Plan your trip to Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis (the largest city in Minnesota) and the adjoining St. Paul (the state capital) together make up the Twin Cities, Minnesota’s rugged metropolis.

The name “Minneapolis” means “The City of Lakes” in a mash-up of Dakota and Ancient Greek. The local jewels are the “Chain of Lakes”: Cedar, Isles, Calhoun, Harriet, Nokomis, each three- to four- miles around. The city’s excellent parks department maintains walking and biking paths around the lakes, offering residents and visitors a place to exercise or stroll.

The arts are big here: The region is second only to New York City in live theater per capita and is the third-largest theater market in the United States. The Minneapolis Institute of the Arts and the Walker Art Center are well worth visits.

Downtown Minneapolis features high-rise suites, sporting events (Timberwolves, Vikings and Twins all play here) and a fresh nightclub scene. (It is the hometown of Prince, after all.) Uptown features funky food, drink, theater and plenty of tattoos and Mohawks; although it is orienting more towards yuppies and young families. Downtown St. Paul contains the Minnesota state capitol, the Xcel Energy Center and the Minnesota Science Museum.