Internationally acclaimed architects are sculpting the cultural landscape of the city, adding over $500 million in new infrastructure to five of Minneapolis' top institutions. The Minneapolis Arts Explosion cements the city's reputation as a cultural destination.
With the first two projects completed last year, the city sets its sights on the conculsion of the 18-month campaign in 2006.
Significant buzz continues to surround Minneapolis’ culinary scene and its ability to attract internationally renowned chefs. Combining worldly sophistication, local charm and hot new trends, Minneapolis has a culinary surprise around every corner and around the clock.
Wolfgang Puck’s recently opened 20.21 restaurant (inside the Walker Art Center) is his first full-service establishment in the state. The Asian-influenced California menu elegantly highlights the museum’s 20th- and 21st-century art. The summer 2006 opening of the Chambers Hotel brought internationally recognized star chef Jean-Georges to the area for his Chambers Kitchen restaurant, further solidifying Minneapolis as a blossoming culinary destination.
Other popular new dining spots include Brenda Langton's Spoonriver and the Guthrie Theater's Cue, both set in the booming Riverfront District.
Whether you’re in the mood for high-style dining or a more casual affair, Minneapolis offers many award-winning spots. Dine at La Belle Vie, Minnesota’s most highly rated restaurant. The quaint 112 Eatery has already made a name for itself in Food & Wine magazine. Bon Appetit hails Azia and Mission American Kitchen as casual chic spots, while Cooking Light recommends Dakota Jazz Club for real heartland cuisine.
Stroll around downtown to take your pick of sidewalk cafes. Or head into Minneapolis neighborhoods to sample quaint bistros. Drive down Nicollet Avenue's "Eat Street" sample extraordinary ethnic variety.
Minneapolis is attracting attention with some hot new luxury hotels!
New York’s most stylish boutique hotel, The Chambers Hotel, opened its doors to its sister location in the Hennepin Theatre District in summer 2006.
Graves Hospitality Group has announced plans to build Graves | Uptown in the city's trendy Uptown neighborhood, with a scheduled 2008 opening.
Westin Hotel Minneapolis, due for a spring 2007 completion, renovates the historic Farmers and Mechanics Bank Building into a 214-room hotel, leaving elements of the building’s Art Moderne-style untouched for the city’s first Westin property.
On track for the planned September 2007 opening, Ivy Hotel + Residence broke ground in March 2006 on the 18-story, 136-room Starwood Luxury Collection development.
Ralph Burnet is set to redevelop of the historic Foshay Tower, once Minneapolis’ tallest building, into Minneapolis' first W hotel.
Graves | 601 Hotel features the Art +Tech luxury accommodation concept with the sleek Cosmos restaurant and fashionable Infinity bar.
Le Bourget Aero Suites redeveloped the 160-suite Bloomington Park Inn Suites, now operating as a new French-inspired boutique hotel.
URBAN GOLF
Did you know that Minneapolis has more golfers per capita than any other city in the nation and more than 175 golf courses, both public and private? If you love to walk lush green fairways around beautiful creeks, lakes and bluffs, then Minneapolis golf courses won't disappoint.
Minneapolis' Top Municipal Golf Courses:
Hiawatha Golf Course: A great urban golf course near Minnehaha falls and Lake Nokomis
Fort Snelling Golf Course: A scenic course near wonderful historic attractions
Theodore Wirth Golf Course: One of the oldest courses in the state with wonderful views of downtown
After the boom of the flour milling industry ended, empty mills lined the Riverfront. Today the Minneapolis Riverfront is an upcoming neighborhood packed with shops, condos and more.
GET JAZZED WITH THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE
Did you know Minneapolis has the fourth most active jazz scene in the country, behind only NYC, LA and Chicago?
