Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a city somewhat overlooked as a place for tourism, but brings to the table a fantastic mix for that person who wants a weekend, or even a week, where everyday is different.
Personality
The regions that make up Minneapolis bring with them their very own personality and identity. There is a place for everyone, whether it is campus life, swanky bars or a downtown life you are looking for. north downtown, south downtown, University of Minnesota, and Uptown all bring something different to the table, but every part of the city brings somewhere to party.
Nightlife
If you are after a bit of the high life, Uptown has luxurious patios, bars and restaurants. Downtown also has its fair share of nightlife, with bars and clubs scattered across the area. A particular favourite is the Shout House. A dueling piano bar, located downtown, is certainly something out of the ordinary; a huge party, great tunes played live, and very appealing drink prices makes it well worth a look.
Shopping
For the shopoholics, the Mall of America is something that could surely quell your need for retail therapy. The biggest mall in the USA, it has everything from sports to fashion to electronics, and even has a bit of spare room for its own indoor theme park. If you don't like rides yourself, it's certainly somewhere to park the kids.
Sports
Sports fans are definitely at home in Minneapolis. With the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves and the Wild, all the major sports are represented here. There are also the Minnesota Golden Gophers of college sports, complete with their brand new stadium, TCF Bank Stadium. Also the venues to watch sports are fantastic. ESPN said that the Twins' Target Field was "the number 1 stadium experience in Major League Baseball."
Arts
Minneapolis is lucky to boast many fantastic music, art and theatre venues. The region is second to New York in live theatre per capita. The city supports many fantastic venues such as the Minnesota Dance Theatre, where pop icon Prince famously learnt his trade. It is also home to the Minnesota Fringe festival, the largest fringe festival in the country.
Outdoors
Minneapolis is a very peaceful and tranquil city with very little traffic. Also it has a very outdoors-like persona with wonderful mountains and lakes which are just short drives away. Some say that everyone in Minneapolis either owns, or knows somebody who owns, a cabin, and many pursue outdoor pursuits such as boating, jet skiing, fishing and hunting. It is also worth the drive into neighbouring Wisconsin to go tubing on Apple River. Tubing involves getting into a big rubber ring and lazily drifting down a river.
The People
The best way to get people's opinions is to hear from the people themselves.
Zack Krause said: "I like living in Minneapolis for lots of reasons. We have four seasons, so there is always something to look forward to. The people are great here, very nice, open, and friendly. We have tons of amazing restaurants and a very good nightlife. It is very clean and easy to get around. There is always some kind of festival going on, too!"
Laurel Hoch commented: "I love living in Minneapolis. The best parts are the people and the fabulous locations, city parks and neighbourhoods like Loring Park. Bars like The Inn and Bar Lucarat, restaurants like WA Frost and Hole in the Wall Sushi in Uptown are the best! Not to mention the fabulous string of lakes like Calhoun, Harriet and Isles; and if that is not enough you can escape 'up north' for the real cabin/outdoor experience.
He added: "I would absolutely recommend that anyone come here. For the most part the people are genuine, very healthy, and like to have a good time."
Brandon Quittern and Lindsey Schmelzer added that Minneapolis is very progressive and has the best school system in the country. And, it simply is "not Los Angeles."
So if you are looking for that somewhere a little different, open your mind to 'The City of Lakes,' Minneapolis. It won't disappoint.
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