- Home >
- Destinations >
- U.S. and Canada >
- Minnesota >
- Minneapolis/St. Paul
Minneapolis/St. Paul
Photo: Vladpans / eStock Photo
2
members have been here
Known to outsiders mainly for grueling winters, the Twin Cities are remarkably vibrant no matter what the temperature. Lush urban parks, dedicated bike lanes, outdoor festivals, and nearly two dozen lakes (many fringed with beaches and dotted with sailboats) draw the entire city outdoors in summer. In cold weather, although the streets may appear empty, the two downtowns still bustle, thanks to 13 miles of climate-controlled skyways that connect office building to office building and parking garage to shopping center. Spring and fall are the time to celebrate the thriving culinary scene, which reveres local ingredients above all else, and employs them with startling creativity. The cities' 100-plus theater companies keep the cultural scene hopping, and the two architectural powerhouses-the expanded Walker Art Center and the Jean Nouvel-designed Guthrie Theater, completed in 2006-add star power throughout the year. See the slideshow.
Don't Miss
-
Paddling a canoe around Lake Calhoun with the skyscrapers of downtown Minneapolis serving as a backdrop, followed by a lunch of fried walleye tacos at The Tin Fish.
-
A Minnesota winter: sled, snow tube, or cross-country ski at Minneapolis’s 759-acre Theodore Wirth Park, then check out the ice sculptures in St. Paul, carved for the annual Winter Carnival in January.
-
A walk through St. Paul searching for all things F. Scott Fitzgerald, including where he was born and where he lived with Zelda.
T+L Favorites
Where to Stay
Chambers Hotel
These minimalist digs put the spotlight where it belongs: on the 200-plus pieces of world-renowne
... MoreWhere to Eat
112 Eatery
Long known as the place where local chefs eat after-hours, 112 Eatery’s own chef is finally getti
... MoreWhat to Do
414Soundbar
Serving as a tonic to the martini-drinking lounge crowd, the 414 oozes with the vibe of a Europea
... More
Tips See All MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL Tips
Biking in Minneapolis/St. Paul
Biking is a viable option for those with time, especially in Minneapolis, which has 55 miles of designated bicycle lanes. The Midtown Greenway, which will eventually connect to St. Paul, has almost... More
Skyways in Minneapolis/St. Paul
For the uninitiated, skyways are blissful winter saviors—climate-controlled glass walkways connecting buildings in both downtowns. Downtown Minneapolis has an eight-mile system linking almost 80 bl... More
Tourist resources for Minneapolis/St. Paul
The Web site of the Minneapolis tourist board (www.minneapolis.org) features up-to-date information on both Minneapolis and St. Paul events and attractions. Check City Pages (www.citypages.com), th... More
Taxis in Minneapolis/St. Paul
There may be taxis waiting at your hotel or you might be able to pick one up on the street, but your best bet is to call one at least 30 minutes ahead of time. Cab fares are metered at a rate of $1... More
Light rail in Minneapolis
In this eco-conscious city, light rail is a clean, efficient, and inexpensive option if you don’t mind walking a few blocks from stops. Unfortunately, it’s only available in Minneapolis and Bloomin... More