About Minneapolis MN
Minneapolis is the bigger of the ‘Twin Cities’ and also serves as the seat for Hennepin County. Together with St. Paul, the state capital of Minnesota, Minneapolis forms the Twin Cities Metropolitan region. It is well noted for its abundance in water, and boasts of 13 different lakes, the Mississippi River, creeks, wetlands and even waterfalls. Most of which are linked by parkways in the Chain of Lakes along with the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. Minneapolis is situated on both shores of the Mississippi River in the northern direction of its meeting point with the Minnesota River.
The name Minneapolis was coined by Charles Hoag, who had the distinction of being the city’s very first schoolmaster. This name is a combination of a Dakota Sioux term that means water and a Greek term that infers to a city. The Amerindian Dakota Sioux tribe was the sole inhabitants of the future site of Minneapolis at the time French explorers made their way into the area. During the early 19th century, the US purchased the territory from the French, and went on to establish posts in the region. Fort Snelling was constructed in the 1810s by the US Army, and it began to lure traders, merchants and even settler to the area. Minneapolis was incorporated as a city in the year 1867. It is noteworthy to state that this was the time rail service commenced between Chicago and this Minnesota city.
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Top attractions
Minneapolis is home to a wide variety of cultural groups, which attract creatives and audiences in droves for theater, visual arts, writing and music. To begin with, there is the Walker Art Center that has the distinction of been numbered among the top 5 biggest modern arts museums in the country. There is as well the Minneapolis Institute of Art, which has the distinction of being the biggest fine arts museums in the City of Minneapolis. This particular museum boasts of a permanent collection that numbers 100,000 different pieces. Minneapolis is also home to the Weisman Art Museum that was first opened to the public in the 1990s, and offers visitors free admission. There is as well the Museum of Russian Art, which was opened in 2005, and is noted for showcasing 20th century Russian works of art. Minneapolis also boasts of its Northeast Art District that was voted as been the very best art district in the country in 2015.
ThIis city has also being a key cultural hub for theatrical products ever since the 1800s. Some of its oldest theaters include the Pence Opera House, the Academy of Music, the Grand Opera House, the Lyceum and the Metropolitan Opera House. The Guthrie Theater is Minneapolis’ biggest theater company, and is situated in a 3 stage complex that overlooks the Mississippi River. This company was established in 1963 by Sir Tyrone Guthrie as a feasible alternative to Broadway. The City of Minneapolis as well bought and renovated a number of theatres including the Orpheum, Stage and Pantages Theatres Vaudeville. There is the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts too, which is the home base for over 12 performing arts groups in the city. It also hosts the popular Minnesota Fringe Festival that has the distinction of being the biggest non-juried performing arts festival in the United States.
Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie Theater is named in honor of its founder Sir Tyrone Guthrie, and is located in the city’s downtown area. This theater has the distinction of been one of Minneapolis most cherished treasures. It was first opened in the 1960S with a production of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet.’ Ever since then, its repertory group has achieved national acclaim with its well received blend of classical theater and avant garde productions. Besides its 3 stages, the Guthrie Theater comes complete with a full service restaurant, 2 casual cafes and a cocktail lounge. Its strategic location on the shores of the river also provides scenic views of the city.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
This City of Minneapolis museum of the fine arts boasts of 83,000 artworks that span an impressive 5 millennia. Some of its most popular attractions are its ancient Egypt artifacts and European masterpieces. The last of which include celebrated works of art by famous artists such as Titian and Monet. The Minneapolis Institute of Art is situated in the downtown area, and offers free admission to all visitors.
Walker Art Center
Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center is highly renowned for housing outstanding collections of both modern and contemporary works of art. This consists of paintings, sculptures and photos from American and European artists. One of the highlights of paying a visit to the Walker Art Center is the golden opportunity to explore the nearby Minneapolis Sculpture Garden that is the biggest urban sculpture garden in the entire United States. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden among other things is home to the ‘Spoonbridge and Cherry’ sculpture, which has become an iconic symbol of the City of Minneapolis.
Minnesota Zoo
Located at a distance of 30 minutes drive from the southern end of downtown Minneapolis, the Minnesota Zoo is one of the most trendy attractions of this Minnesota city. It is sprawled on a 485 acre piece of land in the Apple Valley suburb, and is home to over 4,700 different animals. One of its most popular exhibits is, without question, the Medtronic Minnesota Trail, which features wild animals such as wolverines, coyotes, the American black bear to mention just but a few. There is as well the Discovery Bay exhibit that comes complete with a 218,000 gallon shark reef tank. Another key attraction of the Minnesota Zoo is its very own hand crafted Conservation carousel.
Fort Snelling
Fort Snelling was established in the early part of the 19th century as a frontier outpost for the United States Army. It has the distinction of being the oldest structure in the City of Minneapolis. Its strategic position at the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Minnesota River enabled it to effectively regulate trade routes in the Upper Mississippi Valley. Nowadays, Fort Snelling serves as a curious living history museum, which offers costumed tours that furnish visitors with comprehensive details of its past and the role it played in spurring the growth of Minneapolis. During the summer season, Fort Snelling hosts a wide variety of historically themed events that include demonstrations, youth programs and fascinating contests.
Weisman Art Museum
The Weisman Art Museum was designed by celebrated avant garde architect Frank Gehry, and is widely renowned for boasting of an impressive collection of contemporary works of art. Most of which were created by famous artists such as Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keefe and even Roy Lichtenstein. This City of Minneapolis leading museum for the arts is also home to a remarkable collection of ceramics along with Korean furniture. From time to time, the Weisman Art Museum also showcases touring exhibits of works of art.
Minnehaha Park
The Minnehaha Park is sprawled along the shores of the Mississippi River, and can be the excellent spot to gain a respite from the fast paced city life. It is located around 6 miles on the southeastern direction of Central Minneapolis and spans a respectable 193 acres. One of the main attractions of Minnehaha Park is, without doubt, the 53 feet Minnehaha Falls that was made famous in a poem made by celebrated poet Henry Longfellow. Besides this waterfall, this Minneapolis park offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities and comes complete with biking trails, volleyball courts and a playground.