When to Visit - Arts and Events

Minneapolitans celebrate their lakes in style with the ten-day Minneapolis Aquatennial. During the third week of July, the waterways are brought to life by waterskiing, sailing regattas, races, accompanied by parties and concerts.

Minneapolis Dining

A host of new ethnic restaurants are rapidly opening in downtown Minneapolis, shaking off the Scandinavian and German influences of rather conservative cuisine. Choices range from Caribbean coconut chicken curry with black beans to Italian pasta and pizzas. Numerous hamburger bars are dotted throughout the city and as you would expect in this "City of the Lakes", seafood is a speciality with dishes such as lobster, red snapper and salmon on offer. The restaurants, cafes and bistros, set in renovated buildings in the old St. Anthony area, are also well worth visiting.

Minneapolis Tipping Advice

Tipping is more or less compulsory in the United States. Restaurant staff, hairdressers and taxi drivers expect tips of about 15 percent. It is customary to tip bellhops and porters fifty cents per bag and chambermaids one US dollar a day.