The Best of Minnesota: Twin Cities Favorites, Quirky Attractions, and Small-Town Charm

I grew up in the capital city of St. Paul and currently live in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood—a historic district of cobblestone alleys, Victorian homes, and tree-lined streets that reflect the city’s character. At the heart of it all is Summit Avenue, considered the longest stretch of preserved Victorian architecture in the country. The street is bookended by two defining Minnesota landmarks, the Cathedral of Saint Paul and the Minnesota State Capitol, and ends at the iconic Mississippi River. 

My professional life has taken me beyond these streets. As "Todd About Town" across TV, print, and radio - reporting for FOX, writing for Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and the Pioneer Press, and contributing to various radio stations - I’ve spent years covering the people, places, and stories that shape Minnesota. I’ve also worked as a reality TV host and home shopping host, but no matter where the job has taken me, Minnesota has always been home.

Minneapolis and St. Paul are often called the Twin Cities, but in reality, they’re more like fraternal twins - connected but unmistakably themselves. If the Twin Cities were New York, St. Paul would be Brooklyn - historic, neighborly, full of depth and tradition. Minneapolis would be Manhattan - bold, ever-changing, vertical in its ambition. The contrast is what makes this place fascinating.

In this piece, I’m sharing some personal picks and hometown gems across both cities, from the iconic to the offbeat. I’ll also guide you to one of our favorite river towns, Stillwater, and share a few quirks and classics in the final section, which highlights what makes us unique.

St. Paul, Minnesota

Of course, I had to begin with St. Paul - my hometown and, in my humble opinion, the better of the two cities. (Yes, there’s an ongoing rivalry. And yes, we wear it with pride.)

St. Paul has a timelessness about it. It leans into tradition and never feels the need to shout. The neighborhoods reflect Catholic, Irish, and Italian roots, with working-class families, strong communities, and street names that have remained unchanged for generations. You’ll feel it on Grand Avenue, where indie restaurants, coffee shops, and small businesses create a Main Street feel with a St. Paul twist.

You’ll also notice the Scandinavian influence woven into Minnesota’s DNA. I’m Norwegian-American, and growing up, the holidays meant two things on the table: Lutefisk and Lefse. To this day, I still roll Lefse by hand with family and friends every Christmas season.

One of the strangest and most beloved winter events in the country takes place right here: the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Outsiders might be puzzled by the presence of the Vulcans (a flame-wielding crew of mischief-makers), a full Royal Family, and a citywide celebration of snow, ice, and deep-freeze pageantry. But around here, it makes perfect sense, and it’s been that way for over a century.

If you’re hungry, head to Cossetta’s for pizza and red-sauce comfort food - it’s one of those family spots that still feels like a secret handshake. For something more buttoned-up, W.A. Frost, with its iconic patio tucked behind ivy-covered walls, offers a taste of old-guard St. Paul. And when it comes to dive bars, The Spot is as real as it gets. Insider tip: if the bar isn’t open, just knock.

St. Paul is home to its share of pro action: The Minnesota Wild hit the ice at Xcel Energy Center, soon to be renamed Grand Casino Arena, this fall. Minnesota United FC, also known as the Loons, call Allianz Field home, and the energy during a match is as fiercely Minnesotan as it gets.

St. Paul also serves up classic hospitality at The Saint Paul Hotel, perfectly positioned across from the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts—a duo that captures the city’s timeless charm.

Nature? We’ve got it - Hidden Falls, Como Park, and river trails that wind right through the city, hugging the Mississippi as it cuts through town. It’s a quiet kind of beauty that fits St. Paul perfectly.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Just across the river, and with a personality all its own, is Minneapolis. While I may be St. Paul born and raised, I’ll admit Minneapolis holds its own. It’s bolder, faster, flashier - and proud of it.

Experience the outdoors without leaving the city - grab a Nice Ride bike and hit the lakes or river trails. Start at Minnehaha Falls, then head to Bde Maka Ska, where locals walk, run, and paddleboard. For city-meets-nature views, cross the Stone Arch Bridge to the Guthrie Theater, perched above the Mississippi.

Hungry? Head to Eat Street, the city’s global food corridor. My pick: Pho 79 - no frills, just deeply satisfying bowls of broth, noodles, and spice. For a real-deal dive bar, the CC Club never disappoints. It’s dark, it’s loud, it’s been around forever - and proudly makes no apologies.

And if you're after something more elevated, Minneapolis delivers. Bûcheron, a French-American spot, was named Best New Restaurant in the country by the James Beard Foundation. Spoon and Stable remains a North Loop staple, known for its refined but approachable take on Midwestern dining.

Minneapolis doesn’t mess around with sports, home to the Twins (Target Field), Vikings (U.S. Bank Stadium), Timberwolves and Lynx (Target Center), and Gophers (Huntington Bank Stadium). Every July, the Aquatennial brings fireworks, music, and a full-on celebration of water and sunshine in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Minneapolis brings the gloss, too. Home to the Four Seasons Hotel, perched along Hennepin Avenue, where theaters, nightlife, and rooftop lounges keep the city buzzing late into the night.

For shopping, stop at MartinPatrick 3 in the North Loop. It’s earned national attention for its curated mix of men’s and women’s fashion, accessories, grooming products, and beautifully designed home goods. It’s more than a store - it’s an experience and one that reflects Minneapolis’ polished edge.

Round out your visit with a stop at the Walker Art Center and the adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home of the city’s most recognizable artwork: the Spoonbridge and Cherry. (No, it’s not named after me, though I wouldn’t mind.)

What Makes Us Us

Some things don’t fit neatly into city limits. That’s where Minnesota’s wild-card charm kicks in.

Take a side trip to Stillwater, one of the oldest towns in the state, and a favorite Twin Cities day trip. Nestled on the St. Croix River, it’s known for its historic charm, antique stores, paddlewheel boats, and yes - even gondola rides. There’s a romantic, slightly unexpected feel here that keeps people coming back.

We’re also home to a music legacy that’s hard to match. Prince’s Paisley Park sits just outside the city - now a museum filled with his stage outfits, instruments, and personal archives. Visitors can tour the recording studios and performance spaces that shaped his career. And while you're at it, don’t forget Minnesota gave the world Bob Dylan and Judy Garland — and helped launch Lizzo, who spent her breakout years in Minneapolis.

Want to see how quirky we can get? We’re home to the SPAM Museum, the world’s largest ball of twine, and statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox that double as iconic photo ops. You’ll find Hot Dish at every potluck - what others might call casserole, which we’ve proudly claimed as our own. And arguments still rage over who makes the best Juicy Lucy, a burger with cheese sealed inside the patty, not on top. It oozes molten perfection with every bite.

The Minnesota State Fair is a big deal here: 12 days in late August leading up to Labor Day, where you’ll find anything and everything served on a stick. It’s second in size only to Texas, but true to form, we make it our own, with butter sculptures, seed art, and plenty of “Uff da.”

Heads up, if you find yourself in a game of Duck, Duck...it’s Duck, Duck, Gray Duck here - not Goose.