tempThe Land of Sky Blue Waters
The Twin Cities

Minneapolis and Saint Paul:
Are they really Twin cities?

Perhaps you are coming here to shop at the Mall of America, or visit the great University of Minnesota, or see a Minnesota Vikings football game. Whatever the reason, you will love it here. The most frequent comment: "It's so clean and so green!" Below you'll find some of the story of the Twin Cities; about their past to the present, and also some helpful links to assist you in learning more about them prior to your arrival.

Although they are called the "Twin Cities," Minneapolis and Saint Paul are far more fraternal than identical. They were born at about the same time, the 1830s and 40s. They share the same parents: a modest plot of Mother Earth along the upper banks of Old Man River... the Mighty Mississippi, which feeds life into both like a muddy umbilical chord.

But that is where the similarity ends.

Saint Paul: The Capital City

Saint Paul Cathedral
Saint Paul Cathedral Saint Paul, located on the east bank thirteen miles downstream from Minneapolis, is referred to as the last of the eastern cities. Minneapolis, resting on the other side of the river, is considered the first of the western. Minneapolis is the more glitzy, glassy, shiney, cosmopolitan-type town, while Saint Paul maintains a distinct old world charm.

Saint Paul is coffee. Minneapolis, cappuccino.

Saint Paul, originally called Pig's Eye, had been named after its infamous, though unofficial, founding father, Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant, who settled there because he was chased from everywhere else he tried to settle.  An early historian called him "the Romulus of our future city."   Saint Paul has remained the more pugilistic.  It has one major league sports franchise: The NHL Minnesota Wild.  Other infamous bad seeds included Ma Barker and the Boys; John Dillinger; and Nina Clifford,  a powerful madam whose brothel was connected to the good ole boys club across Kellogg Avenue by way of a secret tunnel carved through the soft sandstone.   Oh, the many untold stories...

Minneapolis: City of Lakes

minneapolis
Lake of the Isles Minneapolis, meanwhile, was formed much less flamboyantly around a very scenic and useful waterfall, St. Anthony Falls. It is the only falls on the entire length of the Mississippi. Swedish writer Fredrika Bremer described it as the Mississippi's "last youthful adventure" on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. It provided both scenic beauty for tourists and power for a lucrative lumber and flour milling industry. And while its twin downriver didn't mind a bloody nose or two, Minneapolis' character was formed out of an abundance of Lutheran churches, soft-spoken Scandanavians and a personality referred to by sarcastic visiting New Yorkers as "MinneSOHta Nice." You betcha. Famous Minneapolitans include such nice guys as James Arness (Gunsmoke), Peter Graves (Mission Impossible), Eddie Albert (Green Acres) and the late vice president, Hubert H. Humphrey (the "politics of kindness".) Mary Tyler Moore, a paragon of kindness if there ever was one, filmed her famed Mary Tyler Moore Show here. Please, kindly read on. Thank you.

Twin Cities Sightseeing

But this is all wonderful fodder for a sightseeing tour of two very interesting, if different, cities; which are both, in their own charming ways, magnificant cities to experience.

Saint Paul attractions include: The State Capitol Building, considered one of the nation's most impressive; The Cathedral of Saint Paul, one of the most spectacular in the country; the Fitzgerald Theater, home of Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion Show, and much more.  Summit Avenue is known to architects around the world as the best parade of monumental, residential, Victorian-era mansions in the U.S.  The largest, the James J. Hill Mansion, is open for tours.  Hill founded the Great Northern Railroad.

Minneapolis attractions include: St. Anthony Falls, The Stone Arch Bridge and the old riverfront area; the University of Minnesota; an "indoor" downtown in which 72 square blocks of buildings are connected by skyways; the Metrodome (home of the Minnesota Twins baseball, and Minnesota Vikings and U of MN football teams); the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and much more.  But the greatest beauty of Minneapolis is its lakes and parks system, most of which is surrounded by lavish homes and Camelot neighborhoods, not to mention photogenic natural beauty, especially Minnehaha Falls (see Home Page photo.)

Looking for lodging? Minneapolis Extended Stay Hotels

Twin Cities Links

Minneapolis

Minneapolis - Official city web site
Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Bureau
Minneapolis Public Library - Minneapolis History
More Minneapolis History Links
History of Hennepin County
Where Minneapolis is.
Hennepin County History Museum
Grand Round Scenic Byway
Beautiful drive around Minneapolis Lakes and Parkways.
Minneapolis Parks & Recreation
Historic Minneapolis Warehouse District
Hot nightlife zone.
Uptown
Minneapolis' hip strip.
Downtown Minneapolis
Where to shop, dine and be entertained.
StarTribune
Minneapolis' main newspaper.

Saint Paul

Saint Paul Official city web site
Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau
Ramsey County web site
Where Saint Paul is
Ramsey County Historical Society
History of St. Paul
Pig's Eye's Notepad
An encyclopedia of St. Paul History
St. Paul Pioneer Press
St. Paul's main newspaper


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