ARE you looking for a truly “American” experience?
Head to the neighbouring cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul for music history, fab shopping and delicious food, says writer Rosie Gizauskas.
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Go to a ball game
Nothing says “America” more than a baseball game. Watch the Minnesota Twins at the Target Field in Minneapolis, tickets cost from £9 (Mlb.com).
While you’re there, make sure you grab a footlong hot dog, £5.60, and see if you can make an appearance on the legendary Kiss Cam – as long as you don’t mind kissing the person you’re sitting next to, that is…
Honour pop royalty
Minneapolis is home of the world-renowned “Minneapolis sound”, a type of funk-rock pioneered by music icon Prince in the ’70s. Prince devotees should book a tour of his home, Paisley Park, which became a museum after his death in 2016 – and yes, most of it is purple.
Explore where he lived and recorded music, check out his fabulously eccentric costumes and even play on his ping-pong table.
Entry costs £34 (Paisleypark.com). Music fans can also strike a pose for a Insta-perfect photo by the wall of stars at the iconic First Avenue nightclub, where Prince filmed the movie Purple Rain (First-avenue.com).
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Shop till you drop
With more than 500 shops, the Mall of America in Bloomington, just a 15-minute drive from Downtown Minneapolis, is the US’s second biggest shopping mall – and believe us, it is huge (Mallofamerica.com).
It even has its own theme park inside! Nickelodeon Universe has 27 attractions, including the terrifying Spongebob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge. Rides cost £5.75 each (Nickelodeonuniverse.com).
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Fill your boots
In the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area the local cuisine is all about the legendary “Juicy Lucy” cheeseburger, which has melted cheese inside the meat patty. Try it at Shamrock’s Irish bar in Saint Paul, £8.70, which plays all the local baseball and ice-hockey games on big screens (Crnook.com).
Sample an even guiltier pleasure with a portion of cheese curds – deep-fried nuggets of the good stuff – at Twin City Grill in the Mall of America, which come with a ranch dressing, £6.70 (Twincitygrillrestaurant.com).
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Beer with us
Book a free tour at Surly Brewing in Minneapolis and find out how it makes its hip craft beers – yes, you get to wear goggles, and there’s plenty of beer tasting, too. Our favourite was the brewery’s light and refreshing rosé beer, £3.50 a pint.
After the tour, hang out in the brewery’s massive, chilled-out beer hall and order a lip-smackingly good margherita pizza, £6, which will easily feed two (Surlybrewing.com).
For more craft beers head to the Keg and Case Market in Saint Paul, located in the grounds of the historic Schmidt Brewery, where you’ll find an eclectic mix of food and drink, from authentic Vietnamese dishes to classic Italian favourites (Kegandcase.com).
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Rest and recharge
Base yourself at the luxurious Loews Minneapolis Hotel, which also houses a dreamy spa. Don’t miss the American breakfast, complete with local sausage and wild rice pancakes.
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Double rooms cost from £128 per night B&B (Loewshotels.com).
To be closer to the Mall of America, stay at the Hyatt Regency Bloomington, with large comfy beds to sink into after a day at the shops.
Double rooms cost from £163 B&B (Hyatt.com).
BTW
Minnesota has more than 10,000 lakes.
Aer Lingus flies to Minneapolis-St Paul, via Dublin, from 16 UK airports. Flights cost from £299 each way (Aerlingus.com).
Plan your trip at Visit-twincities.com.
