How good is your Twin Cities trivia? While you may know about the city’s musical icons, the significance of the Guthrie Theater, and the birthplace of the Juicy Lucy (or Jucy Lucy, depending upon who you talk to), there are still so many interesting tidbits to learn. 

So, it’s time to pull up a chair and get schooled on a few of the most interesting things about your favorite Minnesota cities. While the winters here get pretty cold, these fun facts about Minneapolis are even cooler. 

Indigenous History

If you find yourself near the Washington Avenue Bridge and Boom Island Park then you are near one of the oldest sites of local history. Native Americans have been living along this part of the Mississippi riverfront for over 12,000 years. Evidence of their presence dates back to 10,000 B.C.E. The Dakota people once used Nicollet Island as a peaceful meeting place, and the area around St. Anthony Falls was considered sacred.

A Quiet Place

Shhhh! Do you know that Minneapolis is home to the quietest room in the world? Orfield Laboratories is the only multi-sensory independent design research laboratory in the U.S. Within it you can find the Orfield Anechoic Chamber, a space that has no echo and absorbs 99.99% of sounds. Some people say the silence can be maddening, but we just think this Minneapolis fact is one of a kind. 

Skyways for Days

If you live in Minneapolis, you know all about the skyways. These enclosed walkways bridge buildings together all over downtown. Protecting people from the weather—hot, wet, or cold— they are a staple of downtown Minneapolis. 

While skyways are not unique to Minneapolis, these local enclosed footpaths outdo their counterparts in distance: Minneapolis has the longest skyways system in the world. All told, the walkways span 11 miles, connecting 80 blocks.

SCOTUS x2

The honor of being appointed a U.S. Supreme Court Justice is one in a million. Not only do you have to be a leader in the legal field, but appointments are for life, making turnover minimal. So, it’s pretty cool to discover that St. Paul is not only home to two Supreme Court Justices but that both grew up a 5-minute walk from each other.  

Henry Blackmun and Warren Burger both grew up in the same St. Paul neighborhood. But here’s the real kicker: they also went to the same public elementary school… at the same time! How’s that for cool?

Long Laughs

Laughter is the best medicine, and perhaps no group knows it better than the Hennepin Theater Trust’s Brave New Workshop. This sketch comedy improv company has been at it longer than any other troupe of its kind. Settling in Minneapolis in 1958, they’ve been making people laugh their hearts out even longer than SNL.

The Coolest

The Twin Cities are a wonderful place to live, and there is always something new to learn about these cities we call home. One fact about Minneapolis–and St. Paul!–that no one needs to be told about is how chilly the winters can get. Don’t forget, we’re here for all your heating needs. Give is a call 24/7 for furnace maintenance and repairs.