Minneapolis is a major city in Minnesota that forms “twin cities” with the neighboring state capital of St. Paul. Both cities are bisected by the Mississippi River. Minneapolis is the 16th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Not many people know that there is plenty to do in Minneapolis. Underneath is the 11 reasons why you should visit Minneapolis right now:
Art
Minneapolis is a city that is known for its art. Starting from Prince being the biggest advocate of the city, and was one of the Minnesotan rock stars. There is also a big statue of a bright red cherry resting on a spoon that has become one of the iconic statues of the city. This statue can be found in Walker Art Center.
You can also spend 2 hours to half of your days celebrating more than 90,000 works of art that are being housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. They have various arrays of form of art, whether you are interested in ancient Egypt’s masterpieces or European artists like Titian and Monet. The museum is well suited for all ages, making it one of the must-go places to go with your kids.
Chain of Lakes
To understand the city better, you have to visit the chain of lakes that are located in Minneapolis. Each of the five bodies of water that encompass the chain of lakes byway district has another thing to offer as well. Lake Harriet features live music during summer and also has become a bird sanctuary. It also houses two family-friendly beaches.
Lake Calhoun draws a much more active crowd with plenty of boat and bike rentals and paths for jogging and biking enthusiasts. There are other lakes that are not as popular to the other two; Lake of the isles, cedar lake, and Brownie Lake. All three are very suitable for a picnic, or a stroll.
Consider yourself lucky if you visit during the summer because you will find plenty of sporting and live music events.
Minnehaha Park
It is sprawled along the banks of the Mississippi River. It offers respite from the fast-paced atmosphere of Minneapolis. Situated about 6 miles southeast of central Minneapolis, it is a park that is spread on to a 193 acres land.
Inside this park, there is a 53 foot Minnehaha falls that was made famous by Hendry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem.
The falls attract tourists from around the country while the park itself offers active visitors an array of activities such as outdoor recreation, including volleyball courts, playgrounds and bike paths for you to venture.
Fort Snelling
The fort was established in the early 19th century as a frontier outpost. It is one of the oldest pictures of Minnesota. It is located over the converging point of the Mississippi and Minnesota river, to allow full and total control of the trade routes in the upper Mississippi valley.
It now acts as a living history museum, with costumed tour guides offering ample of information about the history of the fort. There are also exhibitions that will let you glimpse the detailed history of the fort within the visitor center. They also have plenty number of activity centers that will help the visitor learn about Dakota’s homeland, immigration, soldiers and more. In the summer, the fort also hosts numerous history-themed events, including demonstrations, competitions, and youth programs.
St. Paul
The other twin of the city, St. Paul offers another scenic adventure in close proximity. There are even more nature, beer, outdoor activities and music that you can discover in St. Paul. St. Paul is located approximately 30 minutes away of east hike. You can even bike there through the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, and marvel at the cathedral of Saint Paul, which was modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Gutherie Theater
If you are a fan of theaters, then it is one place that you have to visit. Named after the founder, Sir Tyrone Guthrie, the downtown theater is one of the nation’s most renowned and one of the city’s most beloved treasures.
It opens its doors in 1953 with a production of “Hamlet”, it has made a name of itself with highly praised balanced of classical theater and grand productions. The theater also includes a full serviced restaurant, two casual eateries and the best view of Minneapolis from the banks of the Mississippi River.
Mall of America
If you do not feel like venturing outside and prefer to do something more indoors, then head to the mall of America. It has approximately 500 stores, that covers 2,5 million square feet retail space and will ensure to keep you entertained. Even if you are not shopping, it also offers plenty of family-friendly attractions such as the Nickelodeon Universe amusement park, complete with 25 different rides and attractions and also sea life Minnesota aquarium.
It is located 11 miles south of downtown Minneapolis near the airport and is open all day of the week, although there are differences in working hours between weekdays and weekends.
Beers
There are many local breweries that provide you with an assorted array of beers – sours to stouts which is very entertaining for people who work in the beverage industry or people who like beer in general. You can pick your choice, from a local brewery to the big pubs, or even massive beer halls across the Mississippi River.
Stone Arch Bridge
If you are an architecture geek, then head to the stone arch bridge. It is 2,100 photo granite and limestone bridge that features a total of 23 arches. It was constructed in 1883 and was vital to the city’s development by increasing the movement of people and goods in and out of the city. You can simply walk or ride bikes between the father Hennepin bluff park on the east bank of the river to the mills ruin park on the west bank.
