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Minneapolis/St. Paul Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Minneapolis/St. Paul
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Minneapolis/St. Paul Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Minneapolis/St. Paul - Commonly known as the Twin Cities, Minneapolis
and St Paul form a sprawling metropolis on either side of the
Mississippi River.
The older city, St Paul, is
the state capital, smaller, quieter and more reserved than its
modern sibling across the river. The capital has a compact downtown
sporting a variety of restored Victorian architecture among its
glass skyscrapers. It is also the cultural centre with
universities, museums and theatres. Minneapolis, founded on money
made by the hundreds of saw and flourmills along the Mississippi
has many contemporary buildings in a slick new downtown area with a
lively, arty character and a vibrant nightlife.
Both cities are hubs for the Mississippi riverboat traffic
that call from as far away as the river's mouth at New Orleans. The
very existence of the Twin Cities is due to the only waterfall on
the Mississippi, St Anthony Falls, whose hydroelectric power
fuelled numerous flour and timber mills along the river, and today
the Riverfront district in Minneapolis is a scenic stretch lined
with old warehouses, mills and historical walking trails.
With hundreds of lakes lying within the Twin Cities area,
there are endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, with miles
of trails surrounding the lakes. Residents of the Twin Cities pride
themselves on a high quality of life that includes sport and
outdoor activities as well as top priorities such as a good
education, a clean environment, excellent health care and a low
crime rate. They boast a rich arts and cultural entertainment scene
with more concert venues per person than any other city in the
country, except New York. And the southern suburb of Bloomington is
home to the largest shopping centre in the US that includes an
aquarium and amusement park under the same roof as hundreds of
shops, restaurants, bars and theatres.
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Minneapolis/St. Paul
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis
www.walkerart.org |
What is it? Internationally renowned for its permanent
collection of 20th century paintings, drawings, prints, photography
and sculptures, the Walker Art Center is one of the country's
leading contemporary art centres and is one of the most visited
museums in the USA. It features works by top artists in a range of
styles, utilising various multi-media installations and educational
programs. Contemporary art can also be experienced here through
theatre, dance, video, music and film. Next door is the Minneapolis
Sculpture Garden with creative contemporary work spread across a
huge area of parkland. It is the largest urban sculpture park in
the country and includes the colossal Spoonbridge and
Cherry Fountain by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van
Bruggen, and Frank Gehry's Standing Glass
Fish.
Hours of Operation: Sculpture Garden: daily from 6am to midnight.
Galleries: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm,
Thursday and Friday until 9pm
Phone:(612) 375 7600 |
2. Mall of America
24th Ave S. and Killebrew Drive, Bloomington
www.mallofamerica.com |
What is it? Located in the southern suburb of
Bloomington, the futuristic superstructure of the Mall of America
is recognised as the largest enclosed shopping and entertainment
complex in the country. It welcomes over 42 million visitors each
year and is the fifth most visited attraction in the USA with
world-class shopping, family entertainment, nightlife and numerous
dining options. There are over 500 stores and speciality shops
including the Lego Imagination Center, international department
stores such as Bloomingdales, more than 70 restaurants and fast
food outlets, cinemas, theatres and nightclubs, a wedding chapel
and a mini-golf course. Underwater Adventures is a massive aquarium
with touch pools featuring sharks and stingrays. Mall of America's
famous centrepiece is The Park at MOA, an indoor theme park with
thirty rides and adventures.
Hours of Operation: Mall open Monday to Saturday 10am to 9.30pm, Sunday
11am to 7pm. Hours for restaurants, nightclubs and other
attractions may vary, as well as summer and holiday hours. The Park
at MOA: Monday to Thursday 10am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to
10pm, Sunday 10.30am to 7pm. Aquarium: Monday to Thursday 10am to
8pm, Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 8.30pm, Sunday 10am to
7pm
Phone:(952) 883 8800 or 800 879 3555 |
3. Duluth
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What is it? Situated on the westernmost end of Lake
Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world, Duluth's
international harbour is filled with ships and the city bustles
with sailors and the arrival of new wares. Although miles from
either coast, Lake Superior is connected to the Atlantic Ocean via
the St Lawrence Seaway. The authentically restored waterfront can
be explored along the Lakewalk Trail, or the scenic Skyline Parkway
drive above the lakeshore on the bluffs, which affords magnificent
views of the city and harbour. The spectacular Scenic Hwy-61 (North
Shore Scenic Drive) follows the shore of Lake Superior for 150
miles (240km) from Duluth to the Canadian border, its precipitous
cliffs interspersed with pretty little harbour towns, charming
shops and restaurants, waterfalls and beautiful lake-view picnic
sites. There are several state parks and hiking trails along the
way, including the long distance Superior Hiking Trail, and the
unspoilt beauty of Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness that draws
canoeists from around the world to its pristine lakes and
streams.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
Minneapolis/St. Paul
holidays - Top Events
1. St Paul Winter Carnival
From 2007-01-26
To 2007-02-04
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What is it? Back in 1886 a New York journalist described
St Paul as being 'unfit for human habitation in the winter'. Locals
were not going to take this insult lying down and decided to turn
the snowiest spot in the States into a winter wonderland. Since
then the tradition of building an ice palace - nowadays a
spectacular walk-through castle of ice - has become entrenched,
along with the huge party that goes along with it. Each year the
crowning of King Boreas and the Queen of Snows heralds the start of
three weeks of frozen fun with events like ice sculpture contests
and a torchlight parade.
Where is it? Cleveland Circle, opposite the Xcel Energy Center |
2. May Day Festival
From 2007-05-06
To 2007-05-07
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What is it? After the long cold winter the people of the
Twin Cities are very eager to turn out to celebrate the arrival of
spring at the Minneapolis May Day Parade and Festival. Costumes,
floats and street performers make up a wonderful creative parade
through downtown, ending at Powderhorn Park where all manner of
entertainment, including several puppet shows, goes on. The food
and activities on offer are ample to keep everyone happy for the
day.
Where is it? Parade starts at Bloomington Avenue and 26th Street,
proceeding to Powderhorn Park |
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