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Minneapolis Things to Do and Minneapolis Attractions

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Minneapolis Entertainment

Warehouse Historic District
In years past, Minneapolis was the undisputed "Flour Milling Capital of the World" with a bustling riverfront of mills, industrial buildings and constant freight train traffic. Today these historic buildings house trendy residential and business lofts, museums, restaurants, bars, boutiques and great nightlife.

First Avenue and 7th Street Entry
The walls of this famous, live music club located inside a historic Greyhound Bus Station still vibrate with the music of legends Iike Tina Turner, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker and Pat Benetar from the 70s; U2, Culture Club and Minneapolis' favorite son, Prince, from the 80s; and Ruben Blades and the Fugees from the 90s. First Avenue has earned the status of clubs like San Francisco's Filmore Auditorium, New York's CBGB and the Knitting Factory. It was recently named one of the top 100 nightclubs in the U.S. by Nightclub & Bar Magazine. For more information: 612-332-1775

Metrodome
The Metrodome is the beloved home of the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings and the University of Minnesota football team. It also hosts amateur and cultural events and family focused activities. The Metrodome is the only facility in America to have hosted Major League Baseball's 1985 All Star Game, two World Series, two NCAA Final Fours and a Super Bowl. The Metrodome is available for private and corporate events. For more information: 612-332-0386

Minneapolis Nightlife

Riverfront District
This hot, new district along the historic riverfront has fantastic restaurants, old-fashioned bars, hip wine bars and night clubs, not to mention the panoramic river views. Diners at Vic's Restaurant enjoy the cozy ambiance of the historic building, the mouth-watering menu of steaks, chops, fish and pasta, and a specialty martini list. Beer lovers flock to Tugg's Tavern for their friendly, fun atmosphere, their famous "beer towers", chile and signature, thick, juicy burgers.

Guthrie Theatre

In the daytime, visitors will enjoy exploring the city parks, people-watching, and strolling along the streets of the Riverfront District past historic buildings, boutiques, and cultural venues such as the Soap Factory, an offbeat sculpture gallery in a converted warehouse. The Soap Factory is also the new performance space for the renowned Guthrie Theatre, the gold standard for professional regional theatre in America.

Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant
Nicollet Mall's Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant has long been considered the Twin Cities' top jazz club, and a favorite amongst jazz performers. Week nights, you'll find nationally renowned artists like Roy Hargrove and Steve Tyrell; Local favorites Connie Evingson and Nachito Herrera liven things up on weekends. Patrons come straight from work for happy hour or to dine on tenderloin, tiger prawns and other scrumptious main courses in the restaurant, as the syncopated rhythms of jazz floats in from the adjacent club room.

The Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant hours are as follows: Monday-Thursday, 11:00 am - 10:00 pm; Friday-Saturday, 11:00 am - 11:00 pm; Sunday, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm For more information: 612-332-1010

Shout House Dueling Pianos
Sing, dance, dine and be merry at this Warehouse District landmark and rowdy nightclub. The sounds of Rock 'n Roll classics fill the air as the black and white keys of dueling grand pianos are played. The musicians take requests from the audience covering hits from the 50s to today. Everyone sings along and dances.

Shout House Dueling Pianos is open Tuesday-Thursday from 7:00 pm - 2:00 am; Friday from 5:00 pm - 2:00 am; and, Saturday from 5:00 pm - 2:00 am. It is closed on Sunday and Monday. For more information: 612-337-6700

Treasure Island Resort and Casino
Near the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, this Caribbean-themed hotel and casino has a variety of games including slot machines, blackjack tables and bingo. The lounges showcase national and international celebrities with stand-up comedy acts and all types of live music. The resort provides whirlpool suites, restaurants and 25,000 square feet of meeting space.

