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Minnesota is starting to display those tell-tale signs of spring, from fresh blooms to a variety of active wildlife. Put away those winter coats and get out there and enjoy everything your city has to offer. Here is our list of the top four fun spring activities to do in Minneapolis.

  1. Visit the Minnesota Zoo

“llama” by ikarusmedia, used under CC BY 2.0

A trip to the Minnesota Zoo is an excellent excursion any time of year, yet it’s particularly enjoyable during springtime. The warm weather means the arrival of new babies. Stop by the Wells Fargo Family Farm to catch a glimpse of chicks, bunnies, calves, and kids. These are just a few of the spring baby animals you’ll encounter at this park.

Get close to nature without leaving the city during Llama Trek Week, May 25 through Sep. 2. Guests are invited to walk among a herd of free-roaming llamas and other South American animal inhabitants starting this spring. You’ll also see adorable guinea pigs and rheas, a flightless bird. Proceeds from this exciting event benefit wild chinchilla conservation in Chile, and admission is free with your zoo’s general admittance ticket. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you on the lookout for a great restaurant near the Twin Cities? Vibrant Minneapolis has a growing reputation as an up-and-coming culinary hotspot. With all of these mouthwatering choices, it’s hard to know where to go to fill up your belly. Here are four places to track down the best pasta, pizza, and steak in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“Long strings” by Shawn B. Smith, used under CC BY 2.0

  1. Broder’s Pasta Bar

As you guessed, family-owned Broder’s Pasta Bar is home to some of the finest Italian cuisine Minneapolis has to offer at 5000 Penn Ave. S. Since 1994, the Broder’s have mastered the art of pasta making. They combine fresh, local ingredients — some that they grow on site — and handmade or imported pasta and risottos.

This cozy neighborhood spot cooks everything to order, such as the pappardelle with lamb ragu. They offer an excellent selection of Italian wines and budget-friendly daily specials. Broder’s doesn’t take reservations, so plan to arrive early for the best table or have a seat on their inviting patio.

  1. Young Joni

When you’ve got a hankering for award-winning, wood-fired pizza, the stylish Young Joni’s in northeast Minneapolis at 165 13th Ave NE. is your best choice. At this venue, the standard pie is exceeded only by chef Ann Kim’s inventive creations such as the asparagus and egg pizza.

Her salsa macha, cilantro, and lime chicken wings are also delicious. Why not try a Korean-inspired dish? Whatever you order, it’ll pair perfectly with a cocktail, mug of beer or glass of wine from Young Joni’s hidden back-bar speakeasy. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re a hybrid shopper looking for a small SUV with a spacious, refined interior and excellent fuel efficiency, put the 2019 Kia Niro on your shortlist of must test-drives. Its composed ride and new, all-electric model set it apart from rivals. Let’s review four reasons to choose the new Niro.

“Kia Niro 1.6 EcoHybrid” by RL GNZLZ, used under CC BY 2.0

  1. Excellent Fuel Economy

As a hybrid SUV, the Niro delivers some of the best fuel economy estimates in its class. Powered by a combination of a four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor, this equipment produces 139 horsepower. That’s plenty of oomph for any daily commute.

The Niro touts a rare-for-this-segment dual-clutch automatic transmission. It delivers natural shifts while retaining fuel economy rating of 52 mpg city and 49 mpg highway. The plug-in variant earns commendable estimates of 105 MPGe combined and has a range of 26 miles on all electric power.

The new-for-2019 Niro EV comes with a 150-kW electric motor that produces even more horsepower: 201 ponies to be exact. This engine is paired with a single-speed transmission and delivers quick acceleration while still earning 112 MPGe. It also boasts an impressive 239-mile electric range. Read the rest of this entry »

The 2019 Kia Cadenza is a terrific choice for your next new large sedan. It ranks tops on the lot thanks to an upmarket cabin, a lengthy list of standard features, and excellent safety scores. It’s touted as one of the best combinations of passenger space and build quality. Let’s discuss some of the best amenities you’ll get with the 2019 Kia Cadenza.

Robust V-6

Kia equipped the new Cadenza with one robust engine option. The 3.3-liter V-6 puts out 290 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, and pairs well with the smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. This Kia engine delivers plenty of power for practically every daily driving scenario, while still earning 20 mpg city and 27 highway. Read the rest of this entry »

 

The 2019 Kia Stinger is full of exciting features that will make you want to drive one home today. From a sleek exterior to an impressive interior, here is everything you’ll want to know about this car.

Sleek Exterior

The outside of the Stinger has LED running lights and automatic headlights so the car will always be seen by others on the road. There are also power-folding mirrors which are heated to make it easier to defrost them on cold mornings. Parking is made easy thanks to front and back parking sensors that let you know when you’re getting too close to other vehicles around you.

There is also a rearview camera so you can see what’s behind you as you back out of a spot. If something is in your way, the car will alert you immediately so you can stop.  Read the rest of this entry »

The 2019 Kia Stinger is full of exciting features that will make you want to drive one home today. From a sleek exterior to an impressive interior, here is everything you’ll want to know about this car. 

Sleek Exterior

The outside of the Stinger has LED running lights and automatic headlights so the car will always be seen by others on the road. There are also power-folding mirrors which are heated to make it easier to defrost them on cold mornings. Parking is made easy thanks to front and back parking sensors that let you know when you’re getting too close to other vehicles around you.

There is also a rearview camera so you can see what’s behind you as you back out of a spot. If something is in your way, the car will alert you immediately so you can stop.  Read the rest of this entry »

The long winter has finally receded into the rearview mirror, making way for the warmer temperatures and sunny weather of spring. While this is the perfect time of year to finally get out of the house, it’s also the ideal chance to recover your car. After a harsh winter, ice, snow, salt, and poor road conditions have wreaked havoc on your vehicle, but don’t fear. With a few suggestions and tips, you can get your car in like-new condition, ready to tackle the spring ahead. 

Replace/Swap/Rotate Your Tires

If you swapped out your all-season tires in favor of winter tires, spring is the time to switch them back. All-season tires have a compound that allows them to grip better in warmer temperatures and allow more agility than winter tires during spring. If you didn’t change your all-season tires, opt for a tire rotation. When your tires stay in the same positions, they wear unevenly, creating an uneven tread that’s hazardous. A tire rotation every 3,000 to 6,000 miles keeps wearing even, preventing blowouts or buying new tires sooner than need be.  Read the rest of this entry »

Although it doesn’t compare to International Falls, Minnesota, — the coldest city in the continental United States — Lakeville, Minnesota can get downright nippy. For nearly five months, temperatures here barely crack freezing, while the sun can hide for days at a time. So when the ground starts to thaw and the temperature rises, it’s a cause for celebration. Fortunately, you can find numerous ways to welcome springtime in and around the city. Here are a few of the top destinations and attractions. 

Explore Lakewood Cemetery

It may sound a bit morbid, but exploring Lakewood Cemetery just 30 minutes from Lakeview is an experience unlike any other. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Lakewood Cemetery contains over 100,000 headstones, a chapel modeled after the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, several mausoleums, grand statues, and beautifully manicured grounds.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Feb 25, 2019

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