Lifestyle
The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan region combines rich urban treasures and attractions with an exceptionally beautiful natural environment. Nearly 140,000 acres of parkland and 950 lakes grace this area, although scores of other destinations are available within a reasonable drive. Hiking, fishing, camping, bicycling, swimming, tennis, golf, boating, water sports, and a medley of winter sports are common pastimes around the four colorful seasons. Professional sports draw enthusiastic crowds to spectacular stadiums and arenas that bring the action close to the stands.
The metropolitan area is widely acclaimed for its rich cultural treasures, including wonderful art, science, and history museums as well as a complete range of visual and performing arts. The annual calendar is brimming over with opportunities to enjoy world-class theatre, music, opera, dance, art films, comedy, and dinner theater. Music and arts festivals, along with seasonal celebrations, combine with scores of special events around the metro region to draw friends, neighbors, and family together.
The Twin Cities metro area is a shopper’s paradise, anchored by the nation’s largest mall. The Mall of America in Bloomington combines hundreds of stores and shops with spectacular entertainment centers that include a full-size indoor theme park. Charming historic districts and contemporary shopping centers are complemented by cozy cafes, coffee houses, and restaurants from casual to the finest of formal dining. Downtown Minneapolis attracts shoppers to more than two million square feet of retail space—one of the highest concentrations for any city of comparable size in the nation. Residents join throngs of visitors as they stroll down the famous Nicollet Mall or along the historic Mississippi Riverfront in Minneapolis. Historic St. Paul adds everything from Broadway shows and concerts at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to the Fitzgerald Theatre—home to Garrison Keillor’s popular radio broadcasts of A Prairie Home Companion.
To the east of the Twin Cities area, the panoramic St. Croix River Valley with such highlights as Taylors Falls, Stillwater, and Hastings offers boat and train excursions, antique shopping, canoeing, hiking, and downhill skiing. The northern metro region is known for excellent golf and entertainment destinations, while the western section features world-class fishing and water sports at Lake Minnetonka. Take your time exploring the many facets of Minnesota’s Twin Cities and their surrounding suburbs and small towns. Sample the lifestyle and enjoy the diverse attractions. Experience the pinnacle of Midwestern friendliness and charm. Explore the kaleidoscope of natural and hand-crafted beauty. In just a short time, you will understand why the Twin Cities region continues to win one national accolade after another for sheer quality of life.
