Things to Do in Minneapolis Minnesota
Minneapolis sits along the Mississippi River, boasting urban parks and expansive lakes ideal for picnicking and sporting activities. If shopping is your passion, head over to Mall of America – which hosts over 250 stores!
History lovers can visit Mill City Museum to witness remnants of its former flour-milling glory, or explore Minnehaha Mile for secondhand goods, yoga studios and alternative health centres.
Nice Ride Minnesota
Nice Ride Minnesota provides an easy and fun way to explore Minneapolis by bicycle. Offering memberships, 30-day passes, and pay-as-you-go services – Perfect for quick trips to Mill City Museum or leisurely strolls through Downtown – Nice Ride has you covered – Plus cycling provides cardiovascular and aerobic benefits while simultaneously relieving stress levels and increasing energy levels!
Lyft Inc (NASDAQ: LYFT), which also operates the ride-hailing app used to summon cars or bikes for hire, relies on corporate sponsors for part of its revenue; Eagan-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been its title sponsor since the program’s start-up.
Students made up the highest share of Nice Ride trips during September, thanks to a new program offering discounted memberships to University of Montana students receiving federal financial aid. This promotion was promoted at events on campus as well as through its school website and was heavily advertised during in-person and civic gathering events as well.
Stone Arch Bridge
No matter if you are from Minneapolis or just visiting, something magical happens when crossing the Stone Arch Bridge. It offers one of the best spots in town to relax, take in downtown’s beauty, and find peace and serenity.
Once reserved for trains, this former railroad bridge now serves as a pedestrian walkway offering stunning views of St Anthony Falls and the historic milling district. A visit here feels like a mini adventure: starting with Mill City Museum before exploring Mill Ruins Park before taking a stroll across this stunning pedestrian bridge.
Human on a Stick offers guided tours that feature the bridge. Additionally, a Segway Tour from St Anthony Main near Aster offers an interactive two-wheeled experience with a guide.
St Anthony Main in Northeast Minneapolis provides an oasis for patio drinkers and lunchtime sun seekers, offering some of the hottest eateries such as Aster Cafe for cheese boards and wine, Hideaway Burger Bar for delicious burgers, and Jefe: Urban Hacienda offering Mexican-influenced fare.
The Bakken Museum
Minneapolis boasts a vibrant arts scene and dining culture to rival any major city, providing plenty of things to see and do no matter the season. Enjoy live theater performances at Guthrie Theater; shop for your next treasure at Mall of America; or view modern and contemporary art at Walker Art Center.
Take a stroll on the wild side at the Minnesota Zoo, where you can meet exotic creatures from all corners of the globe! Explore outdoor Northern Trail or venture indoors to visit Tropics Trail to see creatures native to tropical regions.
Bakken Museum provides family-friendly activities designed to nurture innovation at Bde Maka Ska, located on its western shore. Explore how science, technology and design can make an impactful statement about who we are as global citizens. Children can hone their filmmaking skills at Spark exhibit; meet Mary Shelley and Frankenstein at Mary & Frankenstein exhibition; or try Ben Franklin’s favorite electricity experiments in Electricity Party Room.
Mills Ruins Park
Mill Ruins Park offers visitors a glimpse into Minneapolis history. Just steps from Stone Arch Bridge, this free attraction houses historic remnants from what once served as one of the world’s largest flour-producing powerhouses; visitors can explore them by visiting an archaeological excavation, strolling catwalks or viewing tailrace canals.
Another fantastic way to explore a city’s past is through taking a self-guided walking tour. These tours provide a fun and educational way to see its streets; there are many companies that offer them; one such company offering this experience is Minnesota Historical Society with their free smartphone-guided walking tour.
Visit the Crayola Experience and engage in an engaging art activity while discovering its history. A great family activity! Alternatively, visit Wabasha Street Caves where visitors can walk underground to explore caves once mined for minerals.
The Guthrie Theater
Minneapolis is one of America’s premiere theater cities, and one of its must-see theaters is the Guthrie Theater. This modernist three-stage theatre building and educational center was designed by Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel; artists at this theater explore both classical and contemporary plays to bring people together within communities as well as around the globe. You can watch a show there or take a backstage tour; its architecture alone makes it worth your while to visit it!
Explore downtown Minneapolis on a scavenger hunt to uncover hidden messages and gain local history knowledge. Shop for unique gifts and food in the historic Northeast neighborhood or experience Twin Cities cuisine via Twin Cities Food Tour. Attend one of America’s largest renaissance festivals at Minnesota Renaissance Festival; or spend your Saturday afternoon snacking from over 35 Latino-owned businesses at Mercado Central; with plenty to do in downtown Minneapolis regardless of whether your hotel lies near Boom Island Park or Warehouse District!
The Commons
Minneapolis State Capitol is one of the top attractions, and one of its most visited spots. Visitors can learn about Minneapolis history as well as state legislation at this landmark location, with guided or self-guided tours available, providing visitors with views of its rotunda, governor’s reception room and other state offices.
The Minnesota Science Museum is another must-visit attraction when visiting Minneapolis. Among its attractions are several “Illusion Rooms,” