Attraction Fun Facts

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is the largest public garden in the upper Midwest. It's historic Snyder Building is one of only two buildings, designed by renowned architect Edwin Lundie, that is open to the public - the other is the Lutsen Lodge on Lake Superior. The Arboretum's new Visitor Center opens January 25, 2005 - 40 years after the Snyder Building opened its doors and nearly 50 years after the Arboretum was founded.

Minneapolis has more golfers per capita than any other city in the country.

Hormel Company of Austin marketed the first canned ham in 1926. Hormel introduced Spam in 1937.

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is the largest urban sculpture garden in the country.

Minneapolis' famed skyway system connecting 52 blocks (nearly five miles) of downtown makes it possible to live, eat, work and shop without going outside.

The Twin Cities has more theater seats per capita than any other city in the U.S. except New York City.

The Mall of America has no need for heat - guests, and miles of lights, provide enough warmth to keep the entire complex toasty warm.

The first Automatic Pop-up toaster was marketed in June 1926 by McGraw Electric Co. in Minneapolis under the name Toastmaster. The retail price was $13.50.

Garrison Keillor's first radio show was broadcast on July 6, 1974 from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. The show is now called "Prairie Home Companion."

Rollerblades were the first commercially successful in-line Roller Skates. Minnesota students Scott and Brennan Olson invented them in 1980, when they were looking for a way to practice Hockey during the off-season. Their design was an ice hockey boot with 3 inline wheels instead of a blade.