A visit to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul promises a wealth of attractions. The Cities, as locals call them, are home to world-class museums, an array of theaters and concert halls, diverse restaurants, exciting sporting events, and the largest retail and entertainment complex in the United States: the Mall of America.
To learn more about the Twin Cities and Minnesota, visit City of Minneapolis, City of Saint Paul, and Explore Minnesota.
There are lots of things to see and do within walking distance, such as the Frank Gehry-designed Weisman Art Museum, and public art on display around the East Bank campus. The newly renovated Northrop Auditorium hosts performances of world-class dance, music, and theater. You can also bowl a few lanes at Goldie's Gameroom. or take in a lecture!
No matter the time of year, there's always fun afoot. The Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, and the Great Minnesota Get-Together—otherwise known as the Minnesota State Fair—are just a few of the celebrations to take in while you're in town.
Whatever your dietary requirements, you won't go hungry here. Everything from fast food to fine dining, vegan to meat-laden fare, can be found within a 10-mile radius. For meals within walking distance, peruse these lists of Dinkytown and Stadium Village spots. Coffman Student Union, south of Northrop Mall, across Washington Avenue, has a few options for a quick bite. An easy bike or cab ride across the Franklin Avenue Bridge will lead you to Seward Co-op, a full-service grocer with freshly prepared hot dishes, soups and a salad bar.
Warm days in the Cities are all about the lakes! Minneapolis and St. Paul are blessedly surrounded by lakes of all sizes, where favorite activities include roller-blading and biking, kayaking, and volleyball. Take in a concert or spread out a beach towel and relax with a good book. Here's a list of city lakes and what amenities they offer.
Craft liquor and beer are all the rage! There are 130 craft breweries in Minnesota and counting, most located in the Twin Cities. The nearest one to campus is Surly, boasting a full kitchen, which you can reach via the light rail Green Line. Cocktail connoisseurs can seek out our small-batch distilleries to savor signature cocktails crafted from handmade spirits. Norseman Distillery is a short drive or bus ride just north of East Bank campus.
The Twin Cities has no shortage of music. Premier music clubs include the Dakota Jazz Club, First Avenue & 7th Street Entry, and the U of M's newly renovated Northrop Auditorium. Sample the gamut of music genres at the many venues that make the Twin Cities a cultural hot spot.
Whether you're looking for an insightful drama, a rousing comedy, or a lavish musical production, you'll find it on any of the dozens of Twin Cities stages. The Guthrie, the Ordway, and the Hennepin Theatre Trust are particularly noteworthy.
The Twin Cities boast many outstanding museums for art, science, and history lovers. To find the Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden, the Science Museum of Minnesota, the American Swedish Institute, and many other sites, visit the Meet Minneapolis website.
Did you know that the first indoor mall in the country was built in Minnesota? Whether you enjoy window shopping or maxing out the credit card, we've got plenty of options, including the largest mall in the United States—the Mall of America.
Sports fans have plenty to cheer about in the Twin Cities, which boasts a plethora of professional sports teams. Catch a game of football, basketball, baseball, soccer or hockey at one of our state-of-the-art sports facilities while you're in town.
Transportation around the Twin Cities is easy thanks to the Nice Ride public bike sharing system (with more than 200 bike stations) and the Metro Transit light rail and bus systems, which run between Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and the University of Minnesota campus. Walking is also an option!
Never mind the cold—there are plenty of ways to keep warm! Bundle up and hike down to the Mississippi, which meanders between the East and West Bank campuses. Or take a brisk walk around one of the many lakes nearby. Click for a list of fun winter activities to keep your blood pumping.