Meghalaya means “The abode of clouds” in Sanskrit, is an apt description of the hilly state in northeastern India. People have been recorded to live there since the neolithic era. It is one of the seven sisters states of India and is mountainous with a stretch of valleys and highland plateaus.
With its biodiversity and its own unique culture, there is a lot to see from Meghalaya. Underneath is the list of 10 places to visit:
Balpakram national park
The national park is located in the south of Garo Hills. It is located at an altitude of about 910m close to the international border of Bangladesh. It was inaugurated in 1987 and has been home to many bio-diversities. The species that are recorded to call this national park home are; deers, Asian elephant, red panda, tiger and marbled cat, wild water buffalo, and various species of birds. This makes the place extremely beautiful and is excellent if you are looking forward to an outdoor adventure. This place is also very recommended for bird watching.
Maylynnong village
It is a village that is located in the East Khasi Hills district. It is very famous for its cleanliness and is tagged as the cleanest village in the continent. The village is also home to the Khasi tribe. A village is also a place where you can see the living root bridge, and sky view – a tower of 85 feet high that is made of bamboo.
Laitlum Canyon
The canyon is perched on the east Khasi hills of Shillong. Laitlum translates to ‘end of hills’ which showcased the beauty of the hilltop. There is no better place to catch the birds-eye view of the hills aside from this canyon. The terrain is difficult to navigate if you are just starting out. While you are tracking, you can find a lot of houses that are perched by the hills, meadows and rustic rope-way which is used by the residents to transport food and essential needs.
Double-Decker Living Bridge
Located in the deep tropical forest of Meghalaya, it took 15 years for the bridge to bear enough strength to allow people to walk across it. However, the bridge will get stronger with time. This bridge can be found in the vicinity of Cherrapunji, the wettest region in the country. There are currently around 11 other functional root bridge. The bridge is all being grown and cared for by the Khasi Tribe.
Lalong park
It is located 8 km away from Jowai. It covers the sacred grooves which is another reason for you to visit the park. Another reason is to see the Pyhntohowah valley. This park is particularly loved by people who loved trekking. While you are tracking, you can also enjoy fishing and leisure strolling while overlooking the River Myndtu from the park.
Don Bosco Center for Indigenous Cultures
It is a major tourist spot that offers you a break from all the nature and outdoor activity that Meghalaya offer. It offers visitors a glimpse of the rich and multicultural lifestyles of the indigenous people.
It encompasses all aspects of indigenous people’s life; starting from the costumes and ornaments that they wear, along with housing patterns, the language that they use, even to the style of hunting and gathering.
Their collections mainly focus on the indigenous people who hare living within the states of the seven sister regions. This center reminds us of the importance of preserving our culture and tradition.
Umiam Lake
Located in Ri Bhoi district, this is one of the winter destinations of the Meghalaya. The best time to visit it is from October to February, where you can find the lake to be lush with vegetation and the place to be very scenic. In the summer months, however, you will find the water level to be very low that you can find small islands here and there in the lake region. There are water activities that can be done in the lake too during the winter season.
The lake is a huge water reservoir that is constructed to be a part of a damn. However, because of the scenic look, it transforms itself to be one of the major tourist attractions in Meghalaya.
All Saints Church
The church is surrounded by lush and fresh dark grasses during winter, making it look much more picturesque. The church is an Anglican church which has become one of the top tourist attractions as well. This is because of the colonial architectural beauty, and woodwork’s of the church. The church has been built since the British Raj and was inspired by Scotland lush scenery as well.
Mawsmai Cave
It is an extensive network of underground caves, some of which are still undiscovered. It is located 57 KM from Shillong in the little village called Mawsmai. The caves are gorgeous, full of stalactite and stalagmite. They levy an entrance fee, however, because there are still not a lot of people who like venturing here. Probably because to access this cave, you have to go through the forest to reach it. This is one place and adventure that is very suitable for people who like to hike while looking at beautiful sceneries. The caves are also adorned by prehistoric fossils that will certainly give you a once in a lifetime experience.
Mawthadraishan Peak
This is one of the landmarks of tourism in Meghalaya. From the peak, you will be able to spot Bangladesh in the south and Himalayas next to it. On the east, you can also spot Khasi hills. The trek is filled with natural sightseeing.
