austin

Austin

chicago

Chicago

denver

Denver

lasvegas

Las Vegas

madison

Madison

nashville

Nashville

philly

Philly

pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

portland

Portland

saltlake

Salt Lake

seattle

Seattle

twincities

Twin Cities

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Twin Cities

Sean McPherson

We've all been there – someone sends you to an awesome museum and then you end up eating at the nearest Subway. Or you find a great coffee shop but all the tables are full and you have no idea what else to do in the neighborhood. A great double feature fixes all of that – one trip, two activities that are somehow more than the sum of their parts. Here are our five favorite double features in the Twin Cities, reachable by one single trip via bike, bus, car, or foot.

5 - Frozen Chai at Uncommon Grounds + Walk Around Lake of the Isles

This double feature came compliments of my neighbor Meredith and it’s a slam dunk. It is easy to forget when standing at Hennepin and 28th that you are three short blocks from the greatest set of urban lakes on planet earth. If you haven’t yet had the joy of grabbing a cool treat from Uptown and then exploring a lake while you enjoy said treat I implore you to do that immediately. 

 is a charming coffee shop inside a former single family residence and they stay true to the spirit of a 90s coffeeshop by staying open past sundown (they’re open until 9 p.m. every day, but don’t stop by before your morning walk as they don’t open until 10 a.m. on weekdays).

4 - A Climb at Vertical Endeavors + Music at Icehouse + Tacos at Los Sanchez

 lives an interesting triple life as the parking lot of choice for the weird online-orders-only Starbucks, the premier music venue Icehouse, and the celebrated indoor rock climbing facility 

. Different clientele! But for the venn diagram heroes who love a good climb and a stiff cocktail, it doesn’t get much better. Climb up to the maximum 58 feet at Vertical Endeavors and then clear and/or muddy your head with a mezcal old fashioned. I’ve never set foot in Vertical Endeavors but I’d certainly climb over a boulder to sip on the sharp power of mezcal combined with the homey midwestern sweet profile of an old fashioned. No matter how much you love the drinks, the draw of Icehouse is the music. The sound system is spectacular and they routinely attract some of the finest local and national talent.

The best music at Icehouse is often on the “off nights”. Right now Obi Original is holding court on Sunday nights with his group the Black Atlantics and L.A. Buckner is hosting an elite jam session with an amazing cast of players every Monday.

You might be ready to call it a day after your climb + drink but if you are jonesing for a bonus feature, cross Nicollet and poke your head in 

! This spot serves up awesome Mexican food including tacos and a crowd-pleasing plate of inter-state-Mexican fusion with 

Bring earplugs. It is a blessing if the house mariachi band is throwing down during your visit, but you can hear that 

A customer poured a little bit of their Corona onto the snare drum when I was there and it was absolutely mesmerizing to watch that lager fly.

3 - A Gourmet Meal + A Gourmet Dessert + a Shit Beer in Northeast

A double feature excels when it combines physical activity and bacchanal consumption of food and drink, (see No. 4). But a double feature can also shine when it brings together high class and low class offerings in a matter of blocks. For our creative producer Adam Sage, the allure of a gourmet meal and dessert washed down with an absolutely trashy beer near University Ave NE is his definition of heaven. For this triple feature, Adam suggests starting things off at 

 where he likes to get their Balinese Cauliflower which partners crispy cauliflower with a spicy sambal and a creamy coconut sauce. After that culinary adventure, Adam recommends a quick jaunt across University to visit 

. The menu is your oyster at this spot but Adam recommends baklava, rolled ice cream, or rolled ice cream with baklava. It seems your best bet is to walk up to the counter and just mumble the word baklava while tapping your credit card and seeing what the world provides for you. After all that sweetness, you don’t need a high-minded cocktail with a lime soupçon, you need a goddamn Hamm’s. And yes, the ultimate place to pull down a Hamm’s is in the middle of a lake in Northern Minnesota with two uncles who will split the 12-pack before you crack your second one but a great runner-up is 

. This friendly neighborhood bar has Minneapolis’ best bartenders, door staff, and vibe. Grab a stool near Paddy if he’s bartending and just enjoy the ride.

