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Life in the Twin Cities

One of the best aspects of the University of Minnesota is the metropolitan area surrounding it, home to more than two million people. The University is convenient to a plethora of urban recreational and cultural activities, including two major symphony orchestras, jazz ensembles, and rock music performances. Sizeable art museums and other graphic arts organizations contribute to the rich cultural environment. Performance art is everywhere, from Broadway road shows at the Orpheum Theater to locally-produced dramas at the renowned Guthrie and Penumbra Theaters. Major league sports teams play in local arenas, including the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome stadium, which is a five minute bus ride or fifteen minute walk from campus. Pastoral parks, clean lakes, and open spaces are abundant, providing recreational opportunities ranging from boating and swimming during the warm, pleasant summers to skating and cross-country skiing during the cold, snowy winters. Various annual festivals, such as the annual Renaissance Festival, the St. Paul Winter Carnival, and the Minnesota State Fair add further spice to life in the Twin Cities area.

Learn more about working and living in the Twin Cities at the University of Minnesota's "Wish You Were Here" site. Or, use the links below to acquaint yourself with some of the wonderful opportunities you have to enjoy in the Twin Cities.

Art Museums

General Museums

Sports and Outdoor Recreation

Independent Bookstores

Theater and Music

Media

Gaming

Miscellaneous