents.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

I have never been to Minnesota but I have heard that there are two seasons: Winter and Almost Winter. There are lots of lakes and they have funny accents.

Ok, that's what I was afraid of.

Anyone else??????

 

[bananiem]

Actually where I live in the southeast part of Minnesota the people that talk wierd are the ones that didn't grow up in the Midwest. The further north you go you here more of the Canadian "eh's" but that's about it. Oh, and instead of casseroles they say hotdish.
Anyway back to the weather. In the summer we get to the 80's and 90's. Up north (3 hours north of the Twin Cities and along Lake Superior) it will be cooler. There are some nice parks for camping near the Twin Cities on the Wisconsin border. Interstate Park is one we've camped at.
If you want to go north you can see where the Mississippi River starts at Lake Itasca. There are some nice resort areas too near Hibbing, Brainard and Walker. Fishing is HUGE at the resorts in the summer time.
In the Twin Cities I'd recommend going to the Science Museum, seeing a play at the Ordway or Chanhassen (dinner theater), Minnesota Zoo, ValleyFair amusement park. Some people come to see the Mall of America. If you like to shop go see it, if not don't waste your time.
I hope you have a good time here!

 

[golfgal]

Our summer weather, put it this way, I didn't even notice the heat and humidity when we were in Florida last summer. Our summers are very warm and humid, 80's, 90's and 100's with high humidity. Contrary to popular belief we don't have winter year round, we don't have polar bears roaming the streets and and we aren't bundled up in parkas year round.

As for camping, there is fabulous camping all over the state. If he is going to be in the twin cities for the art exhibit, there are a few state parks within easy driving distance if you want to camp. Most lakes in in the southern 2/3's of the state will be almost bath water warm by July.

There is a new hotel near the Mall of America that has a great indoor water park if you want to go that route. It is in a convenient location and the waterpark looks like a blast.

There are several other museums that you might want to see too. The Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Science Museum, the Bell Museum, the Children's Museum (if your other kids are younger). A day at Fort Snelling on a weekend is also a great time. All of these are within minutes of the Mall of America.

Now, if you want some good resort type places, especially if you golf, try the Brainerd area, central MN.

Let us know what you want to do more specifically and we would be happy to help you plan your vacation.

 

[golfgal]

Something else about Minnesota summers, it is light until almost 10:00 PM so that really extends your day. Also, bring your bug spray since the mosquito is the Minnesota state bird .

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Contrary to popular belief we don't have winter year round, we don't have polar bears roaming the streets and and we aren't bundled up in parkas year round.

Seriously, that is reassuring.

Thanks so much for all the help, we haven't made any decisions yet, but have a lot to think about. Once we decide, I'm sure I'll have more specific questions. THANKS!!!

 

[golfgal]

Seriously, that is reassuring.

Thanks so much for all the help, we haven't made any decisions yet, but have a lot to think about. Once we decide, I'm sure I'll have more specific questions. THANKS!!!

It was warmer in Minnesota when we were in Florida last year then it was in Florida. Now, if you were here this week you might have a different impression-it is cold and raining now, yuck. Once June hits though, we rarely go under 80 degrees, northern MN is a bit different but they are still warmish. Anything right on Lake Superior will be cold/cool no matter what. We were up there a few years ago and our resort was about a mile up the mountain from the Lake. It was 85° at our resort and 45° at the lake, burrr.

 

[Kimberle]

I have never been to Minnesota but I have heard that there are two seasons: Winter and Almost Winter. There are lots of lakes and they have funny accents.

Actually, the past couple of winters have been "harder" here in CT than in MN. I grew up in MN. My parents and other family are still there. We compare "notes" about the weather all the time.

MN is a great place to visit. I go "home" quite often. After the "rush-rush-rush" of the NYC area, it's nice to "lay back".

 

[golfgal]

Actually, the past couple of winters have been "harder" here in CT than in MN. I grew up in MN. My parents and other family are still there. We compare "notes" about the weather all the time.

MN is a great place to visit. I go "home" quite often. After the "rush-rush-rush" of the NYC area, it's nice to "lay back".

Very true, we had 21" of snow last winter (I know they had more in Minneapolis area but not that much more), we had 9" of snow the year before. In the past 13 years we haven't had much snow at all with the exception of 2 years. Nothing like when we were kids that is for sure. We had weather warm enough to golf in Feb.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have never been to Minnesota but I have heard that there are two seasons: Winter and Almost Winter. There are lots of lakes and they have funny accents.

No, you have it wrong. The seasons are Winter and Road construction season.
I've heard a joke about summer in Minnesota:
What do Minnesotans do in the summer?
If it falls on a Sunday, they have a picnic.

(but, really, that's only true for Northern Minnesota).

Summer can be very hot and humid, so if you like May on Florida, you would like the weather you are likely to find.

Here's a link to the official Minneapolis area tourism website.
And here are some to some of the other attractions people listed:
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
If you are going to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, make a visit to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design located next door. They have an Art Gallery that has some very interesting exhibits by students and alumni (like a few years ago, the main space had an exhibit of work by Mary GrandePre (the illustrator for the American version of the Harry Potter books).
Walker Art Center (be sure to visit the Sculpture Garden)
Science Museum (the Body Worlds exhibit is there until September)
The Minnesota History Center
Mall of America

 

[castleview]

I have never been to Minnesota but I have heard that there are two seasons: Winter and Almost Winter. There are lots of lakes and they have funny accents.

Funny accents? That's what my fellow students at the U of M thought of me...and I'm from CT. I don't think we can talk with our hybrid New York/Boston accents.

Winter is a bear in MN, but it's handled much better than just about anywhere - there are skyways, underground tunnels, and HUGE snowplows to deal with the snow. Spring and summer were beautiful, but definitely bring your bug spray. And it's pretty cool seeing the narrow end of the Missisippi River.