Minnesota's most recognizable landmark is...? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: new home, movies, moving)

[Lafferty Daniel]

I think Target Field has potential to be the most recongnizable landmark in the state. It's arguably the best looking, and most innovative MLB ballpark built since Camden Yards. I think it would get a lot more recognition by casual sports fans if the Twins would win a World Series, but it doesn't look like that's happening anytime soon.

[dober1]

I second the vote for Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox.

[roneb]

If you base it on sight alone it might be Split Rock Lighthouse. Shows up in more photo ads, postcards, "scenic picture" albums than just about anything. Just don't ask people who aren't from MN to identify where it is.

[uptown_urbanist]

I don't think MOA can count as a visual landmark. People have heard of it, but I doubt most people have any idea what it looks like. I grew up in MN, and I don't know that I could visually identify it from the outside (if a sign was not visible). A big box surrounded by big parking lots isn't very visually distinctive, and could be anywhere. Name-wise, yes, I think many people have heard of it.

Give it more time and I think the cherry and spoon has the most potential for icon status.

I agree that the Metrodome probably has the greatest icon status at the moment, but also think that with time Target Field is going to become iconic.

[shotz90s]

I'll vote for Target Field but if someone could get investors, I think a giant palace to the Tator Tot Hotdish would be truly Minnesotan. It could be in the shape of the metrodome but with large tator tot glass sculptures on top that could have alternating lights inside for night time viewing pleasure. On the inside there could be a hotdish museum (sponsored by one of our local food giants), food court to sample various versions of the TT hotdish, cooking classes and church ladies to teach serving etiquette. Or am I just low on sleep here?

[1stpontiac]

Originally Posted by roneb

If you base it on sight alone it might be Split Rock Lighthouse. Shows up in more photo ads, postcards, "scenic picture" albums than just about anything. Just don't ask people who aren't from MN to identify where it is.

Like others have said, it depends a bit on your definition of landmark, whether you just want something that people will say "Oh, that looks familiar!", or something that they will say "Oh, that's in Minnesota." I like the latter definition, so I'd still go for the metrodome. Split Rock is beautiful, but there are thousands of pictures of lighthouses from other states out there, and I couldn't tell you, based on sight alone, where a single one of them is.

Originally Posted by shotz90s

I'll vote for Target Field but if someone could get investors, I think a giant palace to the Tator Tot Hotdish would be truly Minnesotan. It could be in the shape of the metrodome but with large tator tot glass sculptures on top that could have alternating lights inside for night time viewing pleasure. On the inside there could be a hotdish museum (sponsored by one of our local food giants), food court to sample various versions of the TT hotdish, cooking classes and church ladies to teach serving etiquette. Or am I just low on sleep here?

This may be the single greatest idea I've ever read on the internet.

[northsub]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

Give it more time and I think the cherry and spoon has the most potential for icon status.

Does the cherry and spoon have anything to do with Minnesota? There isn't much cherry production here, is there? I'd say the North St. Paul snowman seems more fitting if you want to go with an oversized sculpture that is in the metro.

I'd actually vote for Paul Bunyan as the best landmark. However, I'm not sure there's a particular version I have in mind. I'm just thinking a Paul Bunyan sculpture is the most likely thing for people to see and think "Minnesota".

The Mall of America is perhaps more widely known, but I don't think it is noticeable by sight. Maybe if the addition gets done it would have a chance. I'd also argue that none of the sports stadiums are all that unique either (probably no more visually unique than the Mall of America). The Metrodome is definitely a local landmark in the sense that people in the Twin Cities know where it is, but I'm not sure many people outside the state (and perhaps even metro residents) could distinguish it from any other dome.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by shotz90s

I'll vote for Target Field but if someone could get investors, I think a giant palace to the Tator Tot Hotdish would be truly Minnesotan. It could be in the shape of the metrodome but with large tator tot glass sculptures on top that could have alternating lights inside for night time viewing pleasure. On the inside there could be a hotdish museum (sponsored by one of our local food giants), food court to sample various versions of the TT hotdish, cooking classes and church ladies to teach serving etiquette. Or am I just low on sleep here?

Hee hee! Man, I'd make it a point to visit that place at least once.

[dober1]

Originally Posted by northsub

does the cherry and spoon have anything to do with minnesota? There isn't much cherry production here, is there? I'd say the north st. Paul snowman seems more fitting if you want to go with an oversized sculpture that is in the metro.

i'd actually vote for paul bunyan as the best landmark. However, i'm not sure there's a particular version i have in mind. I'm just thinking a paul bunyan sculpture is the most likely thing for people to see and think "minnesota".

the mall of america is perhaps more widely known, but i don't think it is noticeable by sight. Maybe if the addition gets done it would have a chance. I'd also argue that none of the sports stadiums are all that unique either (probably no more visually unique than the mall of america). The metrodome is definitely a local landmark in the sense that people in the twin cities know where it is, but i'm not sure many people outside the state (and perhaps even metro residents) could distinguish it from any other dome.

bemidji

[Ghengis]

(from wiki)