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In & Around Minnesota11-03-23 | News

In & Around Minnesota

Places to See, Spend the Day and Shop in and Around the City
by Staff

Target Field
Minnehaha Falls
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Mill City Museum
Guthrie Theater
Chain of Lakes
Walker Art Center
Mall of America
ValleyFair Theme Park
U.S. Bank Stadium
Science Museum of Minnesota
Stone Arch Bridge
The Basilica of St. Mary

Target Field
Home of the Minnesota Twins, Target Field is a $545 million baseball field that opened in April 2010. Nestled in downtown Minneapolis, in the vibrant Warehouse District, Target Field was constructed with locally sourced Minnesota limestone and features nearly 40,000 seats and a sweeping canopy that shelters the upper deck.
Beyond its architectural composition, Target Field offers an immersive experience as visitors enter through Target Plaza, a park-like oasis with bronze sculptures of baseball legends and a tribute to Minnesota's rich baseball history.

Minnehaha Falls
Designed by Landscape Architect
Horace W.S. Cleveland.
Tucked away within Minnehaha Park, Minnehaha Falls is an enchanting waterfall that became one of the nation's first state parks in 1889. The name "Minnehaha" is a lyrical ode to its Dakota origins, meaning "waterfall."
Minnehaha Falls has deep historical roots, mirroring the growth of Minneapolis. Initially located beyond city limits, it became an integral part of the city's park system as it expanded. Today, visitors can explore its trails, experiencing the serene blend of lush greenery and the soothing sounds of cascading water.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Designed by Thomas Oslud, RLA, 02 Design.
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is an urban oasis which opened its gates in 1988. Nestled within a landscape shaped by ancient glaciers, this unique outdoor gallery showcases over 60 sculptures from artists hailing from ten different countries.
The garden is known for its blend of artistic expression and ecological sustainability. It's a canvas where experts from various fields (landscape architects, curators, artists, and environmentalists) collaborated together with the community to reimagine a beloved public space.
The garden's rich history is connected with the city's evolution. Once a marshland and a campsite for Minnesota's indigenous Dakota and Ojibwe peoples, it transformed over the years. From an armory and parade grounds in the early 1900s to formal gardens and sports fields, it has adapted to the evolving needs of the city.
In 2017, a forward-thinking reconstruction breathed new life into the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
Ecologically sustainable water management, a thriving habitat for plants and wildlife, and creative landscape elements now complement the artwork.

Mill City Museum
The Mill City Museum, with its renowned architecture, emerged from the historic ruins of the Washburn A Mill, a symbol of Minneapolis' storied flour milling heritage. This eight-story structure, within limestone remnants, pays homage to the city's transformation into the world's flour milling capital in the late 19th century.
The original Washburn A Mill, built in 1880, helped pioneer a new process for milling that made fine wheat flour accessible to the masses. This technological revolution elevated Minneapolis to global prominence, a legacy preserved in the National Historic Landmark status of the Washburn A Mill Complex.
The museum is considered a living tribute to Minneapolis' industrial spirit. Recognized with accolades like the AIA Honor Award for Architecture, it invites visitors to delve into the transformative history of the milling industry.

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The museum's walls reverberate with the stories of innovation, perseverance, and community. The legacy of the Washburn A Mill is not forgotten but celebrated within these limestone walls.

Guthrie Theater
Designed by Thomas Oslud, RLA, 02 Design.
Standing as a testament to Minneapolis' commitment to culture and creativity, Guthrie Theater was a revolutionary endeavor to bring a professional theater company with a classical repertoire to a city that may not have been considered a theatrical hub at the time. It was established by visionaries Tyrone Guthrie, Oliver Rea, and Peter Zeisler in 1963.
In its early years at Vineland Place, the original Guthrie Theater possessed a single, 1441-seat stage, that engaged audiences on three sides. Yet, as the theater world evolved, the need for diversity in performances became evident.
Today, the Guthrie Theater thrives in an expanded home. Beyond its performances, it nurtures young talent through collaboration with the University of Minnesota's BFA acting program, and hosts workshops and events for theater companies across the state. It embodies the essence of creativity and growth, firmly establishing itself as a cornerstone of Minnesota's cultural heritage.

Chain of Lakes
Designed by Landscape Architect Horace W.S. Cleveland.
The Chain of Lakes are found at the heart of Minneapolis, offering a haven of recreational delights within an urban landscape. Comprising Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Brownie Lake, and Cedar Lake, this interconnected oasis spans over 1555 acres of public land, a testament to the city's commitment to preserving nature.
In 1911, park design visionary Theodore Wirth oversaw the creation of a manufactured canal, linking Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles. The addition of Cedar Lake in 1913 sparked a canoeing craze that remains a popular activity in the Twin Cities today.
With over 13 miles of pedestrian trails and 15 miles of biking trails, the Chain of Lakes encourages walkers, joggers, and cyclists. The lake also offers aquatic recreational opportunities in canoeing, kayaking, boating, paddleboarding, and more. The interconnected lakes, connected by a series of channels, offer the unique opportunity to paddle from one lake to the next.

