A list of popular attraction of the Twin Cities. This is, by no means, a complete guide. You want a real guide, you go to another site like Twincities.com.
Basilica of St. Mary : Official site is www.mary.org
. The oldest basilica in the United States, the basilica of St. Mary is located along I-94, overlooking Loring Park. It is committed to tourists and has published several self tours for people. Often considered the "Cathedral of Minneapolis". Definitely, a beauty worth visiting. Tours are given during the week and it is open most days to visitors.
Cathedral of Saint Paul : One of the largest cathedrals in North America, the Saint Paul Cathedral has long been a landmark of the city, standing even higher than the capitol. It was started in 1906, and the first service was held in 1915. The Cathedral is open most days for touring and religious services. It rings with bells cast in France, and can be heard from miles away. Heads the Summit Hill neighborhood, one of the city's most historic and classy areas. Provides some free tours, plus it is open almost everyday for mass or for tourists.
Como Zoo and Conservatory : Official site is www.comopark.com . Located in northwestern Saint Paul, the historic Como Lake area gives way to a variety of events that enrich the culture of this lively place. Como Lake itself offers an ample opportunity for walkers and bikers, with the large Pavilion at the western end, featuring a variety of small plays, concerts, and other meetings and parties. Across the street is picnic grounds on top of a hill, overlooking the Como Park golf course featuring cross-country skiing in the winter. Down the road a little bit is the Como Zoo, the only zoo with free admission in the Twin Cities area. It has a variety of small scale events and offers and excellent opportunity for families, especially during the summer when some rides and booths are set up, much like a small carnival. Also present is the Como Lake Japanese Gardens, a beautifully landscaped area of various rare flowers, a unique attraction in Minnesota. Perhaps the most beloved building in the area is the Como Conservatory (visible in the picture link). About 100 years old, this glass and steel structure contains a central rotunda and two wings, including a great variety of plants and even a tropical exhibit. Admission is about a dollar, and that is only to maintain the building (its a non-profit establishment). There is also a child's playground and a public pool nearby (admission fees apply). Overall, this whole area is Minnesota's third most popular attraction, and provides for many different inner-city activities for a minimal cost. For the best results, visit during the summer, because most establishments will be open, and the area is open longer.
Foshay Tower : Featuring the only observation deck in downtown Minneapolis, this 32 story tower is on National Register of Historic Buildings list and now has a museum, providing history on the tower and Wilbur Foshay, its founder. Foshay was a young businessman, impressed with the Washington Monument, and vowed to fuse its best features into his dream office tower. This dream became reality in 1929, and celebrations persued for several days (which added up to more money than the tower itself!). Foshay's fortune's changed almost immediately. He became bankrupt, indicted with three counts of mail fraud associated with a pyramid scheme, and never recovered his empire. The tower belongs to private owners now. For four dollars a person, you can look at old clippings, informational pamphlets and other Foshay memoribilia. My absolute favorite part is the excellent observation deck, which allows the best views of Minneapolis you could imagine. You can also see Saint Paul and many office towers scattered through the surrounding suburbs. Unlimited time and free scopes to use, it's a must see and I personally recommend it to everyone. Open most days.
Grand Avenue : Offical site is www.grandave.com . Saint Paul's fashionable shopping district of over 100 stores and offering good walking. The elegant buildings blend in well with the more modern additions, all trying to keep a classical style. Being close to prestigious Summit Avenue means Grand is also a hub of Saint Paul's historic and upper class neighborhoods. The street has its own Chamber of Commerce that works to establish new businesses and attract others. The street runs east to west and is located in the southwest quarter of the city, immediately northwest of downtown. The total distance of Grand Ave. is about two and a half miles. The heavist concentration of retail is in between Dale St. and Lexington Pkwy., the eastern half of the street. If you want to know more about Grand Avenue, visit their website since it does have a list of stores and upcoming events.
Harriet Island : Located in Saint Paul, across the Mississippi from downtown. The park had a grand re-opening in 2000. Features paddleboat rides in the summer, along with some outdoor concerts. Boaters are able to dock here while they go for a bite to eat downtown, which is a quick walk across the Wabasha St. Bridge. Being a public park, it is open everyday.
