Minneapolis.. Land of Lakes and Mary Richards

Lou Grant “You got spunk. I hate spunk.“

    The passing of Mary Tyler Moore in January made me think of how much I loved the TV show when I was growing up and also about how much I enjoyed our family trip to Minneapolis a few years ago. 
    St. Paul is the capital of Minnesota but Minneapolis is the larger of the “Twin Cities.” It’s home to thirteen lakes, the Minnesota State Fair, The Mall of America and the bronze statue immortalizing Mary Tyler Moore joyously throwing her tam in the air. The bronze statue, inscribed with the words of the show’s iconic theme song, “Who can turn the world on with her smile?” is located in downtown on Nicollet Mall at the corner of 7th Avenue. In 2015 it was moved to the Visitors Center down the block due to sidewalk construction. The house that provided the exterior shots for the show is near beautiful Lake Calhoun.  You can take the city bus (#17) from downtown to Lake Calhoun to see the house as well as enjoy the bikes, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats that are for rent. For more information and directions go to www.minneapolisparks.org.
    A great time to visit Minneapolis is at the end of the summer when the Minnesota State fair is held. Often referred to as the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the annual Minnesota State Fair is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The fair attracts nearly 1.9 million guests annually. It is always held the 12 days leading up to and through Labor Day. The 2017 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 24 – Sept. 4. Besides many rides, attractions, concerts, the fair always features the largest offering of anything on a stick you can think of. Feast on the likes of corned beef and cabbage, alligator sausage, chocolate covered key lime pie, beer battered brats, local walleye fish, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs as well as dozens of other choices.. all on a stick.. all served with a smile! There is a large network of public transportation to and from the fair including express bus service from the Mall of America for $5 round trip pp. For tons of information go to www.mnstatefair.org.
    We stayed near the airport (MSP), which is centrally located for day trips to Downtown and Lake Calhoun, The Mall of America, The State Fair, and The Water Park of America, all using Minneapolis’ excellent public transit system.  A vacation in Minneapolis has truly something for everyone. Mary Tyler Moore will surely be missed and as Ted Baxter used to say.. “Good night and good news.”