One Day In Minneapolis St. Paul
Morning
While in the city formerly known as the “Flour Milling Capital of the World,” make sure to roll on over to the Mill City Museum (704 S. 2nd St.) for a history lesson. In the late 1800s, flour mills harnessing the power of St. Anthony Falls lined the banks of the Mississippi River, including onetime rivals General Mills (now headquartered in nearby Golden Valley) and Pillsbury (bought out by the former in 2001).As an alternative to exploring the Riverfront District, investigate the Walker Art Center (1750 Hennepin Ave. S.), a Minneapolis showstopper with an outstanding modern art collection. Or sightsee in downtown St. Paul, home to both the Landmark Center (75 W. 5th St.) and the Minnesota Children's Museum (10 W. 7th St.).
Afternoon
Whether your suitcase is filled with sweaters or flip-flops, you'll be comfy and well-entertained at the Mall of America (60 E. Broadway). The Bloomington center boasts such family-friendly attractions as Nickelodeon Universe , a 7-acre indoor theme park, and the SEA LIFE at Mall of America , home to playful clownfish and scary-looking sand tiger sharks.If you're looking for fun things to do outdoors, spend your afternoon ice fishing, biking the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway , or simply scoping out the area's abundance of scenic treasures—from St. Paul's Como Park Zoo and Conservatory (1225 Estabrook Dr.) to Minneapolis' Minnehaha Park (Hiawatha Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway). Or visit the home of the Minnesota Twins. May through September, Target Field Tours offers a glimpse at the oft-praised downtown Minneapolis stadium (1 Twins Way).
If you have time, lunch at one of the places to eat on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. Along this shady, tree-lined stretch, Tavern on Grand (656 Grand Ave.) serves up several variations of walleye, the Minnesota state fish, while local chain Punch Neapolitan Pizza (769 Grand Ave.) specializes in wood-fired pies that taste so good you'll think you're in Italy.
Evening
Plenty of trendy restaurants line Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, although there's really no outdoing the old-school Silver Butter Knife Steak at nearby Murray's Restaurant (26 S. 6th St.). Across the river in the state capital, The St. Paul Grill (350 Market St.) is the hangout for famished politicians, with a menu of prime steaks, thick chops and fresh seafood, plus a classic mahogany-and-brass bar.See what's happening in Minneapolis' Hennepin Theatre District, on Hennepin Avenue between 10th and 7th streets. Or check out the attention-grabbing Guthrie Theater (818 S. 2nd St.). Founded by acclaimed director Sir Tyrone Guthrie in the 1960s, this Mill City institution dazzles in its Jean Nouvel-designed riverfront digs, a striking edifice of metal and glass. And for a budget-friendly night on the town, look no further than The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; with tickets priced at $10, $25 or $40, even the priciest seats are still a bargain.
There's no shortage of live music venues. In St. Paul, rub elbows with jazz purists at the Artists' Quarter (408 St. Peter St.), a no-frills basement space prized for its acoustics. When the line starts forming outside Minneapolis' First Avenue & 7th Street Entry (701 N. 1st Ave.), pass the time perusing the painted galaxy of stars recognizing past performers.