tempThe Land of Sky Blue Waters
Spectator and Recreational Sports

The Twin Cities and Minnesota have everything to offer both the spectator fans and the outdoor or recreational enthusiasts. Major league professional sports include the Minnesota Vikings football, The Minnesota Vixens women's pro football, Minnesota Twins baseball, Minnesota Timberwolves basketball, Minnesota Lynx women's basketball, Minnesota Wild hockey and Minnesota Swarm lacrosse teams. The University of Minnesota, the main campus of which is located in Minneapolis, provides major college sports. There are also minor league soccer and baseball teams in the Twin Cities. Horseracing is featured at Canterbury Park in the southern metro in Shakopee. The links to all of these are below.

If you prefer being athletically active, there are plenty of ways to build up a good sweat around these parts, and it won't cost you a dime! A 2006 United Health Foundation study named Minnesota the healthiest state in the nation. It is not surprising, considering all the people walking, biking and rollerblading around our many city lakes...plus all the other outdoor recreational opportunities throughout Minnesota. Tour Guide recommends a walk or jog around Lake or the Isles. Great exercise and beautiful views of mansions.

Despite the long winters, Minnesota has over 500 golf courses. The Twin Cities offers extensive bicycling and hiking trails. Swim in the many beaches. Minnesota's vast forests offer much in the way of camping, hiking and hunting. Over 12,000 lakes and 93,000 miles of rivers and streams are filled with fish hungrily awaiting your wiggly worm!

Below are links for both spectator or recreational sports.

Spectator Sports:

For spectator sports, there is an abundance of professional or top-level amateur sports to enjoy in the Twin Cities. There are major league franchises in baseball, basketball, football and hockey; plus, minor league teams in soccer, and also baseball.

American League baseball

The Minnesota Twins have won the World Series twice, in 1987, over the St. Louis Cardinals, and in 1991, versus the Atlanta Braves. Both championship games were won before 50,000 homer-hanky waving fans on the home field, the Hubert H. Humphry Metrodome, where the game-time weather is always guaranteed to be perfect.

NBA basketball

The Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Garnett

The Minnesota Timberwolves feature the sensational Kevin Garnett. They play at Target Center.

WNBA basketball (Women)

The Minnesota Lynx.  Play in Target Center.

NHL Hockey:

Minnesota Wild play their home games in the Xcel Center in downtown St. Paul.

NFL Football

The Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League fill the MetrodOMe on Sunday afternoons.

WPFL Football (Women)

The Minnesota Vixen provide action in the Women's Professional Football League.

NLL Lacrosse:

Minnesota Swarm of the National Lacrosse League. They play their games in Xcel Center in St. Paul.

Minor league baseball:

The St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League delight fans with good old-fashioned outdoor ball in St. Paul's Midway Stadium.

USL Soccer:

The Minnesota Thunder (Men)

The Minnesota Lightning (Women)

Horse racing:

Canterbury Park is located in Shakopee, about 30 minutes south of Downtown Minneapolis.

College Sports:

The main campus University of Minnesota, with its many mens and womens teams, mostly in the Big Ten Conference, is located in Minneapolis. There are many other universities and colleges in the area as well.

Recreational Sports

In addition to its many lakes and forests, for fishing, hiking, watersports and hunting, Minnesota also offers an extensive network of hiking and bicycling trails.

Golf:

Oh yes, Minnesota has golf courses; over 500, depending on who's counting. And Minnesotans do love their golf.  Perhaps it is an overreaction to winter, but in terms of per capita participation, Minnesota ranks #1 in the country. Here are a few sites which will give you listings of the courses and other information.

Fishing:

With Minnesota's 12,292 lakes and 93,000 miles of rivers and streams, you can always go fishing!  Here are some links to get your started.

Hunting:

Hiking and backpacking:

Bicycling Trails:



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