Minneapolis and Saint Paul might be bustling metropolitan cities, but they are both naturally beautiful as well. The best part about the area is you can choose between a variety of urban activities, or you can connect with nature without having to travel outside of the cities. There are some incredible natural gems in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and here are just five of them:

1. Wood Lake Nature Center

If you're looking to see as much of nature in Minneapolis as possible, you must visit the wonder that is Wood Lake Nature Center. With three full miles of easily accessible hiking trails, you can enjoy wooded areas, marshlands, cattails, and over 200 species of birds. We love that there are docks out onto the water so you can enjoy the scenery and take everything in. Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Dr S, Minneapolis, MN 55423.

2. Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden And Bird Sanctuary

"Let nature be your teacher" is the motto at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, and we couldn't be quicker to jump on that bandwagon. Follow the trails and enjoy over 500 different species of plants which are meant to be growing in Minnesota. There is a beach nearby the garden, as well as a variety of hiking trails. Take time to appreciate the vibrancy of the garden's flowers, the abundance of bees, butterflies, and birds who manage our ecosystem. Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, 1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405.

3. Lake Harriet

Lake Harriet is one of Minneapolis' most popular lakes. We can't help but admire its natural beauty. You can walk along the lake to observe the nature around, appreciate this gem upon a sailboat, or let it all soak in from one of the lake's beaches. Although it's an urban lake, it can make you feel like you're miles away from the city.

4. Wabasha Street Caves

Okay, so we technically know the Wabasha Street Caves were man-made and used by notorious gangs in the 1920s and 1930s, but the caves themselves were carved within the sandstone that was already present in Saint Paul. We know this is incredible and we would love to encourage you to take a tour of these caves to understand Minneapolis of the past. Wabasha Street Caves, 215 Wabasha St. S, Saint Paul, MN 55107.

5. Minnehaha Falls

Minnehaha Creek flows into the mighty Mississippi, but not without making magic on its own before getting there. Minnehaha Falls is one of the few natural waterfalls in the city, and we can't get enough of it. You can explore the falls during the summer and feel the cool mist of water come towards you, or you can take an adventure in the winter to view the stunning waterfall once it's frozen. It's one of Minneapolis' most beautiful pieces of nature.

It's obvious that Minneapolis and Saint Paul are absolutely stunningly gorgeous cities. We know we are often overlooked by the rest of the country, which is what makes our cities just that more special. We have shown you just a few of the most beautiful natural gems within the cities, but we are certain there are many more. Where do you go to enjoy nature in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area? Share your stories with us in the comments below!

Wanting to go chase waterfalls? Check out These 4 Breathtaking Waterfalls Hiding In Minneapolis-Saint Paul.