Minneapolis Travel Guide

After years of relative obscurity, the Greater Minneapolis and St. Paul region of Minnesota has finally garnered some much deserved attention.  The city has done a spectacular job in fostering its developing neighborhoods, giving each a distinctive feel and unique draw to residents.  Downtown anchors the city visually, rife with high-rise suites, a host of professional sporting events (Timberwolves, Vikings, and Twins all play downtown), and a vibrant nightclub scene.  The “Twin Cities” of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which are a less than 12 miles apart from each other, owe their prominence to a stunning location aside the Mississippi River.  If you’ve ever heard anyone refer to the “heartland” of America, rest assured that they are talking about someplace just like Minneapolis.

Minneapolis is known for having bitterly cold winters, with December to February posting an average daytime temperature of 25°F.  Summer and the first part of autumn (June to September) can get hot and sticky, especially in July, when the average daytime temperature hangs around 82°F.  Summers also have a tendency of being quite wet, averaging approximately 18 inches of rainfall between the months of May and September.  Late autumn and spring mark the best times of the year to avoid the wet weather and temperature extremes, but it’s worth knowing what you’re missing when you plan your Minneapolis vacation, as some of the town’s best events happen during the peak of summer and winter.

You’ll find the same great assortment of hotels in Minneapolis that most larger American cities have to offer.  The majority of the higher end accommodations can be found clustered downtown, or close by the University of Minnesota.  If you plan on staying downtown, the Doubletree is an excellent value given its lower cost and proximity to local fun.  If you managed to score a cheap flight to Minneapolis and want to splurge on the hotel, the recently built Westin Minneapolis used to be the historic Farmers & Mechanics Bank, although you’ll find that the old bank vault is still there and full of riches, only now it’s in the form of vintage wines.

Should you find yourself in Minneapolis at the end of January, consider it lucky, as a quick car ride across the Mississippi will take you to St. Paul and their annual Winter Carnival, which just so happens to be the USA’s oldest.  Beginning in 1886, the winter carnival was established to celebrate Minnesota’s most obvious features – ice and now.  The annual festival draws up to 1.3 million visitors over 12 days, so make sure you’ve got a room booked in advance if this event is on your itinerary.  Jump to late August/early September, and you’ll be there at the right time to experience the Minnesota State Fair, one of the largest and craziest in the country.   Featuring a wide assortment of exotic animals, rides, and family fun, the State Fair might end up being your ultimate adventure in the Twin Cities.  However, if the outdoors is more your speed, there’s a reason Minneapolis is also known as “The City of Lakes.”  Featuring 22 natural lakes, you’ll encounter no shortage of things to do both off and on the water, from paddling peacefully across its surface, to biking the verdant, scenic edges.

The Metropolitan Council Transit Operations (MCTO) runs local service buses in the Twin Cities metro area.  Downtown has a limited trolley system, but is augmented by an extensive network of skyways, which are simply elevated glass-enclosed walkways connecting multiple malls and buildings together.   Traveling much past downtown is best accomplished by car, so long as you remain wary of road conditions (specifically ice in the winter months).  You also have the option of running a paddlewheel tour up the Mississippi River through a carrier like the Padelford Packet Company.