Warehouse District, looking north from downtown

The Warehouse Historic District, beginning west of Hennepin Avenue (here's a map), offers the seasoned old-world character that downtown lacks. More than 150 vintage warehouse buildings are on seven blocks just south of the river, mostly along First and Second avenues. The ground floors contain shops, dozens of restaurants and nightclubs, a few strip clubs and adult bookstores, the gay-popular Lab Theater and Ruby's Cabaret, and quite a few of the city’s art galleries, and the upper floors have mostly been reconfigured as airy loft apartments and design studios.

Closest to downtown, around the Target Center (home of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves as well as a popular concert venue for major bands), the streets turn into a lively entertainment district on weekend nights - one with a definite GLBT presence but an uneasy air of rowdiness nonetheless. You will find one quite sophisticated gay lounge in this district, JetSet Bar (115 1st St. N, 612-339-3933), which draws a trendy, well-heeled bunch to its smart, white-brick interior. Mod-lighting and low chairs and cocktail tables create a swanky vibe, and JetSet has a popular 18-and-over night on Fridays.

A newer addition, at least to the edge of Warehouse District, is Target Field, which in 2010 became the new home of Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins. It's just across I-394 from the Target Center.