Minnesota
Where the New West Meets the Old
Minneapolis and Saint Paul are well known as the Twin Cities, but they are certainly not identical twins. Saint Paul’s European-style architecture, for instance, is a contrast to the modern skyscrapers of Minneapolis. The third sibling, suburban Bloomington, is home to world famous Mall of America.
These differing architectural styles also give the metropolitan area diversity in personality, attractions and entertainment. Minneapolis, the “city of lakes,” is a lively mixture of theatre, entertainment, professional sports, dining and shops. The capital of Minnesota, Saint Paul, is well-known for its Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and its historic and cultural attractions. For travellers with an artistic bent, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Walker Art Center, and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden present classical and modern art.
Classical revivals and new productions are featured at the Guthrie Theater while the Hennepin Avenue theatre marquees advertise Broadway plays. Nearby smaller theatres produce comedies, dramas and avant-garde plays. The renowned Minnesota Orchestra offers a mix of classics and a pop series, or you can enjoy the latest sounds in the Warehouse District, an eclectic mix of nightclubs and restaurants.
An extraordinary growth of arts, theatre and museum infrastructure in Minneapolis will transform the cultural scene in the Twin Cities, already one of the finest in America. It involves major expansion of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Guthrie Theater, the Walker Arts Center, and the Children’s Theater.
Summit Avenue, the longest street of Victorian mansions in America, leads to Saint Paul’s downtown cultural corridor. Visitors can explore Saint Paul’s at the James J. Hill House (commemorating the founder of the Great Northern Railroad), the Cathedral of Saint Paul, the Minnesota State Capital and the Minnesota History Center. Children will enjoy experimenting at the Minnesota Science Museum or testing their skills at the Minnesota Children’s Museum. For an evening our, a Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concert or a Broadway play at the elegant Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, followed by dinner at a Rice Park restaurant, is a perfect combination.
On the bank of the Mississippi River is Lampert’s Landing, the most northerly port on the river for the Delta Queen, a luxury stern-wheel turn-of-the-century-style cruise ship. The Mississippi River and its banks are a great source of recreation. Visitors can travel the route of explorers on paddlewheel excursion boats, experience American frontier life at historic Fort Snelling, or visit the home of Alexander Ramsey, Minnesota’s first territorial governor, located a short distance from the river.
The Twin Cities offer something for everyone. Beer lovers will savour tours of Minneapolis and Saint Paul breweries. Railway buffs will enjoy seeing historic rolling stock and models at Bandana Square. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum at Chanhassen has 900 acres of display gardens, plant collections, woods, bogs and prairie. Gaming and entertainment are just a short drive away at two American Indian casinos.
The Mall of America© has put the Twin Cities on the map as a shoppers’ paradise. The largest shopping and entertainment centre in the United States boasts 520 shops, more than 50 restaurants, an amusement park, an aquarium and more than 400 FREE events, including celebrity appearances, book signings and music performance. Nowhere else in the world can you find Macy’s, Nordstrom and Sears, along with brand name labels and true favourites, under one roof. Enjoy tax-free shopping on all clothing and shoe purchases. Pick up a Mall of America Coupon Book for additional savings at over 250 stores. The Mall of America is truly the ultimate shopping experience.
The light rail transit system connecting the Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) with downtown Minneapolis to the north and Mall of America to the south will revolutionise public transit in the Twin Cities. This train, The Hiawatha Line, will enable MSP passengers to quickly and easily travel to hotels in Minneapolis and Bloomington as well as to shopping at Mall of America.
Bloomington offers 38 economy to luxury hotels, all offering complimentary shuttle service to and from the MSP International Airport and Mall of America and complimentary parking. The Big Ticket™ Attraction Pass offers 3 days of attraction hopping to the Twin Cities hottest attractions, at a 30% savings.
Nationally acclaimed for its high quality of life, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul-Bloomington metropolitan area offers both small-town hospitality and big city entertainment. Real cities. Real America.
For more information, visit: www.MSPBGateway.com
