Minneapolis, Minnesota is known as the "City of Lakes" for its string of lakes that are the center of activity for the city.  Minneapolis is one of the twins in Twin Cities, the sister of St. Paul. The link above will take you to complete information about the city of Minneapolis. Citizens of the city will find critical information about everything from parks and parking meters, potholes, the Hiawatha Light Rail Line, and Snow Emergency Parking. The page will give you information about Disability Services, Recreation, Transportation and Schools, Libraries, Utilities, Trash Disposal and Recycling, Neighborhoods and Community Planning, Safety, Utilities, Health Resources, Homeowners, Renters and Landlords and just about anything else you can think about for a big city.

As befitting the largest city in Minnesota, every cultural opportunity exists in Minneapolis. Theater is well represented by many highly regarded live theaters including the Guthrie Theater, Penumbra Theater, State, Orpheum and Pantages Theaters, Theatre de la Jeune Lune and more. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, McPhail Center for the arts, Walker Art Center, the Bakken Library and Museum, James Ford Bell Museum, Mill City Museum and many more are among the fine art galleries and museums to visit in Minneapolis. Check out the link above for a complete list of museum, arts and entertainment choices.

The city of Minneapolis is host to several major events throughout the year including, Art-A-Whirl, a Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association studio and gallery tour scheduled for May, 19th-21st.  This is a North East annual event in which 300 plus artists -- sculptors, tile makers, glass blowers, textile designers and many more artists, local and regional -- display their art. July 14th – 23rd 2006 is the time for milk carton boat races, fireworks, art fair and lots of fun in the 67th annual Minneapolis Aquatennial.  The Uptown Art Fair, August 4, 5 and 6, 2006 is where 385 artists display their art.  The world class Twin Cities Marathon, now called the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, is a premier fall event scheduled for Sunday, October 1, 2006. This is a big weekend featuring the ING Health and Fitness Expo and seminars throughout the weekend.  Find lots of free items and information at the Expo plus marathon merchandise will be available for sale. The Outback Steakhouse Pasta Party will be on September 30.  The City of Lakes Loppet is a 35 km cross-country ski race on the trails along the lakes.  Click on the City of Minneapolis link for more scheduled activities throughout the year.

Downtown Minneapolis is going through a revival as the boom of condo and loft building has drawn people back into the city.  If you are interested in the history of Minneapolis and the many happenings along the historic Mississippi River, be sure to click on the Mississippi Mile Riverfront Guide which will fill you in on the events and things to do in this booming area. There the historic Riverfront is experiencing similar shopping, condo and loft development as many other parts of the city including the Historic Minneapolis Warehouse District -- where many of the historic warehouse buildings now serve as offices, restaurants, theatres, specialty shops, loft and condos.

The Minneapolis Farmers' Market will open its season in April. This is an open-air, covered market that is open rain or shine. The market is open 7 days a week and is a source of fresh, quality produce from among 240 vendors. A satellite of the Minneapolis Farmers’ Market is the Midtown Public Market whose mission is “To increase the economic and social vitality, livability and sustainability of the Midtown area of South Minneapolis by providing and selling space for Minnesota and Wisconsin growers, producers and artists." Click on the City of Minneapolis link, above and click on Leisure in the heading, scroll down to Destinations and then Midtown Public Market to find more information.

The Chain of Lakes with over 13 miles of biking/walking/jogging paths is the core of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The Minneapolis park system includes more than 150 parks and 49 neighborhood parks and recreation centers that are fully staffed and have events, classes and special programs for residents of the Twin Cities throughout the year. Grand Rounds which loops around Minneapolis and includes 50 miles of roads, and trails for biking, rollerblading, walking or driving is part of the National Scenic Byways. New to the park system are the skateboard parks already in 3 parks and being planned for 3 more. Click on the link above for complete information about these and other wonderful city assets.

Minnesota is synonymous with many sports teams: Minnesota Timberwolves NBA basketball, Minnesota Twins MLB baseball, Minnesota Vikings NFL football, Minnesota Wild NHL hockey, Minnesota Lynx WNBA basketball most of which take place in Minneapolis. The University of Minnesota Gophers NCAA sports are big events.

According to the US Census, Minneapolis has a very highly educated population with over 85% having graduated from high school and over 35% having obtained college degrees. People living in Minneapolis have access to several good schools and colleges in the area. High schools include the Blake Upper School, Breck School, Edison Senior High School, Henry Senior High School, Maranatha Christian Academy, Minnehaha Academy, North Senior High School, Roosevelt Senior High School, South Senior High School, Southwest Senior High School, and Washburn Senior High School. The Augsburg College, Bethel College, Brown Institute, Capella University, College of Saint Catherine - Saint Paul, Dunwoody Institute, Hamline University, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Musicians Technical training Center, Normandale Community College, North Central University, The Art Institutes International, University of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas, and Walden University are among the local and nearby colleges. 

According to the US economic census, the 2000 median household income in Minneapolis was over $37,000. This is slightly lower than the national average income, but Minneapolis year 2000 housing costs were lower than average as well, with the median house value in 2000 in Minneapolis being under $110,000. The top sectors for employment in Minneapolis, Minnesota are Educational, health and social services, Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services, Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services, Manufacturing, Retail trade. 

The Camden News, The Business Journal, Star Tribune, The Community Reporter, Pioneer Press and St Paul Legal Ledger will provide you with information on news and events concerning Minneapolis, such as Minneapolis Travel, Minneapolis Hotels and Minneapolis Restaurants. Area residents also enjoy participating in sports and following games of the Augsburg College Auggies, North Central Bible College Flames, University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, Bethel College Royals, College of St. Catherine Wildcats, Concordia University Golden Bears, Hamline University Pipers, Macalester College Scots, Northwestern College Eagles, University of St. Thomas Tommies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Wild. 

The relatively young Minneapolis population receives health care at area hospitals including Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, Children's Health Care - Minneapolis, Fairview University Medical Center, Hennepin County Medical Center, and Philliphs Eye Institute.