The Tyrone Guthrie Theater designed by Jean Nouvel. 2006

Discover the cultural heritage of the TWIN CITIES, with its distinctive architecture and impressive museums. See the WALKER ART CENTER and the FREDERICK R. WEISMAN ART MUSEUM, Frank Gehry's first museum designed in 1993. The MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS houses more than 100,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of world history. Across the Mississippi River in ST. PAUL we will tour its historic buildings from the turn of the last century.

FRIDAY, JUNE 12- Arrive at Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport today and check in at the historic HILTON MARQUETTE HOTEL a part of the IDS CENTER originally designed by Philip Johnson. A tour of the city will be followed by a visit to the WALKER ART CENTER, known for its permanent collection of 20th century American and international art. A special highlight is the Center's MINNEAPOLIS SCULPTURE GARDEN, an 11-acre park with works by Oldenburg, Noguchi and Bourgeois. Dinner is included this evening . (D) 

	. Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes von Oldenburg and Coosje von Bruggen, 1985-1988 at the Mnneapolis Sculpture Garden. A gift of Frederick R. Weisman.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13 - The region's giant industries have fostered the cultural infrastructure of the TWIN CITIES. This morning we visit the MILL CITY MUSEUM, which traces the city's history as a milling center, and enjoy a backstage tour at the TYRONE GUTHRIE THEATER, designed by French architect, Jean Nouvel. Spend the afternoon at the MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS with its impressive TARGET WING, designed by Michael Graves. EVENING OPTION: Concert performed by the ST. PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA. .  

SUNDAY, JUNE 14 - MINNEAPOLIS rivals NEW YORK and BERLIN with its abundance of grand architectural projects.. Our morning tour will focus on the architecture of downtown MINNEAPOLIS  including the GUTHRIE THEATER and the MINNEAPOLIS CENTRAL LIBRARY designed by Cesar Pelli, architect ot the Cira Center at 30th Street in Philadelphia. View historic buildings at the University of Minnesota and visit the FREDERICK R. WEISMAN MUSEUM, recently expanded by the original architect, Frank Gehry. An optional vsiit to PAISLEY PARK, the former home of music artist PRINCE,  is also

Minnesota State Capitol by Cass Gilbert, 1904

planned.  EVENING OPTION: Performance of DESTINY OF DESIRE by Karen Zakarias at the GUTHRIE THEATER (L).  

MONDAY, JUNE 15 - Cross the Mississippi River for a tour of ST. PAUL. While MINNEAPOLIS is sophisticated and modern,, ST. PAUL has an old-world character with its Victorian architecture and downtown parks. We will view the mansions on Summit Avenue and visit the home of James J. Hill who was responsible for the construction of the Great Northern Railway. Impressive public buildings abound in ST. PAUL including the CITY HALL & COURTHOUSE, an art deco masterpiece built in 1932, and the newly renovated STATE CAPITOL, completed by famed architect Cass Gilbert in 1904. Return to the airport for your return flight to PHILADELPHIA or your home city.