IMG_2576

Is it worth going downtown Minneapolis for Final Four festivities? Sure, if you want to sample Orange Vanilla Coke.

Don’t get me wrong — I love Minneapolis.

I live downtown Minneapolis. I spend a lot of time downtown at restaurants and attending shows in the theaters. I support downtown businesses.

IMG_2578

I explored the Tip-Off Tailgate on Nicollet Mall and the Final Four Fan Fest at the Minneapolis Convention Center mostly out of curiosity. I haven’t attended a Final Four, and it’s interesting to see how officials promote and highlight Minneapolis.

Walking through both venues is one long advertisement.

IMG_2585
Stand in line for a t-shirt and a Frosty!

Everything you see is branded.

There’s the Wendy’s music stage. Every time I walked by, nothing was going on. Wendy’s had a “food truck” (that’s a stretch) where they were sampling food and handing out t-shirts. The lines were obnoxious.

Capital One has a ferris wheel. They also are the first thing you see upon entering the Fan Fest hall inside the Convention Center.

Ritz crackers has a booth.

IMG_2586
You would think the Buffalo Wild Wings booth would serve … chicken wings. Get ready to be disappointed.

Buffalo Wild Wings has a mobile bar on Nicollet Mall where they don’t serve food. Instead, you can only buy beer. Fail.

IMG_2595
If you need an indoor spot to let your kids run around, Fan Fest is a great option.

You can play basketball at the Geico booth. You can play basketball at the Buick booth. You can play basketball at the AT&T booth. Lots of choices.

IMG_2593

If you have been waiting to sample Orange Vanilla Coke, get your booty downtown Minneapolis. They serve it everywhere. They’re trying really hard to make Orange Vanilla Coke a thing. On Nicollet Mall, they are sampling Orange Vanilla Coke in a Wendy’s vanilla Frosty. The line was too long for me to try one, but that sounds like a creamsicle. I would probably like that.

IMG_2587
Okay, this probably has potential.

So is it worth going downtown Minneapolis for Final Four festivities? Not really. It pains me to say that.

If you have kids under 12 and are a Capital One cardholder, your family of 4 can get in to the Fan Fest for free. Then I would say it’s worth the drive downtown. Let the kids run loose inside the Convention Center for a while and they will be happy. There’s a cool rock climbing wall at the Cartoon Network booth. Pizza Hut hands out free pizza.

Pair that with a trip up to Nicollet Mall, which is just a couple blocks away. They did put some really cool signs up on Nicollet Mall providing for cool photo backdrops to remember your day.

If you don’t have kids under 12, it’s not worth your time. You can drink on Nicollet Mall (smart move by organizers), but every beer will set you back $8 or $9. Nicollet Mall is not worth the trip on its own. The ferris wheel isn’t anything special besides the fact that it is in downtown Minneapolis.

For a full list of Final Four activities happening in the Twin Cities, along with other events taking place this weekend, check out this guide.

If you are curious like me and decide to go, here are the highlights:

Nicollet Mall

IMG_2614
ESPN’s broadcast center is north of all the action. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is an expected guest during their coverage on Saturday.
  • ESPN is setup on Nicollet Mall between 4th and 5th Streets (they’re off the beaten path). They are broadcasting live on Saturday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
  • CBS Sports Network has a studio inside and outside of the IDS Center. Their broadcast schedule is below.
IMG_2569
CBS Sports Network coverage from Minneapolis.
IMG_2571
A larger than life bracket is outside the IDS Center at the north entrance to the Tip-Off Tailgate on Nicollet Mall.
  • The 3D Final Four bracket is outside the IDS Center at the corner of Nicollet Mall and 8th Street.
  • The ferris wheel is at Nicollet Mall and 10th Street. There was a line when I went Friday night, but it wasn’t the most overwhelming line I saw. If you have a Capital One card, bring it — it will give you access to a shorter line. The ferris wheel is basically one you would see on the Midway at the Minnesota State Fair — it’s just downtown Minneapolis.
  • Note if you’re driving downtown: 10th and 11th Streets are closed around Nicollet Mall — you won’t be able to cross by car.
  • If you want a bottle of water or a Diet Coke, just run into Target at Nicollet Mall and 9th Street or Walgreens at Nicollet Mall and 6th Street. Don’t pay the $3 for a bottle of Dasani or the $5 for a Coca-Cola product on the street.

