And…on the fringe days before and after the convention, LET’S HAVE SOME FUN AND CHECK OUT THIS AMAZING CITY!
Most visitors to Minneapolis have a great time and vow to come back. Whether you’re a virgin visitor or returning, make plans to do fun stuff in small groups with your NABWMT brothers on the shoulder days of the NABWMT Convention (Monday and Tuesday, July 4, 5 before the convention, and Sunday and Monday, July 10, 11 after). Discounted room rates at the convention hotel apply during these days. These excursions are not formal convention activities, they are on-your-own outings. That said, in the coming weeks there will likely be individuals volunteering as outing leaders. Let us know if you want to lead an outing by selecting a date and time for your outing and being the point person for others to contact.
Whether there are two or twenty of us for a given outing, we know we’ll have an enjoyable time and personal bonding. Yes, we get a lot of snow in the winter, but the average high temp in July is 82 °F, perfect T-shirt weather. Here’s what’s on tap…
Paisley Park
Music, art, fashion, and culture are on display at this museum where Prince lived, recorded, and entertained for nearly 30 years. Come learn about the ways Prince triumphed over the big record labels that tried to keep him under their thumb. In addition to regular museum tours and attractions, there are special exhibitions. Right now, you can see “The Beautiful Collection: Prince’s Custom Shoes.” (Photo by Dan Lacey.)
Mall of America
Shop til you drop at over 500 stores in this mall with 5.6 million square feet! Plan at least 3 hours for your first trip and know that you definitely won’t see the whole place. Enjoy the Nickelodeon Universe theme park with 28 rides or the Sea Life aquarium, but don’t become one of the 3,700 children each year who are reunited with their parents after getting lost at MOA. (Photo by MOA.)
Bicycling
Minneapolis was rated the number 1 bicycling city in the U.S. by Bicycling Magazine (again) in 2018 and in 2020 by Redfin. Check out the Midtown Greenway, a 5.5-mile grade-separated bikeway that offers nonstop travel across Minneapolis. Named the number 1 urban bikeway in the U.S., this greenway serves thousands of commuters and recreational riders daily. It connects with paths that circle the city’s famous Chain of Lakes on the west and the Mississippi River to the east. And it runs alongside Tim Springer’s backyard where early-arriving NABWMT 2022 Convention registrants are invited to mix with locals at a party on Tuesday, July 5. (Midtown Greenway photo courtesy of The Greenway Guy.)
Walker Art Center
If you like larger-than-life modern artwork that makes you say “WOW!”, laugh, and scratch your head, you’ll love the Walker Art Center. Minneapolis is an active arts town, and this place is the pièce de resistance. Play mini-golf in an artist-designed course on the roof with great skyline views, enjoy mind-bending art by local, national, and international artists. Don’t miss the 11-acre out door sculpture garden where you’ll see the classic Minneapolis postcard artwork Spoonbridge and Cherry, the big blue Cock, and much more. (Photo by Krivit Photography.)
Mississippi River, Downtown
The Mississippi riverfront in downtown Minneapolis is a great destination with the Stone Arch Bridge and other walking and biking paths, restaurants, theaters, grain mills ruins, a dam!, and great views from all angles. We can help you to connect and plan a group outing to walk a loop and dine together, and perhaps visit the Mill City Museum. Mobility issues?–phht, don’t let that get in your way. We will provide a pedicab, a delightful way for you to join us on this junket. (Photo by Minneapolis Parks and Rec.)
North Loop, Downtown Minneapolis
This neighborhood of lofts, hotels, and restaurants in old brick warehouse buildings is one of the trendier parts of town, including the chic men’s store and interior design shop MartinPatrick3. (Photo courtesy of Tim Springer.)
Canoeing and Kayaking
When in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, get out on the water in a canoe or kayak. Motorized boats are not allowed on our public lakes managed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, so they are ideal for paddling or sailing. Biking and walking trails tracing the shorelines have made our Chain of Lakes the second most frequently visited destination in Minnesota after the Mall of America. (Photo by smcgee.)
Centennial Lakes trails
These uber-landscaped walkways have speakers playing music for your enjoyment as you walk along a pretty man-made waterway. This network of paved paths is within walking distance from our convention hotel and can make for a great brisk morning walk or jog before you start your day. Let’s make it a group thang. (Photo by Tanner Ford.)
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
For most NABWMT convention goers, the annual convention is a vacation, and vacations are not complete without a chill zen moment to escape the strife of life. Walk the beautiful trails along the Minnesota River gorge in this 14,000-acre refuge with habitats harboring threatened birds and other wildlife. This is a short Uber ride or accessible via public transit from the convention hotel. Trip Advisor reviews are consistent about this being a wonderful experience. But don’t trust all of them, visit and add your own review.
Bar Scene
Um, ok, Minneapolis is not New York City or Rio in terms of the gay bar scene. That said, there are five gay bars in downtown Minneapolis. Each offers a different flavor, including the infamous and somewhat-tired-but-not-to-be-missed-by-visitors Gay Nineties that has nine different bars inside of it, including a drag show lounge, two dance floors, and a giant phallus for selfies or groups shots.(Photo by Tadson Bussey.)
Do you have a question and want to communicate with a real person? Please contact Tim Springer at convention@nabwmt.org or 612-355-9600.
