Beginning in August, Viking River Cruises will debut voyages on the upper and lower Mississippi River between St. Paul and News Orleans, with a stop in Red Wing on day two. The new Viking Mississippi holds up to 386 guests in 193 staterooms and docks and departs from Lower Landing in St. Paul.
Since starting out as a one-room display of curiosities, Bell Museum of natural history at University of Minnesota has become an important cultural institution and location for gatherings, from small meetings to large galas. Horizon Hall, Ruth and John Huss Observation Deck, Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium are available for private rentals, and a full buyout can accommodate 600 guests for a reception or 150 for a seated dinner. To mark its 150 anniversary in 2022, a yearlong celebration is underway and includes events, new exhibitions and an original planetarium show.
A highlight reel isn’t complete with a few food and beverage mentions. Groups are sure to enjoy Emerald Lounge that opened in February on St. Paul’s West Seventh Street. Wine, craft cocktails, tapas-style plates and shareable entrees are menu highlights. Morrissey Hospitality is opening Momento in the former Pazzaluna space. The 104-seat restaurant and bar will feature new American all-day fare and have a 50-seat patio.
The Apostle Supper Club and False Eye Doll Tiki Bar are slated to open this summer in a 7,000-square-foot space on the ground floor of The Arlow on Kellogg, across from Xcel Energy Center. Purpose Restaurants also is opening The Apostle Supper Club at the top of Radisson Hotel Duluth this spring. The vision for the St. Paul location is a 1960s Palm Springs-inspired supper club, piano bar and lounge.
