Minneapolis-St Paul, USA

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul straddle either side of the Mississippi no more than a few kilometers apart. These cities have grown simultaneously throughout the past, and though St Paul (the capital of Minnesota) is much less frequented than its larger brother, the two make up an area which was, for a long time, passed over. However, recently things have changed. Minnesota has been home to a great number of attractions, some of which are now held to great esteem throughout the world, and its crowded and busy atmosphere contrasts with St Pauls calm and placid behavior. Whether youre in the mood for a night on the town, or a museum-hopping adventure of sorts, youll find everything youre looking for in these riverside twins.

When to go

The temperatures in the region could not fluctuate more. In winter, its not surprising to find the mercury dropping to 5F (-15C), while summer brings a scorching climate along with it. It is hottest in July, though its still unbearable for many between May and September. Otherwise, weather stays fairly nice and normal in spring and autumn. Much of St. Paul is suburban-esque, and the trees and flowers throughout the city look absolutely wonderful during the temperate periods.

Getting there and around

There is one domestic and international airport for flights to Minneapolis and St Paul (Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport). At arrival, youll enjoy the modern efficient systems put in place, and despite the high volume of travelers, lines are relatively small. You can choose between a bus, taxi, shuttle, or rental car to get you into either city in less than 20 minutes.

The ubiquitous taxis and buses get you around Minneapolis and St Paul fairly quickly, depending on the time of day. Trolleys are also available and both cities offer access to an extensive walkway network known as the Skyway. These walkways are elevated and enclosed and provide entry to many buildings in the cities downtown areas. These networks are a relief to pedestrians in the winter.

Attractions

Minneapolis is where most travelers spend their time, and what better place to start your city adventure than in Cathedral Hill. This is a beautiful neighborhood where streets are lined with massive mansions and at its pinnacle, St Paul Cathedral. The architect of the building attempted to reproduce St. Peters Basilica (Rome), but ended up far from his goal. The cathedral has a young age of a little over 75 years as well, so there is no historical significance to the structure. However, it is still quite beautiful, and people throughout the city adore it, which is why it receives quite a bit of foot traffic each year.

Near the cathedral stands the James Hill House, which is a 19^th -century, 34-room, palatial mansion. It stood as the largest home in the Midwest for quite some time, and is unique for its network of secret passage-ways, which, after traversing, youll find to be the paranoia-inspired work of the original owner, James Hill, the railroad titan.

Downtown Minneapolis a perfect place to spend the day. Youll find the famed Nicollet Mall laid out over 12 blocks, and the octagonal 51-story IDS Center. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is close by, where works from Van Gogh to Picasso are displayed. The building itself is fantastic, and large enough for quite a number of exhibits both permanent and rotating.

The riverfront on both the east (St Paul) and west (Minneapolis) is a beautiful attraction, and is also the spot where a great paddleboat ride on the Mississippi River is always an option. Interestingly, this is the area where both cities started their growth as industrial centers.