Thanksgiving 2015 Visitor's Guide To Minnesota
After the turkey's been gobbled, your out-of-town guests may get antsy for some entertainment over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Show them the best of Minnesota with this handy holiday guide. Hard-core Black Friday shoppers will know what shopping areas to hit and sports enthusiasts will know what live games to catch. We have the kids covered too, with great family-friendly museums to explore.
Explore Minnesota
121 7th Place E, Metro Square, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-5029
www.exploreminnesota.com
For out-of-town travelers or locals who need expert advice, the Explore Minnesota tourism office staffs travel counselors to assist. Stop by the St. Paul office, call or write to get all the tips you need to make your Minnesota travel adventure more productive. Counselors are available on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They can fill you in on the latest deals, let you know about the hot spots to see and help you plan travel routes.
Catch A Game
Show your out-of town guests why Minnesotans are ecstatic about ice hockey with a Minnesota Wild game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The Wild play three different at-home games between Nov. 25 - 28. The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers also host a number of athletic activities in Minneapolis in the days surrounding Thanksgiving. Gopher women's volleyball take on Ohio State on Nov. 25, Gopher men's basketball play University of Nebraska - Omaha on Nov. 27 and Gopher men's football match up against the Wisconsin Badgers on Nov. 28.
Go Shopping
Black Friday and post-Thanksgiving shoppers will have plenty of sales to scour in our metropolitan shopping mecca. A no-brainer for out-of-towners who love to shop is the largest indoor mall in the country – the Mall of America in Bloomington. Minneapolis boasts trendy shopping areas in the neighborhoods of North Loop and Uptown, while charming stores line the streets of Grand Avenue in St. Paul. Outlet malls can be found outside the Twin Cities in Albertville, Medford and North Branch. Don't forget to take advantage of zero sales tax on clothing while shopping in Minnesota!
See A Show
There are more than 440 theaters in the state of Minnesota, which means plenty of options for holiday visitors! Minneapolis' Hennepin Avenue cultural district boasts the Orpheum, among other theaters, and "Beautiful – The Carole King Musical" will be will be lighting up the stage here from Nov. 18– 29. "Potted Potter" can be seen at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, and the Commonweal Theatre Company in Lanesboro will be doing "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." If dinner and a show are in order, enjoy both at "Sister Act" at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, playing every day during Thanksgiving weekend.
Visit A Museum
Our state is home to many exceptional museums that out-of-town guests will love exploring. For the science and nature enthusiasts, try the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul or the Bell Museum of Natural History in Minneapolis. Kids will enjoy the Children's Museum in Duluth or the Children's Discovery Museum in Grand Rapids, which is attached to the iconic Judy Garland Museum. If you're looking for art, try the Pottery Museum of Red Wing or the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.
Related: 5 Of Minnesota's Best Hidden Gems
Cortney Mohnk is a freelance writer covering all things Minnesota. She is also a public relations and event planning professional. Her most important job is mother to her young son and daughter, who are her partners-in-crime when checking out the family entertainment scene in the Twin Cities. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.