2 - One Bike Ride to Cinema + Beer + Books

Racket co-owner and editor Em Cassel is an outspoken supporter of a bike trip to South Minneapolis and she planned a great itinerary for her double feature. Take a 70 degree sunny Sunday afternoon and get yourself to the 

 for a 3 p.m. matinee. This Sunday the Trylon is offering up 

, the 1954 Japanese film directed by Kenji Mizoguchi. After you satisfy your jones for cinephilia, you can wet your whistle with one of the fine brews from 

 as a great choice for a light beer to enjoy on a sunny afternoon. Don’t worry if you built up an appetite during the 124 minutes of Sansho the Bailiff, Arbeiter always has a food truck on-site. One of Em’s favorites is the Hawaiian cuisine from 

. Em turned this double feature into a triple feature by recommending a quick visit to award-winning 

 which is directly next door to Arbeiter. Watch a movie, drink a beer, read a book, and eat a plate of Hawaiian food. That’s a Sunday!

 and Minnehaha Falls is the gold standard for Twin Cities double features. Sea Salt is a seasonal restaurant nestled right into 

. Brave the lines and enjoy some of the finest seafood on either side of the Minnehaha Creek. The seafood po’ boy is my go to, but honestly, you can’t really go wrong at Sea Salt. It would be worth a drive to any corner of Minnesota but the fact that it is mere steps away from the most beautiful waterfall in the metro makes it an unbeatable combo. There are great walking and biking paths of varying distances all around the falls. Whether you build up an appetite with a nice walk before Sea Salt or stroll around the grounds while you digest your meal, a trip to Sea Salt and Minnehaha Falls is an elite choice for our No. 1 Twin Cities double feature.

Moscow on the Hill + St. Paul Curling Club

Cathedral Hill is the St. Paul neighborhood where you are most likely to stumble into magic. A quick visit to coffee for Nina’s can quickly turn into buying a plant at Mississippi Market and losing at darts at Sweeney’s. Place your evening in the hands of Cathedral Hill and you won’t be disappointed. My neighbor Silas swears by the double feature of a vodka-forward dinner on the picturesque patio of 

. This combo wins extra points because it’s a really unique experience to dine at a world-class Russian restaurant and then watch some of the most elite athletes practice or compete in the most idiosyncratic sport in world history. Only in St. Paul, baby. And mark your calendars: the 

Walden Coffee + Marty’s Deli + Dream Creamery

Why should the nighttime have all the fun? Surely we can pull off a morning-friendly double feature? What about grabbing a perfect cortado at 

 for a worth-every-dollar, expensive-ass breakfast sandwich? Sure, $10 is an insane price to pay for an egg and cheese but also, have you tried one? It was worth it, right? And if you are feeling extra gluttonous and it’s a weekend, stretch that sandwich and coffee out to noon and you can have the lunch of champions: a dream burger and a strawberry shake from 

We've all been there – someone sends you to an awesome museum and then you end up eating at the nearest Subway. Or you find a great coffee shop but all the tables are full and you have no idea what else to do in the neighborhood.

Top 5 Twin Cities Double (or Triple!) Features

Twin City Guides

Tiffany Bui

Clear your calendar, borrow a bike, and wear sunscreen. Art-A-Whirl is upon us and we want to help you do this weekend right! There’s a lot of art, there’s a lot of music, and there are very few parking spaces. We’re going to give you the insider tips for how to get the most out of one of the best weekends of the year in the Twin Cities.

For decades Northeast Minneapolis has been a central hub for artist studios. In fact the 

 was a conversation about hosting an open-studio tour to highlight these studio spaces. But dropping in on somebody’s studios can result in you watching an artist work while they are forced to “tolerate your existence” in the words of our own Tiffany Bui. But if the thought of that makes you cringe with embarrassment, Tiffany recommends the pop-up experiences. Her top pick for this year is at the Flux Arts Building where they are hosting a 

. This is a hands-on event where every artist in the building is crafting a disco cowboy art activity you can participate in. Have you always wanted to bedazzle a pony or paint your own bike helmet? Want no longer! Your bedazzled, safety-forward, helmet future awaits you at the Flux Arts Building.

