Final Four Travel Guide

I think this is Mac

Several years back (I can't recall which year, but it hardly matters - think it might've been 1995), our friend Mac and a pal were drinking at a local establishment on the day before Final Four Saturday when they struck up a conversation with a guy neither of them knew. One beer led to another led to a discussion about the Final Four led to the guy offering to fly them on his private plane to the game and pay for their lodging. Sounded sketchy at the time, and it sounds even sketchier now, but it was a legit offer and the guy was a stand-up cat. Mac and his buddy had a whirlwind weekend in Seattle (?) and have an all-timer of a story to tell.

Which leads me to the real point of this post. If any of you are out this evening and meet someone who's inclined to fly you to Minneapolis to watch basketball, you're gonna need some advice on things to do. Since I'm the resident expert on the Twin Cities, you've come to the right place.

Obviously, drinking is important, and Minneapolis has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to good, local brews. Fulton, Summit, Steel Toe, Utepils, and Insight all pour terrific stuff, but if you're in the Cities, you've got to make a stop at Surly. Located near the University of Minnesota, Surly's 90,000 square-foot beer hall might be the largest such place I've ever seen. The beer's phenomenal and rolls deep - they've got at least 18 varieties on tap at any given time, and the food is out of this world. I'd give a lot of consideration to skipping the crowds at US Bank Stadium (which is, in its own right, a gorgeous facility) and hunkering down at the bar at Surly to watch the games.

Goddamn, am I hungry

If you like, food, and I know you do, Minneapolis is a paradise, as well. I'm not gonna give you a list, but you can find lots of them. No, I'm gonna send you to a little place in a residential neighborhood that serves the best pizza I've ever eaten. When you walk into Pizzeria Lola in south Minneapolis, the first thing you see is a massive copper-clad pizza oven - it dominates the room. And the stuff that comes from it is absurdly good. The crust is chewy and yeasty, with just enough char, and so thin that it's easy for a small man to eat an entire medium pie. Goddamn, but that's good pizza. Prepare to wait for a table, because folks love Lola.

You're gonna need to stretch your legs after sitting for hours watching hoops, and fortunately for you, US Bank Stadium is only a few blocks from the Stone Arch Bridge, a pedestrian-only crossing that affords great views of the city (including the Guthrie Theater, which is an architectural marvel) and the Mississippi River. Minnesotans love their outdoors, so you'll be certain to see lots of them out and about. Say hi, 'cause they're a friendly bunch.

You'll likely want some culture, too, because I know how this crowd rolls. The Walker Art Center is world-renowned for its diverse performing and fine art programs. Head there for a little bit of peaceful reflection between action. And I insist that you catch a show at First Avenue, one of America's great music venues. It's where Prince first played Purple Rain in front of a crowd, and while I can't post that video because of copyright issues, it's amazing. Speaking of Prince, his Paisley Park is open to the public and only 20 miles west of Minneapolis.

Enjoy your stay in the Twin Cities. It's a very cool place, full of friendly folks, great food, good beer, and a wide range of art and music. Tell 'em I sent you. It won't make a difference, but it's an excellent conversation starter.