Minneapolis - St. Paul Pictures

The Minneapolis skyline as seen from the Stone Arch Bridge. photo.ua Shutterstock

You'll find these thundering falls in Minnehaha Park, about 6 miles southeast of central Minneapolis. Joseph Scott Photography Shutterstock

Claes Oldenburg's Spoonbridge and Cherry is one of the more iconic pieces in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center. photo.ua Shutterstock

Lake Calhoun is a 10-minute walk west of the Uptown neighborhood. The 3.1-mile path surrounding the lake makes it a popular jogging spot for residents who live nearby. If you're visiting in summer, you'll also spot plenty of canoes, sail boats and kayaks out on the water. Alan Turkus Flickr

The Cathedral of Saint Paul sits on the highest point in downtown St. Paul. Free guided tours take place Monday through Friday at 1 p.m. Chintla Shutterstock

What was once the world's largest flour mill is now a museum showcasing the history of Minneapolis' flour industry. Courtesy the Minnesota Historical Society

St. Anthony Falls can be reached from the Third Avenue Bridge. kla4067 Flickr

The Weisman Art Museum owes its unique appearance to the famous architect, Frank Gehry. Sophie James Shutterstock

To give you an idea of the Mall of America's size, seven Yankee Stadiums could fit inside the massive shopping center. Jeffrey J Coleman Shutterstock

Built in the early 19th century, Fort Snelling was used by the military to control the use of American trade routes. Karla Caspari Shutterstock

The Minnesota Zoo is home to more than 4,700 animals.  Courtesy the Minnesota Zoo

If you'd like to take a spin through the architecturally stunning Minnesota State Capitol Building, join one of the guided tours, offered Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. Henryk Sadura Shutterstock

Target Field, a relatively new stadium in the Minneapolis area (it opened in 2010), is home turf for the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Chris Evans Flickr

The sprawling University of Minnesota is spread across five campuses, with 65,000 students. Ken Wolter Shutterstock

The city's growing light-rail trains service popular attractions like Mall of America, Target Field and downtown Minneapolis. You can also hop on a train to get to the MSP airport. Jeramey Jannene Flickr

Even if you're not much of a theater geek, a visit to the Guthrie should still be on your to-do list for the architecture alone. Mark Vancleve Courtesy of the Guthrie Theater

The Lego store at the Mall of America is a playtopia, with a giant pick-a-Lego wall with 180 different Lego elements at your fingertips. Beatnik Photos Flickr

A Minnesota winter may not be on every traveler's bucket list, but the frigid temps and perptual snow do make for some interesting landscapes, especially at Minnehaha Park. sawdust_media Flickr

Lake Harriet, situated about 7 miles south of downtown Minneapolis, is another popular recreational spot with walking and biking trails, gardens, and a bandshell for hosting summer movies and concerts. Near and Far Photography Shutterstock

The Minnesota State Fair, which takes place in late August, attracts nearly 1.8 million guests annually. If you're in town for "The Great Minnesota Get-Together," come with an empty stomach: the food (most of it on a stick and deep-fried) is as much an attraction as the rides, contests and concerts. miker Shutterstock

This 52,525-seat stadium, which opened in 2009, is where the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers play.  Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis

First Avenue is a legendary nightclub in downtown Minneapolis. Once the playing ground for hometown favorite, Prince, the music venue now hosts a variety of shows.  Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis

Whether you're looking for groceries, gifts or a bite to eat, you'll find it at the Midtown Global Market. Meet Minneapolis Flickr

Visit Minnehaha Falls in autumn for a spectacular display of bright foliage. Saibal Getty Images