As travelers look forward to auto trips across our southern border again, many will be skipping the 72-hour no-test-requirement option to visit nearby Grand Forks and Fargo.

While these are great weekend alternatives to discovering an American city, am I looking for my first opportunity to travel a little further ?? to the larger and busier twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Is it a rewarding winter destination to visit ?? and an urban area that has a lot to offer for families, couples or groups of friends who want to combine a mix of activities ?? from sport, culture and history.

I have always found the people to be incredibly friendly and feel like they offer the same warm and caring welcome Manitobans give to those who visit us.

While many will follow the Winnipeg Jets to St. Paul when the Minnesota Wild attempt to dethrone any rights we think we have to finish first in our division, those trips will often be made with the goal of getting back in the same test of 72. time. Grace period. Considering a longer stay will definitely be worth the time and cost currently required for a pre-return test.

For shoppers, it’s likely that many hours will be spent in the sprawling Mall of America. Created by the same Ghermezian brothers ?? who first demonstrated that they understood what mega-shoppers wanted when they built the West Edmonton Mall before moving to Minnesota.

If there’s a brand name store you’re looking for, you’ll likely find it in the Mall of America.

As broad as the shopping experience at this mall is ?? for a more relaxed and personal experience, I recommend spending a few hours at the outdoor stores of Arbor Lakes in the Minneapolis suburb of Maple Grove. Here you will find a few more upscale alternatives and you will also find some great dining options.

Considering the number of Manitoba license plates that dot the parking lot at the Albertville Premium Outlet Mall, a short drive from the highway back to Manitoba ?? I can safely assume that this 100 store location is the starting point on the way home for many hoping for better deals than they found in both cities.

For young children, the Mall of America will hold the biggest attraction. As mom’s or dad’s shops, kids will stay happily occupied for hours on end, going from the huge Nickelodeon universe, to the Underworld aquarium, to the Lego Imagination Center ?? the largest Lego store and display in the United States.

Unlike the West Edmonton Mall, the Mall of America does not have a huge water park. However, only a few miles away is Great Wolf Lodge ?? with its multi-faceted layout including 4 story waterfalls, towers and wading pools ?? no child, whatever their age, will be bored.

Although the property is only rated three stars, we found it to be a great place to stay for the water park alone despite its proximity to the Mall of America.

I’m not much of a buyer so I was happy to be assigned to look after our grandchildren in both locations on our last visit. Some of my fondest memories are seeing their joy and sense of discovery as they explored and participated in all aspects of these unique children’s worlds.

For older children and adults, the Science Museum of Minnesota is taking longer than most people expect. From anthropology to biology to paleontology ?? the exhibits and hands-on learning found in the exhibits inside this building open our eyes in a meaningful way to our past, present and future histories in our evolution.

At the height of the COVID crisis, most cinemas were closed ?? but as the Guthrie, Orpheum and Pantages theaters start to take the stage again ?? the culture of the Twin Cities is ready to shine again.

Until December 27, Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol will be played at Guthrie.

For a touch of Canadian history in America, we visited the National Historic Landmark, the former home of James J. Hill ?? who became one of the richest men in the United States in the mid-1800s.

Born in Ontario, he would become a leader in building a railway company. His 4000 square meter house is a monument to wealth. It includes his collection of art and sculptures that he was able to buy during his lifetime.

Just down the road, and in front of some of the city’s wealthiest houses, is St. Paul’s Cathedral.

More recently, it has been the scene of protests after the murder of George Floyd ?? but it also carries with it a proud history and is today the fourth tallest church in the United States ?? and the third largest in the global space.

The roads between Manitoba and the Twin Cites have been excellent, with higher speed limits on several, facilitating a comfortable and hassle-free trip.

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Ron Pradinuk
Travel writer

Writer and podcaster, Ron’s travel column appears in the Winnipeg Free Press every Saturday in the Destinations and Diversions section.

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