Although the winters in Minneapolis are brutal, the summer is hard to beat anywhere in the US. With tons of trails for biking, running, and strolling....and beautiful lakes everywhere....it is easy to see why the residents of Minneapolis put up with the miserable winters. My first trip to Minneapolis was in the dead of the winter, and it was so cold that I thought I was going to die that weekend. My body never felt so cold. Now I only visit Minneapolis once the weather gets warmer. With an average summer high in the 70s, Minneapolis becomes an outdoor paradise.
When I am in Minneapolis, I stay close to St.Louis Park. I like this area, because there are a ton of restaurant and gym options within a short drive. I tried staying downtown one weekend, but the downtown area pretty much shuts down during the weekend....and finding restaurants and shops open during the weekend can be challenging.
I have found 2 great gym options in Minneapolis. By far the best is the Lifetime Fitness in St.Louis Park. This huge facility has both great equipment and a ton of hot guys. Although most of the guys are straight there, the gym is known to be very cruisy in the wet areas.
The other option is the LA Fitness in Uptown. Although this gym is only a few months old, a ton of hot metrosexuals and hot gay guys have migrated to this gym. Equipment-wise, this gym can not be beat. The equipment is all new and top-notch. Although I never entered the "wet area" of this gym, it did not seem all that cruisy. I get the impression that guys go to Lifetime Fitness if they want the steam room action, and the LA Fitness if they want a serious workout.
If you are in the mood for some serious shopping, the largest mall in the US is located in Minneapolis. The Mall of America is so large that there is even an amusement park located in the middle of the mall (pictured above).
Minnesota is also the hometown of a number of porn stars including Brandon Wilde, David Dakota and Hayden Chandler.
All in all, I love visiting Minneapolis.....I just avoid it at all costs in the winter.
