Ellis: Family Reunion

Dinner at Axel's Bonfire, Saint Paul!

850 Grand Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55105
(651) 312-1299

The restaurant is 8 miles, or about 20 minutes from the hotel, and the directions are very simple.

I'll have *maps with directions* at the hotel, or you could plug the addresses into mapquest in order to include them in the booklet. The hotel address is 3800 american blvd east, bloomington mn 55425.

2. Turn right at 34th Ave S

3. Take the ramp onto MN-5 E

4. Turn left at Lexington Pkwy S

5. Turn right at Grand Ave

So you have all Saturday open before the banquet and are wondering what to do? Here are some of the Twin Cities’ Best. All are highly recommended!

So there’s no way you could come to the Twin Cities without stopping in at the MOA RIGHT? There is plenty of shopping for adults, a movie theatre, and an amusement park for kids INSIDE the mall.

Distance - 1.5 miles, 3 minutes drive from hotel
Address - Mall of America, Minnesota
Web- www.mallofamerica.com

Free Shuttle - Leaves from the hotel several times an hour. Info at front desk.
To Drive- Take American Blvd to the East. Turn Left on 24th Avenue South.

Want to see the downtown Minneapolis skyline and skyways? Shop at major retailers and try some of our area’s best restaurants? Then Nicollet Mall is for you.

Distance- 13 miles, 20 minutes drive from hotel
Address- 700 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 55402

Take the Light Rail - Take the free shuttle from the hotel to the Mall of America. Find your way to the Light Rail Station. The fare should be about $2. Ride to the 2nd to last stop, which is Nicollet Mall. The trip should take less than 30 minutes.

To Drive - Take 494 West to 35W North. Take the 65-N/I-94 W exit on the left towards Downtown. Merge onto MN 65-N. Exit onto 5 th Avenue South. Turn left at 7 th Street South. Continue to intersection of 7 th street and Nicollet.

This large outdoor water park features “ 5 thrilling slides, a relaxing lazy river to float around & a vast zero depth entry with sprays, slide and bubblers for the smallest water lover.” Admission is $7-$9, and the park is open 11am-8:30 pm.

Distance - 8 miles, 12 minutes from hotel
Address - 1360 Civic Center Drive, Eagan, MN 55122

To Drive- Take I-494 East to the Pilot Knob Road exit. Go south on Pilot Knob to Civic Center Drive. Turn left at Civic Center Drive to Cascade Bay.

With over 75 attractions, this is the largest amusement park in the upper Midwest. Admission includes all rides, shows and the Whitewater Country Waterpark. The price for seniors (over 62) and kids under 48” is $12, and for other adults it is $36. Hours 10 am to midnight.

Distance - 16 miles, 23 minutes from hotel
Address - 1 Valleyfair Dr, Shakopee, MN 55379

To Drive- Take 494 West to 169 South. Take the Shakopee or County Road 101 Exit. Follow County Road 101 for approximately 3 miles to Valleyfair.

This a great museum for kids and adults! It is set on the downtown banks of the Mississippi in Saint Paul with a magnificent view of the water. The current feature exhibit is “ A Day in Pompeii,” featuring room-sized frescos, marble and bronze sculptures, jewelry, gold coins, and hundreds of priceless ancient artifacts that “join body casts of the volcano's victims, eerily preserved in their final frantic moments.” Admission to visit regular exhibits is $10 for adults, and $7.50 for kids and seniors (over age 65). Admission including the Pompeii exhibit is $20 for adults, and $10 for kids and seniors.

Distance - 12 miles, 18 minutes drive from hotel
Address - 120 Kellogg Blvd W, St Paul MN 55102

To Drive- Take 494 East to 35E North. Take the Kellogg Blvd exit. ( Parking - Take Kellogg Blvd to the three-way intersection with West 7th and Eagle Street. Take a right down Eagle Street to the second stoplight, Chestnut Street, and turn left. Proceed to the lower ramp entrance.)

The Twin Cities’ version of the Village in New York is “Uptown.” An eclectic area filled with small shops, bookstores, restaurants, condos, and home to 2 independent movie theatres, it’s a very “hip” part of town. Uptown is close to Lake Calhoun, a gorgeous lake right in the city of Minneapolis, which is great for walking, tanning (there is a beach), biking or just relaxing.

Distance - 12 miles, 21 minutes from hotel
Address - Hennepin and Lake Street 55408 ( Calhoun Square)

Movies - Uptown Theater and Lagoon Cinema (612) 825-6006 (both in walking distance of Calhoun square)

To Drive- Take 494 W to 35W North. Take a left exit onto 94 West. Take exit 231B. Take the far left lane on the exit and merge onto Hennepin Avenue SOUTH. Continue to Lake Street.

“Enjoy the sights of historic downtown Minneapolis with narrated tour complete with a lock through the largest lock on the Mississippi River, at St. Anthony Falls. A full service cash bar along with snacks & hot dogs is available for purchase.” Price is $17 per person. The tour is 1.5 hours long, and leaves at 12 pm and 2 pm.

Distance - 16 miles, 23 minutes from hotel
Address - 700 Sibley Street NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

To Drive - Take 35W North to 94 west. Proceed past downtown Minneapolis to the Washington Ave Exit #229. Take a right on Washington Ave. N. Go to Plymouth Ave. N. Turn left onto Plymouth Ave. N. Proceed on Plymouth Ave. N. for 0.5 miles. Plymouth Ave. N. will change its name to Eight Ave. NE. as you go over the Mississippi River. Turn right onto Sibley St. NE. Boom Island Park is 700 Sibley St. NE.

For those of you who like to gamble or stuff yourself at buffets, Mystic Lake is for you. The casino is alcohol free.

Distance - 22 miles, 30 minutes drive from hotel
Address - 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd, Prior Lake MN 55372

Free Shuttle - A FREE SHUTTLE BUS leaves from the Mall of America going to the Casino at 11:50 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, 5:50 pm, and 7:30 pm, 7 days a week. The last returns on the weekends are 11 pm and 12 am.

To Drive - Follow 169 South to County Rd. 83. Exit and take 83 South (left). Follow approx. 4 miles to Mystic Lake.