Minneapolis, We Love to Call You Home
Chu Vision Institute, an advanced vision correction center, is proud to serve the Minneapolis area.
Chu Vision Institute, the largest provider of FDA-approved vision correction procedures in Minnesota, is led by renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Ralph Chu. Chu Vision Institute is conveniently located in Bloomington, Minnesota, to attract patients from Minneapolis, Minnesota and all across the country in search of the most cutting-edge techniques in vision correction and cataract surgery.
We are located at:
9117 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
From Downtown Minneapolis:
Chu Vision Institute is only 11 miles from downtown Minneapolis, making the trip to clearer vision fast and easy.
From the Airport
Chu Vision Institute’s Minneapolis vision correction center is approximately 5 miles from the Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport, providing easy access for patients to arrive and depart from our location.
About Minneapolis
Minneapolis is the biggest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. With thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks, and waterfalls, the city has an abundance of water. Minneapolis was founded on the lumber industry and is known as the world’s center for flour milling. It is located next to Saint Paul, the state capital of Minnesota, and takes up both banks of the Mississippi River.
Minneapolis and Nature
Minneapolis, sometimes known as “the city by nature,” has one of the largest public park systems in the country. Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway connects many of these parks. Many areas of the city are filled with parks and recreation. There are a variety of biking and walking paths, some of which follow old abandoned railroad tracks, including the Mill District in the Saint Anthony Falls Historic District, the area surrounding Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, and the area by Minnehaha Falls.
Minneapolis Climate and Weather
Minneapolis experiences hot weather with muggy summers and chilly, snowy winters. Residents enjoy the many hiking and biking trails in the summer and cross country ski trails in the winter. Whether you like to ski, walk, or bike ride, or visit art museums, farmers markets, history museums, or cultural art centers, there is something for everyone to do in Minneapolis MN.
Minneapolis Industry
General Mills, the Pillsbury Company, and the Target Corporation were all founded in Minneapolis. The Guthrie Theater, First Avenue nightclub, and four professional sports teams are among the city’s cultural attractions. The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC), a fusion of form and function, offers aesthetically beautiful and cutting-edge solutions for a variety of conferences, trade exhibitions, and events. The venue can accommodate any event, from a small meeting to a big convention or trade show, thanks to its nearly 480,000 square feet of trade show space, 87 column-free conference meeting rooms, a 28,000 square foot ballroom, and an auditorium with excellent production and flexible technology options.
Well-known Employers in the Minneapolis Area Include:
- Target
- UnitedHealth Group
- 3M
- Land O’Lakes
- Regis Corporation
- Buffalo Wild Wings Headquarters
- General Mills
- Valspar
- Caribou Coffee
- Polaris Industries
As Chu Vision Institute patients, many of these companies’ employees have found freedom from contacts and glasses with one of our vision correction procedures.
Minneapolis Population and Demographics
Learn More about Minneapolis Demographics from the US Census Bureau
History of Minneapolis
The Dakota people lived on the land where Minneapolis now stands before European settlers arrived. The town was established at Saint Anthony Falls on a plot of land to the north of Fort Snelling; its expansion is credited to the town’s close proximity to the fort and the power the falls provided for industrial activity. The city’s population was projected to be 425,336 in 2021. It is the most populated city in the state and ranks 46th in terms of population in the country. The metropolitan area that includes Minneapolis and Saint Paul is commonly referred to as the Twin Cities.
Here are some well-known Minneapolis locations that you should be sure to visit with your new and improved vision…
Minneapolis Institute of Art
At the Minneapolis Institute of Art, there are several opportunities to develop your creativity and get your hands dirty, combined with one of the best and largest art collections in the nation. There aren’t many places that provide the quality and intricate exhibitions that the Minneapolis Institute of Art does for free.
Your visit to the Minneapolis Institute of Art will never be the same because of the variety of magnificent exhibitions that are frequently changing. Art in Bloom, a four-day festival that combines fine art and new flower arrangements, is a yearly favorite.
