Prep Dig Minnesota/NLQ Entertainment Guide – It’s No “Prom”blem
The end of April tends to be a time in the club season where some teams just seem to be holding on. Plenty of nights in a hotel, long drives, flights, school is getting a little intense, and the nagging injuries tend to be escalating a bit. There also becomes a few social conflicts, one in particular. Prom. In a Twitter poll ran across our Prep Dig accounts (over 300 votes) about half were able to play volleyball and go to prom, but the other half was split with athletes missing their tournament for prom and others missing prom to play in a tournament. Is there a correct answer? Who am I to make that decision. I don’t think there is a correct answer. However, if anyone is missing their prom to come play at Northern Lights, Minneapolis is a great place to have a great time out with your teammates which would include plenty of photo ops, a great dinner, and plenty of other activities to enjoy with friends and family. After all the traveling done together, teammates and parents of teammates all feel like family after a club season. Here is a weekend guide to the Northern Lights Qualifier and how to make the most of your time outside the convention center.
*This is all contingent on the weather being ideal 🙂
Best Spot For Team Pictures
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
A big blue chicken, cherry on a spoon, and plenty more, the Minneapolis Sculpture garden is a short walk from the convention center which makes the perfect place to take a few pictures with a team. I know it may not be the same as an escape room (I’m assuming every team has done that by now), but to get outside and walk around that’s close to the playing venue is a welcome break and a lot of fun, the Minneapolis Institute of Art and Walker Art Center is right there as well.
Minnehaha FallsMinnehaha Park
“The Falls” at Minnehaha Park is gorgeous. The trees may not have leaves yet (hey, we did have a blizzard two weeks ago), but this park is another great getaway not too far from downtown with nearby restaurants as well.
Stone Arch Bridge
A bridge connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul entirely made of stone, there is also St. Anthony Falls right there too as well as the Mill Museum. You aren’t too entirely far from US Bank Stadium which is home to the Vikings and most recently the NCAA Men’s Final Four. The bridge is a pedestrian and bike bridge.
Best Spots To Eat
With “Stay and Play”, most teams will be close to the convention center which has plenty of restaurants within walking distance. Brit’s Pub is a British themed restaurant and on the rooftop they have lawn bowling on Wimbledon like grass. There is also “The Local” for your typical Irish pub as well as the Newsroom. However if you want to get a bunch of pizza – Pizza Luce, no debate about it.
Entertainment
The Twins are playing the Orioles Friday night and Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Visit a College – The Twin Cities is home to colleges of every level, take a walk through campus.
College Volleyball – On Saturday, the Minnesota Gopher Volleyball team will be hosting North Dakota State with drills at 11:30 and then a scrimmage at 3:00 – it’s a win if teams play AM or PM shift.
Mall of America – Yes, everything you could possibly want may be at the Mall of America.
MLS Soccer – Minnesota United just opened Allianz stadium, they have a home game Sunday afternoon (maybe for the brothers or sisters of athletes who might be a little burnt out of volleyball by that point in the weekend).