Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
Minneapolis and St. Paul Attractions
Architectural Highlights
Minneapolis is quickly developing a reputation for attracting some of the most interesting architecture in the country. Jean Nouvel's Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St., is a 2006 addition; its dark-blue steel exterior is illuminated with visions of past productions. Other gems include Herzog and de Meuron's Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin; Cesar Pelli's Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall; and Frank Gehry's Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, 333 E. River Rd.
In St. Paul, don't miss a stroll down Summit Avenue, just west of St. Paul Cathedral, one of the finest collections of Victorian residential architecture in the nation. The area has been home to such authors as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis, and Garrison Keillor. Stroll on your own or join a guided weekend walking tour. Tours depart from the James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave. (tel. 651/297-2555).
Parks
Lake Calhoun is one of 22 Minneapolis city lakes, a favorite for year-round sports like fishing, swimming, bicycling, and Nordic skiing. Located at 3000 Calhoun Parkway in Uptown (tel. 612/230-6400), the park is open daily from 6am to 10pm. Minnehaha Park, Minnehaha Parkway at Hiawatha Avenue (tel. 612/230-6400), on the Mississippi, is the site of the famed Minnehaha Falls, the "laughing water" Longfellow celebrated in his poem Song of Hiawatha. Other attractions include 15 miles of jogging and bicycle trails and picnic facilities. The park is open daily from 6am to 10pm. Information on both parks, as well as dozens of others, is available online at www.minneapolisparks.org.
St. Paul's Como Park, 1250 Kaufman Dr. (tel. 651/487-8200; www.comozooconservatory.org), is one of the busiest and most beautiful parks in the Twin Cities, best known for its free zoo and conservatory with a half-acre domed botanical garden. There's also a golf course, ski trails, footpaths, paddle boats, canoes, bikes, and skates for rent. Hours are daily from 10am to 6pm April through September, from 10am to 4pm off season. St. Paul's Landmark Plaza, adjacent to the Landmark Center at 5th and Washington streets, is home to four bronze statues of the Peanuts comic book characters. The statues pay homage to hometown artist Charles Schulz.
Best Bets For Kids
In Minneapolis -- The Minnesota Zoo (tel. 800/366-7811 or 952/431-9200; www.mnzoo.com), in Apple Valley, houses more than 2,300 animals. The Children's Theater Company, 2400 3rd Ave. S. (tel. 612/874-0400; www.childrenstheatre.org), presents plays for all age groups in one of America's best regional theaters. The Mall of America (tel. 952/883-8800; www.mallofamerica.com) houses the indoor amusement park Nickelodeon Universe, Underwater Adventures Aquarium, and NASCAR, an indoor race-car simulator, among other attractions.
In St. Paul -- The Minnesota Children's Museum, 10 W. 7th St. (tel. 651/225-6000; www.mcm.org), offers features such as papermaking, a music studio, and a Rooftop ArtPark. Como Zoo, 1250 Kaufman Dr. (tel. 651/487-8200; www.comozooconservatory.org), inside Como Park, is Minnesota's only free zoo.
