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 Minneapolis-St. Paul residents have plenty to brag about with two thriving downtowns and plenty of outdoor retreats just miles outside the metro. Dubbed the “Twin Cities” by its savvy locals, the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is a hub of entertainment, culture, and the arts. Merging the contemporary with the historic, the Twin Cities continue to gain modern momentum while preserving their rich history. Both downtowns boast historic theaters, concert venues, professional sports stadiums, museums, and an array of ethnic and American dining. Surrounding areas offer quick escapes to the state’s 10,000 lakes, state parks, and scenic getaways that allow Minnesotans to take a rejuvenating break from the upbeat pace of the city.
Arts & Entertainment
The Twin Cities have a vigorous arts community that continues to attract acclaimed artists, writers, and performers to their venues. No matter what your creative pleasure, you’ll be able to feed your artistic side on any night of the week. Here’s a taste of what you’ll find.
This esteemed center of modern art combines galleries, a sculpture garden, a cinema, educational classes, restaurants, a library, and a theater to create a mosaic of art appreciation.
Ranging from classic to contemporary in its diverse collections, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts has earned the title of one of the top ten comprehensive art museums in America.
One of the nation’s largest and most ample literary centers, The Loft is the Twin Cities’ gathering place for readers and writers alike. Take a creative writing class, attend a poetry reading, or submit your writing for publication—all in one location.
Freshly designed and in its new Minneapolis location, the Guthrie Theater offers its stage to both timeless productions and new plays by emerging playwrights.
Following the lead of director Osmo Vänskä, the Minnesota Orchestra continues their century-long tradition of performing symphony concerts and recitals that expose Minnesotans to multiple genres of music.
Professional Sports
Whoever dubbed our friendly demeanor the “Minnesota Nice” obviously never attended any of our sporting events. We love our teams, and we’re not shy about openly denouncing the competition. Our sports pride runs deep and keeps fans packing out our stadiums.
The Minnesota Twins (MLB)
The Minnesota Wild (NHL)
The Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
The Minnesota Lynx (WNBA)
The Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
The St. Paul Saints (Minor League Baseball)
The Minnesota Thunder (Professional Soccer)
The Minnesota Swarm (Lacrosse)
Attractions
These tourist traps have put Minnesota on the map. We suggest you hit the following places if you want to take home the most celebrated (and perhaps most obnoxious) of Minnesota paraphernalia.
 The Mall of America
It’s one of the largest malls in the world with over 520 stores and a theme park right at the center. If you spent 10 minutes in each store, it would take you 86 hours to finish your shopping. Unless you collapse first, of course.
IKEA
Right next door to the Mall of America, IKEA offers sleek, Swedish-inspired home décor and furnishings. As one of only two locations in the entire Midwest, the Twin Cities are proud to call one of their stores home.
The Science Museum of Minnesota
It's not your typical museum. Hands-on displays place the world of science right at your fingertips. Offering cutting-edge exhibits and a larger-than-life omnitheater, this museum continues to be an educational hot spot in the Twin Cities.
The Minnesota State Fair
The Great Minnesota Get-Together offers 72 kinds of food on a stick. This year’s newcomer? Hot Dish On A Stick. And no, we’re not kidding.
Valleyfair
This popular amusement park contains every type of family fun imaginable. Rollercoasters, water rides, food, and live shows keep even the pickiest person in your family entertained.
Dining
Minnesotans love to eat often and eat well. The dining options are limitless, offering everything from local to international fare. Help yourself to a hearty portion at one of these featured establishments.
 Chino Latino
Serving “street food from the hot zones,” this fusion restaurant in Uptown has an ever-changing menu featuring unique and flavorful dishes from Mexico, Thailand, Jamaica, and beyond. Sit at the community table, hang out by the neon orange bar, or order the famous pig roast if you’re there with friends.
Mickey’s Diner
Feast on greasy burgers, fries, and phosphates day or night at this vintage dining car in downtown St. Paul. This greasy spoon’s been around since the 1930s and still serves their signature mulligan stew with most of their affordable entrees.
NBA City
Only the second restaurant of its kind in the nation, NBA City fuses sports and dining for all local sports enthusiasts. Feel free to shoot hoops and watch the big Timberwolves game on flat screen TVs while the chefs prepare upscale dishes from the menus that are textured to feel like basketballs.
Loring Pasta Bar
Nestled in Dinkytown, this enchanting eatery offers relaxed dining with a charming price. Enjoy some alfresco pasta outside on a hot summer night or secure a cozy table near the exposed brick. And don’t forget the live music that this vintage building’s acoustics carry up to a variety of balcony dining coves.
Outdoor Recreation
All the excitement of city life can leave you clamoring for an outdoor retreat. Thankfully, Minnesota has enough parks, lakes, camping, and snow recreation opportunities to refuel even the most zealous of nature lovers. Just a short drive can reconnect you with Mother Nature. Check out the Explore Minnesota website to learn more.
Minneapolis-St. Paul Claims to Fame
- The climate-controlled Metrodome is the only U.S. facility to host a Super Bowl, a World Series, and a NCAA Final Four Basketball Championship.
- Minnesota has 90,000 miles of shoreline, more than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined.
- The first open heart surgery and first bone marrow transplant in the United States—and the first transfusion of artificial blood anywhere in the world—were all done at the University of Minnesota.
- Hormel Company of Austin, MN introduced SPAM® in 1937.
- There are 201 Mud Lakes, 154 Long Lakes, and 123 Rice Lakes in Minnesota.
- Minnesota has one recreational boat per every six people, more than any other state.
- Minneapolis is home to the oldest, continuously running theater (Old Log Theater) and the largest dinner theater (Chanhassen Dinner Theater) in the country.
- Rochester is home of the world famous Mayo Clinic.
- Minneapolis’ famed skyway system connects 52 blocks (nearly five miles) of its downtown.
- The stapler was invented in Spring Valley, MN.
- The first practical water skis were invented in 1922 by Ralph W. Samuelson, who steam-bent two, eight-foot pine boards into skis.
- Minneapolis has more golfers per capita than any other city in the country.
- The first children's department in a library is said to be that of the Minneapolis Public Library, which separated children's books from the rest of their collection in December of 1889.
- Rollerblades were the first commercially successful in-line roller skates. Minnesota students Scott and Brennan Olson invented them in 1980 when they were looking for a way to practice hockey during the off-season.
- The first official hit in the Metrodome was made by Pete Rose while playing for the Cincinnati Reds in a preseason game.
Famous People from Minneapolis-St. Paul
- Bob Dylan, singer/songwriter, Duluth
- Prince, singer/songwriter, Minneapolis
- F. Scott Fitzgerald, author, St. Paul
- John Madden, NFL coach and announcer, Austin
- Paul Molitor, baseball player, St. Paul
- Josh Hartnett, actor, St. Paul
- Jessica Lange, actress, Stillwater
- Jesse Ventura, politician and entertainer, Minneapolis
- Garrison Keillor, writer and humorist, Anoka
- Kevin Sorbo, actor, Mound
- Harrison E. Salisbury, journalist, Minneapolis
- Charles Monroe Schulz, cartoonist, St. Paul
- Michael Todd, producer, Minneapolis
- Harold Edward Stassen, government official, St. Paul
- Maurice H. Stans, Secretary of Commerce, Shakopee
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