6 Best Sights in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

Southwest of downtown Minneapolis is the Chain of Lakes, popular with locals for walking, jogging, rollerblading, biking, fishing, and canoeing. Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun, and Lake Harriet are always popular in good weather.

Como Park has picnic areas, walking trails, playgrounds, and swimming facilities. The adjacent Como Park Conservatory, in a domed greenhouse, has sunken gardens, a fern room, biblical plantings, and seasonal flower shows.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts displays more than 80,000 works from every age and culture, including French Impressionists, rare Chinese jade, and a photography collection from 1863 to the present. The building also houses the Children's Theatre Company.

Minnehaha Park is the site of Minnehaha Falls, which was made famous by Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha. Minnehaha Parkway follows Minnehaha Creek, providing miles of jogging, biking, and in-line-skating trails.

Interactive exhibits at the Minnesota Historical Society show the story of the state from the perspectives of Native Americans, explorers, and settlers. A research library and museum store are on-site.

The Science Museum of Minnesota has exhibits on archaeology, technology, and biology and many hands-on exhibits for kids. In the McKnight Omnitheater 70mm films are projected overhead on a massive tilted screen.