City Life

Campus Area

Plenty of culture and entertainment choices are available within walking distance of the Law School. A short stroll over the Mississippi on the Washington Avenue Bridge leads to the Coffman Memorial Union, a bustling hub of student activity: The building hosts the campus bookstore, a pool, a bowling alley, and a variety of student clubs and programs.

Spend an afternoon at the Bell Museum of Natural History, or visit the Weisman Art Museum, which houses more than 17,000 pieces of art. See a play at the Rarig Center or watch a film in an old-fashioned setting at the Oak Street Cinema.

The Law School also is within easy reach of some of the Twin Cities' most culturally diverse neighborhoods, including Seven Corners, Cedar-Riverside and Dinkytown. Specialty shops, music venues, coffee houses and a wide range of ethnic restaurants make these neighborhoods popular places to visit.

Sports

Support the Big 10 teams of the U of M Gophers or root for the area's professional teams: The Twin Cities are home to the Vikings (NFL), the Twins (MLB), the Timberwolves (NBA) and the Wild (NHL).

Downtown Minneapolis

The cosmopolitan heart of the Twin Cities, downtown Minneapolis, is only quick bus ride from the Law School. Weather is rarely a concern, since the downtown buildings and entertainment venues of Minneapolis are connected by more than 55 blocks of glass-enclosed skyways (that's over 7 miles!)

First Avenue, Nicollet Mall, and the Warehouse District contain dozens of shops, restaurants, bars and dance clubs. Block E, a new indoor complex, includes a large movie theater, several eateries, an arcade and more. The Minneapolis Farmer's Market offers local produce and crafts from April to December. To partake in the region's fine arts, visit Orchestra Hall, the home of the Minneapolis Orchestra, or the outdoor sculpture gardens at the Walker Art Center. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, a free art museum, houses both seasonal and permanent exhibits. The Minneapolis area also boasts eight theaters for stage plays, and numerous venues for live concerts.

Uptown Minneapolis

Uptown Minneapolis offers plenty of interesting things to do, just a short bus ride from the Law School. For a taste of the great outdoors within the city, visit the Uptown lakes: Harriet, Calhoun, Nokomis, and Lake of the Isles. Calhoun Square is bustling with activity on any given day or night with its shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars and movie theaters.

St. Paul

St. Paul is the governmental center of Minnesota, with the beautiful State Capitol building as its focal point. The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and the Science Museum of Minnesota also are located in this eastern Twin City. The Xcel Center is the home rink of the Minnesota Wild NHL team, and also hosts a variety of concerts and events. The park on Harriet Island offers a great location for a study break.

Bloomington

Just a few miles south of downtown Minneapolis/St. Paul is the Mall of America. Still the largest mall in the United States, it continues to draw visitors and shoppers from around the world.