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25 Best U.S. Vacation Cities On the Cheap

Kayla Baxter, Alice Handley and Jill Hare

June 02, 2009

#19: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota



The metro area surrounding the Mississippi River (known as the Twin Cities) has quietly become one of the country’s best hubs for the arts. There are more theater seats here per capita than in any U.S. city besides New York, and the music scene boasts diverse genres from punk to folk to hip-hop. There are numerous venues around the many local colleges, but make sure to see the acts that come through the historic venue 7 Street Entry.

You will also want to check out both the St. Paul Cathedral (pictured above) and the Basilica of St. Mary located in Minneapolis; both were built during the great rivalry these two cities had during the early part of the 20th century.

And don’t leave the Twin Cities without taking advantage of the many parks and lakes in the region. Being part of both the state and city slogan, the numerous lakes offer tourists plenty of chances to get outside for a day of fishing and boating.

Don’t Miss: Apparently Al’s Breakfast is a huge deal around here (they’ve even been featured on the Food Network) but we say, if there’s a huge line and you’re claustrophobic you should grab a bagel and wait until dinnertime to head to Cossetta’s Italian Market and Pizzeria on 7th Street in St. Paul. The fresh-out-of-the-oven New York style pizza and the cannolis there are basically perfect.

Next Page: City #18

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    beckettispissah

    4 months ago

    2 comments

    I found the best hotel deal in Orlando! Use this link www.orlandohotels4less.com/35. You can get a room for $9.99 the first night and $35.00 all the rest of your stay. The Quality Inn Plaza is awesome. I always stay there! But you have to make your reservation by July 15th.

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    Account Removed

    4 months ago

    You forgot New Orleans, dahling

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    DawnOfTheUndead

    5 months ago

    4 comments

    OK seriously, the cities on here that I have visited are not cheap. But I gotta say I did grow up just outside Boston and they forgot to mention a few things that are worth seeing there. You have the Museum of Science which has some pretty cool lightning shows an Omni Theater and the Hayden Planetarium, or you can visit the USS Constitution. And if you get too tired from walking the Freedom Trail and are still feeling touristy you can always hop on the trolley or go ride on the swan boats. And don't forget fireworks on the 4th.

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    sbempowerment

    5 months ago

    4 comments

    Hey I love Austin. It is awesome. Visit.

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    ashupimp

    5 months ago

    2 comments

    not bad...but vegas is the best...

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    gallerr

    5 months ago

    2 comments

    This list, at least for the Dallas entry, is very dated...While Deep Ellum still provides local music, it has not been a hot spot in Dallas for years....Trees is now defunct, as I believe Club Clearview is as well.

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    pdnellis

    5 months ago

    2 comments

    I like the list and have visited several of the cities and would agree. However, Nashville no longer has an amusement park and hasn't had one for at least a decade. This makes me wonder what other inaccuracies are in the list.

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    djt198889

    5 months ago

    2 comments

    defintely denver is one of the best i lived there and if you go to the 16th dtreet mall dont always stay on the mall venture over a few blocks either way or even on broadway or lincoln you will find alot of great food and inexpensive stores or go up colfax headed in the direction of colorado boulevard theres alot of great stores and unique shops that way also

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    TaniaK

    5 months ago

    10 comments

    Love the extra tips! Thanks for this. :)

  • Tallanna1_max50

    TallAnna

    5 months ago

    44 comments

    Wow. Great list! So thoroughly researched (even tips from locals ... can't get much better than that!), and I love how you list places all over the country and that you provide unbiased, honest details about what to do in each spot ... even for various traveling budgets. Thanks for this!

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    becky_regan

    5 months ago

    12 comments

    rdearie40, what are you talking about? The article recommends places like free museums and hot dog stands. How much more accessible can you get? I think a lot of these places sound fun!

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    rdearie40

    5 months ago

    2 comments

    absolutely ridiculous ... these destinations are not for the regular "Joe Six Pack." This journalist is too caught up in traveling to report honestly.

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