What the Cities means
A Minnesota shorthand for the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, especially common when people elsewhere in the state talk about traveling to or being from the metro. The Minnesota Star Tribune has described “the Cities” as the Twin Cities metropolitan area to people who live outside it, and columnist James Lileks has noted the asymmetry that people elsewhere in Minnesota may use the phrase more naturally than residents use it among themselves. The label is therefore useful not just as a place synonym but as a clue about perspective: it often frames Minneapolis–Saint Paul from an outstate or greater-Minnesota point of view.
Origin and local context
The phrase is a natural shortening of Twin Cities, the long-established paired name for Minneapolis and Saint Paul. What makes it regionally distinctive is the definite article and plural capitalization-like treatment in speech: “the Cities” can be understood without naming which cities. Its durability reflects the metro area’s dominant population, employment, media, airport, shopping, university, and cultural role within Minnesota.
How it is used
Someone in Mankato, Bemidji, Duluth, or a small town may say they are “going up to the Cities,” “have family in the Cities,” or “don’t get to the Cities often.” Within Minneapolis or Saint Paul, speakers may be more likely to name the specific city, suburb, downtown, or neighborhood because “the Cities” is too broad for local navigation.
Example in context
We’re heading to the Cities Saturday for the concert.
Plain meaning: We’re going to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area on Saturday for the concert.
Neutral alternative
If you need wording that works outside the local cultural context, use the Twin Cities; the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area. The local term is more useful when its regional meaning adds information.
Use with context
The phrase is not equally common for every Minnesota speaker, and it does not define exact metropolitan boundaries. It can also reveal a metro-versus-rest-of-state frame that some people find imprecise or politically loaded. Use Minneapolis, Saint Paul, or the specific suburb when the exact destination matters.
Related Twin Cities language
Explore more Twin Cities expressions or return to the global dictionary.