Around MN
Site Seeing
Mall of America
- Premier shopping and entertainment inside of the country’s largest shopping mall
- Bloomington, MN | www.mallofamerica.com
- Catch the Blue Line Light Rail Train at the Government Plaza Station along 5th St. S., near 3rd Ave. S. It will take you directly to the MOA
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden & Walker Art Center
- Contemporary indoor and outdoor art venue featuring the popular Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture
- Downtown Minneapolis: 1750 Hennepin Avenue | www.walkerart.org
- Less than a mile west of the Convention Center; a 15 minute walk taking you through scenic Loring Park
Nice Ride
- Minneapolis/St. Paul is ranked as one of the best biking cities in the country. Explore the Twin Cities by bike with many memorable tours! Over 1500 bikes are for rent at over 170 stations throughout the city. Rentals start at $4 per 30 minutes
- Minneapolis Convention Center: Station 30012 at Grant & Marquette Avenue; Station 30052 Grant & Nicollet Avenue | http://www.niceridemn.org/explore_by_bike
Lake Minnetonka
- Minnesota’s ninth largest lake (~15,000 acres) surrounded by 13 cities
- 20 minute drive, west of downtown Minneapolis
- Weekend lunch and weekday dinner tours offered by Al & Alma’s.
www.al-almas.com - Tours also offered by Paradise Charter Cruises.
http://www.twincitiescruises.com/lake-minnetonka
Mill City Museum
- A museum along the Mississippi River, built into the ruins of what was the world’s largest flour mill, telling the historic story of the City of Minneapolis.
- Downtown Minneapolis: 704 South 2nd Street | www.millcitymuseum.org
- 15 minute walk from the Convention Center, through downtown, to the Mississippi River
Minnesota State Fair
- The Nation’s 2nd largest but the BEST State Fair in the country will be going on during PWX!
- 1265 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul MN 55108 | www.mnstatefair.org
- 15 minute bus ride from downtown Minneapolis
- Catch a Route 960 bus along Hennepin Avenue, which will take you directly to the Fair. Double-check current 2016 State Fair route info at
www.metrotransit.org before you go!
Minneapolis Institute of Art
- A free admission museum boasting a worldwide spectrum of art
- 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404 | www.artsmia.org
- One mile due south from the Convention Center – a 15 minute walk.
Foshay Museum & Observation Deck
- Minnesota’s first skyscraper, built in 1929 and based on the image of the Washington Monument. Renovated in 2008 as a luxury hotel, including the best steakhouse (Manny’s) in downtown and a modern “speakeasy” bar on the 27th floor (Prohibition Room).
- 821 Marquette Avenue | www.wminneapolishotel.com
- A 4-block walk from the Convention Center.
Minnehaha Regional Park
- One of Minneapolis’ oldest and most popular parks features a majestic 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and river overlooks, attracting more than 850,000 visitors annually.
- “FUN” bike rentals to ride along the mighty Mississippi on site:
www.wheelfunrentals.com/Locations/Minneapolis-4 - 4801 S Minnehaha Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417 | www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/minnehaha_regional_park
- 15 minute car ride from the Convention Center.
The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
- Explore the many beautiful natural features of Minneapolis on one of the country’s longest continuous systems of public urban parkway. It has been the preeminent urban parkway system for more than a century and can be enjoyed by foot or bike.
- The Grand Rounds begin at various locations throughout Minneapolis, with the nearest being the Mississippi River or Minnehaha Falls.
- www.minneapolisparks.org/parks
Downtown Stillwater
- Shopping and tourism in “the birthplace” of Minnesota. One of the state’s quaintest downtowns, located along the St. Croix River.
- Home to a current “mega-project,” the St. Croix River crossing, connecting Minnesota to Wisconsin. www.discoverstillwater.com
- 40 minute car ride east of Minneapolis.
- Enjoy a river cruise down the St. Croix on a paddlewheel boat. Excursions leave from Stillwater. www.stillwaterriverboats.com
Minnesota History Center
- Minnesota’s “soul” revealed through a variety of historic exhibits and collections.
- Walking distance from the State Capitol and the St. Paul Cathedral – to augment your historic experience!
- 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102 | www.minnesotahistorycenter.org
- Catch the Green Line Light Rail Train at the Government Plaza Station along 5th St. S., near 3rd Ave. S. Ride it to the Capitol/Rice Street Station in St. Paul.
James J. Hill House
- The James J. Hill House is part of the Minnesota Historical Society’s network of 26 historic sites and museums. It is a National Historic Landmark and previous residence of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway.
- A short walk from the Minnesota History Center (noted above).
- 240 Summit Ave, St Paul, MN 55102 | sites.mnhs.org/historic-sites/james-j-hill-house
- 15 minute car ride from the Convention Center.
Como Park Conservatory & Zoo
- For over 100 years Como Park has served as an outdoor haven for the Metro’s urban population. The Conservatory’s Victorian glasshouse is on the National Registry of Historic Places. A free admission park includes a zoo, indoor gardens and amusement park.
- 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55103 | www.comozooconservatory.org
- 15 minute car ride from the Convention Center.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- Part of the University of Minnesota, the Arboretum is 1,200 acres of gardens, prairies and woods.
- 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska MN 55318 | www.arboretum.umn.edu
- 30 minute car ride from the Convention Center.
Minnesota Tourism
Local Events
August 18-21, 2016 August 25 - September 5, 2016
Attractions
Summer Spectator Sports
