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75 Reasons Why Minneapolis is the Best City in the World

Written by Allison Gray



Once deemed as flyover country, Minneapolis is now the most happening place between Chicago and Los Angeles. Locals already know it’s the place to be—and when visitors come for the first time they decide that they never want to leave. Here are 75 reasons why Minneapolis is the best city in the world:

  1. Chicago Tribune says, “While weather reports might make Minneapolis off-putting, the city is an exhilarating place to spend a few days. In addition to a dazzling array of architecture, the city’s cultural offerings seem endless.”
  2. Minneapolis neighborhoods a range of eclectic to ethnic, historic to hip create the colorful fabric of Minneapolis, where there’s a place for every personality. Below are a few notable neighborhoods:
    1. Seward Neighborhood
    2. Whittier Neighborhood
    3. Linden Hills Neighborhood
  3. Minneapolis offers big city living without the big city prices.
  4. Coming with an empty wallet? You can view the objects and art from around world at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, pet animals at the Como Zoo, watch the only waterfall on the Mississippi River (Saint Anthony Falls) and visit the contemporary Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
  5. Minneapolis has a friendly twin—Saint Paul Visitors can explore two metropolitan areas that are vastly different in just one day. They are so close, even Brett Favre could throw the 11-mile distance between cities...
  6. In the steamy summer months there’s a festival every weekend. Taste of Minnesota, the Aquatennial, art fairs in Loring Park and Uptown are just a few examples of fun festivals of the summer.


    7. ADVENTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
  7. From pristine wilderness to picturesque river towns, some of the region’s most intriguing places are an easy drive from Minneapolis.
  8. Minneapolis has the largest fleet of segways in the world, offering visitors the coolest tour of the Minneapolis riverfront via two-wheeled vertical ride.
  9. With five major sports teams and three incredible venues, Minneapolis is a major league town.
  10. Minnesota Twins' new digs—the 40,000-seat Target Field — will open to the public next spring.
  11. University of Minnesota’s football team is getting a new stadium, too. TCF Stadium will open its doors fall 2009.
  12. The nearby Minnesota Zoo has over 2300 animals of 447 different species.


    13. CULINARY
  13. In Minneapolis, you can discover deliciously diverse and always-evolving dining.
  14. Celebrity chefs such as Wolfgang Puck (20.21) and Jean-Georges Vongerichten (Chambers Kitchen) sauce up culinary wonders in Minneapolis. 
  15. Minnesota has the 2nd largest state fair in the country, but the Fair comes first in deliciousness. Find any type of food on a stick—from alligator to fried Snickers.
  16. The depth and quality of downtown’s restaurants – more than 50 in the core alone – is more than impressive.
  17. In 2009, Minneapolitans garnered multiple James Beard Award nominations (the Oscar of the culinary world). Top among them is winner, Best Chef Midwest, Tim McKee of La Belle Vie.
  18. Find a mouth-watering stretch of more than 50 ethnic restaurants on Eat Street, home to authentic German, Greek, Israeli and Thai restaurants.
  19. Minneapolis is home to the “Juicy Lucy”—a cheeseburger that has cheese inside the meat patty rather than on top. Find the real deal at Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club.


    20. DIVERSITY
  20. Minneapolis is diverse--with cultures ranging from Somali to Swedish. Go to Midtown Global Market on Lake Street and see for yourself.
  21. We welcome diversity. For example, Minneapolis is hosting “Twin Cities Refugee Day” for refugees from around the world who now call Minnesota their home.


    22. HISTORY
  22. You can see how Minneapolis came to fruition at Mill city Museum on the historic Riverfront District—the city got its start in the flour milling industry.


    23. GREEN
  23. “Minneapolis’s lakes, rivers, streams, and parks comprise the best green urban environment.” -from Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s communications team
  24. Minneapolis has the best mix of urbanity & green in the country. Hang out at Gold Medal Park and see for yourself.
  25. Sustainability is our city’s middle name. There are 80 green rooftops in the metro area.
  26. Getting around is a snap using light rail transit, with stops downtown, at the airport and Mall of America (17 stops total) with fares never exceeding $3.
  27. No matter what the weather, easily travel between many hotels, restaurants and attractions using the 8-mile skyway system (the oldest and largest skyway system in the world).
  28. We even sleep green. Minneapolis has the first urban eco-friendly hostel located in eclectic Uptown.


    29. ACCESSIBILITY
  29. Upon arrival you will transport through the third-best airport in the world (according to Airports Council International).
  30. Getting around is a snap using Hiawatha Light rail, with stops in downtown, the airport and Mall of America.
  31. Minneapolis is centrally located in the U.S., with domestic flights never exceeding 3 hours ( http://www.mspairport.com/ ). Take that, jet lag!
  32. Travelers can get from downtown Minneapolis to the MSP International Airport in 20 minutes.
  33. Minneapolis is a compact and walkable city, so you can get just about anywhere by foot.


