Where are Chris and I hanging out/wasting our lives? Grand Avenue! The street features a plethora of puns, such as “Baby Grand” (a shop that sells baby clothes), “The Grand Spectacle,” and “Specs Appeal” (two eyeglasses stores). There was also a recent punny event called ‘Paws on Grand,” where you were supposed to walk your dog down the street, so Chris borrowed someone’s dog.

Grand is very precious and doesn’t have a normal “city” vibe (neither does downtown St Paul, but that’s in a completely different way). There are a bunch of colleges and universities nearby (Macalester, St Thomas, St Catherine’s, Hamline, the University of Minnesota, etc.), and the jaw-dropping Summit Avenue one block to the north, so the area caters to those who are either young and trendy, or old and wealthy. Thus, it’s very attractive! And there are a lot of coffee shops and boutiques. Also, a delicious ice cream place called the Grand Ole Creamery which is pretty famous around here, and makes its own waffle cones.

Have a good weekend. Do something deliciously touristy.