Guwahati is the largest city in the Indian state Assam that lies beside the Brahmaputra river. It is located in the northeastern of India and is well known for its holy site. Because of its proximity to Bhutan, there is a lot of amalgamation of culture that happened within the city itself. Aside from the beautiful views that it offered, there are plenty of street foods that you have to try in Guwahati.
There is a lot of fermented fruit and vegetable that are used in their cooking making it one of the kind. Some people find it peculiar, however, it is still tasty. Because of the close proximity of Guwahati to the border of Tibet, Burma, and Bangladesh, there are a lot of influences of those cultures which you can find in the food.
The food offers a wide variety for both vegetarians and meat lovers. There is plenty of fresh local product for an excellent vegetarian meal, and Assamese love their meat. They have a variety of food starting from pork to fish to even silkworm.
Underneath is the list of best street food that you can find in Guwahati:
Momos
This is one of the most popular northeastern dishes by far, and its originality can be traced back to Tibet. You can find this food almost everywhere in the Indian continent, from Delhi to Mumbai even to the south state Bangalore. It is basically a traditional dumpling that can either be steamed or deep-fried.
You can almost find this anywhere in Guwahati and is the favorite snack of both locals and visitors.
You can find a wide assortment of filling available for you; mushroom, panne or vegetable for vegetarians, and for meat lovers, you can find chicken, prawn, or pork.
At the Ganeshguri market, in the southern part of Guwahati, you will be able to find the best momos that you can ever eat.
Jhal muri
Most of the states in India has its own variety of snack that is made from chaat. Jhal muri are quite similar to bhel puri in Mumbai. This is a sweet, sour and spicy mix of puffed rice, nuts, herbs, and delicious sauces or chutney. But the difference lays in the flavors and combinations. The ones that are made in Guwahati are made with mustard or local star fruit called kodoi.
This snack is so famous in Guwahati that you will be able to find it in every vendor, served in paper cones.
Luchi
Another variation from one of the nation’s loved food poori. Luchi is made of deep-fried flatbread that is made of refined flour, which is served with the choice of vegetarian or non vegetarian gravy.
Luchi is prepared very quickly and tastes best when it is served hot and crispy. You can find luchi in any commercial area that is located in Guwahati.
Assam tea
It is home to the world’s known tea, Assam tea. It can be prepared in a variety of ways. You just can not say that you have visited Guwahati until you try a good cup of Assam tea. You can find the tea being sold around every corner, at every stall and restaurant, in every home in Guwahati. You can find the tea almost in every shop in Guwahati. They are usually sold in packages.
Thukpa
Thukpa is a Tibetan influenced soup that comprises of umami flavored noodle soup, that combines the fragrance of lemongrass and ginger along with a hint of fish sauce, garnished with spring onion and fresh herbs. It is a meal itself and is served with either vegetarian or with shredded chick, pork, prawns.
You can find thukpa anywhere in any street vendors that specialized in Assamese cuisine. However, you can head to the GMC market where you can find a lot of different variations on this soup.
Chowmein
Another Tibetan inspired food, chowmein that is found is inspired by the Chinese staple food. The noodles are delicately handmade and stir-fried with fresh crispy vegetables and shredded meat or seafood. You do not have to go to a fancy restaurant to have this dish, you can simply find it on the roadside carts.
One place that is popular for its chowmein is rebati chat house on MN road in Guwahati. The restaurant is also famous for other Chinese inspired food.
Khaar
This is a unique Assamese preparation. It is a heartwarming dish made with vegetables and pulses. The main ingredients used are usually meat, fish or even duck.
The soup is famous because it is said that the water that is used to cook the meat has to be strained through dried banana plant leaves which imparts a unique and unusual flavor to the soup. Khaar is usually served with a portion of rice, or even as it is.
You can see plenty of stalls that have large pots next to pavements selling Khaar. But you can especially find it in the market towards lunchtime.
8. Matka Biryani
9. Masor Tenga
In the most recent years, the Assamese had just seen the huge growth and advancement in local fish farming. This dish is the result of it. The rohu is one of the fish that is farmed extensively in this state.
Masor Tenga is basically a fish curry that is traditionally made with stewed rohu fish. Its gravy is light and yet filled with flavors of coriander and mustard with a hint of sour. This is probably one of the best cuffy fish that is served in Assam. It is traditionally served with rice that will balance flavor of the tomato sauce. You can the authentic version being sold at pop stalls in the market places.
