Serving the Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

History of Minneapolis

Minneapolis was first settled in the early 19th century around the waterfalls of the Mississippi River, which provided power for sawmills. By the 1870s, Minneapolis had grown into one of the world’s largest flour milling centers. The city continued to expand into the 20th century as a major business and transportation hub. Key moments in Minneapolis history include:

1819 – Fort Snelling established near the falls of St. Anthony Falls (later Minneapolis)
1854 – Minneapolis incorporated as a city
1874 – Minneapolis Millers baseball team formed, now the Minnesota Twins
1883 – Minneapolis Grain Exchange established
1886 – First indoor shopping mall opens in Minneapolis
1892 – University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus established
1905 – Ten thousand workers strike in Minneapolis, lasting six weeks
1967 – Minneapolis Lakers basketball team moves to Los Angeles

Minneapolis Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Minneapolis had a population of 429,954 people. Key demographics include:

63.8% White, 19.3% Black, 9.7% Hispanic/Latino, 5.9% Asian
Median age of 33.4 years old
Estimated median household income of $55,184

Minneapolis is growing in diversity and saw a population increase of 8% from 2010 to 2020.

Government & Politics

Minneapolis has a mayor-council system of government. The mayor serves 4-year terms along with a 13-member city council. Current mayor Jacob Frey took office in 2018. Minneapolis politics lean strongly Democratic).

Key municipal government offices:

Mayor’s Office – (612) 673-2100
City Council – (612) 673-2200
City Clerk – (612) 673-2216

Major Companies & Economy

Major companies headquartered in Minneapolis include:

Target – Retail giant, Fortune 500 company
U.S. Bancorp – Banking and financial services
Xcel Energy – Electric and gas utility serving multiple states
Ameriprise – Investment advising and asset management
Thrivent – Fortune 500 insurance and financial services
General Mills – Global food manufacturer and marketer

The metro economy generates around $243 billion in GDP annually. Major industries include finance, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and food processing. The Minneapolis Fed also oversees banking in five different states.

Colleges & Universities

Minneapolis is home to several universities and colleges including:

University of Minnesota – Leading public research university ranked in the top 150 nationally with over 52,000 students across 5 campuses. Main campus is in Minneapolis. umn.edu
Augsburg University – Private liberal arts college founded in 1869, enrolls around 3,000 students. augsburg.edu
Minneapolis College – Public two-year community college, part of the Minnesota State system. minneapolis.edu
Dunwoody College of Technology – Private not-for-profit applied technical college offering certificates and associate’s degrees. dunwoody.edu

Over 15 colleges and universities are located in the Twin Cities metro area, providing education opportunities to over 200,000 students.

Transportation & Public Transit

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) – Major airport and Delta Air Lines hub serving the region. mspairport.com
Metro Transit) – Network of light rail, buses, and commuter trains serving the Twin Cities area. metrotransit.org
Nice Ride Minnesota – Bike rental system with over 200 stations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. niceridemn.com

The Metro area is a transportation hub with rail lines, major highways, and the Mississippi River also facilitating transportation.

Sports Teams & Venues

Minneapolis is home to several professional and college sports teams:

Minnesota Vikings – NFL football team playing at U.S. Bank Stadium. vikings.com
Minnesota Twins – MLB baseball team playing at Target Field. mlb.com/twins
Minnesota Timberwolves – NBA basketball team playing at Target Center arena. nba.com/timberwolves
Minnesota Wild – NHL hockey team playing at Xcel Energy Center. nhl.com/wild
Minnesota United FC – MLS soccer team playing at Allianz Field. mnufc.com
NCAA Division I teams competing in hockey, football, basketball, and more.

The Twin Cities area boasts 7 major professional teams across 5 major leagues. Minneapolis also hosts marquee sporting events like the Super Bowl, Final Four, X Games, and more.

