The Ultimate Travel Guide to Minneapolis (from a Local)
Minneapolis might be one of the most underrated major cities in the US. While the incredibly cold Minnesota winters might scare off many visitors, locals know there’s so much more to this Midwest gem than the bad weather. There’s a thriving art culture, a food scene that rivals any foodie city, incredible parks and lakes, and a community of folks who really are as “Minnesota Nice” as you’ve heard. As a lifetime local, I’ve got the scoop on all this and more in this travel guide to Minneapolis.
This is your travel guide to the best of Minneapolis from a local.
Getting to Minneapolis
The Twin Cities airport (MSP) is located between Minneapolis and St. Paul and is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis. If you won’t be renting a car, you can take the Blue Line light rail into the city. It costs just $2 and is just as quick as driving. Grabbing a ride with Uber or Lyft is definitely an option as well.
Getting Around Minneapolis
CAR
The most convenient way to get around Minneapolis is by car. The places you’ll likely want to visit are pretty spread out, so a car is often necessary. Like most cities, Minneapolis has a bit of rush-hour traffic, but other than that, driving isn’t too difficult. However, take note of driving conditions by season. Winter brings slippery roads and low visibility, spring succumbs to potholes, and summer is officially construction season in Minnesota. If you’re not comfortable renting a car and driving yourself, you can always use Lyft or Uber.
BIKE
Minneapolis is consistently ranked as one of the top biking cities in the country. It has 83 miles of biking trails, 44 miles of bike lanes, and an extensive bike rental system (Nice Ride).
LIGHT RAIL
The Metro Transit light rail is a great way to get to and from major areas in the Twin Cities. The Blue Line connects various stops in downtown Minneapolis to the airport and Mall of America. The Green Line links downtown Minneapolis to the University of Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul.
WALK
Due to the expansive skyway system, downtown Minneapolis is perfectly set up for walking. It consists of 9.5 miles of skyways covering 80 city blocks to create the largest contiguous skyway system in the world. It connects businesses, hotels, restaurants, shops, office buildings, banks, gyms, venues, and more in the downtown area. The glass-enclosed bridges also give you great views of the city below. You can walk the entire downtown area without ever going outside.
Best Time to Visit Minneapolis
I will always live in Minneapolis. It’s so cold it keeps the bad people out.
Prince
SUMMER
This is the only season you can guarantee there won’t be snow in Minneapolis! Summers are typically a great time to visit; however, they can also get uncomfortably hot and humid. Be sure to pack bug spray as well! Mosquitoes are prevalent here.
AUTUMN
Fall is a lovely time to visit Minneapolis. Many areas burst with autumn colors, and sweater weather takes over. Unfortunately, the autumn season is also quite short, lasting only from about late September through mid-October. By late October it can start to feel like winter, and the city might already be getting its first snowfall of the season.
WINTER
Winter is synonymous with Minneapolis. With the season lasting from November through early April, winters are long and bitterly cold throughout Minnesota. Heavy snowfall can make for poor traveling conditions, and high winds put temps well below freezing. If you do find yourself here during the winter, embrace the cold like a local with activities like skiing, snowshoeing, or ice skating.
SPRING
This is a short and unpredictable season in Minneapolis. It’s known for being sunny and warm one day and then cold and snowing the next. Late spring is, generally, a good time to visit, but keep in mind that you may experience some bizarre temperature swings.
How Many Days Do You Need in Minneapolis?
A weekend is perfect for a trip to Minneapolis. You’ll be able to cover pretty much everything in this travel guide with just a weekend visit to Minneapolis. If you’re planning on visiting the Mall of America, however, you’ll want to add an extra day. If you have more than two days, I highly recommend visiting the “twin” of the Twin Cities – St. Paul. While the two cities certainly have their similarities, St. Paul has its own list of great things to see and do. St. Paul is just a 20-minute drive from Minneapolis, so it’s perfect for a day trip.
