Brioche Donuts bring out the crowds to St. Paul
About 10 years ago the country went crazy for cronuts, a cross between a donut and a croissant. There’s a new creation to get excited about in St. Paul. So Yen Desserts is making super fluffy brioche donuts. The donuts are hand-rolled, fried and filled with a light cream. The flavors rotate monthly. For May they’re featuring banana cream caramel pie, strawberry cream, raspberry lychee and an ‘everything but the bagel’ donut. The shop also has fresh beignets, burnt Basque cheesecake and savory congee bowls. They’re open Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are planning to add Thursdays this summer. They can sell out of the brioche donuts, but they will announce sell-outs on their social media pages. So Yen Desserts is located in Lowertown St. Paul at 275 4th St. E.
Great Big Game Show attraction coming to Mall of America
A live-action game show experience is opening at Mall of America this summer.
Corpse flower at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory continues to grow, but no bloom yet
A corpse flower at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul could bloom any day now.
Horace the Corpse Flower continues to grow, but no bloom yet
There’s a lot of buzz around an upcoming bloom at the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul. Horace the Corpse Flower could bloom any day now, though the staff believes Sunday May 19 is the likely date. When it happens, it will likely be in the afternoon or evening. They’ve been waiting for Horace to bloom for seven years. His brother is also at the conservatory but is still dormant and remains nameless. Both come from seeds from the same parent plants. Horace will be moved to the North garden on Friday morning and will still be available to view during regular business hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. You can watch Horace 24/7 on the Como Park live feed.
'World's Largest Bounce House' is coming to Minnesota this summer
The "World's Largest Bounce House" is coming to Minnesota this summer.
Art-a-Whirl returns to NE Minneapolis this weekend
The largest open studio tour in the country is taking place this weekend in Northeast Minneapolis. Art-a-Whirl is in its 29th year in the arts district. This year there are 1,300 participating artists at more than 100 locations. The event is taking place May 17-19. Art-a-Whirl hours: Friday from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday from noon – 8 p.m.; and Sunday noon – 5 p.m.
What to do in Minnesota: 5 things to do this weekend (May 17-19)
Enjoy the spring weather at several events across the Twin Cities this weekend, including Art-A-Whirl and multiple local markets.
Tour historic church as part of the Doors Open Minneapolis
The buildings and places that tell the story of Minneapolis history will open to the public for a free behind-the-scenes look this weekend. Doors Open Minneapolis is back with dozens of venues including Diamond Lake Lutheran Church. It is one of Hugo Haeuser’s final Gothic Revival masterpieces of church design. Doors Open is a free event on May 18-19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. though a few of the venues are only open one of the days.
Historic Minneapolis building open for tours this weekend
The buildings and places that tell the story of Minneapolis history will open to the public for a free behind-the-scenes look this weekend. Doors Open Minneapolis is back with dozens of venues including historic theaters, churches and mansions. One of the spots is a newspaper that has served the African American community for nearly 90 years. The Minnesota Spokesman Recorder is offering tours and a chance to browse their archives which has a copy of every edition they’ve printed since 1934. Doors Open is a free event on May 18-19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. though a few of the venues are only open one of the days.
Historic carousel opens for the season in Como Park
A piece of history is still bringing joy to families year after year in St. Paul. Cafesjian’s Carousel is located in St. Paul’s Como Park, just south of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. It was constructed for $8,500 in 1914 and assembled on the Minnesota State fairgrounds. Though it has moved locations a few times it’s found a permanent home in Como Park. The carousel is open five days a week Thursday to Monday and will run on that schedule through Labor Day.
St. Croix Valley is pottery central this weekend
Dozens of ceramic artists from all over the country are joining local artisans for the 32nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. The 70 potters will set up at seven local pottery studios to display their creations. The tour runs May 10th through the 12th and the studios are all a short drive from each other. The tour is free and open to all to attend.
What to do in Minnesota: 5 things to do this weekend (May 10-12)
Celebrate the birth of Minnesota, shop local markets or take your mom out for drinks at events in the Twin Cities this weekend.
Timberwolves partnered watch parties: Here’s where to watch Games 3 and 4
As the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to battle in the NBA Playoffs, several places are throwing watch parties to cheer on the Wolves.
Model train club plans hobby show in MN
A museum dedicated to model trains is celebrating nine decades in the Twin Cities and will host a big hobby show this weekend. The Twin City Model Railroad Museum started in 1934 inside a St. Paul home. It’s now located at 668 Transfer Road, Suite 8 in St. Paul. The museum has 13,000 square feet of interactive toy train layouts. The museum is open Monday and Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The Model Railroad Hobby Show and Sale will take place at the Minnesota State Fair’s Education Building on May 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
40,000 tulips in bloom at the Arboretum
The showy tulip bloom is underway at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The bloom is expected to last at least another week if not two. There are 135 varieties on display. The bulbs were planted in the fall by a mix of staff and volunteers over 520 hours. To keep up with the status of the tulips keep an eye on the Arboretum’s social media pages. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is located at 3675 Arboretum Drive in Chaska. Online tickets are required in advance for all Arboretum visitors.
Wings of the North spring pancake breakfast
This weekend, Wings of the North Aviation Museum is serving up breakfast with a side of history. The spring pancake breakfast is Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The WOTN Museum is located at Flying Cloud Airport near Gate H. The breakfast is a fundraiser for the nonprofit museum. The cost is $10 per adult, $25 for a family of two adults and two kids, $5 for additional kids ages 6 to 12, and free for kids age 5 and under. Museum admission is included with the cost of the breakfast.
What to do in Minnesota: 5 things to do this weekend (May 3-5)
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, raise money for the Animal Humane Society and more at events happening in the Twin Cities this weekend.
Lakewood Cemetery's ‘Music in the Chapel’ concert series
The summer concert series kick off this weekend in an unlikely place. Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis is bringing back ‘Music in the Chapel.’ The concerts are held in the Memorial Chapel which was built in 1910 and is adorned with 10 million mosaic glass tiles. The space is small, seating 160 so many of the shows sell out. The concerts are held once a month through December. The first show is May 5 but it’s sold out. The next concert will be on June 2 with J.E. Sunde. They are also opening a new Welcome Center this week. The ribbon cutting and open house will be on Wednesday May t1 from 3-7 p.m. More info: https://www.lakewoodcemetery.org/events-calendar/music-in-the-chapel/
Celebrated pastry chef opens Mpls restaurant
One of the country’s top pastry chefs has opened her first restaurant in Minneapolis. Diane Moua is a veteran of Bellecour, Spoon and Stable and received two James Beard nominations for Outstanding Pastry Chef. She’s branching out now, opening a Hmong-American eatery, Diane’s Place, in northeast Minneapolis. Visitors can pop in and get a coffee and pastry to go, or dine in with their breakfast and lunch menu. It’s located in the Food Building at the corner of Northeast Marshall Street and 14th Avenue Northeast. Diane’s Place is open from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. They are planning to add dinner service in the future.
'Art in Bloom' back for 40th year at MIA
Nature and art collide at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA). "Art In Bloom" is back for its 40th year. There are 180 living arrangements to view, most inspired by pieces in Mia’s vast collection. The event runs April 25-April 28 and is free to attend. Last year's event brought 60,000 visitors to the museum.