Arts & Culture

Guthrie Theater – Leading regional playhouse hosting over 700,000 visitors annually. guthrietheater.org
Walker Art Center – Renowned contemporary art center founded in 1927. walkerart.org
Minneapolis Institute of Art – World-class art museum housing over 90,000 works of art. artsmia.org
First Avenue) – Iconic music venue and nightclub that helped launch Prince’s) career. first-avenue.com
Northrup King Building – Vibrant arts community with galleries, studios, and event venues. northrupkingbuilding.com

The Twin Cities area is regarded as one of the most vibrant Midwest arts scenes. Other major landmarks include the Minnesota Orchestra, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, and Children’s Theatre Company.

Parks & Outdoors

Chain of Lakes – Popular venue for biking, running, paddling, and other recreation connected by parkways.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden – 11-acre urban oasis featuring the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture. walkerart.org/garden
Minnehaha Regional Park – Features 53-foot Minnehaha waterfall, limestone bluffs, and biking trails. minneapolisparks.org/park_care__improvements/park_projects/current_projects/minnehaha_park_improvements_project
Loring Park – “Gateway to Minneapolis” park dating back to 1883 with gardens, art, and an Off-Leash dog area. loringpark.org

The “City of Lakes” lives up to its nickname with 22 lakes, wetlands, creeks, and the Mississippi River offering recreation. The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway connects major parks and green spaces throughout the city.

Famous Minneapolis Landmarks

Stone Arch Bridge) – Historic bridge over the Mississippi River and iconic Minneapolis landmark.
Mary Tyler Moore statue) – Honors the 1970s sitcom set in Minneapolis.
Spoonbridge and Cherry – Famous sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen representing the Mississippi River and a cherry on a spoon.
Foshay Tower – Distinctive art deco skyscraper built in 1929 as the tallest building west of the Mississippi.
U.S. Bank Stadium – Futuristic home stadium for the Minnesota Vikings featuring a transparent roof.

Where to Stay in Minneapolis

As the largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis offers extensive lodging options from global hotel brands to quirky boutique hotels. Top neighborhoods to stay in include:

Downtown Minneapolis – Closest to business, sports venues, and major attractions. Luxury hotels like W Minneapolis Foshay and Four Seasons Minneapolis anchor downtown. More affordable options like Hampton Inn Minneapolis Downtown and AC Hotel Minneapolis Downtown are also available.

North Loop – Trendy warehouses turned into hip hotels and restaurants. Options include Hewing Hotel, Renaissance Minneapolis Downtown Hotel, and Moxy Minneapolis Uptown. Close to Target Field.

University of Minnesota-Dinkytown – Neighborhood packed with university culture, restaurants, and nightlife. Try Graduate Minneapolis or Days Hotel University Ave SE near campus.

Uptown – Vibrant commercial district with boutiques, eateries, and entertainment. Great for experiencing Minneapolis culture. Le Meridien Chambers and W Minneapolis The Foshay provide high-end stays.

Minneapolis Arts District – Close to museums, theaters, and music venues. Stay at artful destinations like Le Méridien Chambers and Elliot Park Hotel.

Minneapolis Public Schools

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) oversees public education for over 29,000 K-12 students across nearly 40 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 7 high schools, and numerous alternative schools. MPS operates with an elected school board and superintendent. Some top-performing public schools based on test scores include Anthony Middle School, Burroughs Elementary, and Southwest High School. MPS also offers magnet school programs with focuses like language immersion, International Baccalaureate, and more.

In addition to district schools, Minneapolis hosts over 35 charter schools throughout the city. Minneapolis graduation rates average around 80%.

Additional Local Resources

From sports stadiums to parks, world-class museums to theater productions, Minneapolis offers an incredible array of attractions and amenities. Though cold in the winter, its lush summers and friendly residents make Minneapolis a vibrant Midwest hub.