Lowertown : Official site is www.lowertown.org . Saint Paul's historic district in downtown which features a variety of old warehouses, many are or will be renovated into new apartments and condos. Galtier Plaza headlines the district, which unfortunately, wasn't the great success city leaders anticipated. Mears Park is a great square to be, even with a small stream and stage within it. Plus, one three sides, you are surrounded by historic warehouses, all repaired and restored. The Farmer's Market is also located in this area, a summertime area that sells fresh produce. The Union Depot is also located here, featuring several restaurants and cultural opportunity. Several bars are also in the area, giving people a place to hang out and take in a small performance of two (it is a trendy urban art area). It isn't a perfect urban utopia like its official site makes it out to be, but if you like a touch of history, this is where to go. It is best to visit Lowertown on a weekday if you are looking for shopping opportunities. Otherwise, the weekend provides cultural events and dining opportunities.
Mall Of America : Official site is www.mallofamerica.com . The definitive retail attraction of the Twin Cities metro area and Minnesota, located in state's third largest city, Bloomington. Mall of America is in proximity of the international airport and is well integrated into the transit system. This makes the shopping attraction a "quick stop" for travelers on the way to another destination, stopping for a half day to go to the mall. It is the largest retail center in the U.S. and encompasses more than 400 businesses. It has a college, underground aquarium (Underwater World, now about 5 years old), theme park (Camp Snoopy), theater, over a dozen specialty restaurants, the only Legoland in the midwest, bars, gift shops, Planet Hollywood, and nearly a half dozen separate food courts. The mall was built on the site of the old Metro Stadium that became obsolete after the Twins relocated to the Metrodome. The Mall of America was proposed in about 1990 and was finished one and a half years later, several million below the budget granted and ahead of schedule. The mall does tend to take a lot of money, as stores are plentiful and slightly more expensive from other locations, due to the high rent it takes to maintain a store there. Some stores have had to leave because of the inability to afford the steep price. Barnes and Noble now anchors the main Rotunda, site of many live concerts, guest appearances, contests and other social events. If you are going to the Mall, make sure you have money to spend. Also, take precautions since minor theft can occur if you are not careful (and your possessions can fall out if you try the rides at Camp Snoopy).
Metrodome : Visit this site for some facts/trivia. The largest air-supported dome in the world is worth a visit. This massive stadium holds the Vikings and the Twins, and at last check, the only stadium in the United States that is financially independent. This massive muffin reaches 195 into the air, and encloses 415,000 square feet. The roof is 10 whole acres of teflon-coated fiberglass, only 1/16 of an inch thick. It takes 250,000 cubic feet of air to hold the dome up, along wiht the assistance of 1,800 horsepower coming from electric fans. The dome has collapsed at least three times, deflating like a beach ball. Still, the stadium is one of Minnesota's most visited buildings, and not a bad stadium at all. Holds a variety of events, including large concerts and monster-truck rallies.
Midway District : Another shopping area in Saint Paul, directly connected to Minneapolis and serves as a major corridor between the two cities. University Ave is the main artery of travel, of which is one of the busiest roads in the Twin Cities. In Saint Paul's part of the street, there is about 5 and 1/2 miles, lined with various modern day mini-malls and brick buildings of specialty shops. The arrival of the Hmong had opened up many new businesses, revitalizing the eastern half of the district. The major retail center of Midway is located around Midway Center, in between Hamline and Snelling Ave. Here is a collection of department stores including Target, Mervyn's California, Officemax, K-Mart, and Herbergers. Border's (book store) and Cub Foods and Rainbow Foods are all located here as well. While these modern strip malls make up the southern half of the street, the northern half is lined with brick buildings of various sizes and ages. Many are local, small vendors. University Ave. is a vital corridor between the two cities, so cars and buses frequent the street at all hours of the day. You should be slightly careful since Frogtown, a relatively poor community, frequents this area and as a result, does require shoppers to be careful. There is also a lot of lower-end shops scattered along University, so it's not exactly suburban style shopping. Still, if you need a place to do shopping and you are close to or in the central cities, try this area out.
Minneapolis Institute of Art : Official site is www.artsmia.com . This neo-roman architectural piece is THE place to see historical collections and excellent art galleries. Put into a grand building that has had many expansions over the years, this museum offers a vast collection of European oil paintings and Native American Art. It also has contemporary and commercial exhibits and photographic studies of distant lands. It has maintained a great collection of sculptures and even has an ancient elevator from near 100 years ago! I personally like the amazing collection of Asian pottery and painting, plus their unique Chinese jade collection. Full, decorated rooms actually give you the feel of being in an entirely different country, one such being the extremely detailed Scholar's Study of China. Plus, it puts Minneapolis' skyline on display with perhaps one of the absolute BEST views you can ask for, and indoors with BENCHES! You can observe sitting down, at last!
