Minneapolis and St Paul adjoin each other on either side of the Mississippi River and have a metropolitan area population of nearly 3 million. They are known as the Twin Cities and began as frontier towns, with German, Irish and Scandinavian immigrants. Minneapolis is a modern city with fine theaters, nightclubs, stores, a year-round sports program and a distinguished symphony orchestra. The city is also the site of one of the world’s largest universities, the University of Minnesota.
Nicollet Mall is a downtown shopping promenade that includes the 51-story IDS (Investors Diversified Services) Center, which towers over the downtown area, Nieman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Construction on the new Lake Street Center started in July 2004. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts exhibits major art masterpieces from Europe, the Orient and the Americas. The Walker Art Center stages contemporary art exhibitions, concerts and lectures, and also features an Outdoor Sculpture Garden, which is the largest of its kind in the USA. It is open all year round and is one of the State’s top tourist attractions.
Other highlights include the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum; Valleyfair amusement park; and Minnesota Zoo. Minnehaha Falls was made famous in Longfellow’s poem, The Song of Hiawatha. The Target Center, HHH Metrodome, St Anthony Falls, St Anthony Main and the ‘Mississippi Mile’, a riverside recreational park, are all notable attractions in downtown Minneapolis. Mississippi River steamboat excursions are also popular.
The Hennepin Avenue Theater District and the Warehouse District offer evening entertainment.