Discover the City of Lakes: Top 11 Fun Facts About Minneapolis You Never Knew

1. Juicy Lucy Burger Battle

In the gooey, greasy gladiator arena of Minneapolis, two mighty burger joints have long grappled for the Juicy Lucy crown, beef and cheese their weapons of choice, with the weight of decades-long loyalty on their sizzling shoulders: Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club, both on Cedar Avenue South, claim to have invented this iconic, cheese-stuffed Minnesota delicacy, their culinary contention even capturing the tastebuds of President Barack Obama during his 2014 visit to Matt's Bar.
Source => startribune.com

2. Turnblad Mansion's Swedish Stoves

Feeling a bit drafty in your 33-room castle? Just fire up one of your 11 imported Swedish tile stoves to keep things cozy: The Turnblad Mansion in Minneapolis, a châteauesque architectural wonder from Park Avenue's Golden Mile, boasts an impressive array of rooms and stoves, making it a warm and welcoming (if somewhat extravagant) cultural center for Swedish Americans and castle enthusiasts alike.
Source => asimn.org

Did you know Minnesota experiences temperatures as low as -50°F, leading to unique cold weather activities like ice bubble blowing and instant snow? Discover more chilly facts!

=> Fun Facts about Minnesota

3. Bread and Butter Capital

If Minneapolis were a sandwich, it would be a on a bread throne, slathered in buttery goodness: That's because it's known as the "Bread and Butter Capital of the World" due to its historical prowess in flour and dairy production, once boasting the Washburn-Crosby Mill, the world's largest flour mill, and giving birth to the iconic Gold Medal Flour brand.
Source => dwiminneapolislawyer.com

4. Midtown Greenway Transformation

In Minneapolis, they see a train track and say, "Hold my snow shovel, let's make a trail!" The city became a playground for adventurers when they transformed a former railroad corridor into the Midtown Greenway: a 5.5-mile long, barrier-free haven for cyclists, pedestrians, and ever-curious raccoons, keeping its wheels turning 24/7 with lights and snow plowing, and connecting the city folk to countless businesses all year round.
Source => midtowngreenway.org

5. Birth of Rollerblade Inc.

Before the Avengers assembled, Minneapolis was already rolling with its own superhero origin story: In 1979, the Olson brothers modified a pair of inline skates, birthing Rollerblade Inc. and revolutionizing the sport of inline skating, now enjoyed by countless wheely enthusiastic individuals worldwide.
Source => history.vintagemnhockey.com

6. Minneapolis Miracle

In a city where miracles do happen, and purple reigns supreme: Minneapolis is home to the legendary 2018 NFC Divisional Playoff game known as the "Minneapolis Miracle," where Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs scored a jaw-dropping, last-second 61-yard touchdown to defeat the Saints and leave fans in awe-struck SKOL-duggery.
Source => nfl.com

7. Minnehaha Creek Kayaking

Navigating the urban waters like pirates on an urban sea, kayakers in Minneapolis encounter concrete monsters, lush green pirates' lairs, and scenic oceanfront homes – but beware of the hidden obstacles, matey: Minnehaha Creek, stretching 22 miles from Lake Minnetonka to Lake Nokomis, is a treasure trove for kayak enthusiasts seeking adventure amidst the city's beautiful parks and residential areas, but maintaining a keen eye on water levels is crucial as changing conditions can impact the creek's voyage under bridges.
Source => discoverthecities.com

8. Skyway System Maze

Why did the pedestrian cross the city? To get to the other skyway! In Minneapolis, you can find the Skyway System: an extensive network of over 9.5 miles of enclosed footbridges connecting 80 downtown city blocks, making it possible to walk comfortably between notable buildings like the U.S. Bank Stadium, Mayo Clinic Square, and more, all without your daily dose of Vitamin D.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge

Ever wondered how to make Leonardo da Vinci jealous while dodging Minneapolis traffic in style? Feast your eyes on the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge: a stunning artwork by Siah Armajani built in 1988, striding over 16 lanes of traffic, connecting Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Loring Park. After its recent restoration according to the artist's original plans, including a splash of elegant baby blue and Jeffersonian Yellow, this eye-catching creation is scheduled to dazzle visitors once more in late August.
Source => walkerart.org

10. Floating Library

You know what they say, "Why walk on water when you can paddle through literature?": Minneapolis offers a Floating Library on Cedar Lake every August, where visitors can hop on their canoe or kayak and peruse around 80 creatively waterproofed and handmade artist books in a wooden structure crafted by artist-librarian, Sarah Peters, with the opportunity to rent, return via land boxes, and explore art forms in a uniquely aquatic fashion.
Source => startribune.com

11. Waiting for the Stinky Corpse Flower

In the Minneapolis version of "unboxing a rare, smelly surprise": the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is patiently waiting for their 18-year-old Corpse Flower to bloom – and you can stalk the aromatic event live online! Colossal bud and all (56 inches tall and 31 inches wide), this stinky star was cautiously escorted to the Parlor while horticulturalists played a real-life game of "don't tip the flower" on a moving pallet.
Source => comozooconservatory.org