Minneapolis-Saint Paul . . . one destination, two great cities! Minneapolis is a cosmopolitan, energetic city, dotted with urban lakes and bustling with possibilities. Saint Paul, the capital city of Minnesota, is richly steeped in history, tradition and architectural grandeur. Together, Minneapolis and Saint Paul capture the best of America -- experience them in "A Tale of Two Cities".

Day 1 – Old Man River

Morning
Explore Minneapolis & Saint Paul with a Twin Cities Highlights Tour by MetroConnections, featuring the Mississippi Riverfront area, shopping areas along Nicollet Mall and Grand Avenue, the Lakes District, Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Saint Paul Cathedral, State Capitol building and the Victorian mansions of Summit Avenue. Visit the home of railroad baron James J. Hill, and hear stories of authors and gangsters who lived in Saint Paul, like F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Dillinger.

Afternoon
Enjoy lunch overlooking the Mississippi River at Cue, located at the new iconic Guthrie Theater. Discover the history of the Minneapolis riverfront through interactive exhibits at Mill City Museum or hop on a Segway scooter and listen to the history as you take a Magical History Tour.

Evening
Travel back in time as you board an old-fashioned paddlewheel boat on the Minneapolis Queen or Padleford Packet Boat Co. Dine on a four-course meal as you enjoy picturesque views of the Mississippi River, the first lock and dam system, and the northernmost port on this famed waterway.

Day 2 – Naturally Sophisticated

Morning
Minneapolis and Saint Paul have the best of both worlds – the vitality of a big city and the beauty of nature year-round. Surround yourself with breathtaking botanicals as you enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Leave time to visit one of our many acclaimed museums including the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Walker Art Center, Science Museum of Minnesota & Omnitheater or Minnesota Children’s Museum.

Afternoon
Try your hand at any sport you wish – recreation in and around the “City of Lakes” includes walking, biking, hiking, fishing, windsurfing, canoeing, sailing and rollerblading – a sport created right here in Minnesota. Or, play 18 holes at any one of the 110 metro area golf courses.

Evening
Cheer on the hometeam at a professional sporting event -- see an NBA Basketball game (Minnesota Timberwolves), NHL Hockey (Minnesota Wild), NFL Football (Minnesota Vikings) or Major League Baseball (Minnesota Twins).

Day 3 – The Art of Shopping

Morning
Grand Avenue in Saint Paul and Uptown in Minneapolis offer visitors a chance to explore neighborhoods of quaint shops and restaurants. Minneapolis offers world-class shopping along Nicollet Mall featuring many famous department stores, all connected by more than five miles of second-level, temperature-controlled walkways known as “skyways”. Stop for breakfast or take a break at a sidewalk café, bakery or gourmet coffee shop.

Afternoon
“Shop til you Drop” at Mall of America, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the United States featuring 520 stores, 25 restaurants, theaters, nightclubs, a theme park and more. Take a break from shopping and stroll through the Park at Mall of America, the nation’s largest fully enclosed theme park, or discover Underwater Adventures, a 1.2 million gallon walk-through aquarium located in Mall of America. Oh, we may have forgotten to mention the best part of shopping in Minnesota -- there is NO SALES TAX on clothing or shoes!

Evening
Choose from hundreds of restaurants – something to satisfy every taste. After dinner, enjoy a show at one of our world-class theaters of the historic Hennepin Theater District, or enjoy the renowned orchestras of both cities – The Minnesota Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Round out your evening at the nightclubs of Minneapolis’ Warehouse District or enjoy the live & local music scene at venues like First Avenue -- the nightclub made famous by Minneapolis native, Prince.