Cheap Flights to Minneapolis

Minneapolis lives up to its name: deriving partly from a Sioux word for "water" and partly from the Greek word for "city", it truly is a place where water coexists with modern civilisation. With the mighty Mississippi River so close and more than a dozen large lakes within the city boundaries, water-based activities are an important part of life. Minnehaha Park, one of North America's oldest parks, features the famous Minnehaha Falls, with several lovely hiking routes wending their way towards it. And, in the long Minnesotan winter, the city hosts the City of Lakes Loppet, a sort of homage to the winter Olympics.

Sport has a very definite place in this city. Its Target Field stadium is home to the Minnesota Twins baseball team and also plays host to matches and games from various other sports. Stadium tours are popular with both fans and tourists alike.

Things to do

Minneapolis is a vibrant, eclectic city that combines modernity with a very real sense of its relatively recent pioneer past -- and also a still earlier time before that.

• Explore the world through art
  The Minneapolis Institute of Art offers an exploration into human history that reaches back 40,000 years. Its drawings, engravings, sculptures, prints and other forms of visual art include works by the Old Masters as well as nameless Neolithic artists. With hands-on activities for children and adults alike, it is a fascinating place to spend a few hours.

• Take in a game
  Target Field is the home stadium of the Major League Baseball team, the Minnesota Twins. Seating almost 40,000 spectators, it is often said to be the best place in the USA to see a baseball game. It is also possible to take a tour of the entire stadium, including the visitors' locker room, the dug out and the field itself. The tour is wheelchair accessible.

• Go green
  For a city of any size, Minneapolis is remarkably green. One of its oldest, and best loved, parks is Minnehaha Park, which sits within the Mississippi National River Area. Its most famous attractions include the Minnehaha Falls, which featured in many a pioneer's photograph.

Calendar of Events

In a city the size of Minneapolis, there is no shortage of things going on. Sport features prominently as does art, but with such a varied collection of events, there is something to suit all tastes and interests.

• City of Lakes Loppet. In early February, Minneapolis turns its collective mind towards the winter Olympics. Cross country skiing, speed skating, skijoring, ice biking and a snow sculpture contest are just some of the attractions. The highlight is perhaps the Luminary Loppet, when the Lake of the Isles is lit up for thousands of skiers, skaters, snowshoers and walkers.

• Art-A-Whirl. This three-day event in May is North America's largest open house art studio tour. Over 600 artists take part in a variety of venues, which include studios, private homes, art galleries and businesses. Many local businesses also offer special discounts or pop-up stores.

• The Minneapolis Aquatennial. Taking place over four days in July, this is the city's own civic celebration. It features a blood drive, held in conjunction with the American Red Cross, as well as entertainment in the form of tennis, water skiing, a baseball game, a food festival and one of North America's largest fireworks' displays.