Minneapolis / St Paul Travel Information
With a combined population hovering in the 3 million range,
Minneapolis, Minnesota’s largest city, and St Paul, the state capital,
serve as the region’s urban hub. Outlying suburbs make up a large
share of the populous, but for the size of this burgeoning metropolis,
visitors will find plenty of leafy green open spaces, a stellar
assortment of cultural sights and easy access to the Mississippi
River, Amish country and the wilderness region further north.
Certainly, from America’s largest shopping mall on to science and art
museums, historic architecture and activities in the great outdoors,
there’s no cause for anyone to complain of boredom. There’s
really no avoiding the fact that Minneapolis has a long list of things
to do: It would be hard to take in just the highlights in less than a
few days, so plan your itinerary accordingly, leaving time to catch a
theatrical production or musical performance in the evening. Get
your bearings in Minneapolis with a sight-seeing wander through the
old part of town, strolling around St Anthony Main and along the St
Anthony Falls Heritage Trail for a look at the only waterfall on the
Mississippi, St Anthony Falls. This used to be the heart of the old
milling district, and there are various things to see here, like the
Mill Ruins Park and Mill City Museum, associated with this past. Those
interested in learning more about local history can pay Fort Snelling
a visit, brought to life by costumed actors, and visit aged buildings
of import, like the Purcell-Cutts House (an unusual schoolhouse) and
Basilica of St Mary, or the home built by the first settler here,
Franklin Steele. Anyone who studied Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
in school (and this is a pleasant introduction to the great American
poet for those who didn’t!) should enjoy Minneha Park, where the
waterfall immortalized in The Song of Hiawatha still gushes. There’s a
down-sized version of Longfellow’s house here too, serving as the
park’s information center. Art lovers are spoiled for choice in
the Twin Cities, though most of the blockbuster sights are located in
Minneapolis, like the extensive Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the
Walker Art Center (featuring a very good collection of modern pieces)
and the vast Minneapolis Institute of Arts, that starts with
prehistoric art and runs through to the 20th century. With time to
spare, stop in to admire the art and architecture of Frerick R.
Weisman Art Museum, a varied collection, Swedish in origin, at the
American Swedish Institute, and spark your imagination with a trip
through the House of Balls, featuring everything from carved bowling
balls to epoxied chicken feet. This segues nicely into your next
stop: technological development on display at The Bakken, and natural
history at the Bell Museum of Natural History. If one were to
theoretically move to the area, one of the prettiest spots to put down
roots might well be Nicollet Island, graced with lovely old
architecture and top-lodging option, the Nicollett Island
Inn. While a relaxing stroll here might be just the break from
urban crush that’s called for, a real escape is easily found. Rent
bikes to do some cruising along paved city trails, or rent a canoe and
do a bit of paddling on the Mississippi south of town. St Paul
is Minnesota’s capital, and the smaller of the two cities. But don’t
be fooled by size - there are enough interesting cultural stops here
to rank St Paul in its own right as a diversionary destination.
Stretched 29 miles along two-bends of the Mississippi River, visitors
will be reassured to learn that most of the note-worthy sights are
situated in and around downtown St Paul. Take a trip through the
impressive State Capitol to get a glimpse of government in action,
admire the façade of the art deco City Hall, and peruse museums housed
in the grand Landmark Center at the edge of Rice Park. Keep kids
entertained and get them a bit of “edjimication” at the Science Museum
of Minnesota or the Minnesota Children’s Museum, then have an easy
stroll along Summit Avenue, lined with gracious historic homes, some
of them open for tours during the day. There are plenty of parks
around in which to find sunny-day recreation, and paved trails that
link St Paul with Minneapolis perfect for a leisurely peddle. Head for
Harriet Island Park on the on the south side of the Mississippi for
access to paddleboat cruises, a small zoo and a fine conservatory.
For an artsy walk, wander the Western Sculpture Park, pausing for a
refreshing beverage at the Summit Brewing Company. With time to
day-trip to the “burbs”, the outlying residential area sprawled out
from the heart of the Twin Cities, put on your options list the Mall
of America (complete with indoor theme park, aquariums, post office
and chapel) in Bloomington, the Minnesota Zoo in Apple valley, the
Normandale Japanese Gardens, rollercoasters at Valleyfair! and
assorted historic attractions in Shakopee and Mendota. Head north of
downtown areas for living history exhibits at the Gibbs Museum of
Pioneer and Dakotah Life, the Fillebrown House (American Picturesque
architecture), or venture west to Lake Minnetonka (Tonka) for a
steamboat ride and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen.
The musician sometimes known as Prince has recording studios here, so
interested fans might want to keep an ear out for the occasional
performance. What can be safely said about Minnesota’s largest
urban area is that visitors really won’t struggle in the slightest to
find things to do – even locals aren’t hurting for a shortage of
entertainment options. For big city bustle, Minneapolis and St Paul
strike a really pleasant balance between business and pleasure, a
definite “don’t miss” on any Minnesota tour.
| 
