Or…if you don’t actually want to visit…why you shouldn’t write it off as a farm state with nothing going for it except a few lakes.
10. The food. Minneapolis is by far one of my favorite foodie cities in the US. From Juicy Lucy burgers at Matt’s Bar to egg & lobster bruschetta at Bar la Grassa. From steaks on the lake at Maynard’s to rooftop dining at Stella’s Fish Cafe. Win win win win!
9. Oktoberfest is not a joke. I didn’t realize how seriously Minnesotans took Oktoberfest until I moved to California and realized people don’t give two cents about Oktoberfest here. Well let me tell you somethin’ (said in an old granny voice), Oktoberfest in my home state includes brats the size of your forearm, Polka music and dancing, Hefeweizen flowing like water, and DAS BOOT.
DAS BOOT
8. Loring Park’s movie in the park summers. I realize now that movies in the park is a pretty common deal. However, summer nights in Minnesota are fabulous and the movies are not to be enjoyed without Sebastian Joe’s ice cream.
7. The music scene. We need a moment of silence for the hippie weekend that was the 10 Thousand Lakes Festival. *silence* That being said, the amount of concerts, bands in bars, and up-and-coming stars is nuts.
Rock the Garden concert
6. Cabins. This bears repeating. I love me some cabins!
5. My hairdresser. I know, I know. “Mads, you can find hairdressers all over!” Well, that’s true, but they don’t do color like she does color. Nor do they get rid of your petite mullet (pronounced moo-lay) or fill your session with hilarious sarcastic quips. No, my friends, you can not find hair dressers like her.
4. SNOW. I mean…ok…maybe not snow, but definitely SEASONS. Watching the out-of-doors change from stormy sweltering nights to crisp crunchy fall days is like watching a miracle unfold year after year.
3. Seasonal attire! I have the opportunity to wear all of my warm fall/winter gear. I especially love scarves!
Winter
2. Lakes. I know lakes is sort of a no-brainer, but I’m totally including lakes. Get over it.
Photo courtesy of my friend Sarah
How could I not include lakes?
1. Tis my home.
What do you love about your hometown? Are you still there or have you fled the state?
-Mads
La Petite Pancake 
I’m sorry….I couldn’t help giggling a little at that photo of you bundled up. It reminded me of Ralphie’s little brother in ‘A Christmas Story’. You are totally rocking that look, Mads. This post was great. I’ve never been to Minnesota, so I feel like I know your home state better now. It sounds awesome. Especially the change of seasons, the lakes and your description of Oktoberfest. Now I’m thinking that I need to see it for myself. I grew up in the northwest corner of Arkansas, so I miss mountains (Houston is incredibly flat), long walks through fall leaves, freezing at a high school football game on a Friday night, and snow. Gorgeous, fluffy, 12″ deep snow.
another reason to love MN: http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrismenning/minneapolis-mayor-says-drink-beer-its-the-l
I completely forgot about your beast coat from college. I miss that apartment.
I miss it too. I miss it too.
Love this! Can wait to refer my UK friends on. They don’t seem to understand the draw… Silly Europeans….
By the way, just found this article from Southwest Airlines’ Spirit Magazine on Minneapolis. Thought you might enjoy! http://www.spiritmag.com/your_adventure_in/article/your_adventure_in_minneapolis_0811/
Das Boot? I’m so confused…
I love my home town because of the quiet. You can go stand in the middle of the main road on a Sunday and not see a single person!
Das boot is a giant boot shaped glass containing beer. It contains something like 2 liters of beer. Meant for groups…I think…
On second thought, probably not. We are American after all.
I have yet to do it, but I love the idea of watching movies in the park…definitely on my list of things to do.
I live in Toronto and love how convenient everything is, but I always love going up to the country and enjoying some peace and quiet…along with a few trees and fields 🙂
Ooh, Minneapolis – home to the Mall of America! I was once lucky enough to have a really long layover in Minne once – who knew the convenience of a bus that takes you direct from the airport to the mall and back?!
haha Trade secret: I don’t know any Minnesotans who love the Mall of America. I mean, it has shops that you can’t find at your local mall, but it is not a place for the faint of heart. It’s definitely good people watching though!
Oktoberfest is SO serious. Marcus bought his first six pack of Sam Adams last weekend and has been inviting the uninitiated to Gasthof’s since the beginning of August.
I am super bummed I won’t be able to go to Oktoberfest this year. The only Oktoberfest I’ve found out here is extremely half-hearted and the attendees are apparently “douchey bros”. NOT my scene.
minessota sounds lovely!
Thanks! I sure do love it! It’s a sticky state for sure. Once you live there, you don’t ever want to leave…not permanently anyway.
You didn’t even mention the Twins!
Being Canadian I can relate to a lot of your choices. I do love the change of seasons.
Shhhh…I’m secretly not a baseball fan 😦 I know! It’s like I’m not even American.
Hello, my neighbor to the North!
I’m actually surprised to hear about #9. Who doesn’t love a good Oktoberfest celebration???
Shocking, isn’t it? Maybe I will throw my own Oktoberfest celebration this year. I don’t even know where one goes to purchase DAS BOOT for personal recreation. hmmm
Ralphie!! Nah, I just can’t go any further north than KCMO. The snow just drives me insane. But I’m glad you love your hometown. I love mine too, even if it is in the armpit of Texas.
I would LOVE to go to Texas someday. I hear that everything really is bigger. I don’t blame you for staying South. This past year’s blizzards bummed out everyone I know.
I have lived in Minnie for 28.5 years and 8 days and have yet to have a Juicy Lucy. It has been on my list of dreams to fulfill for a while now, but my friends always chicken out at the line outside Matt’s and 5-8. Someday…
Run, don’t walk. The burgers are better at Matt’s, but it’s one of those places where you’re not sure if they would pass health inspection. Sometimes those places are the best?
Whatever, I just close my eyes and eat.
I’m a fan of any place that takes Oktoberfest seriously.