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm and 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm Weekend hours are as follows: Friday and Saturday, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm and 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm. Sunday Brunch is served from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. For more information: 800-222-7077

Loon Bar and Café
A mainstay of the downtown Warehouse District, Loon Bar and Café helped kick-start the revitalization of the Warehouse District back in 1981. This trendy sports bar appeals to everyone, from Timberwolves fans and athletes to celebrities and the briefcase crowd; and, the big tables and booths are always packed. Loon Bar and Café's traditional sports bar menu is a crowd pleaser with delicious salads, overstuffed sandwiches, and award-winning chili. For more information: 612-332-8342

Minneapolis Tours

Riverboat Cruises

Mississippi Queen

Minneapolis Queen
Board the 125-passenger Minneapolis Queen at Boom Island Park in the heart of the historic Minneapolis Riverfront District for their fun and informative "Sightseeing and Locks" Cruise, a 90-minute ride on the Mississippi River along the downtown waterfront. Learn about Minneapolis' rich heritage as the flour-milling capital of the world and the industries that prospered along its waterfront. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the revitalized Riverfront District and the dramatic architecture of the city's modern skyscrapers.

A new paddle wheeler, the Queen provides public cruises and private, special-event cruises. Concessions and beverages are available on board. The cruise season runs from Mother's Day through the third weekend in October, and the fee is $16.95 per person. For more information: 888-791-6220

Paradise Lady
Sleek and luxurious, Paradise Lady is an elegant charter yacht for cruising the Mississippi River along the scenic Minneapolis waterfront. Passengers enjoy the parks, greenways and towering trees that line the shore against the backdrop of Downtown's stylish skyscrapers. With luxurious facilities for groups of 10 to 145 people, Paradise Lady is an ideal venue for private parties, wedding receptions, and corporate events. Amenities include a Grand Salon, fully appointed bar, lavish restrooms, grand staircase, dance areas, full service galley and three open-air decks. Paradise Lady's public cruises include a two-hour Sunday Brunch cruise ($29.95/person) and a two-hour Late Night Happy Hour cruise ($19.95/person). For more information: 952-474-8058

Minnehaha Falls

Twin Cities Highlights Tour
Enjoy a sweeping tour of Minneapolis while sitting aboard a deluxe motorcoach and listening as a tour guide describes the sights. The downtown leg of the tour includes the famous Nicollet Mall, the Minneapolis skyway network, the Metrodome, the Tony Award-winning Tyrone Guthrie Theatre and the internationally acclaimed Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The tour continues through the Kenwood residential area where participants are able to view the television home of Mary Tyler Moore. It then meanders around sparkling lakes and lagoons, past the Mall of America, to the legendary Minnehaha Falls. After stopping at the Falls, the tour continues to Fort Snelling and ends in Saint Paul. For more information: 888-307-4168

Segway Magical History Tour
Motorized Segway scooters create a magical, three-hour guided tour through 12,000 years of history along several miles of the Minneapolis riverfront. The scooters are self-balancing and easy to steer leaving riders free to enjoy the sights and scenery, including St. Anthony Main, Stone Arch Bridge, Upper Lock and Dam, Hennepin Avenue Bridge, Mill Ruins Park, St. Anthony Falls, a stop for refreshments at Mill City Museum, Gateway Park, Sawmill District, Boom Island and Nicollet Island. The price of this unique Minneapolis tour is $69.95 per person. Tours operate daily from April 1st-November 15th. For more information: 800-749-5584

Upper Saint Anthony Falls Lock and Dam Tour
The Falls of St. Anthony is the only waterfall on the 2,320-mile-long Mississippi River. Responsible for Minneapolis' rise as the flour milling capital of the world and the largest city in the state, this once thunderous 32-foot cascading waterfall is now controlled with a dam and a series of locks. Completed in 1963, this engineering feat made the Mississippi River navigable for the first time north of the Twin Cities. Tourists meet at the Visitors Center for a tour of the facilities and a birdseye view of the locks and dam. For more information: 877-552-1416