Minneapolis Points of Interest
Attendees at the 2009 AAAR annual conference will not be disappointed with the variety of Minneapolis attractions which are located within a short distance of the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, Minneapolis is a compact, easy-to-navigate, and affordable city. Home to 40,000 people living downtown, the city is vibrant and truly offers something for everyone.
History: Using the power harnessed from the St. Anthony Falls, Minneapolis grew into a prosperous milling center. When the industry declined, the deserted buildings were eventually converted into lofts, condos, retail, and other mixed-use facilities which now add to the overall lure and popularity of the city.
Cultural Opportunities: Visit the Guthrie Theater, the Walker Art Center (with free admission on Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.), and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home to the city's most popular outdoor sculpture, Spoonbridge and Cherry.
Architecture: From the historic Stone Arch Bridge to the old mills lining the riverbanks, one can truly immerse himself in both the history and refurbishing of the city. From Nicollet Mall, take a stroll down one of the cross streets and see a variety of architecture spanning both old and new.
Dining and Shopping: Nicollet Mall, directly outside the front door of the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, offers shopping opportunities from boutiques and department stores to bookstores and specialty shops. The mall itself, created as a pedestrian and transit thoroughfare, is extremely popular with locals and visitors alike. Frequent buses take passengers from one point of the mall to another for an economical fare of fifty cents. Restaurants, both high-end and ultra casual, line both sides of the mall.
For more information concerning Minneapolis attractions, visit www.minneapolis.org.
