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The Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul
A Great Place to Visit
Part One: Magical Minneapolis
By Michele St. Martin
"I prefer the Minneapple" reads many a bumper sticker in Minneapolis, Minn. Spend some time there and it's easy to see why.
Minneapolis is a clean, green and livable city, built on a chain of six lakes (there are 16 more within city limits), bisected by the Mississippi River, and with a world-famous park system. The city is home to world-class sports teams, a vibrant downtown (and funky uptown), wonderful shopping and more live-theater seats per capita than any other U.S. city besides New York. Both sophisticated and down-to-earth, Minneapolis has something special to offer every visitor. Before long you'll understand why travel expert Arthur Frommer named this city one of his five favorite places in the world to visit.
Getting to and around Minneapolis is a snap. The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is located in suburban Bloomington, just 12 miles from downtown. Nine commercial airlines and several charters offer 1,100 arrivals and departures each day, from 146 American cities and 18 international ones. In addition, Minneapolis is served by Greyhound (bus) and Amtrak (train). Minneapolis has nearly 80 car rental locations, most at the airport or downtown. The highway system is excellent and easy to navigate. Interstate 94 is a major east-west, coast-to-coast highway; Interstate 35 is a major north-south one. Public transit is excellent: More than 900 public buses run throughout the metro area.
If you enjoy outdoor activities – playing or watching sports, or just strolling along a beach on a warm summer evening – then Minneapolis is a perfect vacation fit for you. You'll enjoy walking along the Mississippi River, canoeing or swimming in one of the city's many lakes. Lakes Calhoun, Harriet and Nokomis offer classes in sailing.