June 2022

Top 5 Things To Do In Minneapolis while at VETgirl U 2022

Thinking about coming to visit Minneapolis the last week of August in 2022? Well, don’t hesitate! Here, the top 5 things to do in Minneapolis while at the best-boutique-bougey-veterinary conference ever, VETgirl U 2022.

Nestled along the Mississippi River, Minneapolis is a vibrant city that sits within the land of 10,000 lakes. With ample parkland and nearby waterfalls, there’s no shortage of nature to explore here. There’s also plenty of history, art, and culture to enjoy.

Of course, VETgirl lives in the other Twin Cities, St. Paul, which lies on the other side of the Mississippi River. We’ll talk about the Top 5 things to do in St. Paul in a future VETgirl blog, as I’m biased towards “the other city!”

The VETgirl U Veterinary Conference is packed with a full itinerary of speakers and networking events, but if you find yourself with some extra time to explore the city, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 things you must do while in Minneapolis!

Attend the Minnesota State Fair

Keep the fun going even after the VETgirl conference has ended with a visit to the Great Minnesota Get-Together AKA: The Minnesota State Fair! The fair runs from August 25th to September 5th ( Labor Day) and marks the official kick-off to summer in Minnesota! Located midway between Minneapolis and St. Paul, the 322-acre Minnesota State Fairgrounds is renowned for its beautiful gardens and architecture reflecting the art deco era. While at the fair you can enjoy a variety of concerts, visit dozens of educational exhibits, and try a delicious assortment of local brews and food…just to name a few things! Check out everything the MN State Fair has to offer. There are free buses from the Mall of America, and it’s easy to get to. Just be prepared to blow lots of dough on every kind of food you can imagine, deep-fried on a stick. Plus, the best people watching you could ever experience, all from the heart of Minnesota.

This VETgirl? I’ve never missed a Minnesota State Fair since moving to Minnesota back in 2003 (with the exception of the year it was closed for COVID). My must have foods?

    • Cheese curds
    • Butter and fruit jam leftse
    • Walleye fish on a stick
    • A milk shake from the dairy barn
    • Corn dog

     

    Justine visiting MN state fair

    Walk to a Shopping Lover’s Paradise!

    VETgirl U 2022 is being held at the Radisson Blu Mall of America, a chic boutique hotel connected to some of the best shopping in the nation! The Mall of America (called the “MOA” by us locals) provides hundreds of one-of-a-kind experiences for the entire family to enjoy including over 500 stores, 50 restaurants, M&M’S Mall of America, seven acres of rides at Nickelodeon Universe, and the SEA LIFE aquarium. Get some easy steps in between VETgirl conference events, with a quick walk to the Mall of America. There’s so much to do here, you’ll never be bored!

    Now, as a Jersey girl who grew up with a lot of malls, I wasn’t initially an MOA person until I soon discovered it was a great way of getting my 10,000 steps in the frozen-tundra like conditions while trying to lure my infant to sleep in a stroller… Now that I have a toddler, Nickelodeon Universe is a must for rainy or snowy play dates!

    Cool Off By The Water In The Land of 10,000 Lakes

    Minnesota is called the Land of 10,000 Lakes for good reason. There’s more shoreline in the state than in California, Florida, and Hawaii…combined! With 22 lakes located in Minneapolis alone and the Mississippi River running straight through downtown, there is no shortage of breathtaking water views to take in and plenty of lake culture to enjoy. Rent a kayak or canoe to get out in the water, or a bike to take in the scenic views along the shore. You can even explore the Mississippi River via water taxi (We took a paddleboat cruise down the Mississippi River back in 2018)! There are also miles of walking trails, and several picturesque places to enjoy a picnic in one of our many public parks. This list of 13 ways to enjoy Minneapolis rivers & lakes can lead you toward even more water filled fun! VETgirl’s fav? Paddleboarding at Lake Nokomis or going for a run around the Lake of the Isles in the heart of Minneapolis. Love to fish? Hire a fishing guide on Lake Minnetonka (the biggest, local lake around the Twin Cities) for some fun.

    All the teams. All the stadiums. All right here.

    Sports fans rejoice! Minneapolis has several impressive sports stadiums downtown, all within walking distance to one another! This city is home to the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Timberwolves, & Minnesota Vikings, so there’s bound to be a game or two you can catch while in Minneapolis for the VETgirl U 2022 conference. Here’s the Twin’s baseball schedule, just in case you needed it. (You may not know that Dr. Garret Pachtinger, COO of VETgirl, was an NCAA-baseball player in college, so he better not be skipping out on VETgirl U 2022 to go to a game. Ping me if you see him there). If attending a game just isn’t in the cards during your visit, you can still take a tour of the U.S. Bank Stadium to get an inside look at the action.

    Minnesota Twins baseball schedule

    Explore Minnesota’s Best Music & Nightlife

    Prince & Bob Dylan loved the Minneapolis music and nightlife scene, and we know you will too! Take in a concert at one of the many live music venues, dance the night away at multiple nightclubs, or sit back and enjoy a craft cocktail out at a local bar. There’s something for everyone to enjoy when the sun goes down in Minneapolis. Visit First Ave, your downtown danceteria, for some live music. Or take the time to go to Paisley Park, home and studio of the amazing artist, Prince.

    …and just in case that’s not enough, here are 150 more things to do in Minneapolis!

    We hope this list provides you with plenty of fun and unique ideas for things to do in Minneapolis while you’re in town for the VETgirl U Veterinary Conference. If you have any questions regarding the conference, or are looking for more information on things to do while in MN, please reach out to us via email or connect with a member of the VETgirl team during your stay.

    We look forward to seeing you in Minneapolis soon!

  1. Don’t forget Minnesota United FC men’s soccer team and the Minnesota Lynx, Minnesota Aurora FC, Minnesota Vixen, Minnesota Whitecaps, and Minnesota Roller Derby for women’s teams!

    • Love it! 🙂 Thank you so much for pointing that out too! As an ultimate frisbee player, I should Minnesota’s Pro ultimate frisbee team Windchill too! 🙂

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