Living in Minnesota: A Month-Long Deep Dive 🌿🏙️

After a month in the Twin Cities, here’s my unfiltered take—pros, cons, and hidden gems! ✅ The Good 🌊 Nature’s paradise: "Land of 10,000 Lakes" delivers—Mississippi River walks, summer concerts, and berry-picking farms. 🎨 Art for all: Free world-class museums (MIA, Walker Art) + free zoo (Como Park). Take notes, Chicago! 🛒 Liveable perks: Cheap Asian groceries + no sales tax on clothes! 🏇 Quirky fun: Horse/ostrich races, Corgi dashes, rodeos—only in MN. ❌ The Not-So-Good 🚨 Downtown grit: Homeless camps under bridges (pungent and unsafe). 🦟 Bug battles: "Worst mosquitoes in the U.S." + polar winters. ⛈️ Weather whiplash: 4 severe thunderstorms in a month! ⛺ Camping chaos: Summer sites book up fast (unlike the West). 🌟 Must-Do Deep Cuts 1️⃣ Minneapolis Institute of Art: 2 visits minimum for its Chinese treasures. 2️⃣ Sculpture Garden: Find the hidden rainbow near the cherry 🍒🌈. 3️⃣ Stone Arch Bridge: Time it for Aquatennial’s water-ski shows! 4️⃣ Guthrie Theater: Amber Box (9th floor) for skyline views. 5️⃣ Minnehaha Falls: Urban waterfall magic. 6️⃣ Chain of Lakes Kayaking: Start at Bde Maka Ska—lotus ponds + stone bridges. 7️⃣ Lake Phalen: Sunset paddling + floating lantern festival. 8️⃣ Como Park Zoo: Polar bears + Japanese tea house. 9️⃣ Canterbury Park: Bet on summer horse races! 🏇 #MinnesotaLife #TwinCitiesGuide #ArtAndNature #HiddenMN #USATravel