Explore the Best of Minneapolis, Minnesota for an Unforgettable Experience!

Minneapolis

Minneapolis, nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minnesota, is a vibrant city known for its scenic lakes, thriving arts scene, and a welcoming Midwestern spirit. With a rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and a progressive attitude, Minneapolis invites travelers to explore its diverse offerings.

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Minneapolis was destined to be a center of commerce due to its location at the Falls of St. Anthony, which was named by the French explorer Fr. Louis Hennepin in 1680. St. Anthony Falls is by far the largest source of water power on the Mississippi River. The falls were harnessed to power lumber mills in the 1840s and later for flour milling. By 1870, Minneapolis on the west bank and St. Anthony on the east bank formed the largest flour producing center in the world. In 1872, Minneapolis absorbed its older neighbor. Most of the old St Anthony township is now known as Northeast Minneapolis. A small part of the old township comprises most of the current suburb of St. Anthony.

The name "Minneapolis", meaning "Waterfall City" in a mash-up of the Dakota word minne and the Ancient Greek word polis, refers to St. Anthony Falls. The motto "City of Lakes" refers to the city's 22 natural lakes. The local jewels are the "Chain of Lakes": Cedar, Isles, Calhoun, Harriet, Nokomis, each 3-4 miles around. The city's excellent parks department maintains walking and biking paths around the lakes, offering residents a place to exercise or stroll. The Lake Harriet Bandshell is a popular summertime event host often featuring the renowned Minnesota Orchestra. Don't miss a ride on the restored trolley between Lakes Calhoun and Harriet operated by the Minnesota Streetcar Museum.

The city has done an excellent job fostering developed neighborhoods, each with a distinctive feel. Downtown is the visual anchor featuring the high-rise suites, sporting events (Timberwolves, Vikings, and Twins all play downtown), and nightclub scene. Northeast is the oldest part of the city, showing off its working-class and immigrant roots in great ethnic food, neighborhood bars, and social clubs, and more recently home to an arts and riverfront redevelopment movement. Uptown historically has been one of the city's youth centers featuring funky food, drink, theater, and plenty of tattoos and mohawks, but is orienting more towards yuppies and young families as real estate anywhere near the lakes becomes an ever more prized commodity. Uptown and the Lakes area dissolves into quiet, tucked-away Linden Hills (a one-time bedroom community) to the south and Lyn-Lake, home to many indie stages, music-oriented cafes and boozers, and alternative lifestyles and hangouts of all sorts, to the east. The University of Minnesota's main campus straddles the Mississippi River in the southeast surrounded by the usual college campus environs.

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Recommended hotels in Minneapolis

Courtyard by Marriott Minneapolis Maple Grove/Arbor Lakes

Rand Tower, Minneapolis, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Residence Inn Downtown Minneapolis/City Center

W Minneapolis The Foshay

Hampton Inn Lakeville Minneapolis

Residence Inn Minneapolis Eden Prairie

Hilton Minneapolis

Radisson Hotel St. Paul Downtown

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