ITINERARIES Minneapolis SAMPLE A CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED CROISSANT One of the most remarkable developments of Daniel del Prado’s ever-growing restaurant empire (Colita, Martina, Cardamom… the list goes on) has been the breakout success of his former pastry chef from a Portland fi sh shop, Shawn McKenzie. The James Beard nominee is the co-owner / croissant whisperer at the local chain Café Cerés , a prime spot for unique pastries like Turkish bagels, chocolate chip tahini cookies and pistachio croissants. Not to mention dynamic coffee drinks like dukkah-dusted and ras el hanout-spiked lattes and a mocha that’s made with carob powder. Café Cerés Minneapolis CREATE THE ULTIMATE FOOD CRAWL Few things in the world are as quintessentially Star of the North as the Minnesota State Fair that caps every summer with crop art, butter sculptures and a revolving door of Giant Slide riders. Anyone who’s been to the beloved event in the lead up to Labor Day knows it’s one of the country’s most rewarding food and drink experiences. Aside from long-running local favorites like the Corn Roast, Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar and the corn dog-adjacent Pronto Pups (made with pancake batter instead of cornbread), the fair is a welcome celebration of the many cultural groups that make our state so distinct and diverse. Where else would you be able to snack on lutefi sk steam buns, best-in-class sambusas, masala-stuffed dosas and walleye on a stick? As Hon said with a smile during his visit, “only in Minnesota.” Minnesota State Fair Tips for Your Trip Distance from MSP Airport to Chisholm : 205 miles (one way, approximate mileage) Where to Stay in the Iron Range : The area offers hotels, motels, lodges, vacation rentals, campgrounds and more. Browse all the options at ironrange.org/stay . Worthy Detours : The Iron Range is also a great place for skiing and golf, depending on the season. Check out Giants Ridge, an all-season recreation resort area with a range of skiing options (including adaptive skiing), snowboarding, snow tubing, mountain biking, hiking, golf and more. The Legend and The Quarry courses have been ranked among the nation’s best golf courses. Food Events : To fi nd food events and festivals happening during your trip, go to exploreminnesota.com/ things-to-do/festivals-events . Redhead Mountain Bike Park #ONLYIN MN | 95
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2025 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 95
