The Mississippi River and a surprising number of shimmering lakes were surely the inspiration for the name Minneapolis, the "city of water." Minneapolis and St. Paul are the two famous Twin Cities of Minnesota. A study in contrasts, Minneapolis harbors the natural beauty of parks and lakes, but is a modern metropolis that supports both a vibrant artistic community and bustling business center.

The Twin Cities is an exciting place to experience and create the arts. Four major art museums, two orchestras, and regional theater offer plenty of creative inspiration. Stroll through the Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center. Marvel at the Aquatennial, Winter Carnival and Renaissance Festival. Wonder at the Minneapolis Museum of Arts. The Hennepin Avenue Theatre District is the hot spot in town for Broadway productions. You'll also find pop, jazz, and a rock scene that's earned the Twin Cities the nickname of "The Land of 10,000 Bands."

In nearby Bloomington is the Mall of America, the country's largest shopping complex, with more than 400 specialty shops and 40 restaurants. The mall's centerpiece, Knott's Camp Snoopy, is a $70 million indoor family theme park that covers seven lush acres. For fun, Minneapolis is an aquarian's paradise, with a river and nearly 20 lakes. More than 150 city parks are accessible for hiking, biking, and skating. In warmer months, spend a sunny afternoon on the beaches of Lake Calhoun. In winter, enjoy ice skating, ice fishing, snow-mobiling, and skiing. If you're into spectator sports, cheer on the Twins and Vikings at the Metrodome. Or watch the Timberwolves and Lynx devour the competition. Getting around is easy, too, with a network of mass transit routes, shuttles, and a skyway that connects more than 50 city blocks.

An economically thriving area, Minneapolis is ranked as one of the nation's healthiest business centers, where corporate giants such as 3M, General Mills, Land O' Lakes, and Pillsbury make their homes. As both a creative and corporate hub in the Midwest, Minneapolis is a city of growing opportunity.