In addition, outdoor walks can be combined with contemplation of the surrounding flora or human creations (sculptures, monuments and other compositions) in the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, Minnehaha Park, Lake Harriet Rose Garden, Lake Harriet Band Shell or Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. By the way, you can look at all this splendor from the IDS Center – the tallest building in the city (241 m).
Among others, the art museums of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Walker Art Center and the Northrup King Building can be noted, where paintings, photographs, sculptures and statues, fragments of architecture and textiles are exhibited – everything that humanity has accumulated in the cultural layer during its existence. African and Asian art collections stand out in particular.
I would like to say a separate word about the Walker Art Center (it is not in vain that it is included in the “big five” of the best museums of contemporary art in the United States): it, oddly enough, attracts gourmets of all stripes in the first place. Its complex includes several restaurants, the quality of the dishes in which is the responsibility of the unsurpassed chef Wolfgang Puck, known throughout the world for his network of catering establishments in Vegas and California. And of course exhibitions: American art “from and to” – from post-war times to the present day. Address: 1750 Hennepin Ave. Tel.: +1 612 375 76 00 Opening hours: Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun 11.00-17.00, Thu 11.00-21.00.
Another landmark of the city worthy of detailed description, which is reminiscent of the “milling” past of Minneapolis, is the Washburn-Crosby Mill Museum. And, despite the fact that the city’s mills have long sunk into oblivion (approximately when St. Anthony’s Falls on the Mississippi disappeared, turning their millstones), the Minneapolis Grain Exchange, founded in 1881, still operates today. The Minnehaga Park and Falls, named after the wife of the Indian leader of the hero of Henry Longfellow’s poem “The Song of Hiawatha”, became a monument to the disappeared waterfall and the almost extinct Dakota tribe that once lived here. Hiawatha means “waterfall” in the Sioux language.
According to act-test-centers, Minneapolis has many parks, notable among which is Boom Island Park, located north of Nicolette Island. In addition to excellent fishing conditions, the park is home to Pillsbury Mill, which for 40 years held the title of the largest mill in the world.
Finally, you should pay attention to the Minneapolis City Hall, which took 16 years to build. Its tower has a clock with four larger dials than London’s Big Ben. The construction of the municipality was completed in 1905, almost bankrupting the city: such a sum had to be paid to Minneapolis for this creation of architects.
Inveterate theatergoers will be able to appreciate performances by visiting, for example, the Riverview Theater, Guthrie Theatre, State Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, and lovers of symphonic music can enjoy a concert at the Minnesota Orchestra.
Lakes of Minneapolis
As for the “spectacles”, tourists will not get bored here. Nature lovers can enjoy hiking or cycling around the 24 lakes, which are fully considered one of the outstanding attractions of Minneapolis. The chain of these lakes, interconnected by lagoons and channels, stretches all the way to the Minnehaha Falls, which flows into the Mississippi. Around each of the chain of lakes there are paths for hiking, cycling and skateboarding.
There are three public beaches on Kedrovoe Lake, and it is also popular for canoeing, kayaking, and boating. There is a park on the western shore of the lake. Through the lagoon, Cedar Lake is connected to the Lake of the Islands, and further, through channels – to Calhoun Lake.
There are 2 bird sanctuaries (officially closed) on the Lake of the Islands, and in winter the lake is a popular place for ice skating. There are no equipped beaches on the Lake of the Islands.
There are several public beaches on Calhoun Lake: some of them are equipped with volleyball nets; there are canoe and boat rentals, and has its own yacht club. In addition, Calhoun is very popular with sailing enthusiasts, especially in autumn.
Perhaps the most popular for swimming, boating, cycling and walking among locals is Lake Harriet, equipped with several public beaches, boat rentals, and a pier.
Lake Nokomis also has several public beaches, open access for canoeing, boating, kayaking, sailboats. The shallow Minnehaha Creek flows through Lake Nokomis, connecting Lake Minnetonka with the Mississippi. In addition, through a short tributary, Minnehaha Creek connects with the southeastern part of Lake Harriet. However, it should be borne in mind that Minnehaha Creek is navigable for just a couple of months a year.
Shopping
Minneapolis is also a paradise for book lovers and shopaholics. Not every city can boast of such an abundance of bookstores, shops and kiosks. Those who can’t imagine a day without shopping can go to the Mall of America located in the suburbs of Minneapolis – the focus of more than 500 stores (including world brands), entertainment venues, cinemas, restaurants and even the Underwater Adventures Aquarium.
The area of the Mall of America is equal to 78 football fields, it even has a Nickelodeon amusement park and a cinema with 14 halls. It employs 11 thousand employees, the center has its own postal code.
