©Reuters. View of the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, March 31, 2021.Reuters/Octavio Jones/File photo
2/2
Written by Chris Taylor
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The United Nations children's agency UNICEF supports children in 190 countries and territories around the world.
But as president and CEO of UNICEF USA, Michael Nienhuis has a favorite spot closer to home. They are Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
A longtime philanthropic business owner (from Minnesota) shares insider tips on the best way to spend 48 hours in the Twin Cities.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
what i like most
The idea of ”Minnesota Nice” is generally true, as a passion for the outdoors (despite the cold winters and searing summer heat) is balanced by a thriving arts scene and increasing population diversity. has been taken.
where to go first
St. Paul's Grand Avenue is full of great local eateries, including Emmet's Public House and Red Rabbit.
destination
The Minneapolis Marriott City Center (South 7th Street) is close to Nicollet Mall (a 12-block section of Nicollet Avenue), the stadium, and lots of great food.
the best (NYSE:) Team meeting location
We met last year for a dinner event with a group of colleagues at COV Wayzata (Lake St. E.) on a warm evening overlooking Lake Minnetonka's Wayzata Bay.
It was a great way to enjoy some business even as the trains roared past.
Fun place for a team outing
“lake”. This means connecting the lakes and parks that make Minneapolis special, from Lake Worth to Lake Harriet and everything in between. Picnics, bike rides, and paddles are great ways to build a team.
A tourist trap really worth it
No life is complete without eating your way through the Minnesota State Fair (Snelling Avenue N.).
Best way to get around
I'm sorry to say this, but please come by car. If possible, please use a fuel-efficient car. I wish we had a different answer in this era of climate change, but metropolitan areas have so much to offer that they're still the best way to get to different places.
ideal coffee spot
Dunn Brothers (in various locations) is a chain, but it's a local chain that started in one area of St. Paul and spread from there.
For years, my dad allowed himself one apple fritter every three months at the local Dunn Brothers. Such discipline!
favorite shopping area
I went to Hougardo's in St. Louis Park (Excelsior Boulevard) mainly because my friends and I sneak out of school every year to go to Hougardo's preseason ski sale. It was a pilgrimage.
What Only Insiders Know
Why is the word “to the north” so important for the soul?
A snack you can't miss
Who can resist chocolate from the St. Croix Chocolate Company in Marine-on-St. Croix (Parker Street)? Now, people are lining up outside to get in.
The best luxury dinner
Burgers and beer at Meister's Bar & Grill in Stillwater (4th St. S.)
It's more of a calorie splurge than a $1 splurge, but a splurge nonetheless. This is how corner bars used to be, and probably should still be.
The biggest misconceptions about Minneapolis and St. Paul
It's too cold. Yes, it's possible. However, as the saying goes, there is no such thing as cold weather. It's just the wrong clothes.
favorite souvenir
Anything related to the Loons, and by that I mean the soccer club Minnesota United FC. It's so much fun to sing Wonderwall after a win at St. Paul's great stadium (Allianz (ETR:) Field, Snelling Avenue North).
The best memories are there
Tow rope and T-bar. Before the advent of high-speed quad chairlifts, high-speed quad chairlifts were the best way to get up hills quickly to get as much skiing as possible at local ski areas like Buck Hill, Welch Village, and Afton Alps.
What people should know
Minneapolis is the second city in the United States to be designated a Child Friendly City by UNICEF. This means that Minneapolis puts children's needs at the center of all development plans.
Series details
Gensler's design guru pays homage to every corner of London
From sunrise to sunset in Mumbai with TCS' Suresh Muthuswami
Crowdsourcing creativity in Paris with Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor
Dining at Tokyo Street with Randy Garutti of Shake Shack (NYSE:)
