Minneapolis - St. Paul Travel Tips
Keep in Mind...
- Cheering and jeering The Minnesota Lakers moved to L.A. in 1960 (thank disappointing ticket sales). But since then, the city has gained a fervor for home teams like the Timberwolves (NBA), Vikings (NFL) and Twins (MLB). If you have time, get tickets to root for one of them.
- Shop till you drop Shopping at Mall of America could be defined as a professional sport, considering it could fit 78 football fields. You might even spot Brett Favre here.
- Warm up with a brewski Several breweries are scattered across the two cities and a few offer tours. Summit Brewery in St. Paul has received particularly good reviews.
In the last half of the 20th century, famed architects like Jacques Herzog, Pierre de Meuron and Frank Gehry transformed the quiet Midwestern farming cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul into a booming cultural metropolis, complete with the contemporary Walker Art Center and the Weisman Art Museum. Minneapolis and St. Paul's artistic, architectural and theatrical renaissance has made this region of the Midwest culturally fertile. Case in point -- check out the cities' innovative live music and nightlife scene, which once nurtured the careers of greats like Prince and Bob Dylan.
Joined by roughly 10 miles of urban sprawl, these fraternal twin cities were named as such to remind outsiders looking in of their differences. Originally, Irish and German immigrants built St. Paul, while Scandinavians settled in Minneapolis. St. Paulites hold tight to their heritage, continuing architectural styles and beer brewing traditions. However, the Minneapolitans proudly favor modern progress. Residents are quick to distinguish the two, but visitors usually find it difficult. The buildings act as good markers of distinction: Minneapolis = cutting-edge, tall, and modern; St. Paul = short, historical and modest. The contrast (and competition) only enhances the character of this coupled metropolitan area.
How To Save Money in Minneapolis - St. Paul
- You're in a college town The Twin Cities have a large college student population. Follow them and you'll see the food and bar prices drop. Dinkytown is a sure bet.
- You're in a music town You'll be surprised with the musical talent at local bars. Pay a small cover for a great, intimate concert.
- You're in a museum town The city is chock full of museums -- free ones! The Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Weisman Art Museum are gratis. So is the Walker Art Center on Thursday nights.
Minneapolis - St. Paul Culture & Customs
According to TripAdvisor, "Minnesota Nice is not just a myth. You'll find the people of Minneapolis friendly and ready to help you get where you want to go -- with a smile and 'you betcha' to send you on your way." Visitors should take advantage of the numerous neighborhood cafés and bars and get to know Minneapolis' residents.
Although this area was once an agricultural hotspot, Minneapolis has experienced a cultural revolution. Today, this city features top-notch art museums and a collection of performance venues that rivals New York City. Pick up a copy of the Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine to learn more about what's going on during your visit.
Minneapolis - St. Paul Dining
With hundreds of restaurants serving food from all over the world, Minneapolis-St. Paul is a Midwestern mecca for foodies. And like any other major metropolis, it's home to restaurants serving recipes from Mexico to Thailand.
No matter what you're craving, you can find it south of the downtown area on Nicollet Avenue, fondly known as "Eat Street." However, Eat Street is not a convenient lunch spot for those visiting Minneapolis' downtown sites since it isn't easily accessible on foot. Travelers who are looking to spend the day exploring downtown should have no trouble finding a great midday meal nearby, though choices are limited to steakhouses and burger joints. For those with a more eclectic palate, head to the University areas in Nordeast and Dinkytown, where all types of international cuisines are represented.
If you're looking for a good place to grab a pre- or post-dinner cocktail, head over to the Cathedral Hill area near St. Paul, where many young professionals gather for happy hour. Whether you prefer an elegant place to nurse a glass of wine or a rowdy sports bar, you'll find it in this area.
Plan Your Trip to Minneapolis - St. Paul
You might also like...
-
Chicago
- Culture, shopping and bars galore
- One Great Lake, not several tiny ones
-
New York City
- Mecca for thespians
- Not nearly as chilly
-
Stockholm
- Surrounded by bodies of water
- Plenty of museums to peruse
