Minnesota Monthly

08/22/2026

Before Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar became a Minnesota State Fair icon, it was supposed to be a yogurt stand. When the Fair said yes to cookies—but not yogurt—just three weeks before opening day in 1979, there was one small problem: They didn’t have a cookie recipe. Nearly five decades later, Sweet Martha’s can bake up to 3 million cookies a day. We caught up with cofounder Martha Rossini ahead of the 2026 Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Read the full story:

Sweet Martha’s cofounder Martha Rossini shares how an accidental cookie stand became a Minnesota State Fair icon baking up to 3 million cookies a day.

08/21/2026

Driving along the Lake Michigan “bay side” in Door County, Wisconsin, feels like following beads along the string of a necklace—one winding road dotted with quaint villages all in a row, with small stretches of lake views or cherry orchards in between. Modest cottages are set back from the road, many inspired by the sommarstugas (“summer houses”) that were designed to remind Swedish immigrants of home.

From the Twin Cities, Door County is a doable distance (about six hours by car, give or take a few snack stops) but far enough to feel like a real change of scenery. And one Door County town, in particular, offers a vibe that’s equal parts lively and laidback, nostalgic and newly discovered.

Read more at the link ⬇

📸 Dan Eggert Photography

Sister Bay is one of Door County’s loveliest villages—perfect for a summer stay.

08/20/2026

Bigfoot? Not quite. A giant yeti is scaling the Uptown marquee in a playful new mural by Minneapolis artist Jason Craig. Created in collaboration with the Uptown Farmers Market, the larger-than-life artwork is bringing a little more color—and a pretty great photo op—to Hennepin Avenue.

A new mural of a giant yeti by local artist Jason Craig will have you doing a double take at this old storefront on Hennepin Avenue.

08/20/2026

🥃 Tonight’s the night! Minnesota Monthly's Fine Spirits Classic is happening at Orchestra Hall from 6–9 p.m.

Come sip, sample and celebrate with an incredible lineup of premium spirits, cocktails and makers—all in one unforgettable evening.

Tickets are still available online or at the door, so it’s not too late to join us! https://events.humanitix.com/fine-spirits-classic-2026/tickets

Orchestra Hall | 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
6–9 p.m.
21+ with valid ID

Grab your friends and make tonight a spirits-filled one. 🥂

08/19/2026

Over the past decade or so, a growing number of parents, physicians, and teachers have been pushing for a more holistic view of kids’ health and well-being. Annual checkups don’t focus just on picky eating or high school sports injuries; they also look at risk factors for anxiety and depression, touch on bullying prevention, and ask kids about screen time.

Read more at the link ⬇

🎨 Alexandra Schmitz

National and local experts on the new landscape of kids’ well-being in a digital world and the pros of an "analog childhood."

08/19/2026

🎁Today is the LAST day of Seven Days of Giveaways for Fine Spirits Classic! Each day leading up to Fine Spirits Classic, we will be giving away prizes from our event sponsors and partners. ⁠ ⁠
⁠ ⁠
Today's giveaway winner will score a prize pack from , , and , PLUS two tickets to Fine Spirits Classic on Aug. 20 at Orchestra Hall!
⁠
How to Enter:⁠ ⁠
1. Follow
2. Like this post ⁠
3. Tag a friend who you want to bring to the event
⁠ ⁠
The winner will be drawn at random and contacted separately via DM. Good luck!⁠ ⁠Don't worry if you don't win. You can still grab your Fine Spirits Classic tickets at www.finespiritsclassic.com.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Meta. Entrants must be 21+.

08/18/2026

Adventure, laughter, and medieval magic await at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival! Celebrate the 55th Season with live entertainment, artisan treasures, delicious eats, and nonstop fun.

Learn more at renaissancefest.com/

📸 Minnesota Renaissance Festival

08/18/2026

🎁Day Six of Seven Days of Giveaways for Fine Spirits Classic! Each day leading up to Fine Spirits Classic, we will be giving away prizes from our event sponsors and partners. ⁠ ⁠
⁠ ⁠
Today's giveaway winner will score a prize pack from FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, Pizza Lucé, and Mixly Cocktail Co, PLUS two tickets to Fine Spirits Classic on Aug. 20 at Orchestra Hall!
⁠
How to Enter:⁠ ⁠
1. Follow Minnesota Monthly
2. Like this post ⁠
3. Tag a friend who you want to bring to the event
⁠ ⁠
The winner will be drawn at random and contacted separately via DM. Good luck!⁠ ⁠Don't worry if you don't win. You can still grab your Fine Spirits Classic tickets at www.finespiritsclassic.com.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Meta. Entrants must be 21+.

08/17/2026

“I was put on this earth to go out to dinner…” Or so goes the hyperbolic slogan that a growing subculture of TikTokers proclaim over sultry, dimly lit videos panning their multicourse tablescapes. Like most social media refrains, the phrase gestures toward a broader cultural shift: Dining out is no longer just about what’s on the plate—it’s about the world built around it.

📸 Kado no Mise

As Twin Cities restaurants team up with leading design experts, dining out is an exercise in design-led escapism.