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden : This all year attraction has gained national attention for being a true urban beauty. Free to everyone, this offers undeniably awesome views of downtown, though I-94 is adjacent to it, making me question its placement (the highway's). It is also a gateway to the upper class community nearby. The Sculpture Garden is an elegant urban playground that holds some of the most interesting and expensive Minnesotan sculptures and pieces. Its most recognizable piece is the Spoon and Cherry. It has a observation bridge over the highway and makes for good sights. It also has a glass and steel emporium of sorts that holds more fragile and non-weather friendly works. It is a nice place to go with your children, for some pieces are hands on, something the kids will like. Thinking of a place to go for a little peace and calm? Come to the Sculpture Garden.
Minnesota Historical Society : Official site is www.mnhs.org . This is just a quick five-minute jaunt over I-94 onto the high bluff overlooking downtown. This modern 90's structure stands across the street from the Cathedral and is another cultural icon. Offers a variety of different exhibits to explore, plus a historic archive library, gift shops and Caf?Minnesota. Admission is free, plus its goods are cheap and well worth checking it out. Offers many activities for children as well as adults and of course, the major view of the capitol in its east wing.
Minnesota State Capitol : For a piece of history and some insight on the people of Minnesota, this is the site. This near 100-year old historic building is the masterpiece of Cass Gilbert, looking over the city and providing a stunning backdrop for the Historical Society. Has free guided tours on the hour and a small gift counter with special postcards and books relating to the state. Explore the Senate, House and Supreme Court Chambers, watch a live legislative session, examine the many sculptures, paintings and artifacts for the state's past and possibly even meet Jesse! The capitol is an inexpensive way to enrich yourself in a little culture. The capitol page at this site offers much more information.
Minnesota State Fair : Official site www.mnstatefair.org . In the suburb of Falcon Heights (Adjacent to Saint Paul), the fair has been in its current area for about 100 years. Running in the last week of August until Labor Day, the fair usually has an attendance of about 2,000,000 per year and has been breaking attendance records as of late. It is almost like a tiny city, special labeled streets and separate areas holding all sorts of retail tenants and representatives from all TV and radio stations. Offers a ton of agricultural, technological and physical exhibits that makes it a perfect place to go. The highest tower is a slim 340 foot tall tower, visible for several miles in each direction and is clad in stars and stripes, like a American flag. It has a ride that takes you to the top, displaying both skylines and surroundings. The Midway area contains many rides and attractions that light up brightly at night with screams and shrieks from the thrill-seekers. The grandstand provides live entertainment, plus many news broadcasts take up temporary homes here, the only time of year that offers live audiences (except special occasions). KARE11, the NBC affiliate, most commonly does this. Of course, a couple disadvantages stand alone, not much of a deal, but worth mentioning. Manure from animals, whew! The place, like other state fairs, is expensive, especially in the Midway. Fortunately, they do offer an Early Bird special that cuts prices in half. The place is huge and if you get lost, it's HARD to find your party, so make a meeting place. Not much like I said, still worth going I say!
The Minnesota Zephyr : Official site is www.minnesotazephyr.com . While I haven't been on it personally, this is a historic train that runs through scenic Minnesota, that offers good food, views and a good price. You also get to learn a little about Minnesota's history along the way. It seems more like a romantic opportunity than a family adventure.
Minnesota Zoo : Official site is www.mnzoo.com . Located in the suburb of Apple Valley, south of Saint Paul, this is Minnesota's largest zoo and by far the most well-known one in the state. Out in rural surroundings, the zoo spreads over several square miles and contains different pathways, each with its own unique walkway and animals to see during the trail. For a reasonable price, you can tour all the animals Minnesota can offer. Watch young babies grow, or the monkeys playing in the courtyard outside the administration building. The zoo also has a few of its own temporary exhibits like a massive landscaping of prehistoric times, complete with enormous robotic dinosaurs (even scared some people!). A monorail can take you throughout the area as well. The zoo also sponsors a variety of activities like an annual sleep over for elementary students, where they can be among the animals of the underwater world. Live shows are also performed with trainers and animals, the most popular being the dolphin show. The zoo is open during summer months like Como Zoo and is a top attraction of the area.