ARTLESQUE: A Dark Mythology Burlesque Show

Minnesota has a big burlesque scene and it’s great to see some of that coming to the Twin Cities. The 

 is hosting a 13-act show that aims to transport viewers to alternate realities. Many of the big names in Minnesota burlesque are getting in on the fun for this event including 

If your taste pulls you to the vintage side of things, make sure to make a stop at Moth Oddities. This shop is a gem throughout the year but they step up the intensity for Art-A-Whirl with a 

 of great Minnesota jewelers and artists hawking their wares. One of our favorite guest artists is 

, the famous makers of the chickens-with-cowboy-boots 

Do you need a spacious spot to take a breather and enjoy the vibe? Look no further than 

. Grab a bite to eat and check out a load of great vendors.

Don’t bring your 13-year-old child there on Friday; the celebrated rapper and vocalist Dessa is scheduled to perform on Friday and Tiffany said that she will 

“elbow over a 13-year old to see Dessa.”

 Tiffany didn’t even say she was willing to do it if necessary. I think she 

 to elbow a 13-year old so leave your seventh-grader at home.

Don’t leave Art-A-Whirl empty-handed! There are a lot of great studios and pop-ups that let visitors take a proactive role in art creation. If your puppy has an artistic flourish we suggest a visit to Logan Park for

. Armed with acrylic paint, a plastic bag, and peanut butter, you can turn your pooch into Jackson Pollock.

The good people at Sharra Franks mosaic are ready to shepherd you through a do-it-yourself mosaic project. During your session, you’ll choose a mini frame and create your piece using a beautiful treasure trove of materials including glass, beads, tile, china, and vintage findings. Everything is included and beginner-friendly!

This experience requires a reservation. Book in advance 

What if your bra was art? You can participate in bra screenprinting at Casket Arts Building on Saturday. This hands-on project from 

 will take your undergarments to the next level in record time.

Though artists and art studios are at the center of the event, Art-A-Whirl turned into a Twin Cities phenomenon thanks to spectacular music programming at the bevy of elite bars and breweries in the area. Here are our picks for great music during the weekend.

 on Friday features some of the best young acts in the Twin Cities including 

 is a talented songwriter navigating a career renaissance with a set at 

 on Saturday. Eastside Food Coop, the Twin Cities’ best grocery store (

) is also throwing a banger of an event on Saturday with sets from 

, one of the premier voices of gospel music in town, will get things started at Indeed.

Might we also suggest finishing up your Art-A-Whirl with some indoor music? Sunday night might be the right time to hoof it over to the 

Northeast Minneapolis does not have the parking capacity to sustain all the car traffic coming into the neighborhood for Art-A-Whirl. Your best bet? Grab a 

 or prepare to park far away and hoof it to the center of the action.

Riding a bike is a great way to get to all of the different arts buildings during Art-A-Whirl, even if you don't own a bike. Recovery Bike Shop on Central Avenue will be 

 all weekend long. Show up to Recovery during Art-A-Whirl, pick out a bike, and return it by Sunday at 6 p.m. for FREE! They'll also have helmets and bike locks available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis, but they recommend bringing your own if possible.

Clear your calendar, borrow a bike, and wear sunscreen. Art-A-Whirl is upon us and we want to help you do this weekend right!

Your Guide to Minneapolis' Art-A-Whirl

Your Guide to Art-A-Whirl

Kirstie Kimball

Farmers markets change! That’s one of the best things about them. The best things to nab in May are quite different from what might be peaking in October. But don’t worry! We connected with restaurant critic and City Cast contributor Kirstie Kimball of 

. to find out what you need to grab this weekend from the market to make the most out of your trip. Bon appetit!

Ramp season is short and it’s right now! For the uninitiated, ramps are a wild allium that many Minnesota farmers will forage around their property. If you’re on a ramp hunt, visit the 

Ramp lovers should show up early. These things fly off the shelves. And don’t stop at a fresh ramp! There’s a vendor at Mill City who also hawks ramp salt. Yum!

Morels are a luxury food item. They cost money, but for the flavor enthusiast, they are well worth it! Right now you can enjoy the first-of-the-season luxury of a foraged morel.

