Tim Gihring

The state’s most celebrated theater opens its big, bold, and, well, blue new building this month. But much of the company’s work—from tours to camps to training tomorrow’s Oscar winners—has nothing to do with the plays you’ll see inside.

Off the beaten track but still top-flight, these far-flung restaurants go the distance.

After nearly four decades of success, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres—the country’s largest venue of its kind—is looking to expand. We feel a song coming on.

The Hot Seats: Your pool is full of leaves, your grill ran out of gas, and your Jet Ski is now somewhere on the bottom of Lake Minnetonka. Summer’s over. But you needn’t be bored—we’ve handpicked 25 of the season’s best performances and exhibitions, from local jazz to touring Broadway blockbusters. Get in line. Get seated. The shows are about to begin.

Horsing around with the Twin City Polo Club.

A profile of artists Sonja Parks, Pilot, Carl Flink, Alan Berks, and Jelloslave.

Hide the doilies—it’s a bed-and-breakfast that won’t put men to sleep.

Checkmates? The Twin Cities’ first couple of chess.

With fresh young bands like Pert’ Near Sandstone taking bluegrass to the kids, a new generation is turning on to twang.

From four-posters to fainting couches, English-style buttered “soldiers” to breakfasts bound up in brown paper, we’ve found nine restful retreats—plus one with an outhouse—where you can get your relax on.