111 things to do in 2011

It's true, I love to travel and see new places.  But I will always, I repeat, ALWAYS, be a Minnesota girl.  I absolutely adore the Twin Cities and everything that there is to do around here.  Since moving to Minneapolis, I've wanted to find more things to do around the cities, especially during the summer.  Looks like I have a lot of options.  The other day, I stumbled across this list of 111 things every Minnesotan should try in 2011.  There's a lot of fun activities on here!

These activities are at the top of my list:

• Take in the scenery at Minnehaha Falls. I've been here once, but unfortunately when I went...there was no water in the falls.  So the falls were actually non-existent.  That's no fun. 
• Stroll through downtown Stillwater. This picturesque downtown area is a must-see for all Minnesotans.  
• Take a three-mile walk around the Arboretum in autumn. It's well known that I love fall.  Anything with the word autumn in it and I'm in.
• Do candlelight yoga at Corepower yoga. This I want to do badly!  Every time I drive through Stadium Village on my way home from work, I see students walking out of Corepower yoga with their yoga mats.  I want to be one of them!  They have 10 studios around the cities and they offer candlelight yoga select nights of the week from 9:30-10:30.
• Dip into the raspberry chocolate chip ice cream at Sebastian Joe's. Awesome looking ice cream cafe with two locations in Minneapolis.  Ginormous flavor list.  Need I say more?
• Travel to the top of the Foshay Tower/W Hotel. First of all, this hotel is absolutely beautiful.  Second, it has one of the few open air observation decks in the Twin Cities.  Third, a visit to Manny's Steakhouse might be good after visiting the observation deck.  Or maybe before.  And then maybe you could take the stairs all the way up to the observation deck?  Just an idea.  Work off some of your meal..?
•  Get to know NOMI: bike the Grand Rounds. The Grand Rounds is pretty much in my backyard.  I haven't done this yet why?  Oh yes, because my bike is hiding in my storage closet.
• Bring your bike to Lanesboro. One of my absolute favorite towns in Minnesota.  Another historic Main Street/downtown area that should not be passed up by any Minnesotan.  Bring your bike and explore the Root River Trail.  You can take a break and go tubing down the Root River as well!
• Attend a summer dance at the Ordway. Every Thursday night this summer, June 16 to August 4, put on your dancing shoes and head to downtown St. Paul.  Dance lessons at 6 pm, followed by live music to put your newfound dancing skills to the test.  I may have to start asking for Thursday nights off.
• Saturday Football: St. Johns vs St. Thomas. This is a must-see for me with my brother being a St. Johns alumnus and my sister being a St. Thomas alumnus.  Talk about sibling rivalry!  The big game is Saturday, October 1st this year on the St. Thomas turf.  Football and Coffee Bene makes for the perfect annual father/daughter day in our family. 
• Attend open mic night at Acme Comedy Co. Because laughing is good for you.
• Visit the Macy's 8th floor "Day in the life of an Elf" display. Another Minnesotan must-do!  Except I'm kind of bummed that it's been the same display for the last couple of years. Really wishing they would switch that up a bit.  If you want to go all out, do the Macy's 8th floor display and the Holidazzle parade on the same night!  Don't forget to stop somewhere along Nicollet Mall for some coffee to warm you up in the subzero temperatures.  (Trust me, I know from experience.  Being so cold that all you can do is bounce around and giggle makes it all the more fun though.)
• Savor fall with apple picking at Afton Apple.   Again, I love fall.  Along with my love of fall comes an extreme love for apple orchards.  Another fun one is Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake.  I would suggest NOT going to Pine Tree on a weekend though.  It gets really busy.  
• Get Cookin' and sign up for a class. My sister and I have wanted to do this for a while, but we just haven't gotten around to it.  Classes are expensive at Kitchen Window and Cooks of Crocus Hill.  I'm sure they're worth it though!  They're not quite as expensive at Lund's and Byerly's. 
• Take a drive up the North Shore from Duluth to Thunder Bay. Oh Canada!  I've never been, but it would be a fun little trip!  (and by little I mean about 7 hours there, 7 hours back)  Road trip anyone?
•  Take more photos of everything! This is self-explanatory.
• Wander the stacks at Common Good Books. J'adore book stores!  Make it a fun outing by perusing the book store and spending some time sipping coffee at Nina's Coffee Cafe.
• Watch a movie in the park. Seriously, can you think of a better way to watch a movie?  There are tons of locations and movies to choose from!  If it's a nice night and you have nothing to do....hey, go watch a movie outdoors.  Sounds good to me.
• Attend the Twins vs. Brewers series at Target Field. How about just attend any Twins game at Target Field.  Yeah yeah, they're not playing exceptionally well this year, but Target Field is an experience that can't be missed and it's fun whether they win or lose.  No fair weather fans in Minnesota!
• Pore over handmade chocolates at Just Truffles. Um, yum.  A chocolate lover's dream!  While you're at it, check out all the other fun shops on Grand Avenue and then head down to Cafe Latte for a cafeteria-style lunch and the best cheesecake in the Twin Cities.
• Cut a rug while cutting loose from the club scene (at Loring Pasta Bar). A pasta bar with salsa dancing every Friday and Saturday night?  Heck. Yes.