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Minneapolis Weather

 Heavy Rain
Wed, May 22 - Heavy Rain
Max : 20°C (68°F) Min : 9°C (48°F)
 White Cloud
Thu, May 23 - White Cloud
Max : 11°C (52°F) Min : 7°C (45°F)
 Sunny
Fri, May 24 - Sunny
Max : 17°C (63°F) Min : 6°C (43°F)

The growth of Minneapolis started with Fort Snelling. The fort, built in 1819, created the largest U.S. military presence in the area at that time. Saint Anthony Falls was nearby, which was used to power flourmills and sawmills. Once the land was ready for settling, two towns were built on either side of these falls. On the east side, Saint Anthony was built. Minneapolis was built on the west side and the two towns became one city in 1872. Early on, the city's industry was primarily sawmill based. However, flourmills gradually came out on top. With it came railroads and banks, in addition to the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. The city soon received the nickname, "Mill City". The city has grown considerably since then and when searching for hotels Minneapolis guests will see the evidence of this.

When staying in local hotels Minneapolis visitors will easily find the right amount of luxury. The basics such as cable TV, free Internet and room service are standard. Many have in-hotel restaurants and bars. It is also fairly common for these establishments to have pet friendly rooms, valet parking, laundry and dry cleaning services. A few of these also have safety deposit boxes, luggage storage and on-site gift shops. Common facilities include fitness centers and swimming pools and some have saunas, jacuzzis or massage centers.

The Minneapolis Aquatennial has been running for over seventy years. In the first Aquatennial, the entire police department worked a twelve-hour shift. Back in its early days, the festival featured two hundred events. Now, the festival features over seventy events. One classic event is the milk carton boat race. This started because a local advertising agency needed a way to increase sales for a brand of milk. The staff thought of the most ridiculous way to do this and the milk carton boat race was born. Another classic event is the Torchlight Parade.

The Minnesota Fringe Festival aims to bring bold performers together with bold audiences. It is a performing arts festival featuring eclectic performers of all kinds. It is organized by Minnesota Fringe, a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis. Most of the events take place around Minneapolis, though some venues are also in Saint Paul. The festival is usually held on the first two weekends of August in addition to the week in between. The admission pins provide attendees with discounts for places all over town.

The Holidazzle Parade takes place in downtown Minneapolis. The parade marches down Nicollet Mall and it has been around for nearly twenty years. The parade brings in some three hundred thousand observers to watch the dazzling lights and floats. The parade also features fairytale characters and is a great family event. It can get a little chilly, so dressing warmly is recommended.

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is located near the Walk Art Center. The sculpture garden is widely believed to be the boldest display of art ever.You can see for yourself if this is an exaggeration or not. The collection includes more than forty art pieces from artists such as George Segal, Ellsworth Kelly, Henry Moore, Franz Lipschitz and Jenny Holzer. The eleven-acre garden features a giant spoon on a lake, referred to as the Spoon Bridge, with a red cherry in it. The entrance features a sculpted ampersand symbol. The west side of the garden features the Cowles Conservatory, where visitors can see blooming flora.

The Falls of Saint Anthony are historically significant and beautiful, which makes them a must-see for any visitor. As previously mentioned, these were realistically responsible for the industrial growth of two cities, namely Minneapolis and Saint Anthony. The falls were named by a Belgian friar named Father Louis Hennepin, in 1680.

For summer guests of local hotels Minneapolis features a beautiful Rose Garden. The garden has been alive and well since 1907. Now, it is complemented by two fountains. It is the second oldest public rose garden. The view is best between mid-June and late September, as this is when the flowers are in full bloom. However, the garden still attracts attention in spring when the roses begin to bud. A very beautiful and restful Japanese rock garden sits across from it.