Target Field is the home turf of the Minnesota Twins. Equipped with amenities like mobile seat upgrades, predictive gaming, free WiFi and mobile tickets, it is a popular venue for sports fans. Seating a whopping 40,000, this baseball field offers a good view of the game from all seats. Special stadium tours are organized for visitors. Concerts are also held here.
This nightspot is considered by many to be the top rock club in the Twin Cities. The best of the local talent and many national acts headline each and every night. By the shape of the building, which looks like a large caboose, you would think the acoustics would be poor. Quite the contrary, as the overflow crowds will attest. Along with a great beer selection, wine, liquor and soft drinks are served. Stick with the burgers or appetizers to satisfy your hunger. Pool tables, foosball and darts provide a definite working-class atmosphere. Arrive early for local bands and even earlier for the big acts, otherwise you will be standing or miss getting in at all. Advance sale tickets are available at select locations. Price varies according to act. Doors generally open an hour or two before showtime.
Voted one of the Top 10 Concert Venues in the US by Amusement Business, this is also the permanent home of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx. The sports and entertainment facility is also host to major concerts and family events. Free tours are given at 2pm on Thursdays, starting from the main lobby, on the First Avenue side of the building.
In close proximity to the Walker Art Center sits what many consider one of the boldest and most unique displays of art in the country, if not the entire world. Inaugurated in 1988, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is a showcase for more than 40 works of art including major sculptures by George Segal, Ellsworth Kelly, Jenny Holzer, Henry Moore and Franz Lipschitz. The entrance to the 11-acre garden is bordered by Ampersand, a pair of colossal granite columns by Martin Puryear. The garden's centerpiece is the 'Spoonbridge and Cherry' sculpture and fountain by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. The small conservatory is also home to a Frank Gehry-designed giant fish with scales of glass that rests on its tail.
The Summit Brewing Company has come a long way since it first came into business in 1986 - its beers are now some of the most popular in St. Paul. Some are seasonal (such as the Summit Maibock and the Summit Oktoberfest), while others are available all year round. You can tour the brewery from Thursday to Saturday, but reservations are required for group weekend tours.
Part of the mighty Ghermezian family estate, the Mall of America is infused with a carnival vibe. Standing strong ever since its inception in 1992, this mall is touted to be one of the country's largest, boasting a sleek, well laid-out architectural style. Complete with retail outlets, dining establishments and amusement and theme parks like the Nickelodeon Universe (one of the largest indoor theme parks in the country), this sprawling mall is home to an arsenal of entertainment-filled attractions, including 400 specialty stores, major department stores, Legoland, a flight simulation center, a movie theater, and the Sea Life Aquarium, among others. More than 50 dining options include national favorites like Ruby Tuesday and Benihana, along with more local chains like Masu Sushi & Robata.
Founded in 1870, the Minnesota Boat Club Boathouse on Raspberry Island is primarily a rowing club that encourages healthy living through the sport. Being the oldest sports organization in the state, its building was enlisted in the US National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The club also maintains a banquet hall which is available on rent for private events.
The Carondelet Center is divided into nine meeting rooms and two guest rooms and is available for religious events, meetings, corporate functions, etc. The structure shows a prominent influence of the Beaux Art architecture style and the interiors are designed with antique furniture and intricate artwork. The venue can accommodate up to 200 guests at a time.
Minnesota has a rich culture of craft brews, taprooms and breweries and Bitter Minnesota Brewery Tours takes you through the best of the breweries in Minneapolis. You can go for a pre-planned beer tour, where you get to sample some brews at all the major breweries. You can taste the flagship beers along with a couple of seasonal specials. The company also provides customized tours for pickier travelers.
This complex looms large on the northeast Minneapolis landscape above the Mississippi River. The cluster of brick and limestone buildings extends an entire block. With its monolithic arches, attic arcades and protruding piers, it casts the ominous presence of a great European castle. The main building or brew house was built in 1891. In 1987, the city of Minneapolis purchased the property to preserve this historic link to its past. The facility is currently used for a variety of public functions including wine and beer tasting receptions.