Kirstie Kimball recommends preparing them in a soft scramble or dropping them in with a pile of noodles. There have been morel sightings as of late at the 

If you are ready to expand your cheese selections, there are a bevy of options on offer at most farmers markets. We have a seasonal suggestion if you’re looking for an alternative to cow’s milk that keeps it artisanal. 

 specializes in sheep milk cheese and they have some award-winning varieties. You can find LoveTree at the 

Lilac season comes and goes quickly but don’t let it slip by without sinking your teeth into a lilac mini bundt cake from Eat Me Bakery. This well-regarded bakery doesn’t have a brick and mortar location but they are a fixture at farmers markets across the metro and also do a brisk delivery and pick-up business. Kelsey Endres, the proprietor of Eat Me Bakery, reports that the first appearance for the mini bundt cakes this year will be at the 

 for vital updates on where she’ll be as well as when she inevitably runs out of baked goods at the markets.

Don’t waste your tulip season waiting with bated breath for peony season. That’s a rookie mistake. Tulips are here, they’re in bloom, and there’s no better spot to grab some of these seasonal delights than at a local farmers market.

Tulips are the cheat code to bring early summer energy directly into your home. Grab a bouquet for your table and you’ll feel the season even when you can’t be outdoors.

Farmers markets change! That’s one of the best things about them. The best things to nab in May are quite different from what might be peaking in October. 

Twin Cities Farmers Markets are Back – Here's What to Buy This Weekend 

The Farmers Market is Back – Here's What to Buy This Weekend 

Anna Weggel

Adam Sage

James Napoli

Tane Danger

It doesn’t get better than May in the Twin Cities. It doesn’t snow in May, and the mosquitoes aren’t quite ready to ruin an evening on a patio. The theater scene is in full swing, outdoor concerts start popping up every weekend, and people stop looking at you weirdly for getting ice cream. It’s been a long winter and a spring peppered with mornings fit for a parka and evenings fit for a tank top. But the warm weather is here to stay, and it’s time to enjoy it. Here are our recommendations and pro-tips to make the most out of your May.

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women at Guthrie Theater

I have seen dozens upon dozens of shows at the Guthrie, and “Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women” was in my top two of all time. The set, the script, the actors, the costuming, the jokes that brilliantly blended between then and now – it was a perfect, perfect show. At intermission, I leaned over to my husband and asked him how many times he cried thus far. “Four,” he replied, lifting up his glasses and wiping his eyes. When we got home, we literally called people we knew, late at night, to rave to them about this show. Isabella Star LaBlanc, whom you might recognize from HBO’s True Detective Season 4, will forever now be “Jo” to me. This show will stay with me for a very, very long time. Now playing through June 21. 

The Wizard of Oz at Children’s Theatre Company

I had a phenomenal time with my four-year-old seeing “The Wizard of Oz” this past weekend. The staging was magical, the cast, including Aniya Bostick as Dorothy, was brilliant and incredibly talented, and the potentially horrifying elements of the story were masked with smart humor and lots of levity, making it accessible for all ages. Reed Sigmund as the Lion and Autumn Ness as the Wicked Witch of the West were gobs of fun, and Dean Holt as the Scarecrow did moves with his legs that I’ve never seen on a stage before. And if you get the chance to go, keep an eye on Brendan Nelson Finn – one of my favorite ensemble members. I don’t know anything about him, but he stole nearly every scene he was in, sometimes without even moving or talking. What a talent! Now playing through June 14. 

I always bring these essentials to the theater with me: glasses, cough drops, a mask in case there are any errant coughers around me, my phone 

and for those that might have an ouchie tailbone, like I do, I turn my coat into a little tailbone pillow. It really helps! 

As an art market enthusiast, Art-A-Whirl is my Coachella. I’m hitting every vendor I possibly can, and going out of my way to visit artists in person. It’s quite a treat to visit the artist studios, but I actually have the best time visiting the pop-ups. If you’re really looking to shop until you drop, definitely drop by Quincy Hall, conveniently located next to major lofts like the Northrup King and Q.arma buildings. Every year, vendors fill out Quincy Hall’s massive venue. –

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of events (and people) at Art-A-Whirl, so I recommend choosing which artists you definitely want to visit ahead of time and staying in that zone. My artist recommendations for some fun and whimsy: 

 at Moth Oddities (maker of the chickens-with-cowboy-boots 

 all weekend long. Show up to Recovery during Art-A-Whirl, pick out a bike, and return it by Sunday at 6 p.m. for FREE! They'll also have helmets and bike locks available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis, but they recommend bringing your own if possible. 