Nicollet Mall : Official site is www.nicolletmall.com . In the 1950's, Minneapolis started to decline, facing the growth of suburbia and decline of the city. Naturally, as a result, downtown was going to be hit hard. City leaders decided to enact some policies in order to cushion downtown from the blow. One of their most publicized moves was the appointment of 12 blocks of Nicollet Ave. to be renamed Nicollet Mall and to become a car-free pedestrian shopping area. Trees were planted, and careful streetscaping turned Nicollet Mall into a beautiful shopping district. Nicollet Mall is located at the heart of downtown and runs right through the main retail corridor of the city. Many of downtown's most prestigious buildings (IDS Center, Wells Fargo, City Center, Dain Rauscher, U.S. Bancorp and more) all open up to the pedestrian pathway, equaling well over 20 million square feet of office space. Nicollet Mall is also been remodeled since then with a more contemporary look. Nicollet Mall is a major transit hub, open to buses, which help deal with the rush hour traffic. Nicollet Mall is open everyday day, though your best shopping opportunities lie inbetween 9AM-6Pm Monday through Friday. Biking is no longer permitted on the mall during the workweek.
Ordway Theatre : Official site is www.ordway.org . Located in downtown Saint Paul, the theater offers excellent panoramic scenes of Rice Park, the cultural square of downtown. It has a variety of different plays like Oklahoma, Rent and Shakespeare pieces, along with housing the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. It offers a gift shop and the Orchestra also owns a store across the park in the Hamm Building. Prices can be a little steep, but with the quality performances that it gives, the price is well worth it. This is the most prestigious theater in Saint Paul and is highly acknowledged throughout the metro area. It is also a popular site for student field trips, offering discounts for these groups and other social gatherings as well.
Stillwater, MN : Official site of the city is here . This historic town in the east metro, bordering Wisconsin, is sometimes called the "birthplace of Minnesota". This is another of Minnesota's historic towns, only containing about 14,000 people and resembles a Colonial age settlement. The town is also the Washington County Seat and features a lavish courthouse to display the status. The town provides an enchanting waterfront and fireworks display for the fourth of July. Downtown is a small, compact neighborhood of two or three-story buildings offering many special goods and services, its old-world charm being a major lure for tourists. It's a reminder of the past, but also that of the future, for it does have its share of modern stores and strip malls. The town is the headquarters of Cub Foods, a midwestern food chain. It's fellow suburbs, Vadnais Heights and Bayport contains many of the banes of the midwest, the most recognizable being Wal-Mart.
Taste of Minnesota : Official site is www.tasteofmn.org . Every July in the capitol mall overlooking Saint Paul, this festival takes place offering fireworks and great opportunity to eat. For an admission fee, you can enjoy free samples of over 40 different cultures and restaurants around the metro area. It does cost money for the whole main course, though, making money of prime importance. Nevertheless, if you got some cash and the feeling for variety, this may be right up your alley.
The Minnesota Children's Museum : Official site is www.mcm.org . (Pictures found in Vaious Buildings album for Saint Paul) Connected to the skyway system and being within Saint Paul's major retail center radius, this is another attraction that has also found a new home in downtown Saint Paul. It was formerly in the western Industrial area, Energy Park. The city helped to build a new structure downtown, offering more room and quick and easy access. This charges an admission fee, but offers a ton of great fun for children, featuring many temporary exhibits that concentrate on good manners and better fun. Fair inexpensive and also has a Creative Kids Stuff store, adding one more tenant to the downtown area and also drawing a few more visitors.
The Minnesota Science Museum : Official site is www.sci.mus.mn.us . (Pictures found in Vaious Buildings album for Saint Paul) Minnesota's primere Science museum moved to its new riverfront location in December 1999, in which is over twice as large as the last. The old one was connected by skyways, something in which the current has yet to have. The science museum offers many interesting exhibits and art pieces with a scientific flair. One being the musical stairs which uses infrared beams to read your movement and turn it into a musical pattern! It also has the Omnitheater, a massive roundish screen and retractable dome and stadium seating, in which shows a variety of informational documentaries and such. Its unoffical mascot is exactly what I can relate to, a 40 foot iguana scupture called "Iggy" (what else?) and has been currently restored and resides on the river side enterance below. The museum also is much closer to Rice Park, Saint Paul's cultural square, making it another anchor for the area. With attendance of 1 million a year (and hoping for more in its initial year in the new site) it is a definite place to visit. Has over 1,750,000 artifacts and one of only four triceratops skeletons in the WORLD! This new site also took over 5 years of planning and constructions so come and visit the place, it's worth it!
