|
The Twin Cities
Minneapolis, the largest
city in Minnesota, and St. Paul, its capital, are known
as the Twin Cities, the state's major metropolitan area with
a population of 2.4 million. They are rich in what makes cities
exciting yet have few urban drawbacks. Here are negligible pollution,
low crime rates, affordable housing, and people known for their
friendliness.
The Twin Cities are centers of commerce and industry with major
corporate headquarters in electronics, computers, food processing
and milling, retailing, medicine, transportation, and forest
products industries.
Cultural Activities
- Minnesota Orchestra,
conducted by Eji Owe, is based in Minneapolis
- St. Paul Chamber Orchestra,
conducted by Christopher Hogwood and Hugh Wolf, is one of only
two full-time professional chamber orchestras in the country.
It is based in the new Ordway Music Theatre in St. Paul
- Northrop Auditorium on the U of MN Minneapolis campus features
the Northrop Dance Series with major national and international
dance companies performing each year. A variety of events sponsored
by different organization are held in Northrop, check the Minnesota Daily for advertised
events.
- The Guthrie Theater,
one of seven professional theaters in the Twin Cities
- The Minneapolis Institute
of Arts displays world art from antiquity to the present
- The Walker Art Center
highlights contemporary painting, sculpture, and prints and
boasts a large sculpture garden.
- The Weisman Art Museum
on the U of MN Minneapolis campus is housed in a new modern
building designed by Frank Gehry.
- The Science Museum of
Minnesota in St. Paul features an omnitheater.
- The University Film Society
features foreign films.
Sports Attractions
- The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis features major
sports events including games of:
- Big Ten Gopher Hockey
and Basketball games are highlights during the winter months.
- For other MN Gopher sports, go to the Gopher Sports site.
- The Timberwolves
basketball team plays at the new Target arena in Minneapolis.
- The St. Paul Saints, an
independent minor league playing in the Northern League, attracts
large crowds at its outdoor stadium in St. Paul.
- Minnesota's NHL team, the Minnesota Wild, play at the Xcel
Energy Center in downtown St. Paul.
- The Minnesota Thunder
professional soccer team plays at the The National Sports Center
located in Blaine, Minnesota, about 25 minutes north of the
Twin Cities.
Seasonal Events
Outdoor Attractions
- Three great rivers, the Mississippi, the Minnesota, and the
St. Croix cross the metropolitan area.
- Many large lakes, including five within the Minneapolis city
limits, feature beaches, bike paths, hiking trails, and parkways.
Popular summer activities are swimming, canoeing, sailing, water-skiing,
hiking, and bicycling. By December, Minnesota waters are frozen,
and favorite pastimes include ice skating, cross-country and
downhill skiing, and ice fishing.
- Como Park in St. Paul, one of many outstanding public
parks, features a zoo,
one of only ten Victorian glass conservatories
in the country, a lake and golf course.
- The Minnesota Zoo, located on the
southern edge of the metropolitan area, features open habitat
and naturalistic exhibits.
|
Return
to: CBS: CFANS: U
of M Home
