Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Aerial shot of Downtown Minneapolis Skyline and Stone Arch Bridge

Image Caption

Bike or walk across the Mississippi River on the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis / Paul Vincent

Explore the Twin Cities

The state capital, St. Paul, and neighboring Minneapolis make up the Twin Cities, an incredibly rich and diverse area with dramatic skylines, exciting pro sports, award-winning theater, renowned restaurants and a booming craft beer scene.

Revel in the natural beauty of dozens of trails, parks and waterways, such as the Chain of Lakes and the Mississippi River. You can also shop ’til you drop at local boutiques and the nation’s largest mall, Mall of America, with no tax on clothing or shoes. Or, attend one of the hundreds of annual events in the region, from small-town celebrations to one of the largest state fairs in the country.

Chain of Lakes, Dream State campaign — Ryan Taylor

Things to Do in Minneapolis-St. Paul

Plan the ultimate 2-for-1 trip in the Twin Cities

Kids looking through glass at grizzly bears at the Minnesota Zoo — Get up close and personal with grizzly bears at the Minnesota Zoo / Minnesota Zoo

Explore the Minnesota Zoo

Visitors to the state's largest zoo will encounter animals and habitats from around the globe in exciting exhibits.

Minneapolis restaurant serves four plates of Vietnamese food on a wooden table — Try the Vietnamese street foods at Hai Hai restaurant and bar in Minneapolis / Matt Lien courtesy of Meet Minneapolis

Must-Visit Minneapolis Restaurants

From the nation's best Somali cuisine to classic diner fare and authentic birria tacos, here are 45 incredible Minneapolis restaurants to check out the next time you're in town.

Prince mural Uptown Minneapolis — An homage to Prince in Uptown by artist Rock 'Cyfi' Martinez / Courtesy Meet Minneapolis

In Prince’s Footsteps

One of Minnesota’s most iconic celebrities, Prince’s impact on the music world can be traced back to countless Minnesota landmarks, from the Sound 80 recording studio to the Minneapolis nightclub immortalized in “Purple Rain.”

Hot Spots to Shop

From indie shops to outlet malls to the sprawling Mall of America in Bloomington, you’ll discover unparalleled shopping experiences in the Twin Cities area.

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Top Experiences

Fabulous Food Halls

Sample the latest foodie favorites when you visit these food halls throughout the Twin Cities. You’re sure to find plenty of photo-worthy and delicious dishes to keep you energized.

Diverse Communities

From the Dakota and Ojibwe, to the Swedes, to the state's Hmong, Somali and Mexican communities, Minnesota’s many diverse peoples and their cultural contributions make for a uniquely rich experience.

St. Croix River Valley

The area surrounding the “National Wild and Scenic” St. Croix River features plentiful natural beauty, outdoor activities, small river town charms and so much more.

Art & Theater Weekend

Immerse yourself in culture and theater with this Twin Cities weekend getaway featuring sculpture gardens, museums, the performing arts, live music, restaurants and more.