destinations: minneapolis

Spend an hour

Stroll the pedestrian-only Nicollet Mall, anchored by Orchestra Hall on the south and the striking new Cesar Pelli–designed Public Library on the north, stopping in bookstores, boutiques and retail giants (Saks, Macy’s, Barnes & Noble, etc.) along the way. If the weather’s warm, ascend to the second-floor open-air patio at Brit’s Pub (11th & Nicollet) for lawn bowling with your pint of suds.

Spend a day

March to your own inner drummer. Shoppers, hop the light rail to the legendary Mall of America, the biggest in the land with close to 400 retail outlets, an indoor amusement park and aquarium (plus a wedding chapel, in case you get the urge). Outdoor enthusiasts, pedal or ramble along the paths connecting the Mississippi River with the chain of lakes, ending up in Uptown, lush with boutiques, bookstores, bars and cafés. Then grab a bus on Hennepin Ave. straight back to downtown, two miles away. Museum aficionados, check out the Walker Art Center (1750 Hennepin Avenue S.), with its world-renowned cache of modern art, then the Minneapolis Institute of Art (2400 Third Avenue S.), with a grand collection of Old Masters. The offbeat Mill City Museum (704 S. Second Street), close to downtown along the river, creatively resurrects the skeleton of a burnt-out flour mill to tell the story of that industry and the local companies it spawned (General Mills, Land O Lakes, Pillsbury, Cargill). All museums are closed Mondays. Sports fans, both the Metrodome (500 11th Avenue S.) — home of baseball’s Minnesota Twins (612-338-9467 or 800-33-TWINS) and football’s Vikings (612-338-4537) — and the Target Center (7th Street & 1st Avenue N.), where basketball’s Timberwolves (612-337-3865) play, are within walking distance.

Spend a weekend

Stillwater, a charming, vintage village of mansions and church spires spawned by old lumber money, lies 30 miles to the east of Minneapolis along I-94, aside the forested banks of the pristine St. Croix River. The town’s main street is lined with bookstores, cookware and clothing shops, galleries, antiques stores, wineries and cozy cafés. Behind them, in the rolling, pine-clad hills, stand Victorian belles to wander past — and many now serve as attractive B&Bs. In summertime, linger on the riverside deck of a pub and watch the waves roll by. In autumn, join the crowds of city folk keen on leaf-watching.