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Minneapolis-St Paul Travel Guide

About Minneapolis-St Paul

Two halves of one metropolis, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul form a harmonious mix of old and new on the banks of the Mississippi River.

These two urban areas may be joined at the hip, but they are far from identical. With its striking contemporary buildings, Minneapolis is the more modern and cosmopolitan sister. St Paul, with its 19th- and early 20th-century buildings, is more refined, in the manner you'd expect from a place that doubles as the Minnesota state capital.

Both cities are multicultural melting pots, with significant Hmong and Somali populations. And both are rich in arts and culture, and in all of North America, only New York entertains more theatregoers each year. One top venue is the Guthrie Theater, home to Shakespearean productions and experimental plays, while the Hennepin Theatre District features music and comedy. Elsewhere, the modern works displayed in the Walker Art Center are worth anyone's time.

Also in Minneapolis, the Mill City Museum commemorates the Twin Cities' role as the centre of American flour production in the 19th century, while across the river, the marble dome of the State Capitol building soars proudly over St. Paul.

In addition to the Mississippi, this is a place with no fewer than 949 lakes lying within its metropolitan area, so it's no surprise that outdoor recreation plays an important role. One popular excursion is a ride along the river aboard the Minneapolis Queen paddle-wheeler. Back on dry land, the Mall of America draws in 40 million bargain hunters every year, and is said to be the busiest shopping mall in the world.

At night, Minneapolis' Warehouse District is the place to head, not only for a pre-theatre dinner, but also for a chic cocktail, and is also home to several energetic nightclubs. Elsewhere, the centre is filled with trendy cafés and bistros, while starched linen and crystal glasses are the order of the day across in St. Paul.

With so much diversity on offer, everyone is sure to find something to their liking.

Key facts

Population:
377,392 (Minneapolis), 277,251 (St Paul); 3.2 million (Twin Cities metropolitan area)
Latitude:
45.247260
Longitude:
-93.455390
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Graves 601

A sophisticated modern luxury hotel, Graves 601 is located in the heart of Downtown Minneapolis, on top of the Block E complex. Rising 22 stories above street level, the hotel's stylish rooms include large plasma screen TVs, high-speed Internet and other high-tech amenities. Bathrooms have five-head power showers. The hotel has two restaurants--the acclaimed Cosmos, and the pre-prohibition-styled Bradstreet Crafthouse Restaurant.

W Minneapolis-The Foshay

W Hotels took a 1929 art deco structure and whipped it into a hip hotel with a roaring 1920s theme. The lobby's original arcade ceiling has been restored as has the 27th floor boardroom - the Prohibition Bar. Rooms are stylishly modern with the signature W bed, W pillow menu, plus a state-of-the-art entertainment system, high speed internet access and weekday newspaper delivery. Other amenities include in-room spa services and a fitness centre.

Hilton Minneapolis

Housed in an elegant, 25-storey Victorian brick building, the Hilton Minneapolis is located in the centre of Downtown with convenient skyway connections to the nearby business, shopping and entertainment areas. Guest rooms are well appointed with rich colours, oak furnishings, a 'Serenity Bed' with down comforter, large HDTV, MP3 connection and high speed wireless internet. The health club includes an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi. For regional and international cuisine, the hotel offers the Skywater restaurant.

Saint Paul Hotel

A St Paul landmark saturated with old-world charm, this sophisticated hotel offers newly renovated rooms with comfortable mattresses, lighting with dimmers, high speed internet, mini bar and a finely appointed bathroom. Dining options include The St Paul Grill featuring an American dinner menu and M ST. Café for breakfast and lunch. The Lobby Bar, a popular meeting place, serves lighter fare as well as cocktails. A rooftop fitness centre, business centre and free internet in the lobby are nice touches.

Holiday Inn River Centre

This comfortable hotel is conveniently located near Downtown St Paul's attractions. There are 194 spacious guest rooms. The hotel also offers free high-speed Wi-Fi internet, fitness centre with indoor pool and Jacuzzi. The hotel includes an authentic Irish pub, The Liffey, with several other restaurants within walking distance.

Hilton Garden Inn

The Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Cleveland is a business hotel located near Jacobs Field and Playhouse Square. The hotel has 240 guest rooms (eight of which are two-room suites), and among its amenities are complimentary high-speed internet access and indoor pool with whirlpool and a fitness centre. The hotel also offers two 24-hour business centres.