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When the Mall of America was completed in 1992, it quickly became one of the country's leading tourist attractions. It is the nation's largest indoor shopping mall. It sits on the old site of Metropolitan Stadium, once home of the Minnesota Vikings football and Twins baseball teams. It is so huge that it could contain seven Yankee Stadiums! There are so many stores and businesses, that if you spent 10 minutes in each, it would take you 86 hours to visit them all. Its central hub is so large there is an amusement park, including a rollercoaster and many other rides. Underwater Adventures Aquarium is another major Mall of America attraction.

Both Minneapolis and Saint Paul downtown areas, not to be outdone by the Mall of America for indoor shopping, have both become essentially indoor cities, with extensive skyway networks. "Skyways" are second level pedestrian bridges connecting buildings. 72 square blocks of downtown Minneapolis are connected by 62 skyways. Saint Paul has approximately half that many. What this means to the shopper is an indoor shopping and discovery adventure in two cities where much of the action is on the second level, rather than steet level as with most other cities. It's like one huge gerbil paradise!

For shoppers who enjoy outdoor sidewalk shopping, there are also many beautiful and quaint shopping areas filled with antiques, gift and clothing shops, book stores, espresso cafes and restaurants. Here is a tour-guide's recommended list of cool and hip areas:

Minneapolis

Downtown

Connected by 62 Skyways, 72 square blocks of Downtown Minneapolis are now indoors!

Uptown

Cappuccino Corner! Many independent stores, restaurants, bookstores and more radiating out from the intersection of Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue. Tour Guide recommends to used bookstore lovers: Magers and Quinn Booksellers.

Linden Hills

Ice cream, coffee, a natural foods coop, and childrens toy and book stores. A hilly, 1920s-like shopping village. Awesome. 43rd and Upton Avenue S., a few blocks west of Lake Harriet Bandshell. Tour Guide recommends The Wild Rumpus, the greatest kid's bookstore in the world (IMHO).

Dinkytown

Busy retail area on University of Minnesota campus.

Edina

50th and France

Upscale shopping and dining.

Nation's first indoor shopping mall in 1956. Still spectacular. 66th and France Avenue South.

Galleria

Fashion, dining, home, art. 69th and France Avenue South. Tour Guide recommends The Good Earth Restaurant.

Lake Minnetonka

Located about 30 minutes west of Downtown Minneapolis.  Considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Minnesota. There are three picturesque towns on its shores: Wayzata on the north, Mound on the west and Excelsior on the south.

Excelsior

Fascinating main street shopping on the shores of the lake. Antique stores and more. A day of shopping, dining and a boat cruise, highly recommended. Tour Guide recommends Antiquity Rose's Restaurant.

Lake Minnetonka

Covers the general lake area. Tour Guide recommends ice cream and/or coffee at the Cottagewood General Store.

Wayzata

Upscale shopping on lake's north side.

St. Paul

Grand Avenue

St. Paul's hippest shopping area. Spans 30 blocks from Mississippi River to Downtown Saint Paul. Tour Guide recommends a walleye dinner at Tavern on Grand.

Highland Park

A nice, concentrated shopping area. Ford Parkway and Cleveland Ave., not far from Minnehaha Falls.

Stillwater

About 20 miles east of St. Paul.  Minnesota's oldest town.  Located on beautiful St. Croix River.  Historic lift bridge, vintage main street shopping.  Heavy into antiques and books, in addition to many other shops. The place to head for autumn tours.  Here are some Stillwater links.

Stillwater Traveler

I Love Stillwater