What the Twin Cities Do Better Than Anywhere Else in the US

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Minneapolis/St. Paul is known for frigid weather -- but that's the minority of the year. Most months the weather is pleasant, and the people have a special appreciation for getting out and about after a couple months of hibernation. Join me as I visit the city (cities) and explore what makes the Twin Cities different from everywhere else!

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CityNerd background: Caipirinha in Hawaii by Carmen María and Edu Espinal (YouTube music library)

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[danweinstock]

The point you made about people having a hard time differentiating "feeling a little uncomfortable" from being in "imminent danger" was SO good. Thanks for keeping that in.

[bagenstb]

I once stayed at a hotel in Minneapolis that offered free bikes to its guests while they were staying there. It quickly turned into one of my favorite business trips as I used the bike network to explore multiple lakes, neighborhoods, and restaurants. The bike infrastructure of MSP is just incredible.

[McQueen]

About Minneapolis streets being too wide... Minnesota streets are overbuilt. They are wider than in most parts of the country. The reason is that they need somewhere to push the snow onto during the winter. The extra width of the street can become walls of snow wider and taller than you are and it takes several days for crews to relocate all that excess snow. So, they just plow overnight so kids can go to school in the morning and then worry about the snow mounds later. Long crossing distances are just an unfortunate side effect. It's a Minnesota reality even in the smallest towns.

[mince]

Public access to lakes and beaches is so underrated. I feel that is what has spoiled a lot of Hawaii’s beaches - they aren’t publicly accessible and have homes built on the sand dunes. Would be amazing to see you do a video on that!

[paulschwoboda]

As a resident, I have to say you nailed it.
I will say that when the snow piles up, those wide streets feel pretty narrow.
Nice work!

[chrishenk]

As silly as it is, the MSP light rail is what made me start considering transit in America. Going from airport to downtown easily and cheaply, walking around the area, light rail to university, walking to stone bridge.

Growing up in Texas you don’t even look for transit. MSP made me start checking for those rare occasions when it’s actually present

[Atreides]

Minneapolitan here. Skyways are really appreciated both this time of year (90’s temps with awful humidity) and during the long cold winters. Also, wider streets downtown really help with snow removal during those long winters. The way the city lakes are interconnected and how nobody can build houses right on those lakes is definitely stellar about Mpls. We obviously love our lakes here!

[Alkaline_Saint]

I need you to know that Minneapolis is home to the academy of the blind. Our streets fill with snow so we need wider roads. The pedestrian signals are really important for our street accessibility.

[Cart_ama]

Time to drop everything and watch Minneapolis/St. Paul get a spotlight

[dawnmesserly]

FYI the LED boards displaying the "watch for pedestrian" messages - those boards display other messages, such as when snow emergencies are declared. "watch for pedestrians" is just some filler text when there are no other active notices.

[davidkrueger]

I think you may have missed the point about the large button pedestrian controls with announced countdown for crossing. These were installed specifically for the safety of blind and low-vision pedestrians. We have a relatively large blind population in Minneapolis. There are also bumpy metal plates installed where crosswalks meet the road which were designed to alert someone using a mobility aid like a white cane. Great video, tho!

[sortasurvival]

Fun fact. Twin cities now has the highest hmong population in the world. They were a huge tribe that helped us in vietnam war under the promise of immigration. For a long time after the war they were stuck as refugees in thailand. Eventually some groups started bringing them over and after a few decades the whole camp was finally replanted.

[mjgilbert]

The “eyesore rapid flashing beacons” have made for safe and comfortable pedestrian crossings on what was a very dangerous street. They are great.

[bobhague]

"It comes as kind of a shock to me that the Golden Gophers actually practice." LOL!

Also, definitely make a visit to St. Paul.

[FabbrizioPlays]

"Which they're trying to rebrand as Eat Street"

That was 20+ years ago, and it worked.

[kompymadra]

I grew up here! Seeing some of my old stomping grounds is bitter sweet.
Quick note about those wide roads and crossing timers: Yes it's a bit much in the summer months, but remember the winters. If it snows enough for a Minnesotan to notice, the outer lanes become snow banks leaving enough lanes for the city to still function.

[NinjaAgnostic]

It's really weird knowing city nerd walked by my apartment.
Also, those ped crossings on lyndale are obnoxious, but that just got changed from 4 lane road to 2+turn lane dueing the pandemic and it has been AMAZING.

[JamesDanielsplexplex]

As a year-round biker from Saint Paul, I encourage you to return in six months to do a video on winter cycling. So long as the roads are well cleared (they tend to be, but there’s room for improvement), it’s quite doable. It’s just a matter of wearing the right clothes. In fact, it makes winter better - more sunshine & exercise than you’d get otherwise.

[michaelpepe]

Minneapolis was the first Midwest city I ever visited. I was blown away by the community, infrastructure, and sense of place. I spent a week exploring the city and didn't want to leave. I was surprised, I had always heard of the Midwest as a cold, boring place. Much to the contrary. The entire Midwest is experiencing a revival, and in my opinion their cities are creating the best value proposition for young people looking for professional or community opportunities. I've now spent significant time in other Midwest cities - Kansas City, St Louis, Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Fargo, Sioux Falls, Omaha, Lincoln...and I am filled with joy each time I get to see the true Heartland.

[douglasstemke]

I lived in St Paul back around 1998. What I love about the Twin Cities was how much free entertainment was available in the parks around town. The parks are well setup both summer and winter, provided you dress for it. Biking around the cities is super, fantastic trails in and around the cities. Fantastic nature close by too. I have lived in 8 US states and I can say the city I most enjoyed living in was St Paul. I go where the jobs are, but if I had a chance, I'd move back to the Twin Cities in a heartbeat.