9 Results
- Religious Site
Cathedral of Saint Paul
Built in 1915 on the highest point in the city, this cathedral is one of the largest in the country. A replica of St. Peter's in Rome, the building boasts a newly restored 175-foot-high copper dome, a massive rose window, and granite-and-travertine construction. Allow 30 minutes. - Historic Site
Historic Fort Snelling
This living history museum commemorates the establishment of a fort here in the wilderness in 1819 by Col. Josiah Snelling and his troops, who opened the area for homesteaders. Costumed guides are the focus of a living history reenactment during the summer months, re-creating the… - Historic Site
James J. Hill House
No single man built a railroad empire like the celebrated James J. Hill, who took the moribund St. Paul & Pacific Railroad from a broken shell to the continent-spanning Great Northern Railway. He was a man of destiny, despite humble beginnings; of his massive railroad empire…$Summit Avenue
- Museum
Minnesota History Center
On a rainy day, the Minnesota History Center is the perfect place to spend hours exploring over 44,000 sq. ft. of exhibits and a few thousand of the institution's 44 million items. First-time visitors should make a beeline for the "Open House" exhibit. Presented as a century-plus…$Downtown St. Paul - Landmark
Minnesota State Capitol
Built in 1905 on a hill overlooking downtown St. Paul, the capitol is crowned by the world's largest unsupported marble dome (modeled after the one Michelangelo created for St. Peter's Basilica in Rome). The interior is equally impressive, with its marble stairways, chambers, and… - Zoo/Aquarium
Minnesota Zoo
"Russia's Grizzly Coast" became the Minnesota Zoo's newest exhibit in 2008, highlighting animals and habitats of Russia's eastern wilderness. Other favorites at this 485-acre zoo include an array of North American animals -- wolves, bison, pumas, and wolverines -- as well as exotic… - Cooking Class
Mississippi River Visitor Center
Located inside the entrance to the Science Museum of Minnesota , the Mississippi River Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service and designed to educate visitors about the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area. Park rangers can assist travelers with planning… - Library/University
University of Minnesota
One of the Midwest's oldest (1851) and most important universities, with 50,000 students on the Twin Cities campus, the UMN offers three significant museums -- the James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History, the University Art Gallery, and the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum . The… - Museum
Walker Art Center
With a spoon and a cherry, some collaborative mini-golf, a series of New Wave film screenings, and much more, the Walker Art Center is Minnesota's premier contemporary arts venue. It's quite an accolade in a city that's replete with artist studios filled with escapees from Park Slope…$$Lowry Hill East
Minneapolis and St. Paul Shopping
Nicollet Mall, a pedestrian avenue in downtown Minneapolis, is home to Neiman Marcus, Macy's, and two malls, upscale Gaviidae Common and City Center. Funky galleries and boutique stores abound in Uptown, near Hennepin and Lake streets. And 50th and France offers distinctive shops in a traditional village shopping square. In St. Paul, don't miss Grand Avenue, just west of the downtown. The boutique shops along here are housed in former residences, and 95% remain independently owned.
Minneapolis and St. Paul Nightlife
The best place to find out what's happening in the Twin Cities is the free newsweekly City Pages, which lists all events. Other good sources of information are the local papers (Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press), the calendar in Minneapolis-St. Paul magazine, and the monthly Twin Cities Directory. On the Web, check out www.minneapolis.org or www.stpaulcvb.org for the most up-to-date information.
The Performing Arts
There are more theater seats per capita in Minneapolis than anywhere outside New York City. The famous Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St. (tel. 877/44-STAGE [447-8243] or 612/377-2224; www.guthrietheater.org), is one of the nation's premier classical repertory companies, set in an architecturally stunning venue overlooking the Mississippi. Three historic, renovated theaters, the State (805 Hennepin Ave.), Orpheum (910 Hennepin Ave.), and Pantages (710 Hennepin Ave.), feature a variety of entertainment, from pop music to comedy, to adult and children's theater. Get information about all three theaters from the central Hennepin Theatre District office (tel. 612/373-5600; www.hennepintheatredistrict.org). The Children's Theater Company, 2400 3rd Ave. S. (tel. 612/874-0400; www.childrenstheatre.org), presents plays for all age groups in one of America's best regional theaters.
For more than 20 years, Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall (tel. 800/292-4141 or 612/371-5656; www.minnesotaorchestra.org), has been home to the internationally acclaimed Minnesota Orchestra.
In St. Paul, Minnesota Public Radio's Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St. (tel. 651/290-1221; http://fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org), is home to Garrison Keillor's popular radio show, A Prairie Home Companion. Touring companies also perform in this restored historic building. The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (tel. 651/291-1144; www.thespco.org) makes its home in the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St. (tel. 651/224-4222; www.ordway.org). Minnesota Opera recitals, pop and classical concerts, and dance are also presented at Ordway Center. The Schubert Club, 302 Landmark Center (tel. 651/292-3267; www.schubert.org), brings celebrated artists to perform, provides music lessons, and commissions new works.
