Twin Cities

More than 18 million visitors find their way to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul every year, drawn by a place that touts outdoor fun as much as culture and cuisine. The area (population: 3.2 million), once known for its flour mills and Mississippi River ports, and more recently known as the headquarters for Target, has a knack for welcoming the novel, but preserving the best. In spring 2010, Target Field opens in Minneapolis, giving baseball's Minnesota Twins a sparkling new home. A renovation has helped the Walker Art Center cement its standing as a world-class destination for contemporary art and media. The dining scene reflects rallying cries for sustainable food (Sea Change at the Guthrie Theater), while new high-end burger joints are making dining out special, but easy on your wallet (like the American Burger Bar in Saint Paul--651/222-2123; americanburgerbar.com). Despite state budget cuts, Fort Snelling (612/726-1171; mnhs.org) and Mill City Museum (612/341-7555; millcitymuseum.org) continue to offer exceptional places to steep in history. All of it combines to feed the Cities' life-is-good-here vibe.