I am going to Minneapolis this weekend for a job interview on Monday and Tuesday. I am arriving on Sat so I can see the area and get my bearings. I am tapering for my first half on the following weekend. I am hoping to get a run in and will swim and spin at the University Gym. Besides running around the university where are the other good areas? Anything in particular I should see while there? Good places to eat? Any advice on the area would be appreciated.
Thanks
when I have visited the “U” as they call it - ran along the bike trail that parallels the river. Very scenic and easy to get to from the “U”
Yep. Run East and/or West River Parkway. Beautiful scenic run along the Mississippi. It encompasses some of the TC Marathon route, and if you stay on the north end between the Stone Arch Bridge on down to the Lake St. Bridge, you can get some good hills in as well. You can also run Summit Ave., which, if you take East River to the south, you’ll run into it. Very nice run - but kinda flat. It goes by some of the nicest homes in the Twin Cities, including the Governor’s Mansion. There will be LOTS of people there working out this weekend and prepping for the marathon.
I ride that route nearly every day. The trees are beginning to take on their fall colors, so it gets prettier by the day.
Forget the “U”…head over to run “The Lakes”. Bring your neckguard to prevent whiplash from all the local talent…
Forget running the Isles or Cedar (construction).
http://www.runningplaces.com/route/index.php?route_id=147
I agree…run around Calhoun or Harriet. Both very pretty.
Thanks for the advice and the link. Maybe I will try the lakes one day and the U a day or so later.
Any advice on where to eat near the U? Anyplace I should avoid?
Another vote for the lakes, can’t be beat. The #1 thing I miss about Minneapolis. As for food around the U, its been 20 years but I still bet there is a Lotus for awesome Vietnamese, I think a Chipotle went up for the big burrito crowd, the Big Ten has the best toasted sub sandwiches anywhere, Stub and Herbs if you want a burger and see where I spent too many nights bartending. Can’t help you for nice places to eat, was just a lowly student. Get downtown for nice places to eat.
Enjoy the running…all the suggested routes are very nice and very convenient. And good luck with the job interview!
“Get downtown for nice places to eat.”
No, actually go to Uptown. Chino Latino and Chang Mi Thai ate two of my favorites. (Not nice as in black tie, nice like really good food with a good atmosphere).
For breakfast/brunch/lunch I’d go for Cafe Latte on Grand in St. Paul near William Mitchell Law and Macalester College. Daminco & Sons is right across the street and Bonfire is a block or so down.