The Skyway System : Of course, why miss out on this excellent idea of indoor travel?! Both downtowns offer unique experiences, so it would be a great idea to visit both cities and a word to the wise: do it on a weekday for the best results. In Saint Paul, it makes for a great opportunity to explore. Look at the different buildings and yes, there is some shopping that can be done. Saint Paul's "The Gardens", the only indoor park in the cities, is a great place to rest and watch the sights. Go to the skyway library, see the Children's Museum, check out a hotel room at the Radisson and you won't have to leave downtown (or the skyways) at all! Specialty artwork can also be found in the oasis of blank areas, like the Spirit of Saint Paul store in the dead Wabasha Court and the Hosko Gallery in the First Trust Center, near Galtier Plaza (which has YMCA too!). Minneapolis is probably the more desirable and I will admit, it does offer much better shopping. The Crystal Court is an excellent piece of urban art, directly connected to Gaviidae Commons and the City Center. Visit the Foshay for a better view, explore Nicollet Mall below and learn a bit of history in City Hall. Minneapolis also has an equally excellent exploration experience for the adventurers downtown. It's an experience just to see all the individual skyways themselves!
Valleyfair : Official site is www.valleyfair.com . Valleyfair is Minnesota's only theme park, running out of Shakopee, in northern Scott County, about 45 minutes from Saint Paul and 35 from Minneapolis. Valleyfair occupies 90 acres close to the Minnesota River and offers about 75 rides. Mini-golf, bungee jumping, a water park, and picnic grounds are also included. Valleyfair is open May through October, ending every year (it is now 25 years old) with Hallo-weekends, dressing the park in a Halloween theme. The biggest rides at Valleyfair can be seen for a far distance, creating an exciting display for arriving guests. Their are about half a dozen roller coasters at Valleyfair, the largest being the Wild Thing, rising 207 feet into the air and hitting speeds of 75 mph. Their newest attraction is the much advertised Power Tower, a 275-foot tall trio of towers that drop people or blast them down. Valleyfair has hours that vary from day to day. To plan a trip, use their website to check the hours for the day you plan to attend. Admission is $28.95 for adults and $8.95 for kids below 4 and seniors over 60. In the late season, prices go down slightly do to reduced hours. Located off of County Road 101, easily accessible by Highway 35W.
Walker Art Center : Official site is www.walkerart.org . The Walker Art Center is adjacent to the Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis and is one of the most visited museums in the state. There is more than 8,000 permanent pieces of art on display. The cost for admission is $6 for adults, along with a $3.50 charge for automobile parking. The Walker Art Center is one of the city's most respected cultural institutions and definitely worth a visit. Their site offers some information on the museum, directions, and even some example pieces from the museum for people to view.
Winter Carnival : Official site is www.winter-carnival.com . Saint Paul has the largest and oldest North American winter celebration in the Winter Carnival. The city has a variety of activities and even a story behind the carnival. King Boreas, ruler of winter, is attacked by the Vulcans lead by Vulcanus Rex, who try to take over the ice palace. 7 ice palaces have been built in the last 100 years, the first one in 1887. In 1992, the largest ice palace in history was built, a major news event for the several weeks it stood looking up at downtown from it's spot next to the Mississippi on Raspberry Island. That year attracted over 4,000,000 people and continues to be a record for the city. Ice slides from the capitol mall also is a popular attraction, along with parades, one making history as the longest indoor parade, held in the skyway system. The skyline also shows their spirit when all major buildings downtown adopt a stream of bright lights that string across the roofs, making downtown much brighter. In the streets below, people work on a variety of ice sculptures in Rice Park, spending many man-hours to build these masterpieces. No one knows when the next palace will be built, but it is sure to be stupendous, seeing as the city had to hire professional architects to build the near 200 foot tall palace in 92', using over 20,000 massive ice blocks, many from Lake Como!
Warehouse District : Official site is www.mplswarehouse.com . Downtown Minneapolis' historic sector. Gives a person the historic feeling, away from the glass and steel of modern downtown. Features a variety of shops, performances, art galleries, and bars/restaurants. One particular restaurant is actually in the alley between two brick buildings, a very quaint sight! The headlining success here is Butler Square, completely renovated and now a major office and entertainment center of the area. The Target Center lies on the border of the district with modern downtown, so you are easily in range of a concert or Timberwolves game (or the Minnesota Lynx, our WNBA team). Best of all, it doesn't try to live up to an image of perfection like Lowertown. It's more down-to-earth, and just a neat place to walk through. Definitely, if you head downtown, check it out!
The Weisman Art Museum : Official site is http://hudson.acad.umn.edu . This is a museum on Minneapolis' eastern bank of the University of Minnesota campus. It drew crowds when it this Frank Gehry classic was finsihed in 1992. Its irregular structure makes it hard to miss and draws many visitors. Offers a great collection of art for free, plus it has some great eating and relaxing inside. Exhibits usually concentrate on specific events and time frames, such as the Great Depression and the World Wars. Go visit it and while you're at it, check out one of the largest campuses in the country, the U of MN!
