There’s more to Minnesota than the Mall of America, Great Lakes, the Vikings, and Prince. When you travel to the North Star State, you can visit the Xcel Energy Center for a range of events, games, and concerts. When you come to this arena, you’re almost guaranteed to see something special. The key is to get tickets your tickets well in advance for one of the many things that are happening throughout the year. Plan your trip based on the events that are happening, here and you can also count on visiting some of the attractions in the surrounding area.
Hockey
The Minnesota Wild play in this arena throughout the NHL season. They play 41 home games a year, and they host teams like the Dallas Stars (who were once the Minnesota North Stars.) You could come to Minneapolis/St. Paul to see the Wild, or you might come to the arena because the home team is playing against your favorite squad.
The state hockey playoffs are also hosted in the arena, along with special college and minor league hockey tournaments throughout the year. It’s a great city for hockey, basically, and perfect for a puck-centric vacation when you book a stay at one of the hotels in downtown St. Paul that are close to the arena.
Special Events
There are a few special events that happen at the arena throughout the year. There are many unique events that appeal to a broad demographic, like a special night hosted by Oprah, fundraisers, concerts for causes, and events hosted by other speakers.
The Rodeo
The rodeo comes to the arena at the end of January. While you may not associate a rodeo with a city so far north, it’s something of a tradition for locals. You can enjoy some of the great bull riders and horsemen in the area, and you will see rodeo events that are hard to find in other parts of the country.
Concerts
Concerts are held at the Xcel Energy Center throughout the year. You could see Korn and Breaking Benjamin in February, or you might see Thom Yorke, Jason Andean, or The Lumineers. These shows sound amazing inside the arena, and each concert has its own amazing stage setup you have to see in person. You will get a different experience every time you come to the arena for a show in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Why Travel Through Minneapolis/St. Paul?
When you are traveling across the Midwest, you will truly enjoy visiting through these cities. You can come up to Minnesota on your way to Canada, or you could travel west to the Dakotas. You might travel south so that you can reach Chicago, or you could travel even further south to reach Iowa. It’s centrally located to visit all the best places in the Midwest.
Conclusion
When you are ready to travel to Minneapolis/St. Paul, you should plan to stop by the Xcel Energy Center. The venue plays host to hockey games, rodeos, concerts, and special events. You can see amazing things when you come to the area, making it worthwhile to plan your whole trip around a visit here.