The way I fell in love with Art-A-Whirl was not through visual art or jewelry. For me, the first draw was the music. One can pack in a full summer’s worth of outdoor music in a handful of well-curated days each May. I recommend catching your favorite artists at the big stages early in the day and then following your whimsy toward impromptu jam sessions, live DJ sets, and under-the-radar stages as the sunsets. The lineup at 

 on Friday features some of the best young acts in the Twin Cities, including 

. If you have enough gas left in the tank for more fun on Saturday, I recommend donning your finest in ironic cowboy gear and racing a “hobby horse” at the 

 because, honestly, when’s your next chance to do that? On Sunday, 

, one of the premier voices of gospel music in town, will get things started at Indeed. And when you are ready to get out of the sun on your final day of Art-A-Whirl hijinks, stop by the 331 Club to catch indoor sets from 

 are an absolutely insane thing to eat when you will have questionable access to a bathroom for the foreseeable future, but the fish is so good it’s worth the risk. When it is time to return the Alaskan cod to the ocean, walk calmly into a fancy restaurant like 

 and pretend you’re about to meet someone, and then make a quick beeline for the bathroom. If they make you buy something, get the charred cabbage – I cannot begin to explain how delicious it is. 

For two days, Cesar Chavez Street transforms into a massive street festival honoring Mexican heritage and the West Side's Latino community. Friday night kicks off with a lowrider car show at Harriet Island. Saturday is the main event: a parade at 10 a.m. followed by live music on two stages, 40 food vendors, 80 craft and merchandise vendors, a Family Zone, and — don't sleep on this — lucha libre-style wrestling. Last year's parade featured Indigenous dance groups in full regalia, folklorico dancers, and the Latin America Motorcycle Association. Over 10,000 people are expected, and it lives up to the crowd.

 Take Metro Transit. Street parking vanishes early, and the neighborhood gets packed. If you do drive, park a few blocks out toward Robert Street and walk in. Come hungry — 40 food vendors mean you're eating well, but the most popular spots get long lines by early afternoon. Get there closer to 11 a.m. and eat first. 

The Mayday Parade started in 1975 — just two weeks after the Vietnam War ended — when a group of 60 people marched with an Earth puppet, a water puppet, two accordions, and a bunch of banners. Now it draws up to 50,000. The parade kicks off at noon at Bloomington and 28th, winds down to Powderhorn Park, and is followed by the Tree of Life Ceremony on the hillside around 3 p.m. Mayday is built almost entirely by the community. After In the Heart of the Beast Theatre released the event in 2023, neighbors took over — constructing giant puppets (some over 10 feet tall) from recycled cardboard, house paint, and fabric scraps in garages and basements across South Minneapolis. You'll see activist street bands, stilters, art cars, dancers, and puppets the size of buildings. Dress up if the mood strikes you — many do. –

 The parade route gets very crowded south of 32nd Street. For a more relaxed view, stake out a spot north of Lake Street, where the route is less packed. There is 

 public parking in the Powderhorn Park lot — it's reserved for disability access only — so bike, bus, or walk. Food trucks are clustered on 35th Street near the park (Taco Taxi, La Perla, Rollin' Nolens BBQ, and more), not along the parade route, so bring snacks for the march and save your appetite for the park. 

On Saturday, May 2, head down to the Minnehaha Creek at 11 a.m. to watch thousands of rubber ducks float toward the falls. If you want to get in on the action, you can pay to 

 (or a whole flock), and you'll get a prize if your duck is one of the first 20 to cross the finish line. The race starts at the 12th Avenue Bridge and Minnehaha Parkway and finishes at 17th Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway. Don't worry, none of the ducks end up polluting the river, as volunteers wait at the finish line with big nets to collect them and use them again next year. 

