Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 108
BEYOND THE LAKES
BY NORMAN MAYERS
Minnesota is a state of many
charms, going well beyond the 10,000
lakes that it is known for. Arts and
culture, eclectic shopping, world-class
theme parks, and modern cities can
all be found here. Museums, theater,
art, and fabulous festivals are the
norm. And one shouldn't forget the
massive Mall of America, a major
destination that has countless shops
and themed attractions for hours of
fun. Even when its cold outside, the
state has plenty of things for people
to do and even more ways to keep
them protected from the low temper-
atures.
MINNEAPOLIS
Minnesota is considered to be one of
the country's most livable and walkable
cities. Here you can discover many dif-
ferent entertainment districts, restau-
rants, bars, shops and more, all accessi-
ble by foot or light rail. This vibrant
Metropolis boasts a thriving one-of-a-
kind theater scene with more theater
seats per capita than any city outside of
New York. While Minnesota is know for
its freezing temperatures, when you
come to Minneapolis you can take
advantage of over seven miles of glass
enclosed skyways that connect most of
the downtown area businesses and
attractions. The skywalks make it a rela-
tive breeze for your attendees to go
from the convention center to their
hotel without ever stepping a foot out-
doors. But the city is also a wonderful
place to enjoy the great outdoors with
more 22 lakes within the city limits. In
the past few years, Minneapolis has
experienced unprecedented growth in
an already rich cultural landscape. The
AREA GUIDES
Minneapolis Skyline
Photo Credit: Minneapolis CVA
Institute of Arts
Photo Credit: Minneapolis CVA
MINNESOTA
