Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Around Minneapolis- St Paul
Sights
Mall of America
MALL, AMUSEMENT PARK
(
www.mallofamerica.com
;
off I-494 at 24th Ave; 10am-9:30pm Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm Sun; )
The Mall of America, located in suburban Bloomington near the airport, is the USA's
largest shopping center. Yes, it's just a mall, filled with the usual stores, movie theaters
and eateries. But there's also a wedding chapel inside. And an 18-hole
mini-golf course
( 952-883-8777; 3rd fl; admission $8)
. And an amusement park, aka
Nickelodeon Uni-
of scream-inducing roller coasters. To walk through will cost you nothing; a one-day,
unlimited-ride wristband is $30; or you can pay for rides individually ($3 to $6). What's
more, the state's largest aquarium,
Minnesota Sea Life
( 952-883-0202;
www.visitsealife.com/minnesota
; adult/child $24/16)
- where children can touch sharks and
stingrays - is in the mall too. Combination passes are available to save dough. The Blue
Line light-rail runs to/from downtown Minneapolis. The mall is a 10-minute ride from
the airport.
Fort Snelling
HISTORIC SITE
( 612-726-1171;
www.historicfortsnelling.org
; cnr Hwys 5 & 55; adult/child $11/6; 10am-5pm
Tue-Sat & noon-5pm Sun Jun-Aug, Sat only Sep & Oct; )
East of the mall, Fort Snelling is the
state's oldest structure, established in 1820 as a frontier outpost in the remote Northwest
Territory. Guides in period dress show restored buildings and reenact pioneer life.
DON'T MISS
BIG BALL O' TWINE
Behold the
World's Largest Ball of Twine
(1st St; admission free; 24hr)
in Darwin,
62 miles west of Minneapolis on US 12. To be specific, it's the 'Largest Built by One
Person' - Francis A Johnson wrapped the 17,400lb whopper on his farm over the
course of 29 years. Gawk at it in the town gazebo. Better yet, visit the the
museum
(
320-693-7544;
by appointment)
beside it and buy your own twine ball starter kit in
the gift shop.
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