Give her time and space to buy some GD flowers

In my house, Mother’s Day is synonymous with the start of gardening season. I think everyone’s season of motherhood varies wildly depending on how old your kids are. If you have teenagers, maybe you’re desperate to spend time with them. If you have pre-teens, maybe you want them to cook you breakfast. For me, I have a 2 and 4 year old, so what I’m asking for isn’t monumental. It’s for my husband to sit in the car, DJing Danny Go for them while slowly doling out snacks, so I can spend a glorious 12 minutes alone wandering the outdoor aisles of 

. Bonus points? Play with the kids inside the house for 20 minutes while I plant them in my outdoor flower box. The luxury!! 

: Gardeners don’t always get sarcasm! The sage wisdom for Minnesota green thumbs is to not plant anything until Mother’s Day to avoid an early spring frost. I made a social faux pas on April 22 by suggesting on social media that it was perfect weather to start planting tomatoes. The response from the internet was swift and vicious. So, not only should you avoid planting things before Mother’s Day, you should avoid making jokes about breaking that rule online. –

This marks the date Minnesota was admitted to the Union in 1858 – the last state actually admitted to the Union prior to the Civil War. It is commemorated each year by the lighting of the "Electrolier" or chandelier in the state Capitol Rotunda. It's 100+ years old (first installed in 1905) and they only light it occasionally, as Statehood Day is one of the only days you're guaranteed to see it lit (they might also light it the first day of session each year). It's pretty stunning and gives you an excuse to visit 

the most beautiful state capitol in the United States

Support the Frost, The Wolves, and the Wild in their Postseason Runs

I’d like to curse us by pointing out that Minnesota sports teams are doing pretty well. The Twins had an unexpectedly good start to their season. There is 

 for the upcoming Lynx season. And the Frost, the Timberwolves, and the Lynx are all in the postseason. I know we are not used to our teams being in good condition, and surely the moment will pass, but give the Lazy-Boy a break this month and get out to a local watering hole to cheer on your favorite teams! 

When you want to watch the Frost, your best option is 

 in Seward. This place is the beating heart of women’s sports culture in the Twin Cities. Their next game is on Saturday, May 2, and the bar is sure to be packed to the gills with the Frost faithful. It’s not hard to find a hockey bar in the Twin Cities. On nights when the Wolves and the Wild are both in action, I’m usually looking for a bar that 

 turn the sound on for the Wild. But, I consulted my dedicated hockey neighbor Donny, and he said the place to be for peak Wild intensity is 

 in downtown St. Paul. Tom Reid is a hockey icon known to darken the door of his namesake bar from time to time, and being that they are located just blocks away from the Grand Casino Arena, the hockey energy is truly palpable.

There’s a simple answer when you’re talking about the heart of Timberwolves fandom in the Twin Cities. 

 is the brewery that you know will always be open for games, sound on, and delicious pizza baking outside from Wrecktangle’s truck. I recently caught Game 1 of our series against the evil, terrible, shameful Denver Nuggets, and though the loss was a bummer, the energy was great. The crew from Falling Knife sets up a huge, two-sided screen outside, and fans bring folding chairs. It is a special place to enjoy a game and be shoulder-to-shoulder with other insane people who will watch basketball while wrapped in blankets at 10:25 p.m. on a Monday night. 

It's finally warm enough that you have no excuse not to be riding your bike. Get a tune-up at your nearest bike shop if something feels off after not using it all winter, or take it into 

 for a Tuesday DIY night to fix it up yourself under the kind supervision of a knowledgeable bike mechanic. Join in on a group ride to enjoy some riding with your neighbors:

 (someone on an e-bike tows a DJ in a trailer blasting music) at Union Depot. There will be free snacks and cocktails after.

 Meet at the Martin Olav Sabo bridge at 7:30 a.m. for 

 Go to Recovery Bike Shop at 6 p.m. to decorate your bike (or a loaner bike that they will lend you for free) with pink lights and streamers to roll out on a 

Celebrate the Bounty of Great Twin Cities Ice Cream Options

There should be no stigma to eating ice cream in the middle of January. But there is. Once we hit Cinco De Mayo, however, it is ice cream season in the Twin Cities, and you can’t drive two blocks in this town without facing awesome and unique ice cream offerings. Our contributor Denzel Belin is poetic about the Salted Caramel Flan Brûlée from 

. This flavor is only available at their Uptown location, and Belin says they hit it with a torch before serving it to give that unmistakable brûlée flavor.

