Minneapolis could be known for its cold winters and nice people, but its multicultural metro area features a lot more to supply than snowplows and handshakes. It’s where music legends Prince and Supersonic got their start, is home to myriad hike and bike trails, and boasts a mall so large it’s multiple roller coasters inside. From its world-renowned theaters and art museums to its edgy breweries and music venues, the eastern half the dual Cities offers a multicultural experience that takes tons of tourists all of sudden .
Day One
Check into your hotel. Named one among the simplest hotels in Minnesota by U.S. News and World Report, Loews Minneapolis Hotel may be a 251-room luxury hotel located near First Avenue and therefore the Target Center, and by several mass transit options, just like the light rail and Greyhound stations. Accommodations include complimentary wifi, also as a gym, fitness center and spa. Despite its elegance, the hotel is additionally extremely family-friendly, with free activity books for teenagers at check-in, also as strollers and car seats available to be used during your stay. you’ll even bring your pets.
Or if you are looking for something trendy with an equivalent level of elegance, try Aloft Minneapolis. This boutique hotel near the Guthrie within the Mill District offers stunning views of the Mississippi also as a free cocktail hour every evening. A cool feature offered by the hotel is SPG Keyless entry, which allows you to see in, determine your room number, and even unlock your door all from your smartphone. it is also extremely pet-friendly. Dogs stay free—no deposits necessary.
After you’ve freshened up, head over to the Walker Art Center. The art museum’s diverse galleries feature thousands of pieces across a good array of visual and media arts. Beyond standard paintings and photography, the gathering includes books, costumes, and multimedia projects, also as live performance art and videos.
Afterward, meander through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Adjacent to the Walker Art Center, the garden is understood for its iconic pieces like Spoonbridge and Cherry and is open a day of the year from 6 a.m. to midnight. Tickets to urge inside the Walker Art Center are typically $10-15 for adults, but the sculpture garden is usually free.
Eat dinner at Butcher & the Boar. this mix of smokehouse and steakhouse is one among the simplest within the city, with food prepared using local ingredients and served in massive portion sizes that are perfect for communal dining. additionally to the smoked meats and delectable sides, the restaurant also offers well-made craft beer and barrel bourbon.
Catch a show initially Avenue. This live music venue is that the epicenter of Minneapolis’ music scene and well-known for hosting a number of the most important names in music history. Two performance spaces are housed within the same building, each catering to different audience sizes and acts. you would possibly recognize the larger of the two—the Mainroom—from the cult-classic music film Purple Rain, but the 1500-person room often hosts big-name acts to sold-out crowds.
The smaller space, 7th St Entry, features local bands nightly of the week and is where some now-famous musical acts got their start, including Prince, Semisonic, and Atmosphere. The venue often hosts megastars and may sell out quickly, so make certain to book your tickets before your trip to ascertain who are going to be in town and grab your seats. With its rich history and deep roots in America’s music scene, seeing a show initially Avenue may be a must for avid music lovers.
Day Two
Grab brunch at the Hen House Eatery. This downtown Minneapolis cafe serves up healthy morning eats all day long—all made up of fresh and locally sourced ingredients. additionally to oats and berries, the menu also boasts omelets with quinoa and chevre and tiramisu pancakes with pure syrup .
Work off breakfast by spending the morning wondering through the Historic Mill District in Minneapolis’ Downtown East neighborhood. Named after the various industrial flour mills found out along the Mississippi , the quaint district is speckled with preserved and renovated mills, also as an old railroad depot and a contemporary farmers market.
The cornerstone of the district is that the Mill City Museum. Built on the ruins of what was once the world’s largest mill , the museum chronicles quite just the history of grinding grain. Exhibits tell the story of Minneapolis itself and therefore the many industries that relied on the Mississippi and nearby St. Anthony Falls.
Grab lunch across the river at Afro Deli. This fast-casual restaurant serves up a variety of delicious menu of African-, American-, and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, with a special nod to the city’s large Somali population. Everything is ready halal and made fresh to order. make certain to undertake the Somali steak sandwich. The lovechild of a panini and a cheesesteak, the spicy, seasoned beef is smothered in cheese and onions and served on crunchy focaccia bread.
Cross the Stone Arch Bridge on foot into Downtown West. The historic structure was inbuilt 1883 as a railroad crossing and later converted to a pedestrian and bike path connecting the east and west banks. Despite the crisp winters, Minnesotans like to get outside—even within the heart of the town . This busy walk-and-bike path links Dinkytown (the area near the University of Minnesota) with the cultural hub of the Historic Mill District. additionally to its ease and convenience, the bridge reminds locals about the gorgeous views found along the river year-round.
The Mighty Mississippi isn’t the sole great view from the bridge. The crossing also offers an excellent glimpse of St. Anthony Falls. A visitor center is found near the West Bank of the bridge, and tours of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam are available on a limited basis.
Grab an early dinner at Sanctuary, a rich eatery near the Guthrie Theater. Everything about the restaurant—from the desserts to the decor—is beautifully crafted, which same attention to detail is clear within the flavors also . If you’re visiting during the week, treat yourself to the Chef’s five-course tasting menu. the whole meal costs just $35—or around $50 with the wine pairings—and is that the best thanks to experience the chef’s favorites.
Or for a more casual bite, inspect Day Block Brewing Company. The brewpub is one among the simplest places to urge craft beer within the city and is understood for its bold brews and thin-crust pizzas. All pies are made up of scratch and mix a singular assortment of flavors. Several are nods to other beloved cuisines, just like the Banh pizza made with Vietnamese pork, or the Greek goddess featuring olives and feta.
Catch a show at the Guthrie Theater. This Tony award-winning theater is that the jewel within the crown of Minneapolis’ humanistic discipline scene. Live shows featured at the power include ones supported classical literature, also as more modern pieces. per annum round the holidays, stage presents “A carol ,” and while the script might stay an equivalent , new directors breathe new life and interpretation to Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale from one year to subsequent .