The best of the Twin Cities
Trendy districts in Minneapolis and the atmospheric streets of Saint Paul – two cities side-by-side on the mighty Mississippi river that complement each other perfectly. We went out to research the Twin Cities for iFly KLM Magazine and returned home with a fantastic video report.
“Minneapolis has the clubs, Saint Paul has the pubs.” That sums up the essence of the Twin Cities perfectly. Together, Minneapolis and Saint Paul form the Twin Cities. Each has a completely different and unmistakable character. Minneapolis became a new KLM destination in March of this year, so it’s high time that we placed it in the limelight.
MINNEAPOLIS
Industrial vibe
There’s no shortage of impressive architecture in Minneapolis. Starting late in the nineteenth century, the city was a hub in the flour industry and was known as the “Flour Milling Capital of the World.” It explains the city’s industrial personality. The Mill City Museum, located in the city’s oldest flour mill, shows off much of that history. Right next door, there is the modern Guthrie Theater, absolutely worth a visit.
The North Loop
The North Loop – easily the hippest part of Minneapolis. The streets are characterised by tough-looking warehouses and street art. In this district, north of Downtown, you’ll find unusual boutiques, fun home furnishing stores, and hip restaurants and coffee houses. It’s a great place to devote an afternoon of shopping. And a special tip from the iFly team: The burgers at Red Cow are just great.
ST PAUL
Victorian times
You won’t believe your eyes when you see historic Summit Avenue. There, you can admire one mansion after another on Cathedral Hill. The avenue is nearly eight kilometres in length. Some of the houses are grandiose and some come right out of a fairy tale. A guided tour will offer you more information about the stories behind these homes. Though of course you can just enjoy the walk and take pictures for your Instagram account.
Eating retro style
Mickey’s Dining Car is a proper institution in Saint Paul. This retro restaurant, designed to resemble a railroad dining car, has been open twenty-four hours a day since 1939. What’s on the menu? The classic menu – hamburgers, American pancakes, milkshakes, and more. Nothing special, really, but you come here first and foremost for the fifties’ ambience and the classic American décor. You’ll find a jukebox there ready to play Elvis and make the picture complete.
Curious to see the complete video?
You can watch it in the July edition of iFly KLM Magazine.
Photography: Iris van den Broek
About iFly KLM Magazine
iFLy KLM Magazine is KLM’s online magazine. For more than six years, we have been inspiring millions of people around the world with remarkable travel stories and surprising tips about new and long-established KLM destinations. Subscribe to iFly so you never miss a thing.
