Minneapolis waterfront along the Mississippi River
“I like Hollywood. I just like Minneapolis a little bit better.” Those are the immortal words of Minnesota’s favorite son, Prince Rogers Nelson, who famously made his home and recorded his music in the suburb of Chanhassen. You’d be hard-pressed to find a native Minnesotan who disagreed. Nothing against the rest of the world: We just like it a lot here. That kind of hometown pride is visible on T-shirts and caps you’ll see all around town. And it’s also evident in the way we live our lives. We’re out, enjoying what every corner of the cities has to offer. That means hitting the trails, seeking out the water (you won’t have to look far), finding a festival, going to a play or a concert every night, becoming a regular at a taproom, and developing strong opinions on the best bánh mì in town.
St. Paul is compact, pretty, and offers plenty in the way of sights and classic neighborhood bars. Minneapolis is the glitzy twin and the hub of the arts and music scene. Both cities are buzzing year-round. Far from hibernating, we embrace the winter. Joggers put on an extra layer, windsurfers transform into ice surfers, cyclists install winter tires, and skiers exult. And when temperatures climb back above freezing, the whole process begins again: the lakefronts, river paths, and outdoor restaurants fill with people who enjoy spring more than anyone else on earth. Yes, it can get a little cold here. And we love it.
You know how they say that the best part of having out-of-town guests is getting to play tourist in your own home city? Well, in Minneapolis and St. Paul, people turn that aphorism on its head: The best part of being a tourist in the Twin Cities is pretending you’re a local. The truth is, there aren’t any touristy areas here, because the best things to do are what the locals do.
Minneapolis waterfront along the Mississippi River
farmers market in Minneapolis
Minnehaha Falls
the St. Anthony neighborhood
Scandinavian-style sandwich
Lake Harriet