Felling, Karen L

Join in the "Great Minnesota Get-Together," whether you are from the Twin Cities or are just visiting for the weekend fun at the Minnesota State Fair, the second largest fair in the US. Taste a variety of locally grown and homemade food, listen to a wide range of music on the three stages and learn about Minnesota’s evolving agricultural industry—from livestock displays to machinery and science exhibits. You'll feel like a resident of the state after partying at this festival.

You can let your wild ones run free at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Admission is free, although donations are suggested. See exhibits and attractions that house the big cats, the primates, the exotic birds, the hoofed creatures, the wild wolves and even polar bears. Head over to the Conservatory afterward to see, smell and possibly taste plants from all over the world.

See everything from Broadway productions to classic opera performances at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. The home of several cultural and arts organizations, including the Minnesota Opera and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, this European-style concert hall is the place to go for live entertainment—from plays and musicals to ballets and the Russian circus.