Places of Interest
- Former user (Deleted)
Riverplace, Nicollet Island, and Mississippi Mile
Hennepin Ave. & Main Street; downtown river area
In the 1800s, the village of St. Anthony was founded on the east bank of the Mississippi River near St. Anthony Falls. It became a center for the milling and the lumber industry as Europeans settled in Minnesota. Eventually St. Anthony was absorbed by the west bank's Minneapolis as the younger city expanded. After the Great Depression Minneapolis turned away from the river, but today it is coming back and rebuilding. Riverplace and Old St. Anthony Main are now an entertainment, shopping, and restaurant area. Nicollet Island has bike and walking trails, picnic areas, and regular summer concerts. Boom Island Park has a marina, playground, and outdoor performances.
Nicollet Mall, IDS Center, City Center
Downtown, along Nicollet Avenue
Nicollet Mall is both historic and modern, with many new shopping complexes and offices recently built, under renovation or construction. The IDS Center, with 57 floors and a "crystal courtyard", was one of the first modern skyscrapers in Minneapolis.
The Warehouse District/North Loop
Downtown, north of Hennepin Avenue
This old part of Minneapolis, maintained for many years by local artists and musicians, is being rebuilt into many fine restaurants, lively nightspots, and shops. Butler Square, at 100 North 6th Street, is one of the many reconstructed buildings from the city's early milling era.
Target Center
600 First Avenue North Minneapolis
An arena hosting many major music and other concerts as well as the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Basketball games.
Target Field
1 Twins Way, Minneapolis, MN
Stadium holding Major League Baseball games.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400-3rd Ave. S.
612-870-3131
This is the Twin Cities' largest art museum, with collections from many periods and countries. Closed Mondays. Free Admission, excepting special exhibits.
Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden
725 Vineland Place
612-375-7600
Permanent and changing modern exhibits. A sculpture garden, featuring a skyline view of downtown, was recently built directly north of it (free admission). The Walker is closed on Mondays; admission is free on Thursdays only.
Orchestra Hall
Nicollet Mall & 11th Street, downtown
612-371-5656
Home of the Minnesota Orchestra. Ticket costs vary, but "student rush" tickets for $15 require that you come one hour before a performance for unsold seats.
Minneapolis American Indian Center
1530 E. Franklin Ave.
612-879-5913
This is the community center for one of the largest urban Native American populations in the United States. In addition to community events and programs, the center houses Two Rivers Gallery, in which Native American peoples, arts, and cultures are depicted through many facets of life. There is no admission charge, but donations are accepted.
Mill City Museum
704 South 2nd St., Mpls, MN 55401
Located on the Mississippi Riverfront, this museum built into a historic flour mill allows visitors to explore the intertwined history of the flour industry, the river, and the city of Minneapolis.
Hennepin Public Libraries
Multiple locations
612-630-6230 for recorded information about hours, and locations
The first time you check out materials from a public library, you will need to request a library card. Free passes to various local museums/sites/theatres are available if you ask for them.
The Lakes
South Minneapolis and other locations
Minneapolis calls itself the City of Lakes because a chain of lakes created by glaciers runs from north to south through the city. These lakes are connected by parks, pathways, bike trails, and the Minnehaha Creek/Parkway: Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, and Lake Nokomis, Lake Hiawatha, to name a few. Minnehaha Falls Park, with a waterfall near the creek's junction with the Mississippi River, is also part of the chain of lakes. These waterways are a major source of recreation. You can rent roller blades, canoes, kayaks or bikes for riding the wonderful network of trails in various locations in these areas. There is a usually a deposit charge required for bike rental, which is returned to you when you return the bike. The deposit is sometimes more than the actual rental fee.
Mall of America
South Ave, Bloomington, MN
Once the second largest mall in America, this megamall is perhaps the most popular in the Twin Cities and is a popular tourist destination. The mall encompasses 96.4 acres and includes over 500 stores as well as an indoor amusement park, Nickelodeon Universe, and the 300-foot-long aquarium, Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium.
Minnesota State Capitol
75 Constitution Avenue
651-296-3962 (recording)
The Minnesota State Legislature is in session during the winter and spring, and many government offices are located here. Free tours begin daily on the hour, weekdays 9 a.m.–4 p.m, Saturdays 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Sundays 1-3 p.m.
Landmark Center
75 West 5th Street
651-292-3225
This architectural jewel is a former courthouse near the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul. It houses many art organizations and displays, including the Minnesota Museum of Art, the Schubert Club Keyboard Collection, and a History Theatre. Its design is Roman Revival, or Richardsonian Romanesque. There is free outdoor ice skating by the Center in winter.
Minnesota History Center
345 Kellogg Blvd. West
651-296-6126
This center has exhibits and seminars on the history of Minnesota. New in 1992, the bookstore and library are open daily except Sunday. They are located near the St. Paul Cathedral (below) and within view of the capitol (above).
St. Paul Cathedral
239 Selby Ave W
This cathedral was modeled after St. Peter's in Rome.
Summit Avenue
Running west from St. Paul's Cathedral (from UNW) S on Snelling, past I-94
The Minnesota governor's mansion, the home of author F. Scott Fitzgerald, and many more fine historical homes line this avenue on a hill overlooking St. Paul and the Mississippi River. The restored mansion of an early railroad builder, James J. Hill, is open at 240 Summit Ave. Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. A small general admission fee is required. Call 651-297-2555 for details.
Minnesota Museum of Art
St. Peter at Kellogg Blvd. in the Landmark Center
651-292-4355
Closed Mondays. Admission free. A restaurant featuring fine Scandinavian and other international cuisine, The Deco, is in the Landmark Center's Jemne building.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
S on Snelling to Como Ave., go east
This is a small zoo and pleasant conservatory surrounded by a large park, gardens (including Japanese Gardens), picnic grounds, a nearby lake (not for swimming), a public swimming pool, soccer fields, etc.
Science Museum of Minnesota & Omnitheater
120 West Kellogg Blvd.
651- 221-9444
This museum hosts permanent and changing exhibits featuring interactive learning activities and "three-dimensional" style theater on various historical and scientific topics. Exhibits include history of American Indians in Minnesota.
Theatres
The Twin City area has more theatres per capita than any other city in the US. The third largest actors’ guild in the US is located here. Some places to call to find out about attending shows include the Guthrie Theater, Ordway Theater, and the State Theater. Visit http://twincitiestours.com/guide-book/music-theater-and-dance/theater/ for a full listing of Twin Cities theaters.
Rosedale Center
345 Rosedale Shopping Center #165, Roseville, MN 55113
A popular shopping mall close to campus, also featuring dining and entertainment options, including an AMC movie theater. Campus shuttle makes a few stops here during the week.