The Midwestern city of Minneapolis, along with its twin city, St. Paul, makes an ideal destination for a stopover. Located on the mighty Mississippi River, this city has great food, music, and sports. Rather than just pass through the airport, take 24 hours to explore this pulsating city.
Getting About
Of course, cabs are available at the airport to head into the city centre, but we’d recommend using the Metro Transit. Not only is it much cheaper, but you’ll also get to see the city from a unique, slightly elevated position. Get off at Target Field station, just 28 minutes from the airport. It’s this area where we would recommend you choose from the many great Minneapolis hotels.
Performing Arts or Sports?
Once you’ve checked in, your choice of activity will depend on your preference between the city’s vibrant music and theatre scene or a sporting excursion. Most music lovers will associate the city with the late, great Prince, and if you’re a fan, we would recommend the tour of his world-famous studio, Paisley Park.
In terms of theatre, the city ranks second only to New York in terms of the most venues per capita. There’s always a huge range of performances available, and the celebrated Guthrie Center is a great hub for high-quality shows.
If you fancy taking in a sports match, it’s worthwhile to check schedules and book tickets before you go. The Minnesota Vikings play at the U.S. Bank Stadium during the football season in fall and winter. If you’re in the city during the spring or summer, head to Target Field, grab a drink and a hot dog, and settle in for an exciting Minnesota Twins ballgame. It’s a modern venue and is rightly ranked among the best sporting venues in North America.
Getting Hungry?
For classic American fare with a Minnesotan twist, head to Hell’s Kitchen, a flamboyant spot with live music from Thursday to Saturday. Try the walleye, which is a freshwater fish caught locally.
Minneapolis is known for its craft beers, and if that’s your thing, we’d suggest heading over the river to the Surly Brewing Co. It has a huge, open-plan beer hall with up to 24 beers on tap at any one time. Expect to get chatting with the locals!
Working It Off
Image via Flickr by TimWilson
Minneapolis has a fantastic sculpture garden, which is the largest in the country. It’s open every day and contains over 40 internationally renowned sculptures, including the iconic “Spoonbridge and Cherry.” A saunter around the garden will go some way toward balancing out your calorie intake.
Finishing Up
Back near the airport is a shopping mecca. The Mall of America is situated a short Metro Transit ride away, and it’s certainly worth leaving space in your luggage for one or two extra items. The MoA, as it’s known locally, is the largest mall in the U.S. in terms of number of stores and total floor area. If you were to spend 10 minutes in each store, it would take you 86 hours to get around, so plan your visit wisely! And remember, Minnesota is one of the few states where clothing and shoes are tax-free.
Your 24 hours will fly by, so make sure you plan well and make the most of your stopover in Minneapolis!
2emptynesters 