Destination:
Minnesota

Walker Art Center

Internationally renowned for its permanent collection of 20th century paintings, drawings, prints, photography and sculptures, the Walker Art Center is one of the country's leading contemporary art centres and is one of the most visited museums in the USA. It features works by top artists in a range of styles, utilising various multi-media installations and educational programs. Contemporary art can also be experienced here through theatre, dance, video, music and film. Next door is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with creative contemporary work spread across a huge area of parkland. It is the largest urban sculpture park in the country and includes the colossal Spoonbridge and Cherry Fountainby Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, and Frank Gehry's Standing Glass Fish.

Mall of America

Located in the southern suburb of Bloomington, the futuristic superstructure of the Mall of America is recognised as the largest enclosed shopping and entertainment complex in the country. It welcomes over 42 million visitors each year and is the fifth most visited attraction in the USA with world-class shopping, family entertainment, nightlife and numerous dining options. There are over 500 stores and specialty shops including the Lego Imagination Center, international department stores such as Bloomingdales, more than 70 restaurants and fast food outlets, cinemas, theatres and nightclubs, a wedding chapel and a mini-golf course. Underwater Adventures is a massive aquarium with touch pools featuring sharks and stingrays. Mall of America's famous centrepiece is Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor theme park with thirty rides and adventures.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Part of Superior National Forest, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (also known as the BWCA), is an immense chain of lakes in north-eastern Minnesota that is extremely popular for canoeing, camping and fishing. With more than a million acres of pristine wilderness, it's no wonder the Boundary Waters is the most visited wilderness area in the United States. Visitors can hike through forests, and canoe along thousands of miles of water routes. No motor vehicles or boats are allowed in the park, and there are strict guidelines as to leaving the area as you found it. Combine this with the fact that you may explore for days without seeing another person, and you understand why the Boundary Waters is the perfect place to get lost in nature.

Valleyfair

Valleyfair is the largest amusement park in Minnesota, with 125 acres of rides and attractions ranging from high-speed roller coasters to midway games and an IMAX theater. Valleyfair also has the Soak City Waterpark with a range of waterslides and pools, and Challenge Park, which features the RipCord SkyCoaster. The amusement park's most famous ride is the Wild Thing roller coaster, which travels at 74 mph (120kph) with a drop of 196 feet (60 metres). There is also a Berenstein Bears children's play area and a variety of restaurants and food court areas. Open from spring to autumn, Valleyfair hosts ValleySCARE Halloween-themed attractions every October.

Target Field

Home to the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball team, Target Field was built in 2010 and is considered one of the most state-of-the-art baseball stadiums in the world. Minnesotans tend to be rather affectionate toward their team, and a day at the ballpark is a fun family activity for Minnesota tourists of all ages, and fans get a picturesque view of the downtown Minneapolis skyline. Tickets can be had for less than $10, depending on the section and the game. The stadium itself is beautifully and intricately constructed, and daily tours will show you hidden secrets like the players' locker rooms, clubhouse, and the elaborate underground systems that both heat and irrigate the field.

Minnesota Zoo

A huge state-of-the-art zoo with over 40 acres of habitats housing more than 2,000 creatures of all kinds, the Minnesota Zoo is a fantastic attraction for those travelling with kids in Minneapolis. It features animals from every continent, and an enormous aquarium. Kids can interact with animals in the touch pool and petting zoo, and when the weather is uncooperative the IMAX Theatre is a place to escape. A monorail offers aerial views of many of the habitats, and is a good alternative to the walking trails for those who tire easily. The zoo has a food court and gift shop, and hosts concerts in the summer.