Payash
It is a sticky pudding that is sweetened with palm sugar, and flavored with cardamom and saffron, and garnished with a variety of fruits and nuts. You can get the dessert in any of the local restaurants.
Are you an adventurous person who loves to travel around the world? Are you a one-sided traveler who wants to explore new continents instead? Why not try out the open-secret garden in the heart of Thailand, Bangkok.
Bangkok, fondly referred to as BKK is the capital city of Thailand. The city never sleeps as there is always a truck load of activities going on at every time of the day and night in the city. In the city, you would come in contact with different kinds of people from all shades of life.
Below, we have a compiled list of areas you can stay in Bangkok, things to do in these places, places of attraction and access to transport. Sit back, relax, and sip on your drink while we take you on this very interesting ride of discovery.
Siam
Things to do: In Siam, you will shop till you pass out. If you are a shopping freak, then Siam is the right place for you to be. The most famous shopping mall at Siam is Siam Paragon. It has over 200 shops inside it. These shops are mostly visited by the wealthy Thai’s and foreigners who desire to buy the best of the best. Do not make the mistake of simply window shopping in Siam, you might go back home with a Kleenex full of tears if you do that. Even car manufacturers like Lamborghini have showrooms inside the Siam paradise. So, if you have a fat pocket, you would go back home smiling. Besides shopping, you will also come across recreational centers for your family such as Playhouse Theatre, Erawan Shrine at Siam; so, do not make the mistake of leaving Junior and the twins behind while heading out to Siam.
Transport: Siam houses the popular BTS sky train system which is the fastest way to move around in the city. This makes Siam a very ideal location to stay during your visiting duration.
Cons: If you are a lover of the pop, party, rock and roll life, you might need to have a re-think about Siam because it simply is a dead zone when it comes to partying.
Riverine Area
Things to do: There is a famous saying that, “Bangkok city is a child of the water.” This simply means that the source of the beautiful city is the river. It provides a serene atmosphere for those who love the peaceful and quiet environs of water and would enjoy breathing in the fresh air of clean water. You will find numerous beautiful hotels in this area. You can easily step out of your hotel ( 9 Surprising Free Hotel Amenities )and go for a breath-taking sight-seeing of old monuments in the area.
Transport: The Chao Phraya River that flows through Bangkok is not only a sight to behold but also, it is a sight to sit in. Taking a boat trip down the river can be an unforgettable life-time experience. From good vantage points, you see tall hotel buildings, resorts, shacks and a lot of places scattered across the city.
Cons: The standards of hotels in this area are usually way above the margin for a middle class tourist. So, if you do not have a flamboyant budget, it would be difficult to stay in the hotels there. Also, the night life in the area is usually serene and would not be the best bet for a person who cannot survive without noise. In addition, the area may be at a very far distance especially from Saphan Taksin BTS station. In other words, the closer you are to the area, the better.
Chinatown
Things to do: It is often said that Chinese people are one of the most populous tourists in the world. In most countries, you will find a Chinatown. As soon as you begin to see ceremonial Chinese gates and people in indigenous Chinese wears, you do not need to look any further as you have gotten to the promise land. Here, you will see the world’s largest gold Buddha and Chinese structures like the China Gate. You most definitely must not miss the sumptuous Chinese food sold on Yaowarat Road at very affordable prices and the superb night flexing at exotic bars like Soy Sauce Factory, Teens of Thailand and Cho Why.
Transport: There is the popular Hua Lamphong MRT Station which is just about 10-15 minutes’ walk away. It is also very close to Ratchawong where you can board the Chao Phraya Express boat as well.
Cons: If you are looking for a very quiet and serene place, then Chinatown is not for you. It is a very busy place only suitable for the bubbling life.
Khaosan
Things to do: For the lovers of History, this town is a best bet. It houses many eye catching historical buildings. Temples such as The Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Loha Prasat and The Golden Mount can be easily accessed in this region. Even in the sacred city of history, you will find bars, clubs and parties that rock Bangkok city. There are also low cost accommodations in this area.
Transport: The best means of transportation in this region is by water. Taking a boat from the Phanfa Leelard pier is fastest than going through the stress of taking a taxi to BTS stations which are very far.
Cons: If you do not have a private means of transportation, you will find it difficult to move around in this region because it is not easily accessible for public transports. Also, if you are not a party freak, this region definitely isn’t for you.
