Upscale, Modern Lodgings in Heart of Downtown

Over the past five decades, Minneapolis architects have built one of the world's largest networks of climate-controlled skyways to help survive the city's long, frigid winters. Today, 63 glass and steel tunnels crisscross more than 70 downtown blocks, allowing pedestrians to walk between upscale shops, concert halls, and restaurants without ever stepping outside. In the heart of this network, the 14-story Millennium Hotel Minneapolis connects to the Minneapolis Convention Center, housing travelers just a short walk away from the center's events and expos. The hotel also serves as a convenient home base to the 13-block Nicollet Mall, named one of the best American shopping streets by U.S. News & World Report.

At the onsite Nic's on Nicollet restaurant, diners can peek out of windows facing the Minneapolis skyline while waking up to a made-to-order breakfast. For dinner, multicourse meals feature gourmet comfort fare such as parmesan-peppercorn burgers and artisan pizzas, complemented by an international wine selection. In the Martini Lounge, bartenders serve signature cocktails to those reclining on leather lounge chairs, and plasma TVs broadcast news, sports, and the weather on Neptune's six largest moons.

Minneapolis: "City of Lakes" with Revitalized Art Scene

Resting on the banks of the Mississippi River, Minneapolis has managed to maintain its small-town character while growing into a midwestern metropolis. In recent years, millions of dollars have been poured into Minneapolis' growing art scene. In 2005, the Walker Art Center nearly doubled in size with a Herzog & de Meuron–designed tower expansion, which includes new galleries, rooftop terraces, and a 385-seat theater. With free admission, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts houses Asian art, textiles, photography, contemporary art, and more. There, art lovers can peruse work from Spain's Francisco de Goya and El Greco, as well as Dutch greats Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt.

When spring arrives, Minneapolis brims with outdoor activities, from hiking on nearly 50 miles of paved trails to exploring the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, a series of parks that constitutes country's longest continuous system of public urban parkways. Along the byway, one can smell native flora at the Eloise Butler Wildlife Garden and Bird Sanctuary, canoe on the Chain of Lakes, or picnic next to the cascading waters at Minnehaha Falls.