Mississippi River Fort Snelling St. Anthony Falls Minneapolis Millers Minnesota Twins Minneapolis Grain Exchange University of Minnesota Minneapolis Lakers Mayor-council system Jacob Frey Democratic Party (United States)) Target Corporation Fortune 500 U.S. Bancorp Xcel Energy Ameriprise Financial Thrivent General Mills [Gross domestic product](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_domestic_

St. Paul, Minnesota

History of St. Paul

St. Paul was founded in the 1840s as a trading settlement along the Mississippi River by pioneers like Pierre “Pig’s Eye” Parrant. It quickly grew into an important commercial hub and Minnesota’s capital city. Key moments in St. Paul history include:

1838 – Pig’s Eye Parrant establishes a tavern that becomes the origins of St. Paul
1841 – Father Lucien Galtier builds first chapel, leading to the name St. Paul
1848 – Minnesota Territory established with St. Paul named the capital
1860 – St. Paul incorporates as a city
1880s – Railroad expansion transforms St. Paul into a major rail center
1917 – Minnesota State Capitol building completed
1930s – Many Works Progress Administration buildings constructed in St. Paul
1967 – Minnesota North Stars NHL team debuts in St. Paul (later Dallas Stars)

St. Paul Demographics

As of the 2020 census, St. Paul had a population of 311,527 residents. Key demographics include:

50.8% White, 15.7% Black, 9.3% Asian, 9.2% Hispanic/Latino
Median age 34.4 years old
Estimated median household income of $57,757

St. Paul saw a population increase of over 8% between 2010-2020 and continues diversifying.

Government & Politics

St. Paul has a mayor-council system. The mayor is elected to 4-year terms along with 7 ward city council members. Current mayor Melvin Carter took office in 2018. St. Paul leans strongly Democratic) politically.

Key St. Paul government offices:

Mayor’s Office – (651) 266-8510
City Council – (651) 266-8560
City Clerk – (651) 266-8688

Major Companies & Economy

Major companies headquartered in St. Paul include:

Ecolab – Global provider of hygiene and energy technologies
Securian Financial – Diversified financial services company
Travelers – Major insurance and investment management firm
3M – Multinational conglomerate operating in St. Paul since 1910
Land O’Lakes – Fortune 500 dairy cooperative and food company

The metro area generates around $243 billion in GDP annually. Main industries are manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and information technology.

Colleges & Universities

St. Paul is home to several higher education institutions including:

University of St. Thomas) – Private Catholic university with over 10,000 students. stthomas.edu
Concordia University) – Private Lutheran liberal arts college. csp.edu
McNally Smith College of Music – Specialized college focused on music industry career training. mcnallysmith.edu
St. Paul College – Public two-year community and technical college. saintpaul.edu

The Twin Cities metro area provides education opportunities to over 200,000 students across many public and private institutions.

Transportation & Public Transit

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) – Services both Minneapolis and St. Paul. mspairport.com
Metro Transit) – Extensive bus and light rail system. metrotransit.org
Amtrak – Passenger train services at Union Depot) station. amtrak.com
Nice Ride Minnesota – Bike sharing system. niceridemn.com

Major interstates, bus systems, and the Mississippi River also facilitate transportation in St. Paul.

Sports Teams & Venues

St. Paul is home to:

Minnesota Wild – NHL hockey team playing at the Xcel Energy Center. nhl.com/wild
St. Paul Saints – Independent league baseball at CHS Field. saintsbaseball.com
Minnesota United FC – MLS soccer team playing in St. Paul before moving to Minneapolis. mnufc.com
St. Thomas Tommies_Tommies_and_Oles) – NCAA Division I teams in hockey, basketball, and more. tommieathletics.com

The Twin Cities metro area has 7 major league professional teams and various college programs.

