Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
dent cafes and bookshops. A small part of the university is on the West Bank of the Mis-
sissippi River, near the intersection of 4th St S and Riverside Ave. This area has a few
restaurants, some student hang-outs and a big Somali community.
Weisman Art Museum
MUSEUM
( 612-625-9494;
www.weisman.umn.edu
; 333 E River Rd; 10am-5pm Tue-Fri, to 8pm Wed,
11am-5pm Sat & Sun)
The Weisman, which occupies a swooping silver structure by
architect Frank Gehry, is a uni (and city) highlight. It recently reopened with double the
space and five new, airy galleries for American art, ceramics and works on paper.
Uptown, Lyn-Lake & Whittier
These three neighborhoods are south of downtown.
Uptown, based around the intersection of Hennepin Ave and Lake St, is a punk-yuppie
collision of shops and restaurants that stays lively until late. Lyn-Lake abuts Uptown to
the east and sports a similar urban-cool vibe; it's centered on Lyndale and Lake Sts. (Get
the name?)
Uptown is a convenient jump-off point to the 'Chain of Lakes' - Lake Calhoun, Lake
of the Isles, Lake Harriet, Cedar Lake and Brownie Lake. Paved cycling paths (which
double as cross-country ski trails in winter) meander around the five lakes, where you
can go boating in summer or ice skating in winter.
Lake Calhoun sits at the foot of Lake St, where there are amenities galore. Further
around Lake Calhoun, Thomas Beach is popular for swimming. Cedar Lake's freewheel-
ing Hidden Beach (aka East Cedar Beach) used to bring out the nudists, though it's
mostly clothed folks lolling about these days.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
MUSEUM
( 612-870-3131;
www.artsmia.org
;
2400 3rd Ave S; 10am-5pm Tue-Sat, 10am-9pm Thu,
11am-5pm Sun)
This museum is a huge treasure trove housing a veritable history of
art. The modern and contemporary collections astonish, while the Prairie School and Asi-
an galleries are also highlights. Brochures at the front desk can help you winnow it down
to the must-sees if you're short on time. The museum is 1 mile due south of the conven-
tion center via 3rd Ave S.
Calhoun Rental
CYCLING
