It was supposed to be warm and sunny in the Twin Cities region that weekend. We envisioned how we would revel in ambling through the streets on a bright spring day, imagining how envious our freezing friends back home would be. But nature had different plans for us as the last storm of the winter made the streets wet and slippery. We were forced to become indoor tourists and, by coincidence, discovered areas few explore. We spent the next three days shopping and sight-seeing, without once finding our way into the heart of Minneapolis.

As we were approaching the twin cities, and with snow coming down heavily, we chose discretion over valour and found a perfect hotel in the suburb of Maple Grove. The hotel, a recently opened Marriott Courtyard, which happened to be integrated into a gem of a shopping mall called the Shoppes of Arbor Lakes in Minneapolis North, proved to be an exceptional find. The mall itself caters to somewhat of an upscale clientele, with restaurants and retail outlets that match those you will find anywhere.

It quickly became clear to me that this weekend would give new meaning to cross border shopping. It was only day one, and already we were worried about reaching our allowable tax free limit too soon. Thankfully the weather, perhaps thinking about my depleting wallet, gave us enough respite to go touring.

How my car immediately found its way to the Mall of America is still somewhat of a mystery to me. The Mall of America was conceived by the same Ghermezian brothers who built West Edmonton Mall. Like West Edmonton, this mall is also an entertainment centre. With only a few bags of purchases in tow, we descend down to the Underground Aquarium to watch the spectacle of 4500 sharks, snapping turtles, tropical fish and other sea creatures as they move above and beside us through a glass tunnel that seemed to completely surround us. Tropical snakes, huge lobster, and slow moving stingrays round out the live presentation that evolves before us as we roll along a unique moving walkway that takes us slowly through the tunnel. Visitors can step off and back on whenever they wish for a closer look if any one of the masses of fish compels them to stop and admire.

On the main level the shouts and screams of children compete with the sound of the roller coasters and other daredevil rides that rip through the skylight of the Nickelodeon Universe.

Legoland may be the quietest area in this young person’s dream-world. Parents and children alike stare in awe when inside this architectural marvel, and then often sit at any one of a number of Lego stations to create their own castles, cars and characters.

We would not let these distractions take us away from the shops for too long, for we were pursuing that unspoken objective of re-entering Canada with our full legal limit of shopping treasures. But we also did want to do more than just worship at the altar of Twin Cities retail, so it is perhaps right that the famous Cathedral of St. Paul beckoned us. Perched on the highest point in the city of St. Paul, it has stood as one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture since it celebrated its first Catholic Liturgy in 1915.

Along Summit Avenue, the quiet street leading to the cathedral, examples of the finest in Victorian architecture can be seen in the many mansions that dot both sides of the roadway. Beautiful majestic homes, constructed from the wealth and prosperity of a burgeoning city before the turn of the 20th century, are displayed like masterpieces kept intact by subsequent residents and city fathers.

As Minnesota’s capital, St. Paul offers its own vibrant downtown as well as trendy art and funky sections just outside its core. And with a darker history which included mobsters like John Dillinger, Ma Barker and Baby Face Nelson, today you can visit their haunts, and walk through the Wabasha Street Caves where evil deeds were planned and executed.

Manitobans will appreciate the ‘If These Walls Could Talk’ exhibit in the Minnesota History Centre in St. Paul’s East side. From early German immigrants through Italians, African Americans and Hmong, it traces a history of families passing through just one house through the changing demographics of a region. You gain an insight into their lives and adventures through the words of those who shaped what is St. Paul, and to a greater extent Minnesota, today.

From terrorism over the centuries, to recollections of the protests during the Vietnam era, one emerges from the centre with an appreciation not just of the state of Minnesota, but of America itself.

An evening of entertainment at the Plymouth Playhouse inside the Best Western Hotel in the suburb of Plymouth might just as well have been played in Winnipeg, as the ladies auxiliary of a local church were parodied in an off-Broadway musical comedy called Church Basement Ladies, A Second Helping. Anyone who gives of their time to assist in fund raising activities for their churches will find themselves laughing often as they identify with the characters in this production. Its underlying theme of a caring community of people working together tug at the heartstrings, as the characters share their stories of love and heartbreak with each other.

Sunday morning comes quickly and it’s time to begin the journey back home. The storm has passed and it looks like a comfortable drive lies ahead of us. Thanks to the time spent seeing sights and attractions, we are actually under our cross border claim limit. I was feeling quite smug about the discipline we showed after the first two mall experiences. But once more the shopping gods would intervene as we travelled along I-94. The sign said it all, Albertville Premium Outlet Mall, one hundred brand name stores. They were waiting for us, and only a few meters off the highway. A few minutes more won’t matter we rationalized.

Eight o’clock that evening we pass through the border, having finally reached our allowable limit at our last stop. I blame the weather. But we do look forward to returning. And while I hope we actually get to also visit downtown Minneapolis next time, if we don’t, I know there is still much more to see and do around the perimeter.

If You Go:

Where to Stay: The Embassy Suites in St. Paul gives you easy access to most sights, and freeways connect easily to Minneapolis and the other suburbs. Both the Marriott Courtyard and adjacent Holiday Inn in Maple Grove are both quite new and well appointed.

Where to Eat: Pittsburgh Blue specializes in terrific thick steaks in Maple Grove, while nearby Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano offers an excellent selection of traditional Italian choices. In St. Paul, just a short walk from the X-Cell centre, at Forepaugh’s on Exchange St., you can keep your eye out for the ghost of the builder of this Historic 1870’s Victorian mansion as you enjoy quiet dining in exceptional surroundings. The casual atmosphere and pasta bar at Buon Giorno at 918 Sibley Memorial Highway in Lilydale, where they cook your order in front of you, made for a fun evening. Next door the I Nonni restaurant offers more formal dining.

What to Do: St. Paul offers a myriad of choices, but do take in historic James J. Hill House. Hill, who was born in Canada, went on to become one of the richest men in America before he died in 1916 in the mansion he built on Summit Avenue. The Cathedral of St. Paul is just down the street. Church Basement Ladies plays until the end of July. Don’t miss it if you go there before summer’s end.

Getting There: For the most part the highways are exceptional with speed limits beyond the border usually between 70 and 75 mph. (approximate 110-120 kilometers per hour). Take Highway 75 to the border. It turns into I-29, then connect to I-94 at Fargo which takes you all the way to the outskirts of the Twin Cities.