A Sports-Filled Weekend in Minnesota’s Sweet Spot

When autumn brings out the fall colors, it also signals football season—along with baseball and hockey. From college matchups to professional games, make Minnesota’s sweet spot your home base and gain an advantage beyond the playing field.

Explore by Day

• Saturday
• Sunday

What This Itinerary Includes

• Food
• Outdoor Activities
• Sporting Events
• Drinks

Saturday

Morning

Begin the day at Bunny’s Bar & Grill, a neighborhood institution since 1933. Locals favor the signature skillet scrambles: scrambled eggs and American fries finished with melted Monterey jack-cheddar cheese, bacon and more. Biscuits and sausage gravy and cinnamon fritter French toast are also popular. Your meal includes a complimentary Bloody Mary, screwdriver or juice. With over 30 HDTV’s, including screens on the patio, Bunny’s is also ready when there’s a game to watch.

Next, take to the trails at Theodore Wirth Regional Park. With more than 12 miles of single-track trails, Theodore Wirth ranks among the premier mountain biking locations in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area. Area 36 is a good fit for beginner and intermediate riders, offering a physically demanding but technically easy ride. Expert cyclists can seek an adrenaline rush on the Brownie Lake Loop, with its steep rock climbs, descents and drops.

College Football Option

Alternatively, get a ride to Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis and watch the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher’s face their latest opponent. The stadium accommodates over 50,000 fans and is one of the newest in the Big 10. It also features one of the largest high-definition video displays in college sports, measuring 48’ high and 108’ wide. Led by coach P.J. Fleck, the Gopher football team had a strong 2019 season, winning 11 of 13 games, including the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day vs. Auborn. Home games often begin at 11 am.

Afternoon

After a workout or a game, settle in at Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant. This Golden Valley establishment is known for authentic cuisine and a fun, inviting atmosphere that draws locals and visitors. The menu includes tacos, burritos, enchiladas, flautas, quesadillas, arroz con pollo and more, as well as baskets of chips and salsa to enjoy with a favorite margarita or beer. Flat-screen TV’s throughout the room keep the game within view.

Prefer to participate rather than watch? Brookview’s Regulation Golf Course offers a challenging, mature round among tree-lined fairways, 28 moderate bunkers, fairly small greens, and abundant water hazards. Bassett Creek winds through the course and crosses six holes, while other water hazards come into play on 11 additional holes. It is a challenging yet fun way to spend a fall afternoon.

Evening

The West End provides plenty of dinner possibilities. One option is Yard House, a high-end sports bar with 100+ made-from-scratch optiongs, including salads, sandwiches, pizzas and main dishes, along with over 100 taps featuring the best American craft and import beers. The décor is classy yet comfortable, and guests can watch the game inside on one of over 20 TV’s or relax on the expansive patio. If the big game is on the West Coast or heads into overtime, Yard House stays open until 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Another possibility is to catch one of the last Twins baseball games of the season at Target Field, complete with a hot dog, nachos and tub of popcorn. In October, head to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul for one of the first Minnesota Wild hockey games of the season.

Finish the night in our unofficial distillery district. Across the parking lot from one another are Copperwing Distillery, known for vodskey and fresas, a strawberry gin, and The Dampfwerk, a family-owned distillery offering German-style brandies and herbal liqueurs. Both destinations serve distinctive flavors and creative cocktails. Copperwing remains open until 11 pm, while Dampfwerk is open until 12 am.

Sunday

Morning

For over 25 years, JJ’s Clubhouse has welcomed friends and families for brunch, time together and game watching. Wall-to-wall TV” (23 screens!) means you can stay with the action while enjoying a JJ’s Big Ole Bloody Mary served with a High Life pony of beer or a Screwmosa made with orange juice, pineapple vodka and champagne. Brunch choices include Belgian waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, an old-fashioned egg sandwich, and a smash bowl filled with carnitas pork, eggs, hashbrowns, and Hollandaise sauce.

Afternoon

Put on your favorite jersey—preferably purple and white—and follow the sound of the Gjallarhorn to U.S. Bank Stadium for the Vikings game. The skol chant and the energy of 66,000 fellow fans are sure to get you fired up. Fans of the other team are welcome, too.

Once the game ends, stop at Steel Toe Brewing, a local favorite for its craft beer and atmosphere. Indoor and outdoor seating create a relaxed setting. Choose a year-round signature offering such as a Size 7, or sample a featured seasonal selection. Either way your tastebuds will delight. If you need something to eat, a different food truck visits the brewery every day.

Eventually, it will be time to pack up and head home. We hope St. Louis Park and Golden Valley served as your sports HQ for an enjoyable weekend.