While the trees outside have yet to bloom, the 8th Floor Auditorium at the Macy’s Downtown Minneapolis is filled with lush plants and flowers. Featuring an “America The Beautiful” theme this year, guests are transported throughout the country with various vignettes showcasing plants from specific regions including the Southwest, Pacific Northwest, New England and the Rockies. There’s an audio tour guests can follow with their own phones and earbuds, plus the flower display has a plethora of photo opportunities for photographers and instagrammers.
Open from March 20 to April 3, the annual flower show has been a classic spring event and a must-see for Minnesotans for decades. Perfect for brightening the dull and gloomy rainy days that will eventually make way for lovely spring weather, the flower show offers a gift shop with flower-themed merchandise, as well as treats. During the event, there’s also in-store flower-related events including a watercolor workshop and chef demonstrations.
It’s ideal for checking out on your lunch break or taking a family trip downtown!
In honor of Holy Week, this week’s Minnesota Mondays feature is about the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Perched high on the hill overlooking our capitol city, the beautiful structure was completed in 1915 and listed on the National Register of Historical Buildings in 1974.
Oh Ireland how I miss your shores, rolling fields and fences made of stone. I have nothing but the fondest memories of my two trips to Ireland.
Can’t make it to the original location? You can also grab some classic fare to go at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport—Terminal 1 or enjoy special menu items and live music at the Minnesota State Fair at the corner of Dan Patch Avenue & Cosgove Street.
Seeing all of the merchandise was fascinating…I love the iconic fashion of the 1950’s but what really made my heart sing was the Dayton’s shopping bags. If you’re from Minnesota, Dayton’s is the store you went to for special occasions, the Eigth Floor Christmas display and the Bachman’s Spring Flower Show. For me, it’s where I went for special shoes and dresses for everything from First Communion to Graduation. Unfortunately, the stores were purchased by Macy’s…so the legendary department store locations are just shells of what they used to be, but the Suburbia exhibit made me remember all the lovely years and all of my Dayton’s memories…I’d give up all the other department stores in the world to have the Minneapolis Dayton’s back to what it was!
With the end of Downton Abbey fast approaching, my desire to get to Highclere Castle has only grown. But until I can get back across the pond, there’s a very special place in St. Paul I can visit to get a taste of Downton—the James J. Hill House, which has recently become known as “Minnesota’s Own Downton Abbey”.