You can experience art in a variety of forms in addition to the highlighted shows. The artists included are extremely accomplished and meticulous, and each item has its own unique story. Genres represented range from contemporary to Japanese and Korean to decorative, textiles, and sculpture. Enjoy more than 89,000 works of art from all across the world, spanning 20,000 years.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The parks and the city’s vibrant cultural life are merged in this park system’s crowning achievement. Millions of people have visited the Garden since it first opened in 1988, where more than 40 pieces from the Walker Art Center’s collections are on display, including the well-known Spoonbridge and Cherry. The Garden, which is a collaboration between the Walker and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, is a must-see tourist attraction for people of all ages. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is open every day of the year from 6 am to 12 am.
Mill City Museum
The historic Mississippi Riverfront is home to Mill City Museum, which was built amid the remains of what was once the biggest flour mill in the world. Visitors of all ages can learn about the interconnected histories of Minneapolis’ city, river, and flour industry here. Experience the fierce history and vibrant presence of this National Historic Landmark while exploring the lively Mississippi riverfront, the birthplace of Minneapolis.
Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie Theater works with top-notch theater and performing arts professionals to explore both classic and modern plays that link the community to the rest of the globe. The Guthrie is dedicated to the people of Minnesota through its exceptional artists, staff, and facility, and from its position, strongly established in the Twin Cities, affects the field as a leading 21st-century arts center.
The Guthrie, a building created by Pritzker prize–winning architect Jean Nouvel, is situated in Downtown Minneapolis’ famed Mill District and has a 178-foot cantilever bridge that looks out over the Mississippi River. Time magazine referred to the structure as “a 21st century fantasy factory” when it first debuted in 2006.
Visit the Guthrie to catch a Broadway theatre performance, get a coffee and explore the structure, shop at the Guthrie Store, or just enjoy the breathtaking riverfront views.
Minnehaha Park
Minnehaha Park, which overlooks the Mississippi River, is one of Minneapolis’ oldest and most well-liked parks and receives over 850,000 visits a year. The park boasts an impressive waterfall in the wilderness located in an urban setting.
The 193-acre park, which is situated at the junction of Hiawatha Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway, has a 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and river overlooks. The park has native and prairie woodland wildflowers as well as oak, elm, silver maple, basswood, hackberry, and cottonwood trees.
Target Field
Located in the heart of Minneapolis, Target Field is the home of the Minnesota Twins and is regarded as one of MLB’s top ballparks. Unbeatable views of the Minneapolis skyline, locally inspired food and drink, and tons of family-friendly entertainment can be found at the 40,000-seat open-air stadium with a natural grass playing field. The park’s interior houses the fourth-largest scoreboard and one of Major League Baseball’s closest seating bowls.
Target Field is situated on the north side of downtown Minneapolis in the historic Warehouse District. As soon as you approach the stadium, you’ll notice fans wearing Twins gear all over the place, and you’ll know it’s game day. Once inside, you’ll enjoy the spacious concourses with unobstructed field views. The regular season for the Twins runs from April through September. When the team is on the road, the location often accommodates concerts and other special events.
Chain of Lakes Regional Park
The Chain of Lakes byway district’s five bodies of water each has something unique to offer. In addition to a bird sanctuary, rose gardens, and two family-friendly beaches, Lake Harriet also offers live music during the summer. Bde Maka Ska (previously Lake Calhoun), on the other hand, attracts a more energetic clientele to its numerous boat and bike rentals and routes for jogging and biking. The Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake, and Brownie Lake make beautiful backdrops for a picnic or stroll, yet are not as well-known. The Chain of Lakes hosts numerous sporting, live music, and other annual events throughout the year, especially during the Aquatennial festival in July.
The Chain of Lakes is a year-round tourist destination located about 5 miles southwest of Minneapolis’ downtown area. Although parking and facility rentals may not be free, access to the lakes is.
American Swedish Institute
The Turnblad Mansion, Minneapolis’ only castle, and the Nelson Cultural Center make up the thriving American Swedish Institute (ASI), a museum and cultural hub. ASI sponsors special events, family-friendly activities, and art exhibitions related to modern Nordic culture and heritage. The ASI Museum Store features a wide selection of carefully chosen Nordic and Nordic-inspired items, while FIKA, ASI’s acclaimed café, specializes in New Nordic fare.
