Minneapolis Destination Guide
Minneapolis Holidays
Minneapolis is one of those American gems that you can’t help but love. The largest city in the state of Minnesota, this is a town with good old Midwestern values, and one that that works hard and plays hard too. A thriving downtown area and vibrant cultural scene, beautiful parks and popular bike trails and many nearby lakes make this a popular destination year round. It’s easy to see why Minneapolis is consistently voted one of the most liveable big cities in America. With a metropolitan population of 3 million, Minneapolis is home to many large corporations, major league sports teams and is a major air transport hub. In short, there’s never a dull moment in this great city and Minnesotans love to show it off.
Top Attractions
There are three things that locals hold dear – the arts, outdoors and sports. Downtown features well known theatres and several art museums. The imposing Minneapolis Institute of Arts has a marvellous collection of works and as a government funded museum entry is free! Not to be missed is one of the most significant modern art museums in the country, the Walker Art Center which is located right next to the city’s famous sculpture garden. Minneapolis is filled with beautiful parks and has some of the best urban bike trails of any city. Head to Minnehaha Park where a gorgeous 16 metre high waterfall cascades over jagged rock cliffs. Lake Calhoun is another popular destination with great city views. Kayaking, windsurfing and swimming from the lake’s three beaches is a popular pastime. If you’re into major league sports, Minneapolis has three professional teams representing Major League Baseball, NFL football and NBA basketball.
Eat and Drink »
Minneapolis is located in the bountiful Midwest and local ingredients and farm fresh foods are never far away. From tasty foods at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market to five star dining downtown, Minneapolis features wonderful cuisine. Minneapolis enjoys four very different seasons and as the weather changes so do the seasonal specialties. It turns out to be a fun way to celebrate each time of year. A cosmopolitan city like Minneapolis features great international cuisine as well as excellent steak houses. Minneapolis is home to a thriving music scene and Downtown features music venues and nightclubs. The Uptown and Lyn-Lake neighbourhoods are also popular areas for bars and clubs as well as cafes and coffee houses.
Where to Stay
Many of the big name branded hotels are located downtown from mid-range to luxury. The suburbs have many value oriented and mid-range options as well. If visiting in winter, consider a downtown hotel near the “Skyway”. This enclosed elevated pedestrian walkway connects many of the downtown buildings which is a huge benefit on those cold and snowy winter days.
Shopping
There is a wide range of shopping choices available in Minneapolis. Many of the independent and alternative shops are located Uptown and in Lyn-Lake. Downtown consists of many shops as well as the Nicollett pedestrian mall. If you care for a short trip to the outer suburbs, The Mall of America, one of the biggest shopping centres on the planet is located just south of the city and the international airport in Bloomington.
Minneapolis Like a Local
Minneapolis is a city with many distinct neighbourhoods and each of them contain something special. Many residents can be found enjoying a cup of coffee or taking a stroll around Uptown. In the summer the lakes are the big draw where residents take advantage of the warm summer months with gusto. If you want to get around like a local rent a bike and hit the urban bike trails. Residents have embraced the bicycle like no other city and many commute to work this way.
