Double Your Fun

Take Your Gal Pals to the Twin Cities
By Shelby Deering |  Photos Courtesy The Como Park + Zoo, Explore Minnesota Tourism, The Happy Gnome

PEOPLE SOMETIMES SAY that Minneapolis and St, Paul feel like large-scale versions of Madison, if Madison happened to have the largest mall in the country just outside its city limits, Although the Mall of America is always fun, why not gather up the girls for a taste of shopping at locally owned spots in the Twin Cities?

Uptown Minneapolis and Cathedral Hill, a historical neighborhood in St, Paul, harbor plenty of boutiques and chic spots just waiting to be discovered. And here are some specific places that should definitely be on your list.

Sassy Knitwear sells comfortable, locally made clothing for women, children and babies, and the store, located in south Minneapolis, is adorable, Primp has six ultra-stylish locations in Minnesota and features affordable, on-trend jackets, dresses, sweaters and more, Grethen House specializes in fashionable yet minimalist apparel and accessories, and has two storefronts in Minneapolis and Edina, And since you’ll need something to go underneath those new clothes, be sure to stop at Flirt Boutique, purveyors of gorgeous lingerie from lines like Cosabella and La Perla, in both Minneapolis and St, Paul,

Ready to indulge your inner chef? Visit St, Paul’s Golden Fig Fine Foods for seasonings, dip mixes and vinegars, perfect for whipping up a delicious meal when you return from your getaway, Besides having a cute name, Stillwater’s Darn Knit Anyway has an impressive selection of gorgeous yarns,

And now for some pampering, Garden of Eden in St, Paul carries all-natural lotions, soaps and fragrances from cult favorites like Kiehl’s and Pre de Provence. When you’re sufficiently soothed, settle in with a book from SubText Books, a bookstore in downtown St, Paul where you could easily wander for hours,

If vintage treasures are what you’re after, look no further than Junk Bonanza, a three-day long indoor flea market at Shakopee’s Canterbury Park that offers curated antiques from some of the best sellers around—jewelry, furniture, clothing and much more, Plan a spring trip for the next market, April 21-23.

If you still have time, head to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul, where you can visit some fuzzy creatures and walk around the indoor conservatory, filled with amazing flowers and plants.

At the end of a long day of shopping and sightseeing, unwind at St. Paul’s The Happy Gnome, where you’ll find craft beers and upscale pub offerings, Then end the evening on a sweet note at Izzy’s Ice Cream, with locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Sample tasty flavors like blueberry cheesecake, salted caramel and maple nut.

The Twin Cities have plenty of luxurious places to rest your head for the night, including The Grand Hotel Minneapolis, a top-crust boutique hotel often named by travel publications as one of the best hotels in the world. If a B&B is more your speed, stay at the historical yet modern New Victorian Mansion in St. Paul, or the Rivertown Inn in Stillwater, which features literary-themed rooms like the Jane Austen Suite or the Lewis Carroll Bedchamber.

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