Minneapolis Area Attractions

Minnesota's twin cities--Minneapolis and St. Paul--lie on either side of the Mississippi River, and both cities are hubs for riverboat traffic all the way up from New Orleans. When the first explorers ventured up the mighty Mississippi, they found the river roaring over an 18-foot precipice here. Today the Falls of St. Anthony are tamed and bypassed by lock and dam.

Minneapolis was first settled by emigrants from New England in 1847, who were soon joined by waves of Scandinavians and Germans. Today the city is home to the University of Minnesota, the famous Guthrie Theater, and miles and miles of a climate-controlled skyway system that enables residents and visitors to do everything from park and shop to work and dine without stepping outdoors in the often-harsh winters.

Although St. Paul has its share of glass skyscrapers and 5 miles of skyways, it has preserved much of its Victorian architecture, and its downtown is a blend of the two styles. Somewhat smaller than Minneapolis, quieter and more conservative, it is also a cultural center with museums, universities, and theaters.

Cathedral of St. Paul
239 Selby Avenue • Minneapolis, MN • 651.228.1766
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 175-foot-high dome, a massive rose window, and granite-and-travertine construction.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Third Avenue South • Minneapolis, MN 55404 • 612.870.3131
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts was established in 1883. The museum building, designed by the firm of McKim, Mead and White, opened its doors in 1915. In 1974 the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange was commissioned to design needed additions to the neoclassical structure. In the 1990s, with funds from the New Beginnings Campaign, the museum was renovated, the collections reinstalled, and state of the art technology introduced to help visitors and members interpret the works of art.

Minnesota Historical Society
345 West Kellogg Blvd • St. Paul, MN 55102 • 612.292.6126
An impressive array of artifacts are housed in this three-story museum, including photographs, music, and videos, much of it designed for hands-on learning, and all of it celebrating Minnesota history. Kids especially enjoy sitting in the re-created basement of a Minnesota farmhouse while a simulated tornado passes overhead. Avoid weekday mornings if you don't like to tour with school groups.

Science Museum of Minnesota
Hands-on exhibits introduce visitors to natural history, science, and technology in this massive museum. Highlights include the Bloodstream Superhighway and navigating a virtual towboat down the Mississippi River, and the dinosaur lab in the Hall of Paleontology. There's also an Omnitheater.

Walker Art Center/Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
725 Vineland Avenue • Minneapolis, MN 55404 • 612.375.7622
The Walker Art Center is famous for its permanent collection of contemporary art, ranging from painting and sculpture to drawings, photographs, and multimedia installations. Across Vineland Place is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the most extensive garden of its kind in the United States, with a wide variety of 20th-century sculpture, including the famous "Spoonbridge and Cherry."

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