Things to do in Minneapolis

The twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul are only a 20-minute ride from their respective downtowns and together, they offer a wide variety of attractions for all the family. St Paul is built like Rome, on seven hills with the Capitol and the cathedral occupying one each. It has an older and richer history than its neighbour, as can be seen in some of the old buildings and interesting architecture. Minneapolis is livelier and more modern with an abundance of skyscrapers and a more 'arty' feel to the place.

Fort Snelling

The historic Fort Snelling was established in the early 19th century and is the state's oldest structure. It was built as a frontier post at the junction of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers and served as the meeting place for the Dakota and Ojibwe Indian tribes. They would gather at the agency and fort to trade, debate government policy and perform their dances and sports. A growing number of visitors, army officers and government officials stopped at the fort for lodging and a nearby settlement was formed, later to become the city of St Paul. The US Department of the Interior designated Fort Snelling as the state's first National Historic Landmark in 1960. Public and private funds have been used to rebuild the fort and save the remnants after it was threatened with demolition for a new freeway. Costumed guides present a picture of early military, civilian and American Indian life in the region. The Fort Snelling History Centre provides orientation films and changing exhibits on various aspects of Minnesota's past, while Fort Snelling State Park offers dozens of hiking trails. Phone: +1 651 296 6126

Mall of America

The gigantic Mall of America attracts more annual visitors than Disneyland, Graceland and the Grand Canyon combined. It's the country's largest shopping and entertainment complex and America's fifth-most visited attraction. It contains more than 520 stores, an entire level of restaurants and bars, a 7-acre theme park, a 1.2 million gallon aquarium, a 14-screen cinema, a wedding chapel, an 18-hole mini-golf course. There are hundreds of specialty shops as well as all of the major department stores such as Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Nordstrom and Sears. The mall is a short drive from downtown Minneapolis in the southern suburb of Bloomington, close to the airport. There are free shuttle and public bus services to and from hotels and downtown locations. Phone: +1 952 883 8800.

Minnesota Zoo

Located on 500 wooded acres, the Minnesota Zoo is home to a lush tropical forest and aviary, a marine centre, boreal forest, tundra and a family farm. There are 2,300 animals representing nearly 400 different species. The Tropics Trail is the Zoo's answer to the rainforests of south eastern Asia, featuring lemurs and tree kangaroos, while the Northern Trail is home to creatures such as pumas, tigers, wolves, caribou, moose and camels. The Wells Fargo Farm is a working farm where children and adults can interact with farm animals. The Zoo is also home to Discovery Bay, a 1.1 million-gallon tank for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, sharks and rays. There is a dolphin show held daily at the 800-seat Dolphin Stadium. Other animal shows include shark and fish feedings and the World of Birds Show. The zoo also features an IMAX Theatre with films in 2D, IMAX 3D and IMAX DMR. The Minnesota Zoo is located approximately 10 miles from the Mall of America and 20 miles from Minneapolis. Phone +1 952 431 9200.

Walker Art Center

Established in 1927 and focusing on contemporary art, The Walker Art Center has developed an international reputation as a leader in contemporary arts. It is one of the few art institutions of its kind that is dedicated to visual, performing and film/video arts. Nearly 1,500 artists and scholars participate in Walker activities each year, which bring in more than one million annual visitors. It is well known for its major exhibitions of 20th century art and its innovative education programmes. Many of the performers take part in artist-in-residence activities and are frequently commissioned to create works that premiere in Minneapolis. The permanent collection of more than 8,000 works includes big-name US and European painters. The beautiful Minneapolis Sculpture Garden can be found adjacent to the museum. Phone: +1 612 375 7622.

Mill Ruins Park

Mill Ruins Park is the centrepiece of the re-developed historic West Side Milling District. During the 19th century, this area of mills, canals and tailraces made up the largest water powered facility in the world. Visitors are now able to see the recent excavation of this historical site and get a glimpse into an era when Minneapolis was number one in flour milling. The recent archaeological excavation uncovered flour mill foundations, hand riveted iron railroad girders, and the lower level of a waterpower network. Mill Ruins Park is open year-round with accessible walking paths as well as cycle trails connected to the adjacent St Anthony Falls Heritage Trail. It is located at Portland Avenue and West River Parkway in downtown Minneapolis on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Phone: +1 612 313 7793.

Museums

Designed by Frank Gehry, the Frederick R Weisman Art Museum is also a Twin Cities monument. Its oddly shaped stainless steel exterior was completed in 1993 and is one of the most recognisable buildings in the city. Inside are collections of early 20th century and contemporary American art, Asian ceramics and Native American pottery. The permanent collection features works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Alfred Maurer and other prominent American artists. It is also an active centre for live performances, lectures and other cultural activities. The museum is located on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota, on the east bank of the Mississippi River. Phone: +1 612 625 9494.

With galleries featuring the weather, physics, the Mississippi River and world-class collections of fossils and artefacts, the Science Museum of Minnesota offers hands-on science fun for all ages. The Museum showcases natural, environmental and medical sciences and features a number of permanent exhibits, including a massive world map that breaks up into climatic zones, dinosaur displays, ancient mummies and a human body gallery that maps the entire bloodstream. The focus is on making all aspects of science accessible with interactive exhibits, hands on experiments and live presentations. In the Omni Theatre you can view a variety of educational and 3D films, as well as laser shows. The huge convertible domed screen and surround sound bring natural disasters and historical discoveries to life. Phone: +1 651 221 9444.