Shop Til You Drop in the Twin Cities

The state capital, St. Paul, and neighboring Minneapolis make up the Twin Cities, an incredibly rich and diverse area with dramatic skylines, exciting pro sports, award-winning theatre, renowned restaurants and a booming craft beer scene

The state capital, St. Paul, and neighbouring Minneapolis make up the Twin Cities, an incredibly rich and diverse area with dramatic skylines, exciting pro sports, award-winning theatre, renowned restaurants and a booming craft beer scene.

Revel in the natural beauty of dozens of trails, parks and waterways, such as the Chain of Lakes and the Mississippi River. You can also shop ’til you drop at local boutiques and the nation’s largest mall, Mall of America, or, attend one of the hundreds of annual events in the region, from small-town celebrations to one of the largest state fairs in the country.

With no sales tax on clothing in Minnesota, there’s no better place to shop ’til you drop than the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. From outlets to charming downtowns to regional centres and Mall of Americashoppers will find just what they’re looking for.

Mall of America

There’s no place quite like MOA. At the country’s largest entertainment and shopping complex in Bloomington, you’ll find more than 520 stores, twists and turns at Nickelodeon Universe indoor amusement park, Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, movie theatres, and an array of restaurants and nightclubs. You may need to take an extra day to take it all in! MOA also hosts celebrity appearances, book signings and other special events.

Premium Outlet Stores

Eagan is home to the area’s newest outlet, Twin Cities Premium Outlets, with more than 100 shops and boasting brands like Cole Haan, Coach and Michael Kors. Here you can outfit your young athlete at Nike, Under Armour, Puma or Adidas and find the latest men’s and women’s fashions at stores like Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Regional Shopping Centres

No matter where you are in the Twin Cities, you can be sure to find a shopping centre close by filled with brands you’ll love. Southdale Center in Edina opened in 1956 and is the nation’s first enclosed, climate-controlled mall, changing the landscape of shopping. Edina is also the home of Galleria, a center with discerning local boutiques and upscale retailers like Tiffany, Louis Vuitton and Kate Spade.

The Shops at West End in St. Louis Park feature locally owned boutiques, such as Primp and Kittsona, to nationally known brands like Anthropologie and Francesca’s. Visitors will also enjoy the diversity of shops and restaurants and the convenience of indoor parking.

Treat yourself to some retail therapy at Burnsville Center. With over 100 stores and 17 eateries, Burnsville Center offers fashion, fun and food for everyone. Conveniently located between St. Paul and Minneapolis, Rosedale Shopping Center in Roseville offers more than 160 specialty shops, Macy’s, Von Maur, AMC Theatres and six full-service restaurants. Entertainment options include SeaQuest and a new food hall called Potluck featuring top local chefs.

Experience Main Street

Character-driven shopping experiences are some of the best, and can be found in downtowns and on main streets throughout the Twin Cities. In Minneapolis, Nicollet Mall is a not-to-be-missed area that stretches for 12 blocks, and the trendy Uptown area near the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes has boutiques, big stores and bars galore.

Charming Grand Avenue in St. Paul has a mile of on-trend shops as well as family-owned businesses that have been around for decades. Eateries, salons and spas for refuelling and relaxing can also be found here.

50th & France in Edina is a quaint downtown area where upscale retailers display apparel for men, women and children. Jewelers and many specialty and gift boutiques can be found as well. Pamper yourself at one of the spas and salons, or see an independent film at the art-house movie theatre. Afterward, find one of the many outdoor patios to relax and enjoy a cocktail.

The Stillwater Main Street area beckons the antique enthusiast, but you’ll also discover fashion-forward boutiques, pampering services, art galleries and vintage furniture shops. Located on the beautiful St. Croix River, you can also take a cruise after you shop.

In downtown Waconia, visitors will discover small town charm with uptown pizzazz. From classic clothing with a twist to jewellery and furniture, there are treasures to uncover, all surrounded by a beautiful lake setting.

NORTH SUBURBS

Historic downtown Anoka welcomes visitors with some of the most progressive and unique shops the Twin Cities have to offer. From antiques to boutiques, Anoka’s community of diverse local merchants is accompanied by tasty places to eat and drink, live theatre and music, plus annual art festivals and parades.

Whether you’re looking for the latest fashions, incredible home furnishings or the perfect gift, you’ll find The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove a truly unique shopping experience. Here you can stroll, shop, dine and relax along paths of rich landscaping and seasonal blooms, leading into Main Street.

Buffalo is the birthplace of the occasional sale concept, 20 years strong! Shoppers come from all over the state and beyond to find treasures in shops that are only open four days a month (the first Thursday through Sunday). There are over 30 independently owned retail shops in Buffalo, most open every weekend, which makes the drive to Buffalo worth the trip any time of the month.

SOUTH SUBURBS

If you’re in Inver Grove Heights and you have an interest in gardening, then Gertens is a must-see! With the widest selection of annuals, perennials and nursery stock in the Twin Cities, Gertens is only one of a handful of garden centers that grows the majority of the goods it sells, making your entire experience unlike any other.

Up and down Holyoke Avenue in Lakeville, there’s a wide array of unique and specialty shops that make up the historic downtown area. A taste of Mayberry with friendly service and attention to detail, browsing here or wandering into the Lakeville Area Arts Center will be a treat for any visitor.

Main Street in Shakopee is a Minnesota Main Street Community designated by the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. Encounter unique gift boutiques, a well-known local jeweler and high-quality menswear. A trip to Eagle Creek Quilt Shop is sure to please and inspire any sewing or quilting enthusiast and is located in an old railroad depot.

FIND ANTIQUES & AMISH-MADE GOODS IN HARMONY

The rural community of Harmony, in the Bluff Country of southeast Minnesota, is a great weekend shopping destination for antiques and Amish goods. Spend a few days perusing over 100 Amish homesteads in the nearby farm country, and several shops in town featuring their hand-crafted items.

Shop for Amish-made Goods

RJ Amish Furniture, at the edge of town, has a large selection of furniture beautifully hand-crafted from oak and cherry, including tables and chairs, bedroom sets and much more. The Village School, an Amish quilt shop in an old schoolhouse, is in the Village Green. Nearby, the Village Depot, in an 1890s train depot, also carries Amish quilts, preserves and other gift items.

Some businesses in town will arrange tours to Amish farms, where visitors can buy baskets, quilts, baked goods and furniture directly from their creators, and learn more about their lifestyle. On Saturday mornings, the Amish sell baked goods, preserves and vegetables at the farmers market in Harmony.

Antique Shopping in Harmony

Antiques are the other find in town. New Generations of Harmony Antique Mall is a large space with 85 dealers, offering vintage jewellery, glassware and dishes, and a variety of other collectibles. Essence of Harmony, on Main Street, features a variety of unique gift and houseware items. Boutique on Main offers many locally crafted items.

Shopping works up an appetite, and Main Street offers a handful of good spots for lunch, including homemade pie at the Village Square and Harmony House. For dinner, check out Estelle’s Eatery or On the Crunchy Side, two local favourites.

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