For decades, the Minneapolis-St. Paul destination has welcomed film and television crews, critically acclaimed actors and directors and even a pair of grumpy old men. If you’re researching an upcoming trip to these communities, curl up on the couch with a bag of popcorn and hit play for a fun sneak peek at this dynamic metropolitan area’s many virtues.

■The 1984 cult classic “Purple Rain” and its Minneapolis-born star Prince introduced audiences to the legendary nightclub First Avenue & 7th Street Entry, a fundamental component of the Midwest music scene. Off the big screen, the versatile, one-named performer has been known to incorporate his hometown into his songs, tipping his hat to the vibrant Uptown district, long a haven for artistic and eclectic Minneapolitans, and, more recently, to the Minnesota Vikings, clad in purple and gold.... Read More

Considering you only have one stomach, planning an epicurean adventure through the Twin Cities can be tough.

You’ll find a number of casual eateries scattered throughout the metropolitan area, including the Birchwood Cafe, where creative vegan fare is the focus.

Pay a visit to quirky old-timer Al’s Breakfast and you’ll rub shoulders (literally) with famished University of Minnesota undergrads in a narrow diner teeming with people and personality.... Read More

The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area boasts an abundance of kid-approved hotels, attractions and restaurants. So if you and your brood are heading to the Twin Cities, here are a few suggestions for a fun-filled Minnesota vacation.

STAY: The Depot, a modern multi-use complex centered on the 19th-century Milwaukee Road Depot, is home to two family-friendly lodgings in Minneapolis’ Riverfront District. Offering historic suites in the former train station, The Depot Minneapolis, A Renaissance Hotel is the perfect choice for parents with a sophisticated history buff or railroad enthusiast in their midst.... Read More

 A gluten-free diet isn’t something you want to worry about when vacationing—living without staples like breads, pastas and cereals is tough enough at home. But, if you or a family member has been diagnosed with celiac disease or a wheat allergy, you know excluding foods containing this protein is a necessity, no matter where your travel adventures take you.... Read More

I had the pleasure of visiting Minneapolis for the first time last weekend and was pleasantly surprised by one of the famed Twin Cities. My attendance at a card game convention kept me indoors for the majority of my 3 ½ days in town, but my free time yielded some great tidbits of knowledge.

MSP airport is located about 10 miles south of town and is accessed via light rail on Metro Transit’s Hiawatha Line, opened in 2006. This route is perfect for tourists as it connect downtown Minneapolis (25 minutes from the airport) with the behemoth Mall of America in suburban Bloomington (10 minutes from... Read More