Most of us who live in the Twin Cities already foster a love of Minneapolis that runs pretty deep. Still, it’s easy to get annoyed with constant construction, congested commutes, and cold weather that we forget why we call this city home. Whether you’re a Minneapolitan, or you admire the city from afar, these 10 undeniable reasons everyone should love Minneapolis will remind you of why the City of Lakes is so great.

  1. It’s beautiful from a distance…

Matthew Paulson/Flickr Especially at night, with the skyline reflected in the Mississippi River, Minneapolis is beautiful from afar. It may not be the largest city, but its skyline is still impressive.

  1. …and up close.

Tony Webster/Flickr If you’re willing to look, you can find quietly beautiful moments around just about every corner in Minneapolis. Whether you stroll down a new street or visit a favorite park at sunset, you’re bound to find beauty in the little things here.

  1. It’s the City of Lakes.

Alan Turkus/Flickr Minneapolis is home to 12 lakes, so it definitely earns its nickname. These lakes are full of beautiful sights and fun recreational opportunities all year.

  1. It’s full of history.

Joe D/Flickr Once the Flour Milling Capital of the World, Minneapolis now hosts many attractions that offer a historic peek at the city’s past. Among the most famous are the Mill City ruins, but there are plenty of other lesser known spots to catch a glimpse of history.

  1. There’s something delicious around every corner.

Terzo/Yelp New restaurants open up all the time in Minneapolis, making it the best place in Minnesota to grab a good bite to eat. But even if you aren’t trying something new, there are many delicious and widely acclaimed restaurants to try out. You’ll never go hungry here.

  1. It’s full of incredible beauty.

Hafiz Issadeen/Flickr Being the City of Lakes, this should come as no surprise. But there are lots of other scenic wonders to see in Minneapolis as well. Minnehaha Falls is the most famous, but there are also many ponds, wetlands, and the riverfront.

  1. There’s something to do in every season - even winter.

Priya Saihgal/Flickr While Minneapolitans love to get outdoors when the weather is nice, people here don’t hide from the weather. Instead, we embrace it. That means outdoor celebrations throughout the year, even when the temperature is at its coldest.

  1. Minneapolis is home to some incredible parks.

Images by Lane/Flickr From the Chain of Lakes to Theodore Wirth, there are many parks in Minneapolis that will give you a quiet spot away from the city. In fact, Minneapolis parks were named the very best in the country in 2017! Following close behind was St. Paul, proving that the Twin Cities are among the top metro areas in the country.

  1. Minneapolis is a cultural hub.

Brash Intellect/Flickr With live theater, many music venues, and several excellent art museums, Minneapolis is home to no shortage of cultural events.

  1. The city is full of amazing, diverse people.

Northern Spark/Flickr While Minnesota Nice has a mixed reputation, there is still a kernel of truth in the stereotype. People are genuinely kind and accepting here; many going out of their way to offer a helping hand. All in all, Minneapolis and its people are pretty great.

Do you have any other reasons to love Minneapolis? Let us know what we forgot in the comments below!

Matthew Paulson/Flickr

Especially at night, with the skyline reflected in the Mississippi River, Minneapolis is beautiful from afar. It may not be the largest city, but its skyline is still impressive.

Tony Webster/Flickr

If you’re willing to look, you can find quietly beautiful moments around just about every corner in Minneapolis. Whether you stroll down a new street or visit a favorite park at sunset, you’re bound to find beauty in the little things here.

Alan Turkus/Flickr

Minneapolis is home to 12 lakes, so it definitely earns its nickname. These lakes are full of beautiful sights and fun recreational opportunities all year.

Joe D/Flickr

Once the Flour Milling Capital of the World, Minneapolis now hosts many attractions that offer a historic peek at the city’s past. Among the most famous are the Mill City ruins, but there are plenty of other lesser known spots to catch a glimpse of history.

Terzo/Yelp

New restaurants open up all the time in Minneapolis, making it the best place in Minnesota to grab a good bite to eat. But even if you aren’t trying something new, there are many delicious and widely acclaimed restaurants to try out. You’ll never go hungry here.

Hafiz Issadeen/Flickr

Being the City of Lakes, this should come as no surprise. But there are lots of other scenic wonders to see in Minneapolis as well. Minnehaha Falls is the most famous, but there are also many ponds, wetlands, and the riverfront.

Priya Saihgal/Flickr

While Minneapolitans love to get outdoors when the weather is nice, people here don’t hide from the weather. Instead, we embrace it. That means outdoor celebrations throughout the year, even when the temperature is at its coldest.

Images by Lane/Flickr

From the Chain of Lakes to Theodore Wirth, there are many parks in Minneapolis that will give you a quiet spot away from the city. In fact, Minneapolis parks were named the very best in the country in 2017! Following close behind was St. Paul, proving that the Twin Cities are among the top metro areas in the country.

Brash Intellect/Flickr

With live theater, many music venues, and several excellent art museums, Minneapolis is home to no shortage of cultural events.

Northern Spark/Flickr

While Minnesota Nice has a mixed reputation, there is still a kernel of truth in the stereotype. People are genuinely kind and accepting here; many going out of their way to offer a helping hand. All in all, Minneapolis and its people are pretty great.

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