The Twin Cities boast more than 3 million residents and is considered the arts capital of the Upper Midwest. The area is also known for its music scene, having spawned famous musicians such as Bob Dylan, Prince and Soul Asylum. The region is filled with opportunities to take in an array of exciting arts and entertainment events, as well as history and culture. Sports fans can catch a Twins or Vikings game at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. There are also hundreds of golf courses available in the area for golf lovers.
MINNEAPOLIS
400 Bar
This nightclub has major ties to the music business, and hosts local, regional and national acts. All genres of music can be heard here, although the favorites are alternative rock, punk and indie rock. Famous bands such as R.E.M. and Spoon have rocked the stage.
Dakota Jazz Club
Boasting a delicious Midwestern menu and an extensive wine list, this club is a hot spot for those who love to dance and listen to jazz and blues. There is also an outdoor mezzanine area for when you want to relax.
First Avenue and Seventh Street Entry
When it comes to music in the Twin Cities, this two-part club is the place to be to see regional and national acts. Originally a 1930s bus depot, the venue is the place to dance to reggae, Texas rock, grunge rock or DJ's.
Minnesota Sculpture Garden
The Minnesota Sculpture Garden is the nation's largest urban sculpture garden, with more than 40 pieces of modern, three-dimensional art on 11 acres. The Garden is home to the famous "Spoonbridge and Cherry," by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen.
Stone Arch Bridge at Saint Anthony's Falls
Built by James Hill to be a railroad passage over the Mississippi, the Stone Arch Bridge was closed to traffic in 1982. A National Historic Place, the bridge is the second-oldest on the Mississippi.
Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum
The museum, located on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis, has been a teaching museum for the university since 1934. It houses a huge art collection, and hosts permanent and traveling exhibits. It really is a must-see for any student.
Minneapolis Institute of the Arts
Ranked among the top 10 comprehensive U.S. art museums, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is home to a 2,000-year-old mummy. Located in a beautiful landmark building near downtown Minneapolis, the museum houses approximately 100,000 works of art, representing more than 5,000 years of world history.
SAINT PAUL
Minnesota State Capitol
One of only four or five buildings in the world with an unsupported marble dome, the Capitol houses the Minnesota Senate, Minnesota House of Representatives, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Governor. The building also includes a chamber for the Minnesota Supreme Court, although court activities usually take place in the neighboring Minnesota Judicial Center. The building was designed by Cass Gilbert and modeled after Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Rice Park and Downtown Saint Paul
This urban square is home to landmarks such as the Saint Paul Hotel, the Ordway Music Theater and the Landmark Center. The park hosts music, arts and theater, as well as festivals.
Cathedral of St. Paul
One of the country's largest and most spectacular churches, the Cathedral of St. Paul sits high on Cathedral Hill overlooking downtown and the Mississippi River Valley. The structure opened in 1915, although extensive interior work continued for several more years. The massive copper dome is 300 feet above the nave's floor, and the walls are covered in pale Minnesota granite. A pair of carillon towers flanks the building's Summit Avenue façade and the sanctuary seats 3,000 worshippers. Guided tours are offered.
Mall of America
"The nation's largest fully enclosed retail and entertainment complex," the mall boasts 4.2 million square-feet of fun. The mall features a theme park, restaurants, night clubs and more than 500 stores. Don't miss the 1.2 million-gallon aquarium!