Where to Stay in Minneapolis
W Minneapolis – The Foshay
This modern luxury hotel is infused with art deco touches that pay homage to the 1920s building. It’s a beautiful hotel right in the heart of downtown. Guests also have free access to the 360º observation deck on the top floor – a must-do in Minneapolis.
The Rand Tower
This is another downtown hotel that celebrates 1920s art deco architecture. The rooms are comfy and elevated, and the rooftop lounge has great views of the city. The hotel’s lobby is also home to Bar Rufus, an exceptional French bistro-inspired lounge with oysters, cocktails, and small plates.
Hewing Hotel
This historic boutique hotel in the trendy North Loop neighborhood is one of the coolest spaces in the city. Standard rooms run a bit small, but they all feature high-end amenities and are beautifully appointed with rustic, industrial touches. Even if you don’t stay here, definitely pay a visit to the rooftop bar. The cocktails are great, and the skyline view is my favorite in the city.
A Local’s Travel Guide to the Best Things to Do in Minneapolis
Chain of Lakes
They don’t call Minneapolis the “City of Lakes” for nothing. No travel guide to Minneapolis would be complete without mentioning the lakes – we’ve got 22 of them right here in the city! Chain of Lakes is a regional park made up of five beautiful lakes, all connected by parks and trails, and it’s the best way to get your dose of lake life in Minneapolis. If you’re pressed for time and can only visit one lake, my top choice is Lake Harriet. The large shoreline is beautiful, plus, there are plenty of features like a food stand, canoe rentals, beaches, walking and bike trails, and a bandshell.
Stone Arch Bridge & Mill Ruins Park
Part of historic downtown Minneapolis, Stone Arch Bridge is a notable and beloved landmark in Minneapolis. It was formerly a railroad bridge, and it’s the second oldest bridge on the entire Mississippi River. It’s now a pedestrian and bike-only path that’s one of the best places for a walk in the city. Stroll out across the bridge for a beautiful view of Minneapolis and St. Anthony Falls.
While you’re here, be sure to walk down to Mill Ruins Park to explore the remains of the flour mills that revitalized Minneapolis in the late 1800s.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is home to one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city – the Spoonbridge and Cherry. It’s pretty iconic and is something you’ve got to see at least once in Minneapolis. You’ll find this and other modern sculptures situated right outside the Walker Art Center (which is also home to a great restaurant – Cardamom).
Admission to Walker Art Center is free on the first Saturday of every month. Admission to the outdoor Sculpture Garden is free every day.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Continuing on the art theme, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) is one of the largest art museums in the country. Aside from special exhibits, admission is also completely free! You’ll find artwork spanning over 5,000 years of history, including pieces from artists like Van Gogh.
American Swedish Institute
If you’re a fan of European architecture, don’t miss the Turnblad Mansion at the American Swedish Institute. The mansion was built by wealthy Swedish immigrants in the early 1900s, but the architecture has many European influences including French, Swiss, and Turkish. When you finish exploring, be sure to stop at the museum’s incredible Swedish restaurant Fika Café.
Discover the Minneapolis food scene
Minneapolis has one of the most underrated food scenes in the country. While it was once just the land of hotdish (ew), it’s now home to award-winning chefs and a diverse selection of authentic, global cuisines. Dive into the local food scene with dishes ranging from Vietnamese to the first Native American restaurant of its kind.
Read More: The Best Restaurants in Minneapolis
Sip the local brews
Minneapolis has an enthusiastic craft beer scene that you definitely shouldn’t sleep on. Whether you’re a fan of hoppy IPAs, flavorful porters, or Bavarian-style brews, there’s a brewery here for you. If you want to go brewery hopping the best neighborhoods to do so are Northeast and the North Loop.
Read More: The Best Breweries in Minneapolis
Guthrie Theater
Minneapolis is home to a number of great performance theaters, but the Guthrie is perhaps the most iconic. Even if you’re not a ticket holder for that evening’s performance, you should still make a stop to explore this architectural marvel. Walk the Endless Bridge that extends 178 ft. from the building, seemingly unsupported. Take a glimpse backstage through the tinted glass of the fourth-floor lobby. And finish off your visit with a trip up to the Amber Room, an amber glass box near the top of the Guthrie that offers a panoramic view of historic downtown Minneapolis.