    34. RECREATION
  34. There are 22 lakes within city limits, including the popular Chain of Lakes (Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, Lake of The Isles), which curl around southwest Minneapolis, drawing bikers, walkers, runners and sun-seekers to the area’s hip, active neighborhoods.
  35. Experience the “City of Lakes” at its best and walk or bike on over 50 miles of trails along the Grand Round Scenic Byway, or enjoy paths winding through the city along the Mississippi River.
  36. Minneapolis boasts 40 miles of dedicated street lanes and 83 miles of off-street paths.
  37. We are the Frisbee golf capital of the world. Minneapolis hosts more disc golf parks than almost any other metropolitan area in the nation.
  38. According to Men’s Fitness Minneapolis is the third fittest city in the nation. So when you’re here—join in on the recreation!
  39. You can enjoy athletes compete in the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships in January on Lake Nokomis.
  40. You can enjoy the country’s only urban scenic byway (besides the Las Vegas strip) on the Grand Rounds.
  41. With 170 golf courses in the metro area and more than 600 in the state, Minneapolis is a golfer’s haven. 
  42. Minnesota has over 90,000 miles of shoreline—more than Hawaii, Florida and California combined—what’s not to love about that!


    43. HOLIDAYS
  43. Every July during the Aquatennial, we have the largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi (link to: http://www.aquatennial.org/ ).
  44. The largest illuminated parade in the nation, the Holidazzle, happens every year on Nicollet Mall.


    45. ARCHITECTURE
  45. Minneapolis has become a hot spot for architectural gems, including the Weisman Art Museum, the Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Central Library and the Guthrie Theater.
  46. The city has some kick-butt observation decks. The 31st-floor, open-air observation deck at the W Hotel and Windows on Minnesota in the IDS tower offer 360-degree, 30-mile views.

 



    ARTS AND CULTURE
  1. Minneapolis is second only to New York City in live theater seats per capita.
  2. Catch Tony Award-winning shows at the Guthrie Theater and Children’s Theatre for at a fraction of the cost of a Broadway theater ticket.
  3. Art from times B.C. to Rembrant, Dorthea Lange and Georgia O'Keefe are free to the public at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
  4. Minneapolis's most famous icon, the Claes Oldenburg Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture in Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, is free to view.
  5. Minneapolis is home to the Walker Art Center, named by Newsweek as “possibly the best contemporary art museum in the country.”
  6. Observe famous actors such as Ian McKellan and T.R. Knight in action at the Guthrie Theater.
  7. Art, science and history are on display at over 57 museums in the city. Minneapolis comes in third with the number of museums per capita, next to Washington D.C. and New York City.
  8. Theater here ranges from traditional to quirky. From Children’s Theatre to puppet-style theater at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre you can find a range of styles.
  9. We have the oldest and longest running theater in the country—Old Log Theater —and more than 100 other theaters metro-wide.


    10. MUSIC
  10. Minnesota has highly impacted American music; some of the world’s most respected and well-known artists got their start in Minneapolis clubs.
  11. Prince is Minneapolis' most famous musical progeny…enough said.
  12. Minneapolis’s downtown is constantly a-buzz. After the sun sets, hot destinations such as the clubs and live music venues in the Warehouse District burst with energy.


    13. DANCE
  13. The musical vibe of Minneapolis helps create a vibrant canvas for the city's budding dance scene. Whether you're interested in the contemporary choreography of companies like Zenon and TU Dance, or the virtuosic technique of the James Sewell Ballet and Minnesota Dance Theatre, you're sure to find a style that moves you.
  14. Hundreds of dance troupes call Minneapolis home. Patrons can view traditional ballet, modern and ethnic dance performances or join in and dance at any number of local studios.


    15. SHOPPING
  15. There’s no sales tax on apparel, so get ready to save at Mall of America, funky uptown boutiques and elegant downtown shops.
  16. Just 15 miles south of the Minneapolis is the Mall of America—the largest mall in the nation—offering pure shopping bliss with 520+ stores.
  17. The Mall of America attracts more visitors than Disney World, Graceland and the Grand Canyon combined.
  18. The discount retailer hotspot, Target, lies in the heart of downtown, just down the street from Target Corporation’s world headquarters.
  19. Upscale restaurants and popular shopping stops line the Nicollet Avenue—a pedestrian-only thoroughfare that allows locals and visitors easy access to everything they need downtown.
  20. Shopping comes easy in downtown Minneapolis, where you’ll find scores of popular merchants within steps of hotels and hip eateries.


    21. ACCOMODATIONS
  21. From chain hotels around the Mall of America to sexy and sophisticated downtown boutique hotels, you will find accommodations to fit any budget.
  22. Genuine hospitality and more than 30,000 hotel rooms make the area an inviting place to stay.


    23. ACADEMICS/INDUSTRY
  23. Minneapolis is one of the most well-read cities in the United States, according to Reuters.
  24. Minneapolis has 18 Fortune 500 companies. That’s more per capita than any other city in the nation. 



    25. And, here’s what Tweeters (via Twitter) say about the city:

  25. coachjw says: “It's tough to explain why Mpls is great but I heart the city so much that I'm moving back at the end of July!”
  26. mstwincities says: “Minneapolis is the best city in the nation because Prince is from here!”
  27. MattHansen says: “The airport is pretty swell. Let's not forget the U of M, also.”
  28. johnfedman (Director of Explore Minnesota Tourism) says: “It is another great reason to Explore Minnesota.”

About the author:


Allie is a twenty-something Midwestern gal with a passion for wining, dining, dancing, healthy living, travel, learning and being active.

 

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