Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota — Activities
Minneapolis-St Paul Culture
From world-famous theater and orchestra performances to intimate poetry readings, the Twin Cities have a plethora of arts and cultural entertainment. There are more than 30 theaters and nearly 100 theater companies in the metropolitan area. Nationally, the area is second only to New York City in the number of theater seats per capita and the amount spent on tickets for these.
Arts and entertainment listings appear in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the St Paul Pioneer Press and the weekly free tabloid, City Pages. Ticket agencies include TicketMaster (tel: (612) 371 2000; www.ticketmaster.com) and Open Seats (tel: 1 866 789 1884; website: www.openseats.com).
Music
Orchestra Hall
This is the venue for The Minnesota Orchestra.
1111 Nicollet Mall
Tel: (612) 371 5656 or 1 800 292 4141.
Website: www.minnesotaorchestra.org
Northrop Auditorium
Located on the University of Minnesota's East Bank Campus, this venue attracts regular performances by leading jazz artists and also features concerts by St Paul Chamber Orchestra. The latter perform at a number of different venues including
SPCO Center, 90 Summit Avenue, (tel: (651) 291 1144), and Ted Mann Concert Hall on the University of Minnesota campus, 2128 Fourth Street South (tel: (651) 291 1144).
84 Church Street South East, Minneapolis
Tel: (612) 625 6600.
Website: www.umn.edu/umato
Theater
Guthrie Theater
The Tony award-winning Guthrie Theater is the jewel of the Twin Cities, presenting critically acclaimed contemporary productions that draw a national audience. Its new building contains three stages, three restaurants and a cantilever terrace which provides extra space and scenic views.
818 South Second Street, Minneapolis
Tel: (612) 225 1100.
Website: www.guthrietheater.org
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
The center presents top Broadway hits and innovative multicultural performances, as well as shows from the Minnesota Opera.
345 Washington Street, Downtown St Paul
Ttel: (651) 282 3000 for information or 224 4222 for tickets.
Website: www.ordway.org
Orpheum Theater
One of two of Minneapolis’ restored classic theaters, the Orpheum Theater in Downtown Minneapolis' Theater District often serves as the debut venues for large Broadway productions.
910 Hennepin
Tel: (612) 339 7007.
Website: www.hennepintheaterdistrict.org
The Old Log Theater
Set in a rustic stable in Excelsior and opened in 1940, this is the oldest running theater in the country.
5158 Meadville Street
Ttel: (952) 474 5951.
Website: www.oldlog.com
Chanhassen Dinner Theater
With three auditoriums, Chanhassen Dinner Theater is the nation's largest professional dinner theater.
501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen
Tel: (952) 934 1525 or 1 800 362 3515.
Website: www.chanhassentheaters.com
Penumbra Theater
This is one of only three professional African-American theaters in the country.
270 North Kent Street, St Paul
Tel: (651) 224 3180.
Website: www.penumbratheater.org
Dance
O'Shaughnessy Auditorium
The Ballet Arts Minnesota (tel: 340 (612) 1071; www.balletartsminnesota.org) presents traditional and contemporary works here as well as the Northrop Auditorium.
College of St Catherine, University of St Thomas
Ttel: (651) 690 6700.
Website: http://oshaughnessy.stkate.edu
Ethnic Dance Theater
This claims to be one of a handful of professional international dance companies in the USA dedicated to the preservation of world music, dance and song. Its repertoire of folk dance and music includes countries such as Albania, China, Costa Rica, Lebanon, Mongolia, Norway, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tibet, Russia, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.
3507 Clinton South
Tel: (763) 545 1333.
Website: www.ethnicdancetheater.com
Comedy
Acme Comedy Company
The venerable Acme Comedy Company hosts national comedy acts and also offers dinner packages.
708 North First Street, Minneapolis
Tel: (612) 338 6393.
Website: www.acmecomedycompany.com
Brave New Workshop
This is the country's longest running satirical comedy theater and also holds improvization nights.
2605 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis
Tel: (612) 332 6620.
Website: www.bravenewworkshop.com
Minneapolis-St Paul Tours
Walking Tours
Self-guided tours run along the St Anthony Falls Heritage Trail, a 2.9km (1.8 miles) riverfront loop that takes in the historic flour-milling district, including views of this Mississippi River waterfall from the restored Stone Arch Bridge and Nicollet Island. Information on the trail is available at the Mill City Museum, 704 Second Street South.
Set in a former underground nightclub, Down In History Tours offers popular, 45 minute walking tours of the Wabasha Street Caves in St Paul. They meet at 1415 Wabasha Street South, St Paul, on Saturday and Sunday at 1100, and on Thursday at 1700. It also runs themed bus tours.
Tel: (651) 292 1220.
Website: www.wabashastreetcaves.com
Coach and Trolley Tours
Metro Connections offers sightseeing tours of the Twin Cities aboard deluxe coaches, departing from either Minneapolis, St Paul or Mall of America. There are daily morning and afternoon tours for Twin Cities Highlights lasting around three hours. Highlights include the Nicollet Mall, the Downtown skyway network and the Metrodome.
Twin City Trolleys offers a variety of narrated tours aboard a historic trolley, covering St Paul’s history, its architecture or the Mississippi riverfront.
Metro Connections
Tel: (612) 333 8687 or 1 800 747 8687.
Website: www.metroconnections.com
Twin City Trolleys
Tel: (651) 223 5600.
Website: www.capitalcitytrolleys.com
Boat Tours
Padelford Packet Boat Company floats visitors down the Mississippi River in restored riverboats, with commentary on historic sites along the way. The 90 minute cruises depart from Harriet Island in St Paul. Lunch and dinner journeys are also available..
On Thursday between mid-June and mid-August, Metro Connections (see above) highlights Minneapolis attractions and combines it with a riverboat ride on the Mississippi. On Fridays during July and August, they visit historic Stillwater on the St. Croix River followed by a lunch cruise on the river.
Ttel: (651) 227 1100 or 1 800 543 3908.
Website: www.riverrides.com
Segway Tours
Between 1 April-1 November, visitors can take a 2.5 hour Magic History Tour aboard a two-wheeled Segway. Tours begin at St. Anthony Main, 125 Main Street SE and continue over and passed such attractions as the Stone Arch Bridge, the Upper Lock and Dam, the Saw Mill District and Nicollet Island.
Ttel: (952) 888 9200.
Website: www.humanonastick.com/magical.htm