Walker Art Center
The Walker is a must-visit destination for those interested in culture, with 11 galleries of modern and contemporary art, the Walker Cinema, and McGuire Theater. Enjoy a meal at the center’s restaurant, Gather Café, and shop for unique gifts at the Walker Shop.
Stone Arch Bridge
In the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota, at Saint Anthony Falls, the Mississippi River is crossed by the former railroad bridge known as the Stone Arch Bridge. It is the only stone-arched bridge over the Mississippi River. Next to Eads Bridge, it is the second-oldest bridge on the river. Stone Arch Bridge, a National Civil Engineering Landmark, provides a panoramic view of St Anthony Falls.
Weisman Art Museum
The museum, which serves as a teaching resource for the University of Minnesota and the Twin Cities community, hosts a variety of exhibitions, educational activities, and fun special events all year long. More than 25,000 pieces of American art from the first half of the 20th century, including significant pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Marsden Hartley, Milton Avery, and Alfred Maurer, are included in the museum’s collection. There is also a collection of modern and contemporary works. One of the largest collections of traditional Korean furniture is also displayed at the museum.
The 18,000-square-foot museum can be explored in roughly an hour. The museum, which prioritizes education, makes use of the resources of a top research university to give people access to fresh perspectives on art and culture. The museum, which has been located in a spectacular new stainless steel and brick structure since 1993 and was created by famous architect Frank Gehry, serves more than 60,000 university students as well as the vibrant Twin Cities and Minnesota cultural community.
Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium
You can get closer than ever to thousands of sea creatures at SEA LIFE at the Mall of America, including sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, jellyfish, seahorses, and more! Learn what it takes to create an ocean in Minnesota by taking a guided Behind-the-Scenes tour that takes you over Shark Cove, via the 300-foot Ocean Tunnel, to the food prep kitchen and water quality lab. Learn about our incredible animals during free hourly Creature Talks and get up close to new ambassador species like the ball python, blue-tongued skink, scorpions, tarantulas, and more on the Rainforest Ranger Stage.
Minnesota Zoo
The Minnesota Zoo, which is a short drive from the Mall of America, combines fun and learning! Penguins, a rich tropical forest and aviary, a marine center, a boreal forest, a tundra, and a family farm may all be found in the zoo. You may expect a different adventure each time you go because there are more than 4,300 creatures here! The zoo offers picnic rentals, banquet facilities, and group pricing for groups of 20 or more.
Lake Calhoun
The largest lake in Minneapolis, Bde Maka Ska, formerly known as Lake Calhoun, is a part of the city’s Chain of Lakes. It is popular for swimming, boating, and going to the beach, as well as many other outdoor activities. It is surrounded by a city park area and encircled by biking and walking routes.
Target Center
Minneapolis’ Target Center is a multi-use arena that first opened its doors in 1990. After Madison Square Garden, which opened its doors in 1968, Target Center is the venue with the second-oldest history in the NBA. Major family shows, concerts, sporting events, graduations, and private gatherings are all held there.
Since the building’s construction, the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA) have called it home. Currently, the Minnesota Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) also calls it home. The arena has previously played host to the Minnesota Fighting Pike of the Arena Football League, the Minnesota Arctic Blast of the RHI, and the Minnesota Valkyrie of the LFL.
St Louis Park
Visit Minnesota’s Sweet Spot, St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Two nearby west metro areas, St. Louis Park and Golden Valley are extremely close to Minneapolis’ central business district. The miles of hiking and biking routes will excite outdoor enthusiasts. Play lawn bowling at Brookview, go canoeing at Westwood Hills Nature Center and splash about at the Aquatic Park during the summer. Play some games at the REM5 VR Lab before enjoying a drink at the REVEAL Rooftop Bar. Cross-country ski and tube at Theodore Wirth Park or ice skate at the ROC, our heated outdoor rink, during the winter. Two breweries, two distilleries, and a vineyard are also located here.
