Minneapolis, along with its sister city
St. Paul, make up the largest metro area in Minnesota.
Minneapolis and
St. Paul might be called twins, but they are certainly not
identical. Minneapolis claims the greater number of attractions and
businesses, while St. Paul functions as the state capital. Founded
20 years and 10 miles apart, the cities have been friendly rivals,
but over the years they have shared equally in the riches the region
has to offer.
The area has gained additional fame in
recent years with the opening of the mammoth Mall of America in
nearby Bloomington. Where else in the country can you find over 500
stores, an amusement park, an aquarium, a dance club and countless
restaurants all in one vast, climate controlled space?
Minneapolis has many significant museums
and historic sites that can engage the interest of a visitor for
days and even weeks. Go back in time to visit a working farm from
the mid 1800s, take a tour of the home of the first governor of the
territory, or wander across an 1880s stone bridge. Numerous cultural
and arts offerings can be found every day of the year.
The Walker Art
Center is internationally known for its sometimes controversial
exhibits of contemporary art. Its spacious sculpture garden has
Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen's pop-art fountain,
Spoonbridge and Cherry, among its treasures. The Minneapolis
Institute of Arts has a superb collection of classical art from
every continent.
More than 90
performing-arts organizations are based in the Twin Cities. The
Minnesota Orchestra performs year-round at elegant Orchestra Hall in
downtown Minneapolis; the prestigious St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
plays September-May at the Ordway Music Theater; performances by the
Minnesota Opera are also held at the Ordway.
The Guthrie
Theater is the longstanding home of one of the nation's best
regional repertory companies. It produces Broadway-quality
productions year-round. More specialized theaters produce works
that range from Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion
to innovative African-American plays.
Minneapolis is home to major league
baseball's Minnesota Twins and the National Football League's
Minnesota Vikings. So before you the leave the Twin Cities, try to
take in a game. Make sure, though, that you are prepared for cold
weather walking when you set out to watch the Vikings in the Dome,
because highs in January average only 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
