10 Best Things to Do in Minneapolis

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) has a collection of over 90,000 works of art spanning over 5,000 years of history. Its permanent exhibitions are divided into 7 themes – Arts of Africa and the Americas, Contemporary Art, Decorative Arts, Textiles and Sculpture, Asian Art, Paintings, Photography and New Media, and Prints and Drawings.

Admission to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is free year-round. The museum also organizes educational workshops and courses for anyone interested in art. Adults get free access to special exhibitions and social meetups every 3rd Thursday of the month, while families can enjoy hands-on art activities, live music and dance, artist demonstrations, and tours of the museum every 2nd Sunday.

The Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum has a collection of over 25,000 artworks, consisting mostly of Native American pottery, traditional Korean furniture, and American modernism. Thanks to its aim of making the arts accessible to local communities, you can explore the art museum for free.

Located on the University of Minnesota campus, it overlooks the Mississippi River at the eastern end of the Washington Avenue Bridge. The museum even looks like a work of art – it occupies a stainless steel and brick building designed by critically acclaimed architect, Frank Gehry.

The Minnehaha Regional Park offers more than 67 acres of greenery, including limestone bluffs, playgrounds, art installations, gardens, and paved paths. One of its most popular sights is the Minnehaha Falls, which are around 53 ft high. A staircase leads you to the base of the falls, which offers an excellent view of the cascading waters. There are also stone bridges leading to a beach at the confluence of the Minnehaha Creek and the Mississippi River.

The Minnehaha Regional Park also hosts live performances at onsite bandstands, especially in the summer. Families often come to the park for picnics in the garden areas, as well as jogs or bicycle rides along the paths.

The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park is one of the largest urban parks in Minnesota, with nearly 15 miles of trails connecting the shorelines of 5 lakes. You can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities around each lake, thanks to facilities like boat rentals, volleyball and tennis courts, a hockey rink, and an archery center.

You can also walk along the shorelines of Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet. The trails finally lead to Lyndale Park, located north of Lake Harriet. Free movie screenings and live music often take place at the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park in the summer.

Minneapolis is known for its arts scene, with the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden among its most visited landmarks. Established in the late 1800s, the Walker Art Center has a permanent collection of over 13,000 contemporary artworks, ranging from paintings and photography to books and sculptures.

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, founded in the 1980s, is one of the largest urban sculpture parks in the USA. There are 75 art installations throughout the premises but a must-see is the Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture designed by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. The park is open year-round, while the Walker Art Center is closed on Mondays.

Grand Avenue stretches from downtown St. Paul to the Mississippi River, making it around 25 blocks in length. One of the best shopping destinations in the Twin Cities, you’ll find independent stores selling just about everything, from jewelry, fashion, and music to home décor, flowers and artisanal food products.

You can also experience Minnesota’s thriving craft brewing scene, especially at Northern Brewer. A Grand Avenue mainstay for over a decade, the store stocks equipment and ingredients for those looking to make their own mead, beer, and wine at home. Of course, you can also sample a variety of craft beers at Grand Avenue’s many bars, such as Tavern on Grand and Iron Ranger.

The Guthrie Theater hosts a variety of plays and concerts in its 3 auditoriums, along with workshops and programs year-round. The theatre was founded in 1963 as a way to showcase local talents and promote Minneapolis’ arts scene. Classes and workshops are available if you want to learn a new skill during your vacation. Its theatre-inspired sessions focus on communication skills, playwriting, dance, and voiceovers.

The Guthrie Theater organizes guided tours for those looking to learn about its history and theatre scene. Held on Friday and Saturday mornings, the Backstage Tour takes you to facilities such as the thrust and proscenium stages, costume and prop shops, and rehearsal room.

Minneapolis’ Midtown Global Market brings together a wide range of food and gifts from various cultures. There are around 18 international restaurants and specialty food vendors where you can enjoy authentic Thai, Moroccan, Japanese and Mediterranean dishes. If you’re looking to shop for unique souvenirs, the market has stores selling personalized gifts, crystals, ethnic clothes, and home décor.

The Midtown Global Market also serves as a social gathering place for the city’s local organizations. The Backyard Initiative Resource Center often hosts community outreach programs throughout the week, including yoga, Zumba, and breathwork sessions.

A Juicy Lucy may look like a typical cheeseburger, but it actually has melted cheese spilling from the center of the patty, instead of on top. Instead of biting straight into it (and risk burning your tongue), eat like a local by first nibbling an edge off, which allows the cheese to cool down.

The 5-8 Club and Matt’s Bar claim to have invented the Juicy Lucy burger, so it’s a good idea to pay a visit to both. Otherwise, there are plenty of restaurants in Minneapolis serving this well-loved comfort food.

First Avenue is a prominent live music venue in downtown Minneapolis. Since 1970, it has hosted concerts by emerging and established artists from all over the world. Prince, Tina Turner and Depeche Mode are just a few big names who have performed on its expansive stage.

Pop, rock and indie music acts often take place throughout the year, so it’s a good idea to check their website for official dates. If you’re feeling peckish, First Avenue has a couple of onsite bars and restaurants. The Depot Tavern is one of its oldest dining spots, with its walls covered with photos and memorabilia from past shows.