Mary Tyler Moore Statue   

Seventh Street and Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55402

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Turning the world on with her smile, the Mary Richards character of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' made many Americans' first impression of Minneapolis during the 1970s. More than 25 years after the show went off the air, TV Land paid tribute to Mary by erecting a bronze statue at Seventh Street and Nicollet Mall, depicting her tam toss from the show's opening credits. On May 8, 2002, Mary Tyler Moore was present at the statue's unveiling, and joined in a rendition of the show's theme song and a group tam toss. Locals who love Mary know that her fictional life had several non-fictional locations that still exist, and if you're really into it, you can create your own Mary Richards treasure hunt. To ''take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile,'' plug the Mary Tyler Moore (MTM) soundtrack into your CD player and drive toward downtown Minneapolis on I35W, just north of the Crosstown. You'll find yourself right under the very highway signs featured in the show's opening. As long as you're pointed downtown, you may as well find a parking ramp near 7th Street and Nicollet Mall, visit the bronze statue and take a walking tour of infamous Mary sites. Be sure to ride the ''MTM'' escalator inside IDS Center that offers a view of ''Mary's table'' at Basil's Restaurant. An advance call can even get you a reservation at the table where Mary and her fictional male friend took lunch. Outside the IDS, look for Badiner Jewelers, and you'll be at the spot where Mary window-shopped in a 1970s-era store called Mary Jane Shoes. Just down the street, you may recognize the exterior of the fictional WJM Building, better known as Midwest Plaza. Of course, no MTM tour would be complete without seeing the house where Mary, Rhoda and Phyllis ''lived.'' The house is a private residence and recent owners have changed its color from white to taupe in an attempt to hide it from curiosity seekers, but here's a hint: It's located on Kenwood Parkway. The park bench at Lake of the Isles (where a fast-striding Mary was passed by two joggers) can also be found in the neighborhood -- look for the big weeping willow tree. True Mary fans may remember that she also ''lived'' in a distinctive high-rise apartment often featured in a later version of the show. The building, which can be spotted from the junction of I35W and I94 has gone the way of public housing, but is still easily identified by its (now faded) colored panels. Happy hunting.