Travel to Minneapolis

Travel to Minneapolis

Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota State and is twinned with the nearby city of St Paul, to the east. Collectively, they are usually referred to as the "twin cities". Minneapolis is the more modern of the two and its downtown area contains many skyscrapers and contemporary buildings. St Paul has an older and richer history with some fine 19th and early 20th century buildings.

Transportation to Minneapolis

Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport has two terminals for international and domestic flights. It is located just ten miles from the city centre, and the short transfer can be made by bus, taxi or light rail. Minneapolis is well-connected by long distance buses to hundreds of destinations throughout America. Amtrak also has a station mid-way between Minneapolis and St Paul.

What to see

Minneapolis has developed a reputation as being a cultural hub. The performing arts scene is particularly strong as can be seen by the number of theatre groups, musical performances and art galleries. Of special note are the Walker Art Museum and the Minnesota Institute for the Arts that have extensive collections of avant-garde as well as more traditional artworks. The historic Fort Snelling has the oldest buildings in the state and the costumed guides provide an entertaining portrayal of life in the 19th century. The Mill Ruins Park is worth a visit to find out more about the city's dominance in flour milling.

Daytrips

There are many other attractions in the area and hiring a car is the best way of getting around. The Minnesota Zoo can be reached easily and is a great day-trip for all the family. There are over 2,300 animals in several themed areas such as The Tropics Trail and The Wells Fargo Farm. Various animal shows are held daily and an Imax cinema is also located on-site. Stillwater is 20 miles north of Minneapolis and is the oldest town in Minnesota. There are some well-preserved 19th century buildings and a good number of antique and specialty shops. Another old and fascinating town is Red Wing, 50 miles southeast of Minneapolis. It is located in the beautiful Hiawatha Valley and has some fine views overlooking the Mississippi River. A popular attraction is the Red Wing Pottery, which has displays on how pottery was produced here from the 1880s.

Leisure

Visitors who like shopping have to look no further than the enormous Mall of America, near the airport. It's the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the United States and contains more than 520 stores, a 7-acre theme park, a huge walk-through aquarium, a 14-screen cinema, and an 18-hole mini-golf course. There are over 22 lakes within the area offering a range of leisure activities and water sports, as well as lake cruises and fishing trips.

Safety issues

Crime figures have been increasing over the last couple of years and there are a few areas of the city that are best avoided. As long as you are sensible and plan your trip carefully then you shouldn't have any problems. Most areas of the city are safe to walk around during the day; however, you should take care at night and preferably take a taxi to your destination. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for yourself and your family when visiting Minneapolis.