Duluth

Tips by: David Salmela, Principal, Salmela Architect

Stay
In Duluth, you should never rent a hotel room that doesn’t face Lake Superior. But half the hotel rooms here don’t. I’d love to design a hotel perpendicular to the shoreline so that every room has views of the water, at least from an angle. In the meantime, book a room at the Sheraton Duluth, a tall hotel overlooking the water. starwoodhotels.com

Breakfast
It’s fun to go to the Duluth Grill. Located in a former Embers restaurant in an industrial part of town, it’s always crowded. The owners raise their own fish and produce, and everybody there is exceptionally nice. duluthgrill.com

Lunch
Before the Lake Avenue Café opened near the bridge in Canal Park, the raw, open space was my first office. The cafe is very well lit, and the food is great, especially the chicken salad with oranges and caramelized almonds. lakeavenuerestaurantandbar.com

Dinner
About 15 miles north of Duluth is the New Scenic Cafe. It’s a destination restaurant with the best food. They always have new things to surprise you, and no matter what you try, it’s really great. sceniccafe.com

Don’t Miss
If Duluth is a painting, the Aerial Lift Bridge is the focal point. When a 1,000-foot ore boat comes in, the floor of the bridge comes up and the ship goes underneath, and people remember it for the rest of their lives.

Fargo

Tips by: Colleen Sheehy, director and CEO, Plains Art Museum

Stay
Hotel Donaldson, commonly referred to as the HoDo, is a unique boutique hotel in a renovated historic building. With good design, incredible service and art in every room, many travelers say it’s the best hotel they’ve ever stayed in. hoteldonaldson.com

Breakfast
Zest, in the Radisson Hotel Fargo, is a spacious restaurant with a good menu and great views of Fargo/Moorhead. Further west, People’s Organic Café has great coffee and delicious omelets made with organic ingredients. radisson.com; peoplesorganic.com

Lunch
Toscana, an old-school Italian restaurant, has an excellent menu with great seafood and private booths for discreet conversation. HoDo Lounge has great atmosphere and good food, including a delicious bison burger. toscanadowntown.com; hoteldonaldson.com

Dinner
For a buzzy ambiance, a great cocktail menu and inventive cuisine, Mezzaluna is the place. For a quiet business meal with great service, the HoDo Restaurant features seasonal specialties prepared with local ingredients. dinemezzaluna.com; hoteldonaldson.com

Don’t Miss
The Plains Art Museum, located in a renovated 1904 warehouse in downtown Fargo, showcases art by local, regional, national, and international artists. A skyway links it to the new Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity, home to art studios, a ceramics wing and gallery spaces. plainsart.org

Rochester

Tips by: Robin Wolfram, anchor/producer/reporter, KTTC-TV

Stay
The DoubleTree is trendy yet classy. Ideally located downtown, the hotel is surrounded by high-end shopping and the best restaurants, all connected by the skywalk. doubletree3.hilton.com

Breakfast
Canadian Honker is an institution. Since 1984, this family-owned business, a local favorite, has had the best breakfast and the best service, hands down. Bunnie’s coconut cake is a must—even for breakfast! canadianhonker.com

Lunch
Old world meets modern contemporary at The Loop. This relaxed yet upscale restaurant has a great vibe and an amaaaazing menu—perfect for a martini business lunch. thelooprochester.com

Dinner
300 First features the best martinis and an exciting menu, with fresh grilled fish and melt-in-your-mouth steaks and prime rib. With a patio, a fireplace and red neon warming century-old brick walls, the setting is perfect for relaxed conversation. At Söntés, the art is regional and seasonal dishes are prepared with food from local farms. live2dine.com/300-first; sontes.com

Don’t Miss
Every Thursday, more than 100 art, craft and food vendors, musicians, and other performers bring their creativity to downtown. Called Thursdays on 1st and 3rd, this vibrant summer festival takes place every week from June 5 through Aug. 28. downtownrochestermn.com