Minnesota
Minneapolis
State
Country
Hennepin
Continent
North America
Size
149 KM2
Population
420,000
Spending Budget
$1,063 - $3,823
Famous For
- Minnesota is known for its lakes and forests, but it's also home to the Twin Cities: Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The Twin Cities are home to many Fortune 500 companies, including Best Buy, General Mills, Target, and Land 'o Lakes.
Best Time to Visit
- June
- July
- August
History
Sioux and Ojibwa peoples were early inhabitants of the region. The Franciscan missionary Louis Hennepin visited the area in 1680 and named St. Anthony Falls, which later provided power for grinding flour for Fort Snelling, a military outpost at the confluence of the rivers. The village of St. Anthony developed on the east side of the falls. Its name was derived from the Sioux word minne, meaning “water,” and the Greek polis, for “city.” St. Anthony was chartered as a city in 1860 and Minneapolis in 1867; the two cities merged as Minneapolis in 1872. The falls were an important factor in the city’s early economic growth as a lumber and flour-milling centre. By 1870 Minneapolis was the country’s top producer of flour. Railroads, which multiplied connections with Chicago and the south and with the east through Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, were completed in the late 19th century. In the second half of the 20th century, the city remained one of the nation’s primary wheat markets; the Minneapolis Grain Exchange was still one of the largest cash exchange markets in the world. Throughout the city’s history the great majority of its residents have been of European ancestry, but that proportion has been decreasing, and the number of African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics has been growing; blacks now constitute roughly one-fifth of the population.
Present Day
It is a metropolitan city. Minneapolis and St Paul are twin cities. Minneapolis is one of the largest and popular cities in United States.
The population of Minneapolis is 437,069. The population is currently growing at a rate of 1.35%. Minneapolis lines are lies on both the Mississippi river just north of the river’s confluence with the Minnesota River. Minneapolis is known as hone for both award-winning Guthrie theatre and the historic First avenue night club. It is one of the best cities in the United States for biking. The city is renowned for its investment in bike infrastructure. Minneapolis is now a commercial, transportation, distribution, health care, financial, and industrial centre. Highly diversified manufactures include metal products, electronics, precision instruments, medical devices, plastics, machinery, computers and computer equipment, chemicals, automotive parts, and agricultural products. Publishing, milling, food processing, graphic arts, insurance, and high-technology industries are also important. The Twin Cities region is a rail and trucking centre and includes a major international airport in the southeastern corner of Minneapolis.
Future
During more than two years of engagement, the people of Minneapolis shared their vision and hopes for the future of our city. A main theme voiced was that as the city grows, everyone must benefit from that growth. Historically, not everyone has. This plan is one opportunity to undo barriers and overcome inequities created by a history of policies in our city that have prevented equitable access to housing, jobs, and investments. The Minneapolis City Council approved a controversial zoning plan called Minneapolis 2040. Supporters say the long-range plan is a way to help increase affordable housing, reduce racial disparities and increase living wage jobs in the city. One way the plan seeks to accomplish these and more than a dozen other goals is to increase density in residential areas made up of single family homes.
Minnehaha Regional Park
To the southeast of the city, extending along the banks of the Mississippi, is Minnehaha Park. This city treasure is home to the 53-foot-high Minnehaha Falls, as well as statues of Hiawatha and Minnehaha, the chief characters in Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha. The park is one of the oldest and most popular in the city, receiving more than 800,000 visitors each year.
The Weisman Art Museum
The Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota is an architectural highlight of the campus and the city. Designed by Frank Gehry, the building is an eye-catching, four-story, stainless steel structure of a hard-to-define shape. The museum's collection focuses primarily on American Modernism, traditional Korean furniture, and ancient Mimbres pottery from the American Southwest. The museum's Public Art on Campus program has resulted in a variety of art being displayed around the campus.
The Mill City Museum
The Mill City Museum was built within the Washburn A Mill and chronicles the flour milling industry. The Mill was built in 1880 and was the largest of its kind at that time. A devastating fire in 1991 left the structure in ruins. The present day museum has been built on the ruins and features an eight-story glass façade, giving the building a contrasting historic and modern look. Exhibits recount Minneapolis' status as a world leader in flour production from 1880 to 1930.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is a free art park near downtown Minneapolis. It is about 19-acre urban green space. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden has several colossal works of art, including the "Spoon bridge sculpture, an unofficial icon of Minneapolis and a great place for a photo opportunity. In addition to the sculptures, this popular tourist attraction is also home to the Cowles Pavilion
Walker Art Center
The Walker Art Center is devoted to contemporary art. The center is an important venue in the city, with visual and performing arts, as well as film screenings and various other events. Founded by lumber baron Thomas Barlow Walker, the Walker Art Center began at its current location in 1927 and was comprised solely of a personal collection. The award-winning facility you see today was built in 1971, expanded in 2005, and now hosts more than 700,000 people each year. The center contains numerous exhibition galleries, a theater, cinema, lounges, terraces, and eating establishments. Opposite the building is the associated Sculpture Garden.
City Hall
To the east of Nicollet Mall and Crystal Court is City Hall, also known as the Municipal Building. It was built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Of note in the interior is the statue in the Rotunda, Father of the Waters, carved from a single block of Carrara marble. The building's clock tower, which set records in the city at the time it was built, rises above the building and chimes at certain times of the day. The Municipal Building is a National Historic Landmark.
Chain of Lakes Regional Park
Southwest of the city center, Chain of Lakes Regional Park is comprised of five different shorelines connected by pedestrian trails and green space. Boating, biking, and visits to the Lyndale Park Rose Garden are all fun things to do within this sprawling public area, and special events like live music at the Lake Harriet Bandshell occur throughout the year. Chain of Lakes is one of seven districts along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, which circumnavigates the city, connecting parks, natural spaces, and other bodies of water. Lakeside walking paths and public beaches are also popular attractions at Chain of Lakes, and in winter, the area offers some of the best cross-country ski trails in the city.
Owatonna
Owatonna is about one hour from Minneapolis. Here you can explore the past and a fascinatingly preserved small town life beings. It is open between May to September. It is best trip for those who are interesting to see how past generation people lived.
Red Wing
Red Wing is one of the beautiful cities near Minneapolis. It’s about one hour from Minneapolis. Here you can explore variety of activities like hiking, biking and also explore museums. The city is famous for Nation’s most iconic shoe companies.
Mall of America
If you're more interested in shopping than museums and parks, then head straight for the Mall of America. This mega-mall has over 520 shops that are more than happy to help you part with your hard-earned cash. In addition to all the shopping, the mall is an entertainment hot spot. The XD ride is a roller coaster and video game all in one, and Moose Mountain Mini Golf is a course complete with full-size horses, moose, and other forest creatures, a logging truck, and a bi-plane.