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Minneapolis Things to Do and Minneapolis Attractions

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Minneapolis Attractions

Mall of America

Mall of America
Located fifteen minutes south of downtown Minneapolis in Bloomington, this legendary mall attracts forty million visitors from around the world every year. Mall of America is the nation's largest shopping and entertainment complex with 4.2 million square feet of space, 520 stores and 20 sit-down restaurants. Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and Sears have large anchor stores here. The Mall features family fun venues such as Knott's Camp Snoopy, The Park at Mall of America and Lego Imagination Center. Mall of America is open 10:00 am - 9:30 pm Monday - Saturday and 11:00 am - 7:00 pm on Sunday. For more information: 952-883-8800

The Park at MOAT
There is never a bad-weather day at The Park at MOA, the largest indoor family amusement park in the nation. Located inside Mall of America, the park features thirty thrilling rides and attractions for all ages, including the scream-out-loud Timberland Twister rollercoaster. The park is open 10:00 am - 9:30 pm Monday-Saturday and 11:00 am - 7:00 pm on Sunday. Visitors can purchase an Unlimited Ride Wristband Voucher for $24.95. For more information: 952-883-8800

Hennepin Theatre District
What city has more theater seats per capita than any other city besides
 New YorkNew York
New York? It's not Los Angeles or Chicago, as you might guess; it's Minneapolis. The theater scene here is legendary, with over thirty venues and almost 100 theater groups; so you can be certain a great performance is going on somewhere in the city every day of the year. The Hennepin Theatre District, in the heart of downtown has three historic theaters: Orpheum, State and Pantage.

The Orpheum
A former vaudeville theatre, The Orpheum opened in 1921 with the legendary Marx Brothers and later became Minneapolis' first major movie theatre. A $10 million renovation began in 1993 and uncovered many surprising architectural treasures including six Pompeiian friezes. A 15-foot-high crystal chandelier dominates the performance hall, suspended from a spectacular, silver lined, domed ceiling. All other chandeliers are original to the 1920s theatre. The 2,600-seat Orpheum hosts major Broadway productions, dance groups and musical concerts.

The State Theatre
The 2,150-seat State Theatre opened in 1921 and was considered the most elaborate and technologically advanced theatre in the United States. The original floor of the stage was glass which allowed direct lighting from below. A three-year renovation began in 1989 and reclaimed the theatre's dazzling grandeur, which included massive chandeliers and original wall murals. The State re-opened in 1991 with the Minnesota Opera's production of Carousel and continues to host touring Broadway productions, dance groups, concerts and premiers of Minnesota-based films.

The Pantage
The oldest of the trio of historic theatres, Pantage opened as a vaudeville house in 1916 and thrilled theatre-goers with its Art Moderne façade and Beaux Arts interior. It was the innovator of the mezzanine, a carpeted lobby on the balcony level with restrooms and telephones. The intricately detailed ceiling features a magnificent glass dome high above the performance hall. Completely renovated, the theatre re-opened in 2002 as a venue for Off-Broadway shows and concerts. All three historic theatres are available for events and have experienced event planning staffs. For more information: 612-373-5600

Spoonbridge and Cherry

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Across from the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden displays forty of the finest and boldest contemporary works of art in the country and features major works by George Segal, Ellsworth Kelly, Henry Moore, Franz Lipchitz and other acclaimed artists. Don't miss the provocative Spoonbridge and Cherry, a sculpture of a massive spoon holding a cherry, by the renowned team, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen.

Admission is free.
Hours: Open daily, 6 am - 12:00 midnight. For more information: 612-375-7622

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Known as MIA, this fine arts museum is one of America's greatest. Its permanent collection holds 100,000 objects that span 5,000 years of world culture. MIA is known for its impressive collection of Impressionist paintings and Asian art. The building is a stately 1915 neoclassical landmark in downtown Minneapolis.

The MIA offers unique facilities that are the ideal setting for private events, celebrations, meetings or other gatherings. MIA's knowledgeable event planning staff will take care of the details for you.

The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Thursday from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm; Sunday from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, and it is closed Monday. Admission is free. For more information: 612-870-3049

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Walker Art Museum

Walker Art Museum
Newsweek Magazine calls it "possibly the best contemporary art museum in the country." One of the most visited contemporary art museums in the country, Walker Art Museum recently increased its total exhibition space from 30,000 to 40,000 square feet. This expansion created eleven exhibition galleries and doubled the space allocated to the museum's permanent collection.

Admission fees are as follows: $10 adults; $8 seniors (65+); and $6 student/teen (with ID). The museum is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm; Thursday and Friday, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm and is closed Monday and major holidays. For more information: 612-375-7600