ITINERARIES WATCH NOW Theodore Wirth Regional Park St. Paul Curling Club Minneapolis HIT THE TRAILS Just north of downtown Minneapolis is Theodore Wirth Regional Park , an essential stop for outdoor rec enthusiasts all year round. In winter, its lush golf course transforms into 20 miles of carefully groomed cross-country trails aimed at both competitive skiers and beginners. Theodore Wirth’s Nordic-style runs are so respected within the international community that it hosted the COOP FIS Cross-Country World Cup in 2024 — the competition’s fi rst stateside appearance in two decades. Minneapolis MAKE IT NORDIC Get the full Up North experience while being surrounded by skyscrapers at the Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis ’ Riva Terrace, which turns into a vibrant Nordic Village every winter. Settle into a stylish heated “cabin” and enjoy a playful multi-course menu of French onion soup, fondue and Minnesota-shaped s’mores. Bring a few close friends or the entire family; fi ve cabins seat up to four guests, and three have room for eight. Book with haste as they often sell out months in advance. Minneapolis SAMPLE THE FAST-CASUAL SIDE OF A FINE-DINING PHENOM Midtown Global ’s community engagement director Earlsworth “Baba” Letang describes the indoor marketplace as a microcosm of Minneapolis. Find Moroccan home goods (Dar Medina), East African clothing (Zahra Fashion), Himalayan meditation tools (Tibet Arts & Gifts) and a variety of omnivorous food options. Stop by the Indigenous Food Lab to shop for Native American products and experience the visionary eats of Oglala Lakota Sioux chef Sean Sherman from the same James Beard Award-winning restaurant Owamni . St. Paul COMPETE IN AMATEUR CURLING “The cool thing about curling,” says Minnesota Curling Association president Lisa Rudolph, “is you can take an hour to learn how to do it and a lifetime trying to get better.” One of the best places in the world to make sense of the largely misunderstood Olympic sport is the St. Paul Curling Club . Founded in 1912 and topping 1,200 members — the largest club in the country — it welcomes guests and spectators during winter and spring league matches. Share a pitcher of St. Paul’s Summit EPA beer while learning about the legacy of a quirky place that’s produced such medalists as recent bronze winners Tabitha and Tara Peterson. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE #ONLYIN MN | 105
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2025 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 105