If you grab the Salted Caramel Flan Brûlée on a Friday the 13th, they’ll serve it to you with a 

I’m sure I’m biased based on it being carrying-a-crying-kid walking distance from my house, but 

 at Randolph and Hamline in St. Paul serves up some great flavors. My wife’s go-to choice is Exhausted Parent. If she ever let me even have one taste, I would tell you that it is espresso ice cream lightly kissed with bourbon flavor, peppered with delicious bittersweet chocolate chunks. I can give you a first-person testimonial on the uneaten half of my daughter’s cup of “Birthday Cake,” and oh my flipping god, it is so good. It’s melty, the spoon is already covered in ice cream by the time I get to it, and I wouldn’t change a single thing.

Pumphouse Creamery in South Minneapolis is also a year-round ice cream treasure, and though they offer a bevy of flavor options, I simply can’t get away from their pumpkin ice cream. They source their pumpkins from the Autumnwood Farm, and it makes a world of difference to actually get some farm-fresh flavor in the mix. Sure, pumpkin ice cream meets its peak popularity in November, but there’s no law against pumpin’ it up in May. I checked.

Sugar cones are trash. It’s a waffle cone, a cup, or GTFO. 

City Cast Twin Cities' Guide for May

Your Guide to the Twin Cities in May

It is April 20, aka “stoner Christmas” as our recent podcast guest Jessica Armbruster called it in 

. Armbruster controls the weed desk over at Racket and she was nice enough to join us on today’s episode to highlight some of her favorite Minnesota-made products. With Armbruster’s knowledge and my consumer enthusiasm we’ve fashioned a non-ranked list of five awesome Minnesota-made THC cannabis products. 🥁 Carlton Barrett of the Wailers drum roll please.

The current laws in Minnesota have helped to make us a hotbed of THC seltzer enthusiasm. Our 

 from Earl Giles said that he’ll even see customers from weed friendly spots like Denver and California have their minds blown by being able to order a THC beverage at a bar. Long live the THC seltzer. These things have been game changers for so many folks who crack one open for many different purposes. It might just be relaxation at the end of a long day or it might be a substitute for the six-pack of lager someone used to drain on Tuesdays. One of the most cherished THC drinks from the Twin Cities is Venn Brewing’s “Zenn Paloma”. This sophisticated beverage tastes fresh like a high-end alcoholic paloma served up at a seaside resort. The flavors blend perfectly and the production is top notch, assuring a reliably dosed product every time you partake.

Trail Magic “Classic Iced Tea and Lemonade”

Here’s a reality about THC beverages: some taste like carbonated bongwater while others taste like plain seltzer water. But for my money, Trail Magic’s “Classic Iced Tea and Lemonade” is something I would sip even if it wasn’t mind-altering. Before I try and win you over on Trail Magic, I first have to try to win you over on Arnold Palmers. Have you had iced tea? Sure you have, it’s delicious. Have you tried lemonade? Of course you have. Also delicious. Put them together? Jackpot. Add weed? Crackpot.

When I chatted with Jessica Armbruster I asked her about her recommendations for THC beverages for newbies who might just be dipping a toe into high country. That’s an important part of the potential audience for THC beverages. But I also asked Armbruster about the products for when it’s time to go in 

 into the world of marijuana. And Jessica recommended Falling Knife’s Grape Vape as her favorite choice for a drink that says “you’re done for the day”. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t like grape soda? If someone had told me at age 16 that there would be grape soda that gets you high I probably would’ve died just based on the concept alone. And it’s always worth supporting Falling Knife for being one of the most basketball-centric taprooms in our scene. Might I recommend grabbing a Grape Vape up at the Falling Knife tap room while watching our beloved Timberwolves house the Denver Nuggets? That sounds like a pretty good night!

Not everyone wants to get ripped on THC-infused grape soda while watching Anthony Edwards remind Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets that he’ll never be all-star material. For folks who want a more mild introduction into the world of THC, Jessica Armbruster enthusiastically recommends the products from Mary and Jane. This Minnesota company sells microdose edibles that get rave reviews from steady users and dabblers. And given that they come in a discreet travel-friendly tin, Armbruster says she actually keeps them in her purse “quite often, just 'cause you never know.”