Walker Art Center
Designed by HGA.
The Walker Art Center, an iconic multidisciplinary arts institution, is a reflection of Minneapolis' cultural. Founded on the belief that art can bring joy, solace, and unity through dialogue and shared experiences, the Walker Art Center has been a dynamic force in the world of visual and performing arts and design.
Nestled at the edge of downtown Minneapolis, the center's multi-acre campus attracts visitors with its 65,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, the state-of-the-art McGuire Theater and Walker Cinema, and lush green spaces that seamlessly connect with the neighboring Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The garden, a collaboration with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, is home to the beloved Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture, an icon of Minneapolis.
Recognized for its ambitious program and growing collection of more than 15,500 works, the Walker embraces emerging art forms and amplifies the work of artists from the Twin Cities and from across the country and the globe.

Mall of America
Mall of America is considered the largest shopping complex in the United States. Situated in Bloomington, Minnesota, it is not merely a mall but is recognized as a national attraction that annually draws 40 million visitors from around the world.
This retail marvel boasts over 400 events each year, from concerts to celebrity appearances and fashion shows. It generates nearly $2 billion in economic impact for the state, underlining its significance as a tourist destination and economic powerhouse.
Mall of America has more than 5.6 million square feet of space, housing a diverse array of over 500 stores, including flagship locations of renowned brands, fashion boutiques, and specialty shops.
Beyond retail space, it offers a world of entertainment, including Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor amusement park featuring thrilling rides and attractions, SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, and FlyOver America which offers a virtual flight experience.

ValleyFair Theme Park
With more than 75 rides and attractions, Valleyfair Theme Park is a playground designed to deliver absolute fun for visitors of all ages with a diverse variety of recreational opportunities ranging from towering roller coasters to gentle swings.
The park also contains Soak City Waterpark, an integral part of ValleyFair, which cycles through thousands of gallons of water within several water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers.

U.S. Bank Stadium
Designed by Thomas Oslud, RLA, 02 Design.
Approved by the Minnesota Legislature and the Minneapolis City Council in 2012, this $975 million multi-purpose stadium was destined to replace the iconic Metrodome as the new home of the Minnesota Vikings. In 2013, the vision took shape when the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, the Minnesota Vikings, and HKS Sports and Entertainment unveiled the stadium's innovative design. The impressive architecture promised to redefine the city's skyline and usher in a new era of sports and entertainment.
The construction of U.S. Bank Stadium was a monumental feat, requiring over 3.8 million work hours and engaging over 8,000 construction jobs. The project was completed six weeks ahead of schedule.The stadium opened its doors to the public on July 22, 2016, with a spectacular two-day open house that welcomed over 190,000 Minnesotans. The first official event, the 2016 International Champions Cup, featured A.C. Milan against Chelsea, marked the beginning of an exciting era in Minneapolis' sports history.

Science Museum of Minnesota
The Science Museum of Minnesota is situated in the heart of Saint Paul. Since its founding in 1907, the museum has been a hub for educational experiences, research, and scientific achievement. Found on the banks of the Mississippi River, the museum's expansive 370,000 square feet of space houses a 10,000- square-foot temporary exhibit gallery and multiple permanent galleries, a zero-emissions Science House, and an Imax Convertible Dome Omnitheater.
The museum's impact resonates worldwide, engaging over a million people annually through museum visits, school programs, online experiences, traveling exhibitions, and Omnitheater films. The Science Museum also boasts an ever-growing collection of over two
million objects.

Stone Arch Bridge
Spanning the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, the Stone Arch Bridge is an integral part of the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail, offering both pedestrians and cyclists a breathtaking journey across the river. Crafted from native granite and limestone, it stretches 2100 feet in length and 28 feet in width and features 23 majestic arches.
The Stone Arch Bridge was born of necessity in 1883, built by railroad baron James J. Hill to facilitate the movement of people and goods across the river. It played a pivotal role in the region's development during the railroad age, connecting communities and fostering growth.
Today, the Stone Arch Bridge is a cherished symbol of the past and a beloved present-day attraction. It provides a leisurely passage for walkers and cyclists, offering picturesque views of St. Anthony Falls and the surrounding beauty.

The Basilica of St. Mary
The Basilica of Saint Mary, located in downtown Minneapolis, is believed to be the first church in the United States to be designated a Basilica. An example of French architecture, the Basilica boasts a breathtaking interior adorned with a staggering 675 angels made from a diverse range of materials such as glass and marble to steel, bronze, plaster, and wood. The exterior of the Basilica stretches nearly the length of a football field and is crowned by a dome that nearly covers the same length.
Beyond its architectural and historical significance, the Basilica of Saint Mary is a thriving congregation, with over 6,000 households, a majority of which are young adults. It serves as a spiritual beacon in the heart of Minneapolis, inviting all to find solace, inspiration, and a connection to the divine within its hallowed walls.

Filed Under: 2023, MINNESOTA, IN AND AROUND , LASN
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