The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul certainly aren't identical. Eat, eat, eat in Minneapolis; discover St. Paul's family-friendly vibe; and shop 'til you drop in the Mall of America.
Great shopping and even better eating await in the Minneapolis - St. Paul area, also known as the Twin Cities. Spilling over from Minnesota into Wisconsin, the region exudes all the cozy Midwest charm you would expect. But it's not all comfort food and cornfields; there's a cutting edge of cool as well. Minneapolis is no stranger to lists of the top US cities for dining - and we're talking gourmet dishes and world-famous chefs here.
There's another kid-friendly attraction around every corner in St. Paul, home to the Minnesota State Capitol, Fort Snelling State Park and the Science Museum of Minnesota. The smaller towns nearby have no shortage of places for family days out, too. Check out Minnesota Zoo, in Apple Valley, for a guaranteed way to get your crew smiling.
Got a restless streak? There's endless opportunity to burn off that excess energy with outdoor fun in this part of the world. Boating, kayaking, hiking, biking, running and a whole pile of other ways to get active are offered at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, which stretches for 72 miles. We know what you're thinking: are there otters? Yes, there are otters, and they're expecting you. It would be rude not to show up.
If your favorite sport is shopping, the Mall of America, in Bloomington, might be more your style. This vast, ever-evolving retail center contains over 500 places to shop, as well as the Nickelodeon Universe theme park, the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium and loads of other family attractions.