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Maybe it's the unbearably cold winters that drive City of Lakes residents indoors for their entertainment. Boasting more theater seats per capita than any city outside of New York, Minneapolis' performing arts scene features 30-plus venues, including the famous Guthrie Theater and three more in the revitalized Hennepin Theatre District. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts houses an impressive collection of works spanning nearly 5,000 years, while the Walker Art Center features the city's signature image, the Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture. Of course, it's not all highbrow diversions in Minneapolis. Also located here is the largest mall in the nation, the Mall of America, and when the spring thaw finally comes around, the many lakes in the region offer ample opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming.

Twin Cities Metro Transit operates buses and a light rail line (Hiawatha) that runs from downtown Minneapolis south to the airport and the Mall of America. Bus fares are $1.50 per ride or 50 cents within the downtown zones of Minneapolis or St. Paul; rides on the Hiawatha line are $1.50. The city also has an extensive skyway system, so that pedestrians can walk throughout the city during its bitter winters without ever having to go outside.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is 14 miles south of Minneapolis and offers public transportation service into downtown by both bus (Route 54) and Hiawatha light rail. Taxi fares average $28 to $36 into Minneapolis and $22 to $26 into St. Paul.

Catch a Twins Game at "The Baggie"
The actual baggie is a 16-foot plastic extension over the right-field wall at the Metrodome, but it was only a matter of time before the nickname got applied to the entire stadium. The Twins are in the process of trying to secure public funding for a new retractable-roof ballpark, so their days at the Baggie may be numbered. Football fans can find the Vikings (who also want a new stadium) and the University of Minnesota in action at the Metrodome during the fall and winter.

Experience a "State of Hockey"
Minnesota isn't called the "State of Hockey" for nothing. The Minnesota Wild, an expansion team that debuted in 2000, play games at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, while perennial NCAA powerhouse Minnesota plays at Mariucci Arena on its campus in Minneapolis. Xcel also hosts the popular State Boys' High School Hockey Tournament, which is the country's oldest, dating back to 1945. Nearly 200 miles north of the Twin Cities in Eveleth, Minn., is the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, which includes an exhibit on the 1980 Miracle on Ice squad.

Put on a Helga Hat and Head for the Dome
Despite losing four Super Bowls and recently embarrassing themselves in 2005's sex boat scandal, the Vikings remain a big draw during football season. For your game attire, you'll want a "Helga Hat" -- a Viking (the person, not the team) helmet knockoff replete with blond braids dangling out the back.

Drill a Hole and Drop a Lline for Some Ice Fishing
There are dozens of lakes surrounding the Twin Cities areas that offer opportunities for ice fishing during the winter months, and your best bet might be to head west to huge Lake Minnetonka and Lake Waconia. Nearby businesses rent fish houses as well as gear, and the lakes teem with Walleye and Crappie.

Take a Canoe Trip Through the Chain of Lakes
In this series of six lakes connected by a creek, visitors can rent canoes and paddle for nearly two miles through four of them. Beginning at Lake Calhoun, head north through Lake of the Isles to Cedar Lake (site of a nude beach) and finally Brownie Lake. More ambitious athletes can take on the Chain of Lakes triathlon, held annually at the beginning of May.

Break Out the Skis for the City of Lakes Loppet
Beginning at Theodore Wirth Park and touring the trails and lakes of the Twin Cities, this 35-kilometer cross-country ski race draws thousands of competitors of all ages and abilities. The event also offers a shorter 10K route and a "beer and brats garden" for the spectators.

Mall of America
60 East Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, 952-883-8800
Famously, the nation's largest mall. More than a collection of shops and fast food joints, the Mall of America features the nation's largest indoor amusement park (including roller coasters), the world's largest underground aquarium (watch out for sharks!) and fine dining (including the Wolfgang Puck Express). The mall is located 11 miles south of downtown Minneapolis. There is ample parking.
http://www.mallofamerica.com/

Walker Art Center/Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403, 612-375-7600
This museum of contemporary art recently reopened, with nearly double its original size. It houses an impressive collection of paintings, sculpture, photography and multimedia installations. Across from the art center is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the largest -- and among the loveliest -- urban installation of its kind in the country. The art center is located three miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis. There is ample parking or take a cab or public transportation.
http://www.walkerart.org/index.wac

Minneapolis Institute of the Arts
2400 3rd Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-3131 or toll-free 888-MIA-ARTS
The highlights of this museum are its decorative arts (Middle Ages to the present) and textiles (6th century to the present) collections -- among the best in the country. Don't miss viewing the remains of a Prairie School house. The Institute is located two miles south of downtown Minneapolis. There is ample parking or hail a cab or take public transportation.
http://www.artsmia.org/

Fort Snelling
Minn. Highways 5 and 55, near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, St. Paul, MN 55111, 612-726-1171
This wilderness fort, located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, dates to 1825. From the fort, the U.S. military oversaw and administrated this section of the Northwest Territories. Guides in native, period dress escort visitors on tour the walled fort, describing frontier life for both settlers and Native American Indian tribes. The fort is located eight miles southeast of downtown Minneapolis. There is ample parking or take a cab.
http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/hfs/

Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102, 651-221-9444
This hands-on museum is a wonderful way to explore science, natural history and technology. Visitors can navigate a virtual tugboat down the Mississippi River or travel down the Bloodstream Superhighway. Don't miss the Dinosaur Lab. The museum is located nine miles east of downtown Minneapolis. There is ample parking or take a taxi or public transportation.
http://www.smm.org/

1991 Minnesota Twins (defeated Atlanta Braves, 4 games to 3).
1987 Minnesota Twins (defeated St. Louis Cardinals, 4 games to 3).
1954 Minneapolis Lakers (defeated Syracuse Nationals, 4 games to 3).
1953 Minneapolis Lakers (defeated New York Knicks, 4 games to 1).
1952 Minneapolis Lakers (defeated New York Knicks, 4 games to 3).
1950 Minneapolis Lakers (defeated Syracuse Nationals, 4 games to 2).
1949 Minneapolis Lakers (defeated Washington Capitols, 4 games to 2).