Sukhumvit:
Things to do: This place is very famous for the exclusive Thai Massage which you can get at affordable prices at massage parlors. This district is a mixture of so many ingredients. It is the whole soup pot of Bangkok. Modern malls, bars like Soi Cowboy, clubs like Levels Club & Lounge as well as the very relaxing massage parlors. If you are coming to Bangkok to have maximum fun, then Sukhumvit is your go to place.
Transport: The most convenient place to stay in this region is Asok. This is because it is in the middle of the region and very close to the MRT line. This line makes transportation to and fro very easy.
Cons: The busy nature of this region makes traffic very crazy. To avoid sitting in a vehicle for hours, you should deal with trains only.
Beautiful people, there you go. I hope this helps you in planning your net trip to Bangkok. Do not make the mistake of going to the wrong locations so you can enjoy your stay. Also, it would be very wise to employ the services of a renowned tourist agency in the city. Information about this is only a Google search away. I wish you maximum fun on your next trip.
Guwahati is the largest city in the Indian state Assam that lies beside the Brahmaputra river. It is located in the northeastern of India and is well known for its holy site. The location is near Tibet, Burma, and Bangladesh. Guwahati is famous for various kinds of sightseeing activity, but especially it boasts about its natural beauty.
It is specifically suitable for people who would like to take a break from city life.
Underneath is the 15 best tourist places near Guwahati:
The Saraighat bridge
It is one of the most famous tourist attractions near Guwahati airport. It has a length of 1,492 meters and is considered the longest bridge above the water in India. The bridge offers stunning view of both sunset and sunrise.
Guwahati Zoo
This zoo is spread in an extensive area of 430 acres and is one of the famous tourist places near Guwahati city. It is often referred to as the green lungs of the city and it lies just 6 km south of the Brahmaputra river. It houses over 113 species of animals.
Kaziranga National Park
The national park has been declared as world’s heritage site and is home two-thirds of the one-horned rhinoceros population. Aside from having rhinoceros, you can also spot a plethora of other animals such as; swamp deer, elephants, wild buffalos, Chinese pangolins, Bengal foxes and even flying squirrels. Visitors are given choice of safari rides throughout the park with either jeep or SUV.
Kamakhya Temple
It is located on the Nilachal Hill in the western part of Guwahati in Assam. It is one of the 5 shrines of the shakti peethas in the country. The main entrance to the temple is adorned with beautifully decorated with colorful flowers.
Mawsynram
It is located approximately 138 km away from Guwahati. The rain-forest is known as one of the wettest places on earth, you can head to Mawsynram village to see how nature blended so seamlessly into the life of the local tribe that lives there. The village is also known for its cleanliness.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
It is located 30 km to the east of Guwahati. It is another small haven for wildlife lovers and is home to the one-horned rhinos. The wildlife spreads over an area of 38 square km.
Shillong
Shillong is also known as the Scotland of the east since the British Raj empire. It is a beautiful city that is encircled by pine trees and stands at 1496 meters above sea level.
There is plenty of tourist attraction that is available in the city such as; golf courses, zoo, crystal clear lakes, and mountain peaks.
Cherrapunji
It is known as the wettest place on earth. Cherrapunji boasts it’s cleanliness and pristine. There are a couple of waterfalls that surround Cherrapunji such as; Dain Thelen falls, Noh Snghthiang falls, Noh Kalikai falls and many more. The waterfalls compliment the lush green forest that surrounds it.
Tawang
This is the city where the Dalai Lama was born. It is located at a height of about 3048 meters above sea level and is located in Arunachal Pradesh. The Tawang monastery that is located in the area is one of the most sacred places to visit by the Buddhist. Aside from the monastery, you can also visit the Tipi orchid sanctuary, where you will be able to see various of rare orchids.
Thimphu
Located close to Bhutan, Thimphu ( 10 Things To Do In Thimphu For A Satisfying Experience ) is only one step away. Thimphu is known to be the largest city located in the country. Enjoy the green lush forests of Bhutan, which is only the carbon positive country in the world. Thimphu is located only 255 km away from Guwahati.
Umananda Island
It is the smallest river island that is located in the heart of the Brahmaputra river. The island was known as the peacock island during the British rule and was named so because of its shape that resembles a peacock. The island now is a sanctuary that protects highly dangerous species of Golden Langurs, which is also considered sacred by the Himalayan people.
This island also has its significant important in hindu mythology. It is believed that this is where the Lord Kamdev was turned to ashes for trying to disturb the meditation of Lord Shiva.
