Axios Twin Cities

Sick of the snow? Why not spend a weekend (or weeknight) playing tourist in your own city?

Driving the news: We asked Axios Twin Cities readers to share their go-to spots for showing off our great metro to visitors. Hundreds of you responded!

Why it matters: Now is about the time of year when many Minnesotans start wondering why they live here at all.

• While many of the recommendations might seem obvious — or be places you've been many times before — these tried-and-true activities and attractions are worth another look.

The bottom line: Whether you're hosting friends, new to the area or just looking to see your city through fresh eyes, we're here to help you get through the rest of winter.

🛍️ Mall of America

Nine out of 10 of your out-of-town guests will probably request a tour of the mother of all Minnesota tourist attractions, complete with a ride at Nickelodeon Universe (RIP Camp Snoopy!).

Yes, but: The shopping and entertainment complex's 5.6 million square feet of stores, restaurants and entertainment means there's almost always something new to see.

• Recent additions include luxury stores perfect for window shopping, an indoor climbing zone and a state-of-the-art esports studio.

Pro tip: Swing by before the stores open for a walking tour to avoid crowds.

🕺🏿 Paisley Park

We know you know that you can tour Prince's Chanhassen estate-turned-museum/shrine. But did you know you can pay $160 to record in the studio?

• For an even more local (and probably less expensive) Prince experience, hit up a show at the Dakota, one of the late artist's go-to haunts, or snap a selfie outside the "Purple Rain" house (3420 Snelling Ave.).

Speaking of Prince, a show at First Avenue is never a bad idea (80s vs. 90s party anyone?).

🍜 Fill up at a food hall:

Bored with beer crawls? Eat your way through the Twin Cities instead by spending an afternoon touring one of our many food halls.

• From the pioneering Midtown Global Market to new entrant Eat Street Crossing, options abound.

Plus: The new Asia Mall in Eden Prairie is one of a number of great international grocery stores in the metro area worthy of a stop.

🎨 Get your fine-art fix

Minneapolis Institute of Art recently debuted a new full-sensory, immersive exhibition from Oscar-winning art director Tim Yip. The Walker, Cafesjian Art Trust Museum in Shoreview and Bell Museum are also good bets.

• And don't forget about the American Swedish Institute museum, which includes the FIKA cafe and the Turnblad Mansion.

Keep reading for more ideas

🧒🏽 A lack of child care has been a barrier for some people to stay in or join the workforce. Minnesota-based Hormel has a solution: build its own facility.

• The Fortune 500 company plans to break ground in late April on a $5 million child care center that will serve up to 130 kids of employees and the community at large.

🚗 You might want to start putting some money into that new-tires fund. It's supposed to be an epic pothole season in Minnesota.

• This winter's freeze-thaw cycle has not been kind to our roads. Crews have already started filling in the road craters, but don't expect the bulk of repairs to begin until later this month.

🏈 First, Eric Kendricks. Then, Adam Thielen. The Vikings makeover is well under way. Here's our guide to more early offseason moves the team may be considering.

• Our thought bubble: A magical 13-4 record last season feels like so long ago. But release who you need — we just want to win a Super Bowl.

👀 What we're watching: A "significant rewrite" of the marijuana legalization bill working its way through the Capitol could be released as soon as this week, per MinnPost. 

• The changes are expected to ensure the state's booming hemp-derived edibles market can continue alongside a new legal pot industry.

👋 Torey here! I made my first trip to the Twin Cities in October 2010, when I came to town to attend a wedding with a newish boyfriend who was from St. Louis Park.

While he performed groomsman duties, I tagged along with a group of out-of-town guests who planned on playing tourist for the day. Our top destination wasn't a lake or a brewery or the Stone Arch Bridge ... it was the skyways!

• Unsurprisingly, the halls were empty and most of the stores were closed on a gorgeous fall Saturday. After wandering aimlessly for a while, we went to lunch at Brit's Pub and called it a day.

❤️ Luckily, the experience didn't sour me on the city — or the boyfriend! We later married (👋 Chase!) and moved "home" in 2017. The rest is history!