Minneapolis Sights, Shops, Sports and Skyway
Boat Rides, Wildflowers, Shopping and Football Make Visit Exciting
Aug 14, 2008
Tourists who like variety won't want to miss any of the following attractions. Since they're all located near the downtown area, it's possible to see them all within a short visit.
Nicollet Mall.
The mall stretches for 12 blocks between Washington Avenue and South 13th Street. Pedestrian friendly, its sidewalks are much wider than usual, with only buses and taxis permitted on the two lane roadway. The walkways -- lined with hotels, restaurants, small shops, major department stores and public buildings – are punctuated with sculpture groups and plazas. While the mall is interesting any day of the week, it is at its most colorful on Thursdays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. when the Farmers’ Market is in full swing.
The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary
Established by four botany teachers in 1907, this is the oldest public wildflower garden in the USA. The 13-acre site, surrounding a tamarack bog, contains woodland, wetlands and prairie. The woodland flowers – wild ginger, trillium and bluebells among them – bloom in April and May. Next come wetlands wildflowers including the showy ladyslippers. Sunflowers, asters and blazing stars are a few of the prairie varieties that appear in August. Many of the plant species were originally on site. The others are also natives that were transplanted from other parts of Minnesota. The 2/3 mile of pathways are punctuated by 49 interpretive signs, making self-tours easy as well as informative. You’ll hear bird songs, too, as some 140 species live in the sanctuary. Open April – October 15, 7:30 a.m.-one hour before sunset.
Pro Sports
The National Football League (NFL) Minnesota Vikings and American League baseball team, the Minnesota Twins, play their home games in the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. The Minnesota Timberwolves National Basketball Association (NBA)team plays at the Target Center, which is also downtown. Since the teams are generally among the best in the United States, it’s a good idea to buy tickets in advance.
Skyway
While several North American cities have underground passages between downtown blocks, Minneapolis offers eight miles of overhead passageways. Sometimes referred to “as glass tunnels one story above the street,” the Skyway connects hotels, restaurants, bars and public buildings such as the Target and Convention Centers. Not only does the system reduce sidewalk congestion, it allows pedestrians to go without their coats in sub-zero weather.
Boat Trips on the Mississippi
The Minneapolis Queen and Paradise Lady take passengers along the Grand Rapids Bay and Heritage Trail. Points of interest along the way include St. Anthony Falls, Nicollet Island, the Pillsbury “A” Mill and the spectacular new Guthrie Theater. Sunday Brunch, Dinner cruises and the daily “Sightseeing & Lock Cruise (12-1:30 p.m. and 2-2:30 p.m.; $16.95, adults) operate June through August, with an abbreviated schedule the rest of the year. Cruise boats leave from Boom Boom Island Park.
Old St. Anthony
Across the river from downtown Minneapolis, Old Saint Anthony was the site of the city’s original settlement. Today, the neighborhood attracts both shoppers and history buffs. Its brick and stone buildings, dating back to the 1850s, house specialty shops, restaurants and nightspots.
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