Minneapolis's Local Favorites

Metropolitan Stadium was home to the Twins and Vikings for 21 seasons, 1961-1981. When both teams moved to the Metrodome in January 1982, the stadium sat abandoned. Demolition began January 28, 1985. Opened August 11, 1992. A brass home plate marker embedded in the floor in the northwest corner of Nickelodeon Universe marks where home plate once sat. One seat from Met Stadium was placed at the exact location it occupied in the stadium—commemorating Harmon Killebrew's 520-foot home run on June 3, 1967. Seven Yankee Stadiums would fit inside. 5.6 million square feet of total space. 2.87 million square feet of retail. Over 500 stores. Indoor theme park. Aquarium. Largest shopping mall in the United States. 40 million annual visitors. Locals pretend to hate it, but secretly marvel at its sheer, audacious scale. A climate-controlled cathedral of commerce where you can buy a new wardrobe, ride a rollercoaster, and get married, all without ever seeing the sky.

This museum is literally built into the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, which exploded in 1878 in the deadliest industrial disaster in Minneapolis history. Eighteen workers died when flour dust ignited. Today, you ride an "flour tower" elevator through the ruins while learning the city's milling history — how Minneapolis became the flour capital of the world before the industry moved west. The rooftop observation deck offers stunning views of the Mississippi and the Stone Arch Bridge.

Opened October 1992 after ten years of planning and nearly three years of construction. Minneapolis firm Hammel Green and Abrahamson (HGA) designed the building—central dome with two bordering wings forming an L-shape. 427,000 square feet total. More than half the building is underground, used for storage. Houses over 1 million artifacts: archaeological objects, books, photographs, maps, paintings, manuscripts, government records, newspapers. 44,000 square feet of museum gallery space. 100,000 square feet of storage space. Better than you'd expect. Current Charles Schulz exhibit, excellent WWII display, and interactive Minnesota history. Hosts concerts, lectures, family days, special events throughout the year.

The Dakota people have called this land home for centuries. They call this place Bdote—"where two waters come together." Some oral traditions refer to it as the origin place of the first Dakota people. In 1805, Zebulon Pike convinced two Dakota leaders to sign an agreement ceding land at the confluence to the U.S. government. The document wasn't an authorized treaty. Legal scholars, historians, and the Dakota have long questioned its validity. Lieutenant Colonel Henry Leavenworth commanded the expedition of 5th Infantry that built the initial outpost in 1819. September 10, 1820, Colonel Josiah Snelling began construction. Initially named Fort Saint Anthony, renamed Fort Snelling when completed in 1825. Now a National Historic Landmark. Hiking trails, river views, and the historic fort on the bluffs above.

Scenic trails along the Minnesota River with excellent birding. Free, uncrowded, and surprisingly wild for being so close to the airport.

Dramatic bluffs overlooking the St. Croix River on the Wisconsin border. Some of the best hiking in the metro, especially for fall colors.