10 Things You Can Only Brag About If You’re From Minneapolis
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
People from Minnesota are notoriously nice, but that doesn’t mean we don’t toot our own horn from time to time! There are a lot of people, places and traditions that folks in Minneapolis can brag about that no one else in the world can. From parks to celebrities to cat video festivals, Minneapolis has it all. So grab your hotdish and have a seat, here are 10 things you can only brag about if you’re from Minneapolis.
The Minneapolis Skyway System is an interlinked collection of enclosed footbridges for pedestrians that connect various buildings in Minneapolis. The Skyway spans 80 full city blocks and covers over 11 miles, enabling people to walk in climate-controlled comfort year-round. The Minneapolis Skyway System is the longest continuous skyway system in the world!
Iconic singer, songwriter, record producer and instrumentalist, Prince was born and raised in Minneapolis. Prince owned many pieces of property in the Twin Cities area, including the house from Purple Rain. Later in life, he resided at Paisley Park in Chanhassen until his death in 2016. He may be gone, but his contributions to the City of Lakes will never be forgotten.
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Minneapolis gave the world this delectable culinary creation. Need we say more?
Hey bookworms, do you hear that? Minneapolis ranks consistently as one of the most literate cities in America. One major study ranks the largest cities in the United States and focuses on six key factors of literacy: number of bookstores, educational attainment, internet resources, library resources, periodical publishing resources, and newspaper circulation. Great job, Minneapolis!
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is an 11-acre park in Minneapolis. The garden is home to more than 40 iconic sculptures, including Spoonbridge & Cherry. This popular park system unites two of Minnesota’s most cherished resources: its green space and its cultural life. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden opened in 1988, and it's going away anytime soon!
The first Target opened its doors in Roseville, Minnesota in 1962. Target was different from other retail stores because it combined many of the best department store features, such as fashion quality and service, with the low prices of a discounter. Today, we know Target as the place we can get our in-style clothing, groceries and household supplies, and even wine! There are now over 1,800 stores nationwide, and they owe it all to Minneapolis.
With 13 lakes within city limits - and thousands more easily accessible across the state - Minneapolis is truly special. Unlike many other urban areas, the city prides itself on its outdoor recreation, and for many who live in the Twin Cities, that begins and ends at the lake.
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What other major metropolitan area has a waterfall - let alone one as gorgeous as Minnehaha? It's so pretty, in fact, that it's included in a famous poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. What other city has that claim to fame?
Minneapolis makes it easy to be active. Besides its many natural destinations, miles upon miles of bike trails make it easy to get around. You don't even have to own your own bike! There are plenty of bike rental stations around town to help you get around in style. In fact, Minneapolis has been named one of the most bike friendly cities in the United States.
It may be silly, but it's true! One of our favorite expressions, "holy cow!" was first spoken by Halsey Hall, a sports reporter and announcer in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area from the 1920s to 1970s. Hall worked for several newspapers in the Twin Cities area and later did radio broadcasts for Minnesota Twins baseball. Hall used "holy cow!" as a home run call on the radio.
Those are just a few things Minneapolis has to brag about. Twin Cities residents, can you think of any more? Let us know in the comments below!
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