USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” MINNESOTA

MINNESOTA: THE NORTH STAR STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

When you choose to travel, whether it is for business or pleasure, it is important to plan your trip well before hand. Here are some tips to help you. Don't be afraid to cash in your airline miles. Many travelers let their miles accumulate and never bother using them. Reap the rewards of your traveling and spend the miles you've earned! Miles have expiration dates, so be sure to use them before they expire. Travelling is a great way to use your airline miles.  When you need to plan a vacation contact me!

 

Minneapolis-St Paul, “The Twin Cities”

Minneapolis-St Paul History

Nicknamed the ‘twin cities', Minneapolis-St Paul began life as two separate towns that both perched beside the mighty Mississippi River. Founded by immigrants arriving from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and northern Germany, Minneapolis came first, founded on the west bank in 1855, opposite St Anthony Falls.

Making the most of what was available to them, early settlers used the Falls to generate power for sawmills and flourmills, which by 1870, made Minneapolis the flour milling capital of the world. The presence of Fort Snelling encouraged more settlers to set up home there, with both tradesmen and travelers kept safe by the garrison.

While Minneapolis was springing up on the west bank of the Mississippi, another town was beginning to take shape on the opposite embankment. Formed from the tiny villages of Pig's Eye and Lambert's Landing, the fledgling St Paul swiftly grew, thanks to its convenient harbor which opened it up to river trade. From here, the manufactured goods of Minneapolis were sent downriver, while the construction of a rail link in 1867 gave rise to further expansion.

By the beginning of the 20th century, Minneapolis-St Paul was a thriving industrial town, famous for its flour mills and food processing plants - the latter still important in the city today. Further economic opportunities arose from the Hennepin Island Hydroelectric Plant, constructed in 1906 to harness the power of the river.

But the good times were not to last and like the US's other big industrial centres, Minneapolis-St Paul was hit hard by the Great Depression of the 1930s and again by the post-war industrial malaise that hammered manufacturing in Europe and the US.

The city bounced back in the 1980s courtesy of a building boom that populated the skyline with glittering glass and steel buildings. It followed up with another construction-driven boom, this time in condos, in the 1990s. Today, building still plays a key role in city finances, with the old riverside the latest to be reworked by city planners.

Did you know?
- Charles Strite, the inventor of the pop-up toaster, was born in Minneapolis. 
- The first digital recording to be commercially released was made at Minneapolis studio, Sound 80.
- The first successful open heart surgery was conducted in Minneapolis in 1952.

City Attractions in Minneapolis-St Paul

Cathedral of St Paul

Set on a hill, overlooking the city and the Mississippi River, this impressive cathedral is one of the country's largest churches. It seats 3000 people. Opening in 1915, it took nearly a decade to build. It is topped by an enormous 57m-high (186ft) copper dome. The Shrines of Nations honour the various nationalities that have settled in Minnesota.

Telephone (651) 228 1766.
Website http://www.cathedralsp.org

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

The 100-year-old-plus facility is more than just a zoo, although there are interesting animal attractions like the seal show. With a frog pond and Japanese garden, the adjacent glassed-domed conservatory is charming. Como Town is a small amusement park for tots and right outside is a lovely covered carousel with hand-carved animals. The park itself is surrounded by a golf course, lake and walking paths.

Telephone (651) 487 8201.
Website http://www.comozooconservatory.org

Frederick R Weisman Art Museum

This museum features American artists of the early 20th century, including Georgia O'Keeffe, Marsden Hartley and Alfred Maurer, as well as work by contemporary artists. The 'World's Fair Mural' at the entrance is by Roy Lichtenstein. The brick and stainless steel building is itself a sculptural masterpiece, designed by Frank Gehry, in 1993.

Telephone (612) 625 9494.
Website http://www.weisman.umn.edu

Historic Fort Snelling

This 1820s US Army outpost has been restored to depict military life in the frontier era. Costumed guides on the site demonstrate musket and cannon drills, blacksmithing and other skills, while the history centre contains exhibits and videos.

Telephone (612) 726 1171.
Website http://www.mnhs.org

James J Hill House

Life in America's so-called 'Gilded Age' (the late 19th century) is on display in the former home of Great Northern Railway magnate James J Hill. The enormous stone Richardsonian Romanesque mansion, completed in 1891, measures 3,240 sq metres (36,000 sq ft) and is an ode to opulence, with crystal chandeliers, stained-glass windows, sky-lit art gallery, intricate wood carving and a huge pipe organ. It's best to reserve tours in advance
Telephone (651) 297 2555.
Website http://www.mnhs.org/hillhouse

Landmark Center

Dedicated as a federal courthouse, in 1902, this ornate Victorian jewel, with its fairytale turrets and towers, was saved from demolition in the 1960s and is now used for art exhibitions and civic activities. Originally, the Landmark Center would have witnessed many criminal trials, as St Paul was notorious in the 1920s and 1930s as a safe haven for gangsters like Ma Barker, John Dillinger and George 'Machine Gun' Kelly. Interiors are extravagantly decorated with high ceilings, marble and mahogany details.

