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Mall of America, Lincoln Park Zoo Among Midwest Highlights of Red Sox Trip to Chicago, Minneapolis (Photos)

Editor's note: Each Wednesday from April 11 to May 23, NESN.com will highlight some of the cities the Red Sox visit on road trips this season. This week, we spotlight Chicago and Minneapolis, where the Red Sox will play April 23-29. Next week, we target Kansas City, where the Red Sox will visit May 7-9, and Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Baltimore, the destinations for a May 16-23 road trip.

The Red Sox will soon see firsthand what kind of baseball teams the Windy City and Twin Cities have to offer.

But while they get ready for their next road trip — a Midwest swing from April 23-29 — you can take a look at what else is worth checking out in those fine metro areas.

The Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox are two of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball history, and they hail from cities with storied pasts of their own. Both the Twins and White Sox were part of the original American League that formed in 1901, although the Twins were actually the Washington Senators until 1961, when the franchise moved to the "twin cities" of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Having a premier ballclub in the early 20th century was a sign your city was for real, and Minneapolis and Chicago are no exceptions. Both served as vital conduits for industry and commerce throughout America's years of rapid growth, and both are current meccas for culture and tourism.

Those looking to pay a visit to Chicago or Minneapolis — whether it's when the Red Sox are playing or not — have plenty of options to choose from for a fun time.

Take a look at some of our picks for things you can't miss on a Midwest trip, and places you should definitely go if you want the full Chicago or Minneapolis experience.

Click here for places to see and things to do in Chicago and Minneapolis>>

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