Nicollet Mall
This isn’t the shopping kind of mall. Nicollet Mall is a pedestrian and bus-only section of Nicollet Ave in downtown Minneapolis. It boasts restaurants, galleries, public art displays, the IDS building (Minneapolis’ tallest skyscraper), a farmer’s market on Thursdays from June-October, the Peavey Plaza, and Skyways above the street.
The Foshay
The 360º open-air observation deck atop The Foshay offers a really unique vantage point of Minneapolis, immersed right in the heart of the city. This Art Deco skyscraper was built in 1929 (completed just months before the stock market crash) and was once the tallest building in the city. It’s now home to the W hotel, but anyone can visit the 30th floor for a fantastic view of downtown Minneapolis. There’s also a small museum up there that documents the history of the Foshay Tower.
Guests of the W can use their key card to access the observation deck for free. For non-guests, head to the check-in desk and let them know you’d like to visit the observation deck. You’ll need to pay a $10 admission, and then you’ll be given a special key card to access the top floor.
Catch a Show
The performing arts scene in Minneapolis is pretty legendary. In fact, Minneapolis is often called “The Mini-Apple” due to the New York City vibe created by the abundance of theaters, nightclubs, and performance venues. These are some local favorites for catching a show:
- First Ave: This is probably the most recognizable venue after Prince put it on the map with his film Purple Rain (find his star on the wall outside – the only one painted gold). Locals line up here every night to catch their favorite band.
- Icehouse: While First Ave is where touring bands often make a stop, the Icehouse is a great place to spot local musicians playing a show. Grab dinner or drinks here, and enjoy the sounds of Minneapolis’ next rising star.
- Dakota Jazz Club: I love this little club for a date night. The music is the main focus here, but the audience is set up at dining tables, making for the perfect dinner date. Order drinks from their excellent bar or grab one of the elevated dishes off the menu.
- Gay 90’s: Minneapolis has a thriving LGBTQ+ community! Head to this iconic nightclub for drag shows (I recommend Wednesday nights for “So You Think You Can Drag”), burlesque, or just to dance the night away.
- Acme Comedy Company: Acme is regarded as one of the top comedy clubs in the country! Tours of comedians come through here, but Acme also prides itself on fostering local talent.
- Hennepin Theatre Trust: This theatre trust consists of the State, Orpheum, and Pantages theatres in downtown Minneapolis. This is where you’ll find all the top Broadway shows, big-name standup comics, ballets, and more.
Nicollet Island
Although it’s just a few minutes from downtown Minneapolis, Nicollet Island feels like a tranquil escape from the city. The island’s south side is home to a lovely pavilion with a great view of the city skyline. The north side features old Victorian homes and a park. The island is tiny, so it’s easy to explore it all. A great way to get around is to rent a Nice Ride bike near the pavilion and bike around the island.
Explore one of the city’s parks
Fun fact: Minneapolis has more parkland per capita than any other major city in the United States. Suffice it to say, there are a lot of great parks here. A couple of my favorites are Lyndale Park and Boom Island Park. Lyndale Park features a fountain and beautiful gardens right next to Lake Harriet. Boom Island is situated along the Mississippi and has a ton of green space – perfect for a picnic – as well as a gorgeous view of the skyline and a little lighthouse.
Minnehaha Park
This is a must-visit in Minneapolis! Minnehaha (Pronunciation: Mi-nee-haa-haa) Park is home to Minnehaha Falls, a 53-foot waterfall right outside downtown Minneapolis. The park also includes bike and walking paths, a freshwater fish restaurant, a disc golf course, Minnehaha Creek, a bandstand, public art, and a wading pool for children.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it forever – Minneapolis is remarkably underrated. While your preconceived notions of the city might have you wondering why anyone would visit, you’ll leave wondering how it’s managed to fly under the radar for so long.
Have any questions about your upcoming trip to Minneapolis that I didn’t answer in this travel guide? Let me know in the comments!
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