In 1867, Minneapolis officially became a part of the state of Minnesota. Today, it is a bustling urban environment with many active businesses operating from within city limits. The winter months are quite cold and can be very dry, but the summer months turn warm to uncomfortably hot.

While much of the city is based on large office buildings with some heavy focus on the timber industry, there are some key attractions that bring in millions of visitors to what would otherwise be a boring city.

For instance, Minneapolis is the lucky home of the Mall of America, which has become famous all over the world. It covers over 4 million square foot and offers visitors much more than premier shopping experiences. It includes an indoor amusement park, complete with a ferris wheel and roller coaster. This is a mall that takes at least a day if not two or three to fully explore.

Other features in this city tend to be reflective of what you will find in literally every other American city. There is a zoo and a variety of museums, some aimed at historical themes and others at children.

For outdoor adventure, the premier destination is Lake Calhoun. Here visitors as well as locals can go for a walk, swim, or go out on the water in a canoe or rented boat. Sailing and wind surfing can also be enjoyed during certain seasons of the year.