Arts & Culture

Ordway Center for Performing Arts – Home to theater, dance, music, and more. ordway.org
Minnesota Museum of American Art – Focused on American art and artists. mmaa.org
Science Museum of Minnesota – Massive science museum spanning natural history, technology, and exhibits. smm.org
Cathedral of Saint Paul) – Iconic cathedral known for stunning architecture. cathedralsaintpaul.org
Fitzgerald Theater – Historic theater hosting concerts and live radio shows. fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org

St. Paul has a thriving arts community across music, visual arts, museums, and performing venues.

Parks & Outdoors

Como Park Zoo – Free zoo with gorillas, polar bears, seals, and more. comozooconservatory.org
Indian Mounds Park) – Features 6 prehistoric Native American burial mounds. stpaul.gov/indian-mounds-park
Hidden Falls Regional Park – Trails across rugged Minnesota landscape and the Mississippi River. stpaul.gov/hidden-falls-regional-park
Cathedral Hill Park – Downtown park with gardens, an amphitheater, and sledding.
Summit Hill Neighborhood – Iconic historic homes and Governor’s Residence.

St. Paul has over 170 parks ranging from small neighborhood spots to the 1,500+ acre Como Regional Park.

Famous St. Paul Landmarks

Cathedral of Saint Paul) – Distinctive cathedral overlooking downtown.
Minnesota State Capitol – Granite dome state capitol building. mn.gov/admin/capitol
Landmark Center) – Historic former federal building now event/cultural center. landmarkcenter.org
James J. Hill House – Mansion of railroad magnate James J. Hill. mnhs.org/hillhouse
Como Park Zoo – Home to beloved Sparky the sea lion.

Where to Stay in St. Paul

St. Paul accommodations range from historic inns to luxury hotels. Top areas include:

Downtown – Close to Xcel arena and attractions. Options like the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront, Hyatt Regency, and Holiday Inn.

Cathedral Hill – Next to the stunning St. Paul Cathedral. Boutique hotels like the Covington Inn.

Summit Hill – Near historic mansions with hotels like The Saint Paul Hotel.

West Side – Neighborhood along the Mississippi River. Unique stays at Hotel 340.

Near the Airport – Ideal for a first or last night. Brands like Best Western Plus.

St. Paul Public Schools

The St. Paul Public School District oversees public education for around 34,000 K-12 students across more than 60 schools. The district is run by a superintendent and elected school board. Top-rated schools include Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented Magnet, St. Paul Music Academy, and Como Park Senior High. St. Paul graduation rates average around 80%.

There are over 35 charter schools in St. Paul as alternatives to district schools. St. Paul also participates in integration programs with Minneapolis Public Schools.

Additional Local Resources

From the majestic Cathedral to Como Zoo, world-class museums and diverse neighborhoods, St. Paul offers a great blend of history, art, and recreation. Though small, Minnesota’s capital city shines bright.

Mississippi River Pierre “Pig’s Eye” Parrant Lucien Galtier
Minnesota Territory Minnesota State Capitol Works Progress Administration Minnesota North Stars Dallas Stars Mayor-council system Melvin Carter Democratic Party (United States)) Ecolab Securian Financial Travelers 3M Land O’Lakes Gross domestic product University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)) Concordia University (Saint Paul)) McNally Smith College of Music Saint Paul College Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport Metro Transit (Minnesota)) Amtrak Union Depot (Saint Paul)) Nice Ride Minnesota Minnesota Wild Xcel Energy Center St. Paul Saints CHS Field Minnesota United FC St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies_Tommies_and_Oles) Ordway Center for Performing Arts Minnesota Museum of American Art Science Museum of Minnesota Cathedral of Saint Paul) [Fitzgerald Theater](https://en.wikipedia.

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Prodly Servicing Minnesota:
Minnesota is a midwestern U.S. state bordering Canada and Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. The state contains more than 10,000 other lakes, including Lake Itasca, the Mississippi River’s primary source. The “Twin Cities” of Minneapolis and state capital Saint Paul are dense with cultural landmarks like the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Walker Art Center, a modern art museum.