Minneapolis, the largest city in Minnesota, and Saint Paul, the state capital, are known as the Twin Cities, the state's major metropolitan area. They are rich in what makes cities exciting, yet have few urban drawbacks. There is negligible pollution, low crime rates, and people are known for their friendliness. Both are highly attractive cities, offering flourishing downtowns, sophisticated educational and cultural institutions, entertainment and sports, and the always affordable diversions of parks and open spaces. Additionally, Minneapolis and Saint Paul are growing centers of commerce and industry with major corporate headquarters in electronics, computers, food processing and milling, retailing, medicine, transportation, and forest products.
Professional Theatre
The Twin Cities has one of the most active live theatre scenes outside of New York. There are a number of well-known permanent professional theatres including The Guthrie Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, The Penumbra Theatre, Southern Theatre, and a host of others. Additionally, professional theatre touring companies often visit the Twin Cities and perform in such venues as the historic State and Orpheum Theatres in downtown Minneapolis and the Ordway Center in downtown Saint Paul.
The Great Outdoors
Minnesota is famous for its lakes and outdoor recreational opportunities. For information about fishing, hiking, hunting, camping, and other outdoor recreation visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' website. If you enjoy snow skiing, you will be surprised by the myriad choices. You might also enjoy the Como Zoo. To learn more about the Minnesota State Parks, you may want to visit websites sponsored by GORP, Minnesota Mania, or Wilderness Inquiry. And, of course, Minnesota is famous for its many lakes.
Transportation
The Twin Cities has a comprehensive mass transit system that makes it possible to attend the University without a car. The Twin Cities are served by the conveniently-located Minneapolis/Saint Paul Airport, and is a major hub for Northwest Airlines. The Twin Cities are also accessible by bus and Amtrack.
Museum Scene
The Twin Cities boast an impressive array of museums, including the state of the art facility at the Science Museum, the University of Minnesota's own Weisman Art Museum, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts features an encyclopedic collection of world art from antiquity to the present, the Walker Art Center highlights contemporary painting, sculpture, prints, and multi-media arts, and the popular, visitor-friendly exhibits of the Minnesota History Center Museum.
Music
Cultural activies abound. The Minnesota Orchestra is based in Minneapolis; its Orchestra Hall home welcomes classical soloists and popular performers. The Grammy award winning Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is housed in the beautiful Ordway Music Theatre.
If you enjoy jazz, then you may be surprised that the Twin Cities are a great place to experience live jazz performances in various venues and at such special events as the Hot Summer Jazz Festival. You also will want to check out The Dakota and the activities listed by the Twin Cities Jazz Society.
If contemporary rock is more to your tastes, you may want to check out the Gay 90s dance club or famed First Avenue, where the movie "Purple Rain" was filmed. The Twin Cities are home to many music groups including The Jayhawks, Jonny Lang, and, of course, Prince.
For Movie Buffs
You can catch just about any U.S. or foreign film you want to see in the Twin Cities. In addition to the many mainstream film theatres located throughout the area, Oak Street Cinema is located adjacent to campus and features art movie classics. The Lagoon specializes in non mainstream film as does the Uptown Theatre. The University has its own Film Society that features numerous interesting film series.
Shop Til You Drop
Yes, the Twin Cities are home to the nation's largest indoor shopping mall, the infamous Mall of America. Among many other things, the Mall includes a complete indoor amusement park, The Park at MOA. Downtown Minneapolis features the Nicollet Mall shopping area, and the upscale Galleria in Edina is an easy drive.
The Twin Cities are also home to many used and new bookstores. Among the most famous are Amazon Bookstore, oldest feminist bookstore in the nation, and The Hungry Mind, recently renamed the Ruminator. Other interesting bookstores include A Brother's Touch, Comicopolis, The Nostalgia Zone, Dream Dragon, and Magus Books. With a little looking, you'll find something you like.
Professional Sports
Major league sports fans can catch the action in baseball, basketball, football, and hockey with the 1987 and 1991 World Series Champion Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Lynx, the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Wild, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the minor league sensation Saint Paul Saints.
Gaming
For those interested in gaming activities, the Twin Cities is home to the popular Mystic Lake Casino, and Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Horse racing is available at Canterbury Park, which also hosts one of the midwest's largest poker rooms.
Mass Media
The Twin Cities is a major media outlet. The two major newspapers are the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. The University's own award-winning newspaper is the Minnesota Daily. The City Pages is one of the best alternative news weeklies in the nation. The nationally-respected Utne Reader is produced here in the Twin Cities. Additionally, the Twin Cities has a very active alternative newspaper scene, including the Minnesota Women's Press, Pulse, and La Prensa de Minnesota. In addition to a number of local mainstream television and radio stations, the Twin Cities is also the home of Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television.