Twin Cities Skyline

Guide to the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota

Minneapolis/St. Paul, aka the Twin Cities, located on the banks of the Mississippi river in the northern widwest state of Minnesota. This place is quite possibly the coldest metropolitain area in the US. Winters in the Twin Cities can get downright bone-chilling, with an average high of 25F and a low of 5F. In either case, it is below freezing all day in the winter and the city is well equiped to handle such extremes. Most of the Minneapolis Skyline has interconnecting walkways so that one can go from building to building without having to go outside. On the opposite side of the spectrum, summers are mild. Although a bit humid thanks to the ever present lakes and the Mississippi river, high temperatures rarely get above 85F.


Twin Cities at night

I lived in this metropolitain area in the early 1980's, and I am going from what I know about the city from that era. Alot has changed since 1985 and I will attempt to add some information on new features and attractions that were not present in the time I was there. Thanks to the education system in Minnesota at that time, I was able to enjoy many of the features and attractions of the Twin Cities first hand from the many field trips we had at school.

Some links to sites about the Twin Cities:


Notible Features

IDS Building
  1. Minneapolis Skyline and IDS Building
    I remember this more than anything. Visable from as far as the suburbs where I lived, the Minneapolis Skyline is the most recognizable aspect of the city. It's tallest building is the IDS center. Certainly other buildings have been built since my time in the 1980's but it's the IDS that stands out in my mind as a Minneapoils landmark. I wonder if they still have the "UFO Exhibit" on the observation deck.
  2. State Capitol Building in St. Paul
    I was able to go to this seat of state government thanks to a 6th grade field trip. I remember the history lesson, the great rotunda and the courtrooms.
  3. Guthrie Theater
    I also was able to go to this site in Minneapolis, again as a field trip. I don't remeber exactly what the play or event was, but I remember how big this theater was. The view from our balcony was increadable.
  4. Mall of America
    This was something that was built after I left Minnesota for Florida. Supposedly the largest mall in the nation. I had wished to have stayed long enough to see it completed, as I was a real mall rat back in the 80's. It is located in a suburb of the Twin Cities known as Bloomington, and yes I have been to that town as well.

All photos courtesy of Chris Gregerson, phototour of Minneapolis

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