MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
The mighty Mississippi River meanders through the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul and provides ample opportunity for outdoor fun and recreation, particularly in the 72-mile-long river park known as the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, which offers quiet stretches for fishing, boating, canoeing, bird-watching, bicycling, and hiking.
Visitor centres at the Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown Saint Paul and St Anthony Falls in Minneapolis highlight the fascinating human history of the Mississippi River, while, also in Minneapolis, the Mill City Museum explains how the river-powered massive flour mills made the city the world's bread basket between 1880 and 1930.
To many people, Minneapolis means shopping, and to others...Prince. The massive Mall of America, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the USA, recently celebrated its 30th birthday. Actually located in nearby Bloomington, it has around 520 stores, along with a superb indoor theme park that has 28 rides and attractions, and welcomes more than 40 million visitors a year.
Prince fans can view huge murals and take a tour, both dedicated to him in his birthplace city, Minneapolis, as well as tour his home and studio in Chanhassen, 20 miles outside the city.
Saint Paul, the other half of the Twin Cities, is the Minnesota state capital and claims 26 miles – more than any other city – of Mississippi riverfront. On the river, kayaking, paddleboarding, rowing and narrated cruises are popular.
GETTING THERE: Delta (delta.com) and Virgin Atlantic (virginatlantic.com) both fly to Minneapolis-Saint Paul from Heathrow.
LOCATED IN NEARBY BLOOMINGTON, MALL OF AMERICA HAS AROUND 520 STORES, ALONG WITH A SUPERB INDOOR THEME PARK THAT HAS 28 RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS.