Minnesota's twin cities lie on either side of the Mississippi River, with Minneapolis to the west and St. Paul to the east. When the first explorers ventured up the mighty Mississippi, they found the river roaring over an 18-foot precipice here. Years later, New England emigrants settled the area, followed quickly by waves of Scandinavians and Germans, and the cities grew in importance as a transportation hub and a flour-milling center.

Today the Falls of St. Anthony are tamed and bypassed by lock and dam, and the Twin Cities are home to terrific museums and one of the most active theater and fine arts communities in the nation. And lest Minnesota's reputation for terrible weather worry you, rest assured that both cities incorporate miles of climate-controlled skyway systems enabling residents and visitors to work, shop, and dine without stepping outdoors during the often-harsh winters.