Named one of "America's best cities" in 2009 by Outside magazine and awarded other accolades from publications as prestigious as Travel & Leisure, which dubbed it one of America's best biking cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the better known half of the sprawling metropolis known as the Twin Cities. Its municipal sibling is St. Paul.
Getting there is easy because Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is a hub for Delta Airlines.
For fans of mini-golf, the Minneapolis area offers a range of excellent options, from casual fun to serious challenge.
Climate
For half of the year -- from May to October -- the Minneapolis area offers ideal weather for mini-golf and other outdoor recreation. Average daytime temperatures range from the high 50s to the low 70s. For the rest of the year, it's too cold and often too snowy to do anything outdoors except ski or ice skate.
Best Game in Town?
Located in Bloomington, just a few minutes from downtown Minneapolis, The Links at Dred Scott Miniature Golf delivers "the most challenging miniature golf in Minnesota," says co-owner Jerry Peterson. The 5,000-square-foot facility features a par-48, 18-hole putting course that includes 18 sand traps and nine water hazards. The Links at Dred Scott is open from April 15 to October 1.
A Day in the Park
Located 10 miles from downtown Minneapolis in Edina, Minnesota, Centennial Lakes Park features an 18-hole bentgrass putting course for serious enthusiasts of the game. Open from May to late September, the course is surrounded by a 24-acre public park and pond that offer a range of outdoor recreation options from fishing and paddle boat rentals to croquet and a maze. During the summer, the park also presents live entertainment in a 1,000-seat amphitheater.
Located in Veterans Memorial Park, seven miles from downtown Minneapolis in the suburb of Richfield, Minnesota, Adventure Gardens Miniature Golf features 18 holes of family fun. The course is open from May to Labor Day and includes a waterfall, concession stand and picnic area, according to manager Brandon Klement. There are also hiking and biking trails.
Science Lesson
For an experience particularly appealing to curious children, the Science Museum of Minnesota's "Big Back Yard Earthscapes" exhibit features a nine-hole mini-golf course known for its water hazards. The sprawling, 30,000-square-foot course also includes rivers and streams created to demonstrate how water moves and alters the landscape. Each hole demonstrates an aspect of modern water management, such as dams and irrigation.
Other Activities
Before or after a round of mini-golf, enjoy the many hiking and biking opportunities in the greater Minneapolis area. There is a trail for every skill level, but all of them take advantage of the region's clean air and pristine natural environment. For those who prefer their hiking indoors, there's the iconic Mall of America.
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