Madison Road Trip

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Minnesota

Niagra Cave

Niagra Cave is a large, well-kept and well-run attraction. The tour guides are articulate and knowledgeable, the upper grounds are quite attractive, and the cave itself has clearly been tended and protected. There are few signs of vandalism or damage… Continue Reading →

Old Abe & Co. Coffee

A truly one-of-a-kind business is always a pleasure to stumble upon. So many businesses are souless corporate chains, with no creativity and cookie-cutter products supplied from a central warehouse. Old Abe & Co. coffee is as unique as they come,… Continue Reading →

Lyndale Park Rose & Peace Gardens

Lyndale Park Rose and Peace Gardens are a lovely, public haven on the edge of Lake Harriet. Wander the gardens, admiring the experimental plants, topiary and roses. You will share the park with couples taking wedding photos, quinceaƱera, parties, Hmong… Continue Reading →

Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge

Do you like giant carved heads? Tiki statues? Palm-roofed huts? Complicated drinks with bits of fruit on sticks and silly names? Pizza? Psycho Suzi’s has it all! The club is two stories of kitsch, tropical plants, pleather booths, low mood… Continue Reading →

Caponi Art Park

The former home of artist and educator Anthony Caponi is now a wonderful, dreamy park open to anyone. Wander the sprawling yard and woods, filled with Caponi’s work. Ranging from cast metal pieces reminiscent of Rodin, to carved sculptures which… Continue Reading →

LeDuc Historic Estate

The LeDuc Estate is a gorgeous gothic revival house in Hastings, MN. Built by William LeDuc in the 1850s, the perpetually broke businessman took years to complete the house. Always one to speculate, and never one to collect, the family… Continue Reading →

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The entire world of decorative art is here. Fantastic and endlessly amazing.

Wangensteen Historical Library

Hidden five flights up in Diehl Hall, the Wangensteen library is not exactly accessible. Nor is it meant to be, as it is a working academic library with offices and teaching staff working in it. However, any bibliophile worth their… Continue Reading →

Minnesota Museum of American Art

The “Minnesota Museum of American Art” is a most grandiose and inaccurately named location. The small, one-room gallery is dwarfed by the size of the outer ante-chamber and shop. Additionally, the one show on display when we visited was of… Continue Reading →

Bell Museum of Natural History

The new Bell has the warmth and appeal of an airport. Too little actual content, too much faux puffery.

Minnesota Center for Book Arts

The Minnesota Center for Books Arts is primarily a place for book-art related classes and workshops.

Prospect Park Water Tower

Have you ever been driving on 94-West and noticed a strange tower on a hill, shaped like a witch’s hat?

Textile Center

The Textile Center – A National Center for Fiber Art – is primarily a learning center for all things fiber art.

The House of Balls

See a most precious, vivid and wild imagination at work in its natural setting. An absolute delight to visit!

The Museum of Russian Art

The subject matter ranges from Soviet posters, embroidered clothing, notable Russian painters – even photos of Chernobyl. While small in size, the shows are of excellent quality and very unique.

Pavek Museum

Massive, elaborate radios from the 1920s share space 1970s television cameras, metal tape machines, a working morse code station and vintage Apple IIe.The vast number of changes in communications in a relatively short amount of time is staggering.