In 2020, we were forced to put our traveling plans to a halt in the face of a larger threat. However, the gap caused by this lost year still burns in the hearts of many people who just can’t wait to make up for it in 2021. This is why the choice of a 2021 travel destination bears quite a bit of weight.
While some people dream of traveling abroad, the truth is
that the situation regarding the pandemic is still quite uncertain. Tests,
vaccine requirements, different regional rules are more than enough to make
one’s head spin. Nonetheless, all of these problems can be made irrelevant by
sticking to a domestic trip.
Speaking of which, Minneapolis might be a perfect choice for
your 2021 trip. Here are seven compelling reasons why.
1.
History
Historically, Minneapolis was renowned for its flour
industry. Its position on the Mississippi River made it an ideal location for a
myriad of water-powered mills. As you will see later on, much of this city’s
identity is closely tied to the Mississippi River. However, these mills are no
longer active today, but their spirit is preserved in the Mill City Museum.
This place allows visitors from all areas of the country a chance to see what
the city looked (and sounded) like in the old days. Even for residents of
Minneapolis, this could be a great place to look a bit deeper into the history
of their hometown and try to envision what it was like living here back in the
day.
2.
Mississippi
River
Mississippi is easily the most iconic river on the whole
continent. First, it is the longest river in North America, but this is not the
only thing that makes it unique. Namely, while a freshwater body, in 1937, two
fishermen caught a bull shark in this river. So, if even these saltwater creatures
couldn’t stay away, who are you to resist? Also, St. Anthony Falls is the only
naturally occurring falls on the entire Mississippi River, and historically,
Minneapolis grew around them. Sure, you don’t have to visit Minneapolis to
enjoy Mississippi River sights, but it definitely provides one of the most
amazing photo-ops on the entire river.
3.
The
Nightlife
There’s so much to explore and look forward to when it comes
to Minneapolis Nightlife. Of
course, you could go to a club, look for a live music venue, or even go to
arcades and gaming venues. However, for a lot of people, hiring a party bus is
the best way to experience the city. It all comes down to what you see as a
good time. Minneapolis is home to numerous breweries and distilleries, which
could be seen as a great find for any connoisseur of alcoholic beverages. At
the same time, the city doesn’t lack dancing opportunities. Those who plan to
stay for more than one night should try to sample it all.
4.
Food
When talking about food in Minneapolis, it’s important to
remember that it is, after all, a 21st-century metropolis. This
means that you can find venues specializing in dishes from all over the world.
However, if we’re talking about the culture of the city or the things that a
local would eat, first of all, it’s important to talk about the city’s
Scandinavian heritage. This means that pickled herring, gravlax, and Swedish
meatballs you can try in Minneapolis are unlike any you will come across on the
continent. As far as the foods that the locals favor, if you’re looking to stir
up a debate, all you need to do is raise a question of which cheese-stuffed burger is the best in town.
5.
Shopping
Minneapolis is home to Mall of America (MOA colloquially),
which is a place where any passionate shopper could easily spend an entire day.
The place is also rich with high-end fashion boutiques and is home to numerous
independent fashion designers. In other words, regardless of what fashion styles
or colors you chose this summer, there’s a vendor
to help you execute this idea. Now, when it comes to shopping, it’s also worth
mentioning that there are numerous farmers’ markets and souvenir shops.
Travelers on a budget should not miss out on the opportunity to check what
Minneapolis thrift stores have to offer.
6.
St.
Paul
St. Paul is always referred to as Minneapolis’ twin city
(Yin to Minneapolis’ Yang). Because the place is merely a 15 minutes drive away from Minneapolis, you really lack the reason not to visit
St. Paul. Previously, we’ve talked about the Mississippi River being one of the
strongest arguments why one should visit Minneapolis. St. Paul has more
Mississippi Riverfront than any other city on the river. Also, the place is
home to the world’s second-largest marble dome in the world. Anyone even mildly
interested in architecture would see this as an absolute priority.
7.
Minnesota
State Fair
If none of the above was reason enough, you could plan to
visit Minneapolis during the 2021 Minnesota State Fair (August 26th
to September 6th). This one you would have to plan in a bit of a
hurry. This event will give you a chance to experience some of the best food,
shopping opportunities, and entertainment that this region has to offer. One
more reason why this is such an amazing opportunity is that the 2020 fair was canceled
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The estimated revenue loss of this was around
$16.2 million. For this very reason, both vendors and the attendees are looking
forward to this year’s fair.
In
Conclusion
Minneapolis is a place rich in history and culture. More importantly, it is a metropolitan area beaming with life. Ranging from all the different shopping and nightlife activities to photo opportunities and local cuisine, this city simply has it all. The biggest problem lies in the fact that a short trip won’t be enough to sample everything that this fantastic place has to offer. So, either take a long vacation or make a plan to come back.
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