Trail Magic is not the only lemonade/iced tea blend going in Minnesota’s THC world. City Cast contributor and news producer Sam Choo sings the praises of Stigma’s 10mg tallboy. This is another well-measured product that reliably delivers a strong high with a delicious drinking experience. And though 10mg is not for everybody, the tallboy format does slow down the intake a bit and works perfectly for a beverage on the back nine at your favorite golf course.

It is April 20, aka “stoner Christmas” as our recent podcast guest Jessica Armbruster called it in the pages of Racket.

5 Minnesota-Made Cannabis Products for Your 420 Festivities

5 Minnesota-Made Cannabis Products for Your 4/20 Festivities

audio stories from transplants on the podcast,

 and it got me thinking about some of the unique intricacies of life in the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities claim a complicated mix of reputations. We are known worldwide for our passive aggressiveness. We are known, but misunderstood, for our love of lakes. And now we are also recognized for a network of mutual support and resistance that has been cultivated locally for years but attracted national attention during Operation Metro Surge. Of course, some of the things that make the Twin Cities special can only be understood when you’re on the ground. Consider this the inside scoop for new arrivals to Minnesota.

A lot of people claim that Minnesotans hate spicy food, and that is largely true. But it’s not so much that we 

Most restaurants let you order your dish on a spice level of 1-5. No one orders 1 unless you are feeding a child or a childlike adult. No one orders 5 unless you have a death wish. Level 5 is not spicy food; it’s “ I dare you” food. It is spicier than almost anyone would want, and it is spicy food as imagined by a person who hates spicy food. Level 5 at most Minnesota restaurants is like someone opened up the jar of spices with no attention to moisture and balance. Keep your order between 2-4, and you’ll be like the rest of us, and boy, do Minnesotans like acting like the rest of Minnesota!

When You Hear a Siren, You’ll See White Lights at Intersections

In the Twin Cities, you’ll be driving around, hear a police siren, and suddenly notice a white light on top of a stoplight. Those are called preemption devices, and they aren’t all that common in the US.

Solid white light means the emergency vehicle is on the same street as you. Flashing lights mean the emergency vehicle is approaching the intersection from another street.

Either way, the light means pay attention, be safe, and give emergency vehicles the right of way.

Sirens Ring at 1 p.m. on the First Wednesday of the Month

Minnesota tests its outdoor warning sirens at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month. It’s just a test. It’ll last a minute, and then it’s done. But that’s not in the brochure – they didn’t tell me about that when I moved here.

We Didn’t Just Get into the WNBA Like the Rest of You Jerks

We get it. We’re also glad Caitlin Clark is part of the 

 of WNBA enthusiasm, but don’t act like she’s the start of the story, especially not here in Minnesota. We’ve been winning titles since 2011, and if the referees could get their heads out of their own rear ends, we’d have a couple more banners in the rafters. The Lynx are big business; they sell tickets, and they draw coverage. The Lynx hive is huge, and as our recent guest Steve Marsh pointed out, “

There’s a Trick to Driving Between Downtowns

We recently shared some audio stories from transplants on the podcast, and it got me thinking about some of the unique intricacies of life in the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities claim a complicated mix of reputations. We are known worldwide for our passive aggressiveness. We are known, but misunderstood, for our love of lakes. And now we are also recognized for a network of mutual support and resistance that has been cultivated locally for years but attracted national attention during Operation Metro Surge. Of course, some of the things that make the Twin Cities special can only be understood when you’re on the ground. Consider this the inside scoop for new arrivals to Minnesota.  



Twin City Guides

Top 5 Twin Cities Double (or Triple!) Features

Your Guide to Art-A-Whirl

The Farmers Market is Back – Here's What to Buy This Weekend

Latest articles

Your Guide to the Twin Cities in May

5 Minnesota-Made Cannabis Products for Your 4/20 Festivities

We’re So Glad You Moved to Minnesota, Here’s What We Forgot to Tell You

Your Guide to the Twin Cities in April

Top 5 Twin Cities Grocery Stores

Where to Celebrate Lunar New Year in the Twin Cities

Your Guide to the Twin Cities in February