Convention Center

IMG_2596
Watch middle aged men play basketball! If you go on Saturday, April 6, Christian Laettner will make an appearance at Buick Arena in the Convention Center from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • You can take a photo with the NCAA trophy at the Pizza Hut booth. They also hand out free pizza.
IMG_2604
Never too early to start teaching kids how to play beer pong?
  • Buffalo Wild Wings has a giant game of beer pong. They sample wings and have a bar (drinks are cheaper in the Convention Center than they are on Nicollet Mall).
  • Cartoon Network’s rock climbing wall is in the back corner of Fan Fest.
IMG_2608
Winter is coming.
  • AT&T has a Game of Thrones photo opp if you’re into that.
  • Note: If you’re not planning to do a physical activity, you are able to skip the waiver line.

IMG_2609.jpeg

506C6838-9DD5-4210-A860-9B7843AB44D1

A Minnesotan’s guide to college basketball’s ultimate weekend

The best in college men’s basketball make their way to Minneapolis April 5-8, 2019. Like when Minnesota hosted Super Bowl LII in 2018, there is plenty to do. Here’s a guide of what you can discover.

IMG_2576

I explored the Tip-Off Tailgate and Final Four Fan Fest on Friday. Get my take here.

Know before you go:

  • The big name concerts at the Armory (Katy Perry, Jonas Brothers, Chainsmokers) are sold out. However, there are free outdoor concerts planned to take place on Nicollet Mall. Keep reading for details.
  • U.S. Bank Stadium is free to visit on Friday. You can watch teams practice and see everything all shiny.
  • All of the NCAA sanctioned events (aka U.S. Bank Stadium, the Armory, Nicollet Mall and the Convention Center) are all within a mile of each other. Park once and forget about your car once you are downtown. Downtown Minneapolis has 40,000 parking spots. Plus, unlike Super Bowl LII, the light rail will run on a regular schedule throughout the weekend.
  • If you want to reserve a parking spot, you can through a program called SpotHero. You can use it in Minneapolis year-round. I don’t recommend it — you aren’t necessarily saving money and you have to specifically find that one parking ramp when you get downtown.
  • Saturday update: the parking ramp across the street from my apartment was charging a $8 event rate. I’m 4 blocks from Tip-Off Tailgate on Nicollet Mall and 7 blocks from U.S. Bank Stadium. Not bad.
  • The NCAA has a decent (free) phone app that has details with all of the events they are planning. You can also use it to buy tickets to Fan Fest. It also has an interactive skyway map that’s definitely worth it. Here’s a link to download it.
  • Don’t want to walk? Buick is expected to take fans in their cars from their tents set up around downtown to an establishment or venue for free. The service will take place Friday thru Monday. The driver will not drop riders off at a private resident. Riders must be at least 9 years old or weigh 90 pounds. Cars will go between 5 to 7 miles from the tent to the final destination. As of April 1st, the times and location of operation were not made public.
  • If you end up taking a Lyft or Uber to get downtown, there will be specific points where you should have better luck meeting a driver.
    • LaSalle Avenue and 9th Street (near Nicollet Mall)
    • On 5th Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets (near City Hall)
    • On 7th Street between Chicago Avenue and 10th Avenue (near U.S. Bank Stadium)
  • You will need a clear bag any just about every indoor event planned by the NCAA. That includes the games inside U.S. Bank Stadium, the Fan Fest at the Convention Center and the concerts in the Armory. Leave backpacks, purses larger than 5.5″ x 8.5″ and your State Fair fanny pack at home. Free clear bags will be handed out at hotels, at the Convention Center and U.S. Bank Stadium. They are also for sale at NCAA Final Four merchandise stands.
  • NCAA will have plenty of merchandise stores set up. The Minneapolis Convention Center will have a 7,700 square feet experience at its Fan Fest. There will be a retail store inside the Baker Center (8th Street and Marquette Avenue) and on Nicollet Mall between 9th and 10th Streets. There will also be official stores in over a dozen Twin Cities hotels.

Places you will want to visit:

  • ESPN is scheduled to broadcast outside on Nicollet Mall between 4th & 5th Streets at Xcel Energy Plaza (right off the light rail)
  • CBS Sports will broadcast inside the IDS Center Crystal Court

finnegans.png

  • FINNEGANS, located just 2 blocks from the Armory and 4 blocks from U.S. Bank Stadium, will be open from noon til midnight April 5-8. Their taproom is an official NCAA merchandise site and you can take a photo with a NCAA ladder and hoop right there. They are also teaming up with Pedal Pub to offer 90 minute runs around East Town Friday thru Monday. The cost is $39.