The Bar & Music Scene
The Warehouse District has always been considered the heart of Minneapolis nightlife, but Block E, bordered by 6th and 7th streets and by Hennepin and 1st avenues, has its fair share of dining and dancing. First Avenue, 701 1st Ave. N. (tel. 612/332-1775; www.first-avenue.com), is where Prince got his start (Purple Rain was filmed here). Connected to it is the Entry, a small, loud venue for local music.
For interesting music and great food visit the Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet (tel. 612/332-1010; www.dakotacooks.com). The intimate downtown club is known for its internationally acclaimed jazz musicians, as well as Minneapolis talent. Babalú, 800 Washington Ave. N. (tel. 612/746-3158; www.babalu.us), serves up Latin American and Spanish music (bossa nova, Afro-Cuban jazz, flamenco) and food in a classy, pre-Castro Cuban decor. Cuban entrees are available, as are over 70 rums.
Sports fans prefer the digs at NBA City, 600 1st Ave. N. (tel. 612/767-2960; www.nba.com/nbacity). The restaurant and bar adjoins the Target Center, home of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx. "Friendly" and "casual" is how regulars describe 19 Bar, 19 W. 15th St. (tel. 612/871-5553), the city's oldest gay bar, which offers food, a pool table, and dartboards.
In St. Paul, visit the Spot, 859 Randolph Ave. (tel. 651/224-7433), the city's oldest bar, said to be in business at this location since 1885. Locals frequent the modest pub, which entertains with sporting events on TV. Two popular gay bars are Innuendo & Rumours, 213 4th St. E. (tel. 651/225-GLBT [225-4528]; www.rumours-stpaul.com), and Camp, 490 N. Robert St. (tel. 651/292-1844; www.camp-bar.com). Both clubs feature live music and dancing and a large gay crowd, but all are welcome.
7 Results
- Bars & Pubs
Amsterdam Bar & Hall
A pint of Hoegaarden, an Irish punk band, and an order or two of poutine will be part of your evening at this loud and fun place. There's music nearly every night of the week, on top of a deep beer list and the bar's famous Trivia Mafia every Monday at 6pm. This is a great event that…$$Downtown Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
Coming to the Dakota to hear jazz is a rite of passage for newbies to Minneapolis, and guess what: Seasoned veterans can also be found here every night of the year, too. You might catch noted chanteuse Dar Williams, the Django-esque stylings of the Gypsy Mania Hot Club Quartet, or…$$Downtown Minneapolis- Performing Arts Venue
Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie has been part of the Twin Cities cultural DNA since 1963, and an architectural destination on its own since its new theater complex was completed in 2006. Its remarkable setting along the Mississippi River is part of an ambitious design by French architect Jean Nouvel,…$$Downtown Minneapolis - Performing Arts Venue
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Opened in 1985 as a venue where one could take in "everything from opera to the Russian circus," this performing arts center in the middle of downtown St. Paul is the perfect place for a big night out. Facing out on to lovely Rice Park, the center includes a 1,900-seat main hall, the…$$Downtown St. Paul - Bars & Pubs
The Blue Door Pub
The jostling, rolling, raucous environment of the Blue Door Pub in St. Paul's Merriam Park nabe isn't for everyone. If you don't like the fun of a playful waitstaff, a solid beer list, and the celebrated hyper-local culinary phenomenon known as a "blucy," you may seek other quarters.…$Merriam Park - Bars & Pubs
The Liffey
You might not expect an Irish pub to be worth its colcannon if it's attached to a Holiday Inn, but The Liffey is a reputable establishment. With an authentic bar and accouterments straight from Ireland, it has the mettle to serve as a fine place for a beer and some food before or…$Downtown St. Paul - Bars & Pubs
The Spot Bar
Among the pantheon of dive bars in the Twin Cities, The Spot is close to the top of the heap. The less-than-nondescript wood-paneled exterior is perfect for a place of its ilk. Inside, there's a mix of curious travelers, regulars, folks from the neighborhood, and those who heard…$West Seventh
