Minneapolis Sizzles with Fabulous Summer Travel Ideas to Fit any Budget

Enter the Minneapolis "Twingle" Contest and a Free Vacation Could be a Tweet Away

Minneapolis, MN (Vocus) May 27, 2009 -- Culture vultures, frugal foodies and urban explorers can experience Minneapolis on any budget this summer and creative "tweeters" from neighboring states could win a free summer getaway to Minneapolis by entering the Minneapolis Downtown Sizzle (http://www.minneapolis.org/page/downtown-sizzle.jsp) Twingle Contest through Twitter.

Individuals from Minnesota and the surrounding states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin can enter the Minneapolis Downtown Sizzle Twingle contest by writing their own 140-character jingle or "twingle" about why they want to come to Minneapolis for a summer getaway.

"Twingles" will be judged by a panel of Minneapolis celebrities including Mayor of Minneapolis R.T. Rybak. Judging will be based on originality and tweeters will score points for including Minneapolis's outstanding new hotels, award-winning restaurants and arts and entertainment scene. Enter by following Meet Minneapolis on Twitter at http://twitter.com/meetminneapolis. The contest runs through June 30. Check official rules (http://www.minneapolis.org/page/contest-rules.jsp) for more info.

Six winners of the Minneapolis Summer Sizzle Twingle Contest will receive a trip for two to Minneapolis valued at $750, including hotel accommodations, gas card and restaurant and entertainment gift certificates to experience all that downtown Minneapolis has to offer.

"This summer a great vacation is only a tank of gas away," said Melvin Tennant, President and CEO of Meet Minneapolis. "Minneapolis has Tony-award winning theaters like the Guthrie, unique events to take in national music acts like the Black Crowes, independent performing arts festivals like the Fringe Festival and James Beard Award-winning restaurants like La Belle Vie that make it an ideal vacation for travelers looking for a lot of choices close to home."

New Hotels with Wallet-Friendly Rates Starting at $79

New hotels are opening in the heart of downtown and many are booking rooms at recession-friendly rates this summer, starting at $79. Visitors can get details and book their hotel at www.minneapolis.org/downtownsizzle.

Aloft (http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/Aloft_Minneapolis/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_Central_Google_LBA_aloft_032609_NAD_FM) - With hip rooms, this property is located in downtown's hottest neighborhood, the Minneapolis Riverfront District.

Chambers Minneapolis - The nation's first art luxury hotel, Chambers is a destination unto itself. The space features 200 pieces of original artwork, most from the Young British Art movement, and visitors can enjoy a cocktail under the twinkle lights of the Gorilla Bar patio area.

The Hotel Minneapolis (http://www.thehotelminneapolis.com/) - A boutique hotel in a restored bank building, visitors can participate in regular wine tastings in the hotel wine cellar or enjoy one of the city's most happening happy hours.

Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1546) - Located near an abundance of diversity and culture at Midtown Global Market, this hotel is also near nature. Visitors can bike and walk on the Midtown Greenway, a five-mile stretch of trail lined with parks and plazas.

A Culture of Cuisine

Minneapolis is a place of culinary contrasts, where haute cuisine and hot dish deserve equal attention, whether served up in a fine restaurant or a local fair, evident in the award-winning selection of notable Minneapolis chefs and restaurants.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts has its Oscar and The James Beard Foundation has its coveted yearly medal recognizing the nation's biggest culinary stars. Three-time nominee Tim McKee is the first Minnesota chef to receive a James Beard Award. He is the visionary behind esteemed La Belle Vie (http://www.labellevie.us), Solera and Barrio, plus his not-yet-named restaurant in the Guthrie Theater - sure to be a hotspot when it opens early July.

Several other Minneapolis chefs were also nominated for the culinary world's top honor:

Alex Roberts of Restaurant Alma and Brasa Rotisserie opens a new Italian neighborhood-style restaurant in August that will feature pasta dishes inspired by the Bologna region.

Sameh Wadi of Saffron Restaurant & Lounge brings Middle Eastern cuisine to the Midwest with savory flavors and distinct spices.

Chefs need to eat too, and when they do they head to Issac Becker's 112 Eatery. Open late, Becker blends fine dining with small plates for noshing and nibbling.

Other can't-miss culinary destinations:

•    Dakota Restaurant & Jazz Club (http://www.dakotacooks.com) - recognized as one of the best jazz clubs in the nation, with award-winning food.

•    FireLake Grill House - Distinguished Chef Paul Lynch partnered with Morgan Creek Vineyards to recently unveil Ten Thousand Vines wine, only available at FireLake.

•    A little bit of Hollywood makes its way to Minneapolis with celebrity-driven restaurant concepts such as Wolfgang Puck's 20.21 at the Walker Art Center and Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Chambers Kitchen at the Chambers Hotel.

•    Bradstreet Crafthouse Restaurant at the Graves 601 is led by a master New York bartender and mixologist Toby Maloney. The drinks are exquisite and artful, with small dishes to share.

Minneapolis Steals the Show

With the Hennepin Theatre District and Guthrie Theater located downtown, Minneapolis is home to prestigious and award-winning arts venues, plus outdoor events galore; there's always something going on downtown this summer. Summer 2009 entertainment includes:

•    How to Make Love Like a Minnesotan II: Love is in Bloomington at Brave New Workshop - the oldest satirical theater in the country - through June 16.

•    This July after its phenomenal Tony Kushner celebration, the Guthrie Theater presents When We Are Married (http://www.guthrietheater.org/whats_happening/shows/2008/when_we_are_married/), July 4 to August 30, and Ella - a tribute to the life and music of legend Ella Fitzgerald, July 21 to Sept. 6.

Major Musical events

•    The Basilica Block Party (http://www.basilicablockparty.org) is booking big names this year. The Black Crowes, The Counting Crowes, Matt Nathanson, the reunited Jayhawks and Matt Kearney headline the July 10 to July 12 annual rite of summer.

•    Sommerfest (http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/new_home/index.cfm), the Minnesota Orchestra's signature event in downtown's Peavey Plaza outside Orchestra Hall, hits down July 17 to August 1.

Unique arts events

•     Uptown Art Fair - The country's second-largest juried arts festival takes over the streets of Uptown, August 7 to 9.

•    Minnesota Fringe Festival - The largest independent performing arts celebration in the nation runs July 30 to August 9.

•    Movies and Music in the Park - Presented by the Walker Art Center in Loring Park, Mondays July 18 to August 22.

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS: The mission of Meet Minneapolis, Official Convention and Visitors Association, is to sell, market and internationally promote Minneapolis as a premier, year-round destination for convention, trade show, corporate meeting and leisure travel. We are committed to service and excellence for all of our clients. We do this for the economic benefit and vitality of the members, businesses and communities we serve.

Media Contacts:

Teresa McFarland, McFarland Cahill Communications, 952.440.6084

Greta Deutsch, McFarland Cahill Communications, 952.440.6070

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