Minnesota - Minneapolis-St Paul

Walker Art Center

Internationally renowned for its permanent collection of 20th century paintings, drawings, prints, photography and sculptures, the Walker Art Center is one of the country’s leading contemporary art centres and is one of the most visited museums in the USA. It features works by top artists in a range of styles, utilising various multi-media installations and educational programs. Contemporary art can also be experienced here through theatre, dance, video, music and film. Next door is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with creative contemporary work spread across a huge area of parkland. It is the largest urban sculpture park in the country and includes the colossal Spoonbridge and Cherry Fountain by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, and Frank Gehry's Standing Glass Fish.

Address: 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis;

Telephone: (612) 375 7622 or 375 7577 (recorded information);

Website: www.walkerart.org;

Transport: Bus 22;

Opening time: Open daily except Monday. The galleries are open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm; on Thursday from 10am to 9pm; and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. The Sculpture Garden is open daily from 6am to midnight;

Admission: US$6 (adults), concessions available. Free every Thursday and first Saturday of every month. The Sculpture Garden is free

Mall of America

Located in the southern suburb of Bloomington, the futuristic superstructure of the Mall of America is recognised as the largest enclosed shopping and entertainment complex in the country. It welcomes over 42 million visitors each year and is the fifth most visited attraction in the USA with world-class shopping, family entertainment, nightlife and numerous dining options. There are over 500 stores and speciality shops including the Lego Imagination Center, international department stores such as Bloomingdales, more than 70 restaurants and fast food outlets, cinemas, theatres and nightclubs, a wedding chapel and a mini-golf course. Underwater Adventures is a massive aquarium with touch pools featuring sharks and stingrays. Mall of America’s famous centrepiece is Camp Snoopy, an indoor theme park with thirty rides and adventures.

Address: 24th Ave, S and Killebrew Drive, Bloomington;

Telephone: (952) 883 8800;

Transport: Express bus 80 from downtown Minneapolis, or bus 54 from downtown St Paul;

Opening time: Open daily from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 9.30pm, and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Hours for restaurants, nightclubs and other attractions may vary, as well as summer and holiday hours