Related content:

Thursday, April 4

State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships

slam dunk target center.jpg

  • 8:00 p.m.
  • Target Center, Minneapolis
  • Tickets: $15-38

Friday, April 5

Reese’s® Final Four Friday®

reeses final four.jpg

  • 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
  • Free and open to the public
  • Watch all four teams practice before Saturday’s semifinals
  • There is also an all-star game, which starts around 3:30 p.m.
  • Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside U.S. Bank Stadium. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the Fan Fest at the Convention Center. View more here.

Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One

fan fest

  • Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
  • Runs 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday
  • Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis
  • Tickets: Capital One cardholders receive 2 free tickets; otherwise $10 adults, $5 military, $5 60+, $5 college students, kids 12 and under free
  • More than just basketball: participate in a home run derby and scale a rock climbing wall
  • Note: Capital One cardholders get special early access to the event on Saturday and Sunday
  • Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside Fan Fest. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.

Tip-Off Tailgate

IMG_2547

  • Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
  • 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. Friday
  • Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (8th to 12th Streets)
  • Includes a ferris wheel at Nicollet Mall & 10th Street. If you are a Capital One cardholder, show your card to get access to a priority lane

Take a photo with the NCAA Trophy

IMG_2551.jpeg

  • 12:00-2:00 p.m.
  • Target on Nicollet Mall (2nd floor)

AT&T Block Party

  • 7:00 p.m.
  • Armory, Minneapolis
  • This free concert, featuring The Chainsmokers, is sold out. Tickets were claimed weeks ago
  • Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside the Armory. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.

Pizza Toss

pizza toss.png

  • 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
  • Kitchen in the Market, Minneapolis (it’s not downtown!)
  • Tickets: $85
  • Learn how to make pizza dough from scratch at home! You are provided all of the ingredients (after a glass of champagne) along with the instruction. Don’t worry, you will be able to enjoy your creation, too!

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Miami Heat

Prince_RockNRollIsAlive_7inch_pshot.jpg

  • 7:00 p.m.
  • Target Center, Minneapolis
  • Tickets start at $17
  • All fans in attendance will receive an exclusive 7″ Prince vinyl (photo above)

Bret Michaels

  • 8:00 p.m.
  • Mystic Lake Showroom, Prior Lake
  • Tickets: $39 – 64

American Craft Show

  • Opens Friday, runs thru Sunday
  • Saint Paul RiverCentre
  • Tickets: $13
  • Meet and purchase goods from nearly 250 artists from around the country

Saturday, April 6

Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One

fan fest

  • Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
  • Runs 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday
  • Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis
  • Tickets: Capital One cardholders receive 2 free tickets; otherwise $10 adults, $5 military, $5 60+, $5 college students, kids 12 and under free
  • More than just basketball: participate in a home run derby and scale a rock climbing wall
  • Note: Capital One cardholders get special early access to the event on Saturday; they can get in starting at 9:00 a.m.
  • Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside the Armory. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to Fan Fest at the Convention Center and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.

Tip-Off Tailgate

  • Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
  • 2:00 – 10:00 p.m. Saturday
  • Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (8th to 12th Streets)
  • Includes a ferris wheel at Nicollet Mall & 10th Street. If you are a Capital One cardholder, show your card to get access to a priority lane
  • Pep rallies for the final four teams will be held at 2:30, 2:45, 3:00 and 3:15 p.m. Saturday
  • Viewing parties of the semifinal games will start at 5:00 p.m. Saturday

Semifinal: #5 Auburn vs #1 Virginia

  • 5:09 p.m.
  • U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis

Semifinal: #3 Texas Tech vs #2 Michigan State

  • 7:49 p.m.
  • U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis

The Eventual Four

  • 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
  • Bauhaus Brew Labs, Minneapolis
  • The longer you stay, the better the deals! Bauhaus’ beers will battle each other throughout the evening, with discounts served on brews that advance

Red Green

  • 7:00 p.m.
  • The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, Saint Paul
  • Tickets: $60

Leather & Laces Spring Edition

leather and laces.png

  • 9:30 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
  • Seven Steakhouse, Minneapolis
  • General admission tickets: $60
  • VIP tickets for $150 include premium bar, champagne, sushi and sweets
  • It’s by the same people who produced the Leather & Laces party that was in Minneapolis for Super Bowl LII. They host this party annually for the Super Bowl at the Kentucky Derby
  • The radio ad for this party says this is the “1st annual” Leather & Laces Spring Edition party. First, nothing can be the “1st annual” if you’ve only done it once. It’s the inaugural. Second, ZERO information, besides how you can buy tickets, is available on their website. No list of celebrities you might brush shoulders with. I don’t do this often, but I’m going to say this is not worth your time or money.

