I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the cultural and professional hub of the Midwest (sorry, Chicago). From Nordeast to Minnehaha, there are countless restaurants, parks and entertainment hot spots that make up this great city. Although I could list countless examples, here are 10 reasons why I love Minneapolis and why you should too:
1. Minneapolis makes up one half of the "Twin Cities", which also includes St. Paul, the capital of Minnesota.
If you've ever heard the term "Minnesota Nice", this is a great example of just how nice we are. Minneapolis and St. Paul decided they were such great friends that they were basically twins, separated only by the Mighty Mississippi. Together, the Twin Cities are home to roughly 3.3 million people!
2. Minneapolis currently holds the title for the longest skyway system in the world.
Let's face it. Nobody is impervious to the harsh Minnesota winters. Minneapolis has adapted by creating a skyway system in their downtown area that spans 69 blocks.
3. Minneapolis has been named for having the best parks in the entire United States, tied with St. Paul.
Minnesota has been affectionately referred to as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." Minneapolis could very well be called the "Land of 10,000 Parks." Or at least very close. Minneapolis is home to 5,000 acres of parks, including my personal favorites: Gold Medal Park, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and Minnehaha Falls. There are also several dog parks for you and your furry companions.
Minneapolis has also been named as one of the best cities for cycling in the United States. If you're passionate about cycling, Minneapolis boasts 120 miles of biking trails. An average of 10,000 cyclists use Minneapolis bike lanes each day. Minneapolis has also established a successful bike share program called Nice Ride Minnesota where cyclists can rent a bike from over 40 locations across the Twin Cities.
4. Minneapolis has been named one of the smartest cities in the United States.
Minneapolis is one of the most literate cities in the country, second only to Seattle, Washington. 43 percent of its citizens have earned their bachelor's degrees at one of the several colleges, universities, and technical schools in the metro area. The largest educational institution in Minneapolis is The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, which holds over 50,000 students studying law, business, medicine, education, and more.
5. Minneapolis has the third largest theater market (combined with St. Paul) and second only to New York City for most theater seats per capita.
Minneapolis is the perfect place to catch a show, with theaters small and large, indoors and outdoors, and for all ages. Pictured above on the left is the Guthrie Theatre, one of the most critically acclaimed theaters in Minneapolis, which houses three different stages. Founded in 1976, Penumbra Theatre Company uses social injustice as a focal point for their performances and often works with the Guthrie Theatre. They are most known for their implementation of African American actors, directors, choreographers, and administrators--more than every theatre company in Minnesota, combined. Mixed Blood Theatre in Cedar-Riverside is one of the many small theaters throughout the city and houses one stage.
6. Minneapolis has a thriving music scene and has been home to several famous musicians, including Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, and Prince.
Whether you enjoy hip-hop, rock, or classical, Minneapolis has several music venues to satisfy your melodic needs. First Avenue, Orchestra Hall, and Varsity Theatre are some of the most iconic venues in Minneapolis, hosting every type of musician imaginable.
7. Minneapolis and the greater metro area house the headquarters of several major corporations.
Minneapolis has been named one of the financial hubs of the Midwest and contains numerous Fortune 500 companies. To name a few: UnitedHealth Group, Target, Best Buy, 3M, General Mills, and Land O' Lakes.
8. The now-demolished Herbert H. Humphrey Metrodome was the only stadium in the country to host an NFL Super Bowl, MLB World Series, MLB All-Star Game, and an NCAA Division I Basketball Final Four.
The Minnesota Twins now play at Target Field. The new U.S. Bank Stadium will be home to the Minnesota Vikings. There are also plans to build an MLS stadium for Minnesota United FC.
9. Minneapolis has some of the best restaurants, cafes, and food markets in the country.
Minneapolis’ diverse communities lead to a diverse array of cuisines. Whether you’re craving authentic Indian curry or Polish sausage, Minneapolis has the cure for your culinary fever. Pictured on the left above is the Midtown Global Market in Southeast Minneapolis, where vendors from across the world come to share their unique eats. Above in the middle is Hell’s Kitchen, one of the most popular restaurants in downtown Minneapolis, most famous for their Mahnomin Porridge and Kangaroo Steak. Above on the right is Black Sheep Pizza in the North Loop, one of the many popular coal fired pizza joints in the city.
10. Minneapolis is rich in cultural and historical landmarks that give the city its identity.
Being a riverside city, Minneapolis was once the world’s capital for flour milling. The Gold Medal Flour Company, once a booming hub for jobs and money, is forever enshrined as part of the Mill City Museum, located next to the Guthrie Theatre in the warehouse district. If your curiosity for Minneapolis’ rich background continues to burn, then stop by the Minnesota History Center to learn about the most influential events that occurred in Minnesota over the past 100 years. Make sure you also stop by Fort Snelling, in Fort Snelling State Park, to learn more about this military base built in 1805 and experience life on there through reenactments.
It’s possible that my biased love of this great city is clouding my judgment. I even have a tattoo of the city skyline on my shoulder. But if you have read the entirety of this article and you don’t completely agree that Minneapolis is at least worth a visit, you may never be convinced.
