Bloomington - Mall of America
To the south of Minneapolis, Bloomington is best known for its shopping mecca—which happens to have its own ZIP code. Around since 1992, the Mall of America boasts of more than 520 stores, featuring everything from Nordstrom to local fare. At its center lies the seven-acre Nickelodeon Universe. For open air nearby, Historical Fort Snelling State Park and Minnehaha Falls are worth a visit.
Brooklyn Center
To the north of Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center offers more than 500 acres of public parks. The suburb’s 36,000-square-foot Earle Brown Heritage Center, named for the founder of the Minnesota State Highway Patrol, features both meeting space and historic farm buildings. Nearby, Brookdale Shopping Center offers more than 75 stores. During winter months, try one of the area’s eight skating rinks.
Downtown Minneapolis
A “hot dish” of arts and industry, downtown offers 8 miles of skyway connecting retailers and eateries. At night, big-name acts visit Target Center Arena and First Avenue, a rock venue immortalized in the Prince film “Purple Rain.” Arts lovers take to the Guthrie Theater and Walker Arts Center, while sports fans catch the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome.
Downtown St. Paul
North of the Mississippi River, this area has seen its share of artists, mobsters, and politicians. Visitors catch musicals, museum exhibits, and hockey all within a few blocks of the Xcel Energy Center. Not far from the state capitol, Lowertown is home to artist collectives. Noteworthy architectural sights include St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral and Summit Avenue’s Gilded Age mansions.
Eagan
Named for an Irishman who moved to Minnesota in the 1850s, Eagan is a tranquil community just southeast of the Twin Cities. The suburb, once a farming town, now offers ample green space for outdoor recreation. Its parks include Central, Caponi Art and the 2,000-acre Lebanon Hills. For a glimpse of the area’s rural past, visitors stroll Holz Farm’s quaint grounds.
Eden Prairie
This quiet southwestern Twin Cities suburb offers ample amusement for outdoors enthusiasts. Besides featuring 170 miles of multi-use trails, Eden Prairie claims an archery range, a disc-golf course, and a sledding hill. To relax indoors, try Eden Prairie Shopping Center’s 18-screen theater. Out on the homestead, the historic John R. Cummins Farmhouse offers a glimpse into the area’s rural past.
Roseville
Come winter cold or summer heat, Roseville’s Rosedale and Har Mar shopping malls provide plenty of indoor recreation. Nearby, the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus hosts the Minnesota State Fair each summer, featuring livestock, logging competitions, and deep-fried creations. For a quieter celebration, the Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory offer great picnicking opportunities.
Stillwater
Stillwater lies 20 miles east of the Twin Cities, just across the St. Croix River from Wisconsin. Rich in history, the town at one time claimed 23 banks, 12 churches, and 10 lumbermills—the region’s yearly summer celebration is called, fittingly, “Lumberjack Days.” For gentler entertainment, browse gifts and collectibles along Main Street—Stillwater is home to more than a dozen antique shops.
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