Visit Lake Street Blog
The Staycation: How to Vacation in Lake Street without Leaving Your Home
December 02, 2011
Guest post by Tim Eyre
The recent economic downturn has negatively impacted the lives and lifestyles of millions of Americans, but many attribute one positive development to all the news of economic doom and gloom: the advent and popularity of the staycation. While the economic prosperity some Americans enjoyed in the late 1990s often made possible lavish trips and exotic vacations, some families are now opting to spend vacations closer to home. As a result, many Americans are rediscovering the great things that their local environs have to offer and saving money on travel at the same time. That trend certainly applies in Minneapolis. Whether you live around Lake Street or just in the greater Minneapolis area, you may be surprised to learn about all that Lake Street has to offer. It’s a fantastic place to live, eat, shop, and visit.
Multicultural variety is the culinary theme of the Lake Street area. Whether you’re in the mood for cuisine from Mexico, Japan, China, Africa, the Middle East, or more conventional American or European fare, you’ll likely find something that interests you here. Midtown Global Market is the epicenter of this global gastronomic movement. It boasts restaurants, cafes, and markets with treats from around the world. In addition, Mercardo Central houses about fifty business focusing Latino foods and culture. You won’t need your passport here, but you can transport yourself to a faraway locale without breaking the bank on plane tickets and hotel rooms. Dining in one of the many exciting Lake Street restaurants will highlight how ethnically and culturally rich the area is.
Lake Street also has a vibrant nightlife. Many of the bars and clubs also have a multicultural feel.
Lake Street is home to many national and local retailers you might find in any big city shopping mall, but it also has unique shops and boutiques that you won’t find anywhere else. Calhoun Square has been one of the most popular shopping destinations for Lake Street residents for over twenty years, and it currently offers countless options for shopping and dining. Experience more of Lake Street’s cultural diversity at Ingebretsen’s, which will transport you to Scandinavia and introduce you to the variety of products from the region.
You don’t have to travel around the globe to experience world class art, because Lake Street has tons of options right at your back door. For example, if you’re into theatre, check out Jungle Theater, which has delighted audiences in Minneapolis for over twenty years. It started in a humble storefront space and later moved to a larger venue that seats approximately 150 comfortably. Performances at Jungle Theater have garnered acclaim from audiences and critics alike. In addition, various forms of artistic expression are showcased along with a socially conscious mission at Intermedia Arts. This nonprofit organization promotes an artistic approach to dealing with social issues and embracing our differences.
Who would have thought a sophisticated night out could involve a bowling alley? Although Bryant Lake Bowl is a perfect spot for bowling enthusiasts, it also houses a restaurant, a bar, and an 85-seat cabaret-style theater. Theatre performances at BLB, as some locals call it, include comedy shows, poetry readings, musical performances, and plays. BLB is also host of the annual Minnesota Fringe Festival, which gives adventurous, unconventional artists a platform to display their talents.
Children will undoubtedly enjoy the In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre‘s wildly imaginative puppet shows and puppet-making classes. After serving Minnesota residents for over thirty years, the nonprofit organization has received multiple grants from National Endowment for the Arts (most recently in 2011) and boasts numerous other awards. HOBT continues to provide inexpensive enjoyment for all ages.
The Uptown Theater and Lagoon Cinema are Lake Street institutions that are widely regarded as the best venues to watch movies in town. Whether you want the latest blockbuster or an independent foreign film, you are sure to find something that interests you here.
If globetrotting and international adventures aren’t in your budget right now, consider embracing all Lake Street has to offer. Enjoying a staycation locally will help you reconnect with your community, it will support local businesses, and it will remind you of why Lake Street is such a great place to be.
In his role in the self storage industry, Tim Eyre helps customers care for their cherished belongings that must be put in storage. Tim regularly visits his facilities including a Brooklyn self storage facility. He was also recently meeting customers and staff at the Willow Grove self storage center.
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