By Lifestyle Editor Alaina Vieru
Minneapolis, the Minnesotan city famed for its ‘niceness' has recently been injected with some cool, with Luella Bartley and Franz Ferdinand among its newest fans. It was the anonymous setting of the quirky hit film Juno (Diablo Cody lived in the city until recently), while the Coen brothers, Prince, Josh Hartnett and Bob Dylan have all called Minneapolis home.
Where to stay
The financial hub of Downtown is where you'll find Chambers, the sleek sister hotel to the famed New York original. Also in Downtown is Graves 601 Hotel, a "weekend spot for all the local über-hip" according to The New York Times. Just across the bridge in the artsy Northeast neighbourhood is the charming Victorian B&B LeBlanc House run by the extremely affable Marsha Carlson.
Where to shop
Target is the Minneapolis-based "discount department store" famed for their high-street designer collaborations with Luella Bartley, Alice Temperley, Paul & Joe and most recently Jovovich-Hawk. For the ultimate in shopping, The Mall Of America is the largest shopping centre in the US (and second largest in the world), where you'll find classic American high street shops such as Gap, Banana Republic and Club Monaco.
The Uptown area features the designer boutique Ivy, plus Urban Outfitters and second-hand clothing champions Ragstock and Via's Vintage. There's also great vintage at Sophie Joe's Emporium in nearby St. Paul, where you'll find everything from gorgeous dresses to vinyl and kitsch homeware.
The founder of natural beauty behemoth Aveda has a new company called Intelligent Nutrients - a Willy Wonka-like wonderland of organic treats and beauty products for the body, mind and soul. Stock up on the one-of-a-kind jewellery and have an organic cocktail at the super-stylish bar.
What to do
Along with strolling along the city's famed lakes, see Minneapolis's equivalent of Big Ben or the Eiffel Tower by wandering in The Walker Art Center's Sculpture Garden and see the huge Spoonbridge And Cherry. Another art wonder is The Weisman Art Museum, a stainless-steel cubist building designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry.
Eating, drinking and nightlife
The bohemian Northeast area is the perfect bar-hopping spot with cheap, rib-sticking food. Nye's Polonaise Room is a Polish karaoke bar/restaurant that Franz Ferdinand frequent when they're in town, while Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge is a fun tiki bar with great American food and cocktails served by its biker looking staff.
Heading towards Uptown is Luella Bartley's favourite The Bryant Lake Bowl, a retro bowling alley/restaurant/theatre. In Downtown, local cool kids head to the hotel restaurant/bars such as Cosmos in Graves 601 hotel and Chambers Kitchen with world famous head chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Make sure to stop by the Monte Carlo just to see the huge bar and try a well-made martini. For the best burgers, head to Vincent for what we can only describe as the best damn gourmet burger you will ever eat.
Anything else?
Make sure to pick up a copy of City Pages, the free weekly sister paper to New York's famous Village Voice for all the latest happenings in Minneapolis.
Getting there
KLM - the airline that flies from all over the UK to all over the world - flies up to seven times daily from London Heathrow to Minneapolis via Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Fares start from as little as £373 return and KLM offers a choice of 14 UK departure points including Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds -Bradford, Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff. KLM has recently launched a daily, direct service between London Heathrow Airport and Minneapolis in conjunction with its joint venture partner Northwest Airlines. Prices start from just £434 return.
KLM offers seamless travel with its quick and easy internet check in facility. Passengers can check in online between 24 hours and up to one hour before departure. For more information on internet check in, to book flights visit www.klm.com. For telephone bookings call 08705 074 074.
See the rest of our 12 hot holiday ideas
Get more travel tips from our sister magazine allaboutyou.com