American Craft Show

  • Opens Friday, runs thru Sunday
  • Saint Paul RiverCentre
  • Tickets: $13
  • Meet and purchase goods from nearly 250 artists from around the country

Jonas Brothers

  • 7:00 p.m.
  • Armory, Minneapolis
  • This free concert, featuring The Jonas Brothers, is sold out
  • Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside the Armory. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.

Sunday, April 7

Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One

fan fest

  • Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
  • Runs 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday
  • Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis
  • Tickets: Capital One cardholders receive 2 free tickets; otherwise $10 adults, $5 military, $5 60+, $5 college students, kids 12 and under free
  • More than just basketball: participate in a home run derby and scale a rock climbing wall
  • Note: Capital One cardholders get special early access to the event on Sunday; they can get in starting at 10:00 a.m.
  • Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside Fan Fest. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.

Tip-Off Tailgate

  • Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
  • 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday
  • Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (8th to 12th Streets)
  • Includes a ferris wheel at Nicollet Mall & 10th Street. If you are a Capital One cardholder, show your card to get access to a priority lane

Goldy’s Run

  • 8:00 a.m. Sunday
  • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
  • Join Goldy Gopher for a morning jog around Minneapolis — choose from a 10 mile and relay, 5k or kids gallop

Slay Day

  • 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Surly Brewing, Minneapolis
  • Surly will release its kolsch-style ale, Heat Slayer
  • $15 will get you all the Heat Slayer you care to drink on their patio

Starch Madness

  • 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Mill City Museum, Minneapolis
  • The final 2 cookies in Mill City Museum’s cookie bracket will be made and you get to eat the finalists

Ken Jeong

ken jeong.jpg

  • 8:00 p.m.
  • Mystic Lake Showroom, Prior Lake
  • Tickets: $29 – 55
  • It’s not downtown Minneapolis!

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

  • 2:30 p.m.
  • Target Center, Minneapolis
  • You can get a free Metro Transit pass to the game by taking a short survey here

American Craft Show

  • Opens Friday, runs thru Sunday
  • Saint Paul RiverCentre
  • Tickets: $13
  • Meet and purchase goods from nearly 250 artists from around the country

Final Four Dribble

  • 2:00 p.m.
  • Minneapolis Convention Center
  • Registration is closed
  • 3,000 youth will dribble basketballs around Minneapolis

Capital One JamFest

  • 7:00 p.m.
  • Armory, Minneapolis
  • This free concert, featuring Katy Perry and Zedd, is sold out
  • Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside the Armory. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.

Monday, April 8

Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One

fan fest

  • Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
  • Runs 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday
  • Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis
  • Tickets: Capital One cardholders receive 2 free tickets; otherwise $10 adults, $5 military, $5 60+, $5 college students, kids 12 and under free
  • More than just basketball: participate in a home run derby and scale a rock climbing wall
  • Backpacks, purses and fanny packs are not allowed inside Fan Fest. Just like Vikings games, you can bring in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a gallon-sized plastic storage bag or a clutch purse no bigger than 5.5″ x 8.5″. The same bag policy applies to the concerts at the Armory and the festivities inside U.S. Bank Stadium. View more here.

Tip-Off Tailgate

  • Opens Friday, runs thru Monday
  • 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Monday
  • Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (8th to 12th Streets)
  • Includes a ferris wheel at Nicollet Mall & 10th Street. If you are a Capital One cardholder, show your card to get access to a priority lane
  • Free music performance by Fitz and the Tantrums at 6:00 p.m. Monday on the Wendy’s Main Stage at Nicollet Mall & 11th Street

National Championship Game

  • 8:00 p.m. Monday
  • U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis

Final 4 Taproom Takeover

  • 4:30 p.m.
  • BlackStack Brewing, Saint Paul
  • Tickets: $35-82
  • “Top Chef” alum Justin Sutherland leads a crew of talent creating a full menu to nosh on while you watch the national championship