If you plan to be one of the lucky 66,655 fans at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Feb. 4 for the biggest football game of the season, you are the envy of every NFL fan. If you haven’t yet secured your ticket or finalized your travel plans, you may be out of luck and counting yourself among the millions viewing the game with commercials … very expensive, albeit entertaining, commercials. Hotels are nearly full for that weekend, and while homes and apartments are still available on Airbnb, they will cost you a pretty penny. As for tickets to the game, even the nosebleed seats cost more than $4,000 apiece.

If you’re not willing to pay for the football experience (and we don’t blame you), don’t discount Minneapolis as a worthwhile travel destination. The city’s accessible, award-winning airport – Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), family-friendly attractions and 200 miles of walking, biking and ski trails within city limits make it an appealing destination for a wide range of travelers. We highlight just a few of the well-known places and activities for which the Twin Cities is known.

Mall of America

Fun for everyone, the Mall of America includes shopping, dining, an amusement park, aquarium, adventure golf and escape room challenge all under one roof! One of the easiest ways to get to this world-famous mall is to ride the light rail, which connects downtown Minneapolis, the airport and the Mall of America. Walking around one level of the mall is a little more than a mile, so remember your pedometer and wear comfy shoes.

Paisley Park

Located in Chanhassen, Minn., Paisley Park includes Prince’s 65,000-sqaure-foot home, studio and rehearsal space. Iconic albums, including The Black Album, Sign O’ The Times and Emancipation were all recorded in the space. Before he passed, Prince would open his doors to the public for special performances, but now anyone can visit and tour the property. A general admission tour will cost you about $50 and last a little more than an hour. Note, they do not permit children under the age of five for general admission tours.

Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild, oh my!

Minneapolis is home to all five major sports leagues, with the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Minnesota United FC, so no matter when you visit you can add a sporting event to your itinerary. It’s also worth it to check out the University of Minnesota’s sports teams, the golden gophers.

St. Paul’s Winter Carnival

Love the winter? There’s no better place to celebrate than at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. The annual festival takes place late January through early February and includes everything from parades, sledding, ice skating and running races (with a half marathon, 10K, 5K and kids’ fun run). For those who love a good challenge, check out the autonomous snowplow competition, where students and individuals are encouraged to utilize state-of-the-art navigation and control technologies to rapidly, accurately and safely clear a path of snow.

For the die-hard football fans attending the big game, be sure to check out the concerts and activities surrounding the stadium, including the large fan-zone with interactive games. For the other 115 million fans who will enjoy the game from afar, have we piqued your interest in visiting Minnesota? Drop us a note on our Facebook page!