The City of Lakes features 22 lakes and 170 parks. And with the Mississippi River winding through the city, Minneapolis' natural beauty is breathtaking. Its Chain of Lakes offers a multitude of recreational activities from windsurfing and canoeing to biking and in-line skating. For a nostalgic journey, head to the Mississippi Riverfront. Originally called St. Anthony, the birthplace of Minneapolis features walking tours, the impressive St. Anthony Falls and Stone Arch Bridge, and many of the oldest buildings in the city renovated into shops and restaurants.

Downtown Minneapolis

Culture. Theater. Live music.
Minneapolis is recognized for all of them. From the Walker Art Center, a world-class contemporary art center to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts with its 85,000 piece collection spanning centuries, Minneapolis' 35 museums have something for everyone. Now you can enjoy it all with the new Arts and Museums pass presented by American Express.

The Twin Cities feature more theater seats per capita than any other U.S. metropolitan area outside New York. Large Broadway productions, such as Disney's The Lion King and Victor/Victoria, got their start at the Historic State and Orpheum Theatres in downtown Minneapolis. In the 2000-2001 season four Broadway Shows will launch their national tours downtown. The city's regional theater jewel, the Guthrie Theater, consistently presents critically-acclaimed contemporary shows. And a testimony to the strength of the theater scene, more than 30 smaller theater venues sprinkled throughout the city present farcical ballets, cabarets, comedies and other unique performances.

Downtown Farmer's Market