After spending eighteen years or more diligently raising their children, many empty nesters are finding themselves with more free time than they have had since they were singles. They now want to concentrate on enjoying life as a couple or for themselves once again. With lots more entertainment options and retirement right around the corner, many baby boomers are now signing on for all that city life and Minneapolis real estate has to offer.

Why dirty up the stove or make a bunch of dirty dishes if you're only cooking for two? If you love to dine out and you're feeling the empty nest blues, grab your coat and head out the door to enjoy some of the best food Minneapolis has to offer. Dining options abound: from Irish pubs like Kieran's to the finest of fine dining at Vincent, A Restaurant. The owner of Vincent is a French chef that has worked for Giorgio Armani in Florence, Italy as well as a Michelin One Star restaurant in the Basque Country of France, just to name a couple of his credentials.

World class entertainment options are also a part of the package when empty nesters move to the city and buy themselves a piece of Minneapolis real estate. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is one of the best art museums in the Midwest. With more than 80,000 photos, paintings, drawings and sculptures spanning a range of time of over 4,000 years, you are sure to find pieces of art that suit your tastes at the Institute of Arts.

Another popular entertainment option is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Visitors love to walk along the tree-lined paths and enjoy a fantastic collection of public art. Do you prefer live theater to art galleries? Perhaps The Guthrie Theater is more suited to your taste. It's a beautifully constructed facility that is home to a very talented group of actors.

Minnehaha Park offers Minneapolis real estate owners a beautiful urban escape. One of the only city parks in the country to feature a waterfall, Minnehaha Park is a tranquil resting place in an otherwise bustling city. The park also features a fantastic restaurant, so be sure to grab a bite to eat when you visit.

If you aren't looking to cool your heels in a park or look at fine art, Minneapolis also offers residents world class shopping opportunities. The Mall of America is internationally famous and offers every type of store you can imagine. Empty nesters delight in the options available at this supermall. It even has a small amusement park at its center, much to the approval of visiting grandchildren. In fact, the mall is so large that it has its own zip code.

After devoting their lives to caring for their kids, many empty nesters are eager to live it up a bit. The city of Minneapolis is the perfect place to get back into the fast lane. Enjoy fine dining, world class shopping and all of the cultural events that city living has to offer. Buying Minneapolis real estate opens the door for empty nesters to rediscover their spouses, themselves and all the discoveries life in a big city has to show them.  Kevin Curtis