Telephone (651) 292 3233.
Website http://www.landmarkcenter.org

Mall of America

The largest mall in in the USA boasts 520 shops, including big names like Macy's and Bloomingdales. Restaurants and entertainment venues abound. For the kids, there is Lego, a four-story space dedicated to this popular children's game, and Nickelodeon Universe. Other distractions include Undersea Adventures Aquarium, Silicon Motor Speedway, a comedy club and theatres

Telephone (952) 883 8800.
Website http://www.mallofamerica.com

Mill City Museum

The old Gold Medal Flour factory is now a unique museum. An entertaining Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat chronicles the area's history. It recalls the time when Minneapolis was the world's milling capital of the world. Visitors can board a renovated freight elevator, the Flour Tower, sit on its bleacher-like seats and move up and down the eight stories. With lights, sound, and commentary from actual mill workers, they learn about flour milling. On the eighth floor there is a sweeping view of the Mississippi and St. Anthony Falls.

Telephone (612) 341 7555.
Website http://www.millcitymuseum.org

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Housed in a striking white marble Beaux Arts building, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts contains an outstanding collection of over 85,000 artworks, dating back to 2000 BC. These range from old masters and contemporary regional art to Asian and African pieces. Highlights include a fine collection of French Impressionists, a tapestry collection and period rooms.

Telephone 1 888 642 2787.
Website http://www.artsmia.org

Minnehaha Park

Winding along the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Park, one of the oldest and most popular parks in Minneapolis, contains the city's first frame house, located west of the river. There are views over Minnehaha Falls and a statue commemorating the Native Americans, Hiawatha and Minnehaha, who were the subjects of Longfellow's famous poem, 'The Song of Hiawatha'.

Telephone (612) 230 6400.
Website http://www.minneapolisparks.org

Minnesota History Center

A fantastic snapshot of Minnesota history and culture. Minnesota's Greatest Generation includes a 1940s-war equipment factory, 1950s TVs, motel sign, soda fountain, 1954 Ford, movie house and famous Minnesotans like Judy Garland, Bob Dylan and Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie). This Must Be Hell takes you into a C47 and recreates paratrooper experiences during the invasion of Normandy. The authentic 1880s immigrant house chronicles the fifty families who have occupied it, including Italian, Irish and Hmong.

Telephone (651) 296 6126 or 1 800 657 3773.
Website http://www.mnhs.org

Minnesota State Capitol

The Italian Renaissance-style State Capitol building (1904) is an architectural masterpiece. Over two dozen varieties of marble, granite and sandstone were used in its construction and throughout the lavish interior. With an impressive display of statuary and flags, the rotunda and second level are a memorial to Minnesota Civil War volunteers. The crowning glory is the unsupported marble dome, which rises 73m (220ft) high. Its hilltop location affords sweeping views over the city and Mississippi River Valley. Guided tours are available.

Telephone (651) 296 2881.
Website http://www.mnhs.org/statecapitol

Science Museum of Minnesota

This city favorite combines science and entertainment, with plenty of hands-on and high-tech exhibits amid the outstanding collections of fossils and artefacts. The McKnight-3M Omnitheater shows state-of-the-art IMAX films on a 27m (90ft) diameter screen and there are also 3D laser shows.

Telephone (651) 221 9444.
Website http://www.smm.org

St Paul City Hall

It is well worth your while to take a quick look-see at this interesting 1920s art deco structure. Dominating the blue marble lobby is Swedish sculptor, Carl Milles' Vision of Peace. Erupting between five, peace-pipe smoking Native Americans is the 11m (36ft) towering white onyx god of peace. In the basement, walls are lined with carved glass murals, each signifying a chapter of St Paul's past. A guided tour schedule is available.

Telephone 651) 266 8500.
Website http://www.stpaul.gov

Walker Art Center

One of the country's top contemporary art centers, the Walker Art Center has a revolving collection of paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture featuring works by Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Willem de Kooning and other leading artists. A building expansion that doubled the Walker's size was completed in 2005. The adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden covers 4 hectares (11 acres) and is the largest urban sculpture garden in the USA.

Telephone (612) 375 7600.
Website http://www.walkerart.org

 REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

Minneapolis just embraced me. There are a lot of weirdos here. It's awesome, because I'm a weirdo. Thankfully, the city embraced me with open arms. A lot about Minneapolis helped carve my musicality and open my eyes. The whole town is so open-minded compared to like, you know, Texas.

 Lizzo

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