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Minneapolis-St Paul travel Forum

Attractions

Sightseeing in Minneapolis and St Paul can feel like a treasure hunt, as it is a constant process of uncovering hidden gems and unknown delights. The Twin Cities area is full of natural beauty but also home to a vibrant artistic and cultural community, the biggest within a thousand-mile radius.

The Twin Cities have a number of top-notch museums for the whole family, including the Science Museum with an Omnimax theatre and interactive exhibits; the Mill City Museum which showcases local history in a restored flour mill on the Mississippi River; the interactive Children's Museum, which offers lots of places to explore and things to do for younger children; and the Bell Museum of Natural History, with hundreds of animal specimens on display and an interactive 'touch and feel' room.

As numerous as the museums are the galleries. Minneapolis is a cultural centre of note, with two world-class art centres: The Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Walker Art Centre. The Walker's famous sculpture garden is home to the Cherry Spoon Fountain, an iconic symbol of the Twin Cities. A newer addition to the art scene is the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, a modern steel-covered building designed by Frank Gehry at the University of Minnesota.

Families will find much to see and do in Minneapolis and St Paul, including a visit to the Minnesota Zoo, with thousands of animals on display along with a monorail and IMAX theater. The Como Zoo is more conveniently located in St Paul and offers beautiful gardens and a Conservatory, but the zoo itself is not as impressive.

Minneapolis and St Paul have a number of interesting architectural sights as well, including the St Paul Cathedral and the immense St Mary's Basilica. There are a number of interesting mansions from the early 20th century in neighbourhoods like Summit Avenue, including the James J Hill House, which offers tours to the public.

The innumerable lakes in the Twin Cities offer their own attractions. Lake Harriet is a tranquil area with jogging and biking paths, a bandstand, and scenic views of the city. Lake Calhoun has its own small sandy beach, with opportunities for boating, waterskiing and jet skiing.

There is much to do in Minneapolis and St Paul even in the harsh winter months. Minnesotans are passionate about winter sports, and there are many places for sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross country skiing, and ice skating. Though the state is relatively flat, there are several good ski resorts within a few hours' drive of the Twin Cities, including Wild Mountain, Buck Hill, and Lutsen.

Walker Art Center

Walker Art Center

Internationally renowned for its permanent collection of 20th century paintings, drawings, prints, photography and sculptures, the Walker Art Center is one of the country's leading contemporary art centres and is one of the most visited museums in the USA. It features works by top...  see full details



Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America

Mall of America

Located in the southern suburb of Bloomington, the futuristic superstructure of the Mall of America is recognised as the largest enclosed shopping and entertainment complex in the country. It welcomes over 42 million visitors each year and is the fifth most visited attraction in...  see full details



Fair grounds

Valleyfair

Valleyfair is the largest amusement park in Minnesota, with 125 acres of rides and attractions ranging from high-speed roller coasters to midway games and an IMAX theater. Valleyfair also has the Soak City Waterpark with a range of waterslides and pools, and Challenge Park,...  see full details



Target Field

Target Field

Home to the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball team, Target Field was built in 2010 and is considered one of the most state-of-the-art baseball stadiums in the world. Minnesotans tend to be rather affectionate toward their team, and a day at the ballpark is...  see full details



Minnesota Zoo

Minnesota Zoo

A huge state-of-the-art zoo with over 40 acres of habitats housing more than 2,000 creatures of all kinds, the Minnesota Zoo is a fantastic attraction for those travelling with kids in Minneapolis. It features animals from every continent, and an enormous aquarium. Kids can...  see full details


Minneapolis-St Paul travel Forum