The best of 11 states - here in NYC

With bonus factoids from our resident quizmaster, Noah Tarnow of the Big Quiz Thing (bigquizthing.com).

California | Illinois | Louisiana | Massachusetts | New Jersey
Texas | Hawaii | Colorado | Minnesota | Nebraska | Oklahoma

Minnesota

Fraternize with the Land of 1,000 Lakes locals right here in New York City: Minnesota native Nora Riemenschneider founded the “Minneapple in the Big Apple” happy hour ([Le] Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St at Thompson St; 212-505-3474, lepoissonrouge.com; first Friday of the month 6–10pm, free). “We bring in a guest Minnesota DJ, reader or musician to keep it interesting,” says cohost Taya Mueller. Drink specials include $5 draft beers.

After you become an honorary Minnesotan, head one block over to The Half Pint (76 W 3rd St at Thompson St; 212-260-1088, thehalfpint.com). Expat Kieley Taylor swears by the Half Pint’s squeaky cheese curds ($7.50), a Minnesota State Fair staple. “Most New Yorkers don’t know what these are,” he says. “They’re similar to mozzarella sticks but fried without batter.” Wash ‘em down with one more than 100 available beers.

Not all of MN’s local cuisine is as easy to get used to. The widely reviled lutefisk (dried whitefish and lye) is rarely celebrated outside of self-declared “Lutefisk Capital USA,” Madison, Minnesota. In fact, the only shop in NYC that sells lutefisk is Nordic Delicacies (6906 Third Ave at Bay Ridge Ave, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, 718-748-1874). Bring a pound ($15) to your next potluck.

Fresh air is a priceless commodity around these parts, so ignore the car exhaust and pretend you’re breathing the crisp Minnesotan air on your way to the “On Feathered Wings: Birds in Flight” exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West at 79th St; 212-769-5100, amnh.org; through Aug 30, suggested donation $15). Featuring the work of world-renowned birds-in-flight photographer (and MN native) Jim Neiger, the exhibit includes stunning photos of elusive birds in action, from tandem bald eagles to a double-crested cormorant midmeal.

About 150 years ago, Swedish migrants flocked to Minnesota for its geographic familiarity and totally rad timber industry. Today the state retains its Scandinavian roots, but NYC is home to the Scandinavia House (58 Park Ave at 38th St; 212-879-9779, scandinaviahouse.org). Be sure to check out the international sensation Varg Veum, a six-film Nordic noir series that follows a House-esque PI (Wed 8–Aug 13; Wed 6:30pm, Thu 2:30pm; $9). If you require a nosh with your flick, register for the three-course prix-fixe Dinner & a Movie ($30).

Fun fact: According to legend, Minnesota’s 10,000 (or so) lakes were formed from the footprints of Paul Bunyan, who apparently had very irregularly shaped feet.

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California | Illinois | Louisiana | Massachusetts | New Jersey
Texas | Hawaii | Colorado | Minnesota | Nebraska | Oklahoma

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