Minneapolis

Famous architects such as Pierre de Meuron, Jacques Herzog and Frank Gehry made the Midwestern cities of Minneapolis, and St. Paul, a thriving cultural hub. They created the Walker Art Center and Weisman Art Museum. This region of the Midwest has been culturally fertile thanks to its artistic, architectural, and theatrical revival. Take for example: The innovative nightlife and live music scenes in these cities, once home to greats such as Prince and Bob Dylan.

These fraternal twin cities, which are connected by approximately 10 miles of sprawling urban areas, were named so that outsiders could see their differences. In the beginning, St. Paul was built by Irish and German immigrants, while Minneapolis was settled by Scandinavians. St. Paulites are proud of their heritage and continue to preserve their beer brewing traditions.

The Minneapolitans, however, are proud to support modern progress. Visitors often find it difficult to tell the difference between them, although residents are quick to identify them. These buildings are good indicators of distinction: Minneapolis is modern, cutting-edge and tall, while St. Paul is small, historic, and modest. This mixed metropolitan area is enhanced by the contrast and competition.

Best Time to Visit

From June to August is the best time to visit Minneapolis/St. Paul. Residents and visitors alike venture outside and onto the lakes, with daily highs hovering around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The peak tourist season is summer, which sees large crowds at farmers markets and festivals. With the changing leaves and pleasant temperatures, early fall is another great time to visit.

Winters are cold and frosty. It rarely gets above freezing. The months of November through April are marked by a lot of snowfall. On average, 50 inches falls annually. However, there is still plenty to do and see, and hotels and airfare deals are plentiful. Minnesota's spring temperatures are slow (residents have been known for being afflicted by an April snowstorm); May is better than March or April.

February in Minneapolis is generally dry with the temperature being cold. Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Minneapolis for your holidays. The weather is often relatively bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.

Pro Tip

The city is where many top products were invented: That's right — Minneapolis is where Scotch tape, the bundt pan, Bisquick, and pop-up toasters were invented.

Airport

Grab flight tickets from FlyOtravel to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. It is located 7.1 miles from the Downtown center. Other famous airports are St. Cloud Regional Airport (55.1 miles / 88.7 kilometers), Rochester International Airport (83.2 miles / 133.9 kilometers), Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (87.5 miles / 140.8 kilometers

Best Things to Do

Start on a high and go indoor skydiving
Feel the adrenaline rush of floating, flying and free-falling on this unforgettable iFly Indoor Skydiving Adventure. Indoor skydiving offers all the thrills of jumping out of a plane within a safe, state-of-the-art wind tunnel. Experience the same rush as tandem skydiving with indoor skydiving!

Cycle a Bike Around the Chain of Lakes
Minnesota is informally known as the land of 10,000 lakes. This route, located 2 miles southwest from Minneapolis downtown, is a great example, featuring three beautiful lakes within a fairly small area; Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet and Lake of the Isles, closest to downtown. The loop around each lake is 3–3.5 miles and a great option for a longer run is to combine all three for an 11-mile loop. Bonus: Maintained in Winter.

Explore Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary
Sometimes we just need to escape a bit, enjoy the flowers, birds and nature. The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, part of Theodore Wirth Regional Park, is sort of a hidden gem. Admission is free, which makes it even more enjoyable. This is a park that has an excellent chance of having our state flower, the lady slipper, in June/July. The narrow, winding trails of the Garden lead you through a variety of habitats in hilly terrain. Multiple routes can be selected for a shorter or longer walk. The total trail length is over one mile.

Overlook the St. Anthony Falls
Explore the historic district and heritage trails that surround the thundering waterfall that powered the fledgling city of Minneapolis. St. Anthony Falls marks the birthplace of Minneapolis and its natural power helped to shape the city into the exciting capital it is today. History will unfold before you as you stroll along the self-guided walking trail that loops around the spectacular waterfall.

Visit Lynndale Park
Lynndale Park is located north of Lynndale Elementary School in west Lynnwood, and is Lynnwood’s largest park. Approximately 22 acres of the park are preserved as native forest. The rest is developed with active recreational uses, including athletic fields and a Skate Park. The park's baseball complex is jointly maintained by the City of Lynnwood and Pacific Little League. The park also offers an orienteering course and is a popular venue for summer day camps and scouting programs. An amphitheater sits deep in the forest, and features popular summer performances of Shakespeare in the Park.

Recommended Hotels

Known as the City of Lakes, Minneapolis is home to famous locations and comfortable stay options. So if you're searching for options, check out these options. They include Hewing Hotel, Loews Minneapolis Hotel, Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown, Hotel Ivy, Hotel Emery, The Marquette Hotel, W Minneapolis to name a few.

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