Minneapolis Tourist Information and Tourism

(Minneapolis, Minnesota - MN, USA)



Minneapolis, the 'City of Lakes', lies on the western side of the Mississippi River and is a particularly vibrant, bustling and clean city. Full of modern skyscrapers and stylish high-rise buildings, often linked by Skyways, Minneapolis is situated in the state of Minnesota, just 10 miles / 16 km from downtown Saint Paul, its 'twin city'.

Minneapolis and St. Paul are home to some truly superb museums, full of information about the history of these 'Twin Cities', and this city features one of America's most active fine arts and theater communities. With many enormous lakes and spreading parklands in the city suburbs, Minneapolis has become a thriving tourist destination.





There are several tourist information outlets within this part of Minnesota. In the city center, the Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association stands on the corner of 7th Street South and the Nicollet Mall, while in St. Paul, a useful tourism bureau resides on the West Kellogg Boulevard, within the RiverCenter.

There are a good selection of hotels in the Minneapolis area, with lodging options at all levels, ranging from budget accommodation on the city's outskirts, to luxury hotels in the Dinkytown district. Other popular neighborhoods include the Downtown and Uptown areas, Linden Hills, Loring Park and the Riverfront district. A number of hotels are also located nearby the Minneapolis / St. Paul International Airport (MSP), in the suburbs of Bloomington, Mendota Heights and Richfield. More information about Minneapolis Hotels.

Minneapolis is home to many exceptional tourist attractions, including Heritage Preservation Commission Guided Tours - guided summer walking tours around the city; the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome - one of the main entertainment venues, with an unusual air-supported rooftop; the IDS Center - the tallest structure in Minneapolis, consisting of 15,000 tons of structural steel, with an acclaimed statue of Statue of Mary Tyler Moore outside the entrance; St. Paul's Cathedral - without doubt one of the most breathtaking religious buildings in America, famous for its enormous copper dome; and the Saint Anthony Falls - on the Mississippi River, once a raging torrent of water that remains an impressive cascade.

Other tourist attractions in Minneapolis include the Chain of Lakes - consisting of a line of five individual lakes, with surrounding walking trails and recreational areas; the Stone Arch Bridge - considered to be a National Historic Engineering Landmark, full of history; the Turnblad Mansion - the only castle in the Twin Cities and an important listing on the National Register of historic landmarks; Loring Park - containing landscaped gardens and an array of birds and water fowl; and the Lyndale Park Gardens - with four separate gardens, including a particularly fragrant Rose Garden. More information about Minneapolis Tourist Attractions and Minneapolis Landmarks.

Tourist attractions located close to Minneapolis include Como Park Zoo - full of all the usual zoo animals and shows; the Mall of America - a vast shopping extravaganza containing around 520 stores and the largest aquarium in Minnesota; the Minnesota History Center - documenting the history of Minnesota, with information about area's past and numerous artifacts; the Minnesota State Capitol - situated in nearby St. Paul, an awe-inspiring building boasting the biggest unsupported marble dome in the world; Minnesota Zoo - ranked second in size among all American zoological gardens; and the Science Museum of Minnesota - home to endless scientific information and an ever-changing program of temporary exhibitions. More information about Minneapolis Attractions Nearby.

Minneapolis also contains a number of superb museums, such as the Bell Museum of Natural History - over 120 years old, with a large collection of artworks related to the natural sciences; the Hennepin History Museum - full of information about the history of the Minnesota area; the' Fredrick R. Weisman Art Museum - a spectacular modern structure housing a small collection of art, including works by Lichenstein and Warhol; the Minneapolis Center for Photography (MCP) - highly regarded throughout of Minnesota, housing large exhibitions of photographic images and art; the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) - a world-class art museum with a vast exhibition of more than 100,000 national works and treasures; and the Sculpture Garden - America's largest metropolitan sculpture park, featuring the famous 'Spoonbridge and Cherry' sculpture. More information about Minneapolis Museums and Minneapolis Art Galleries.

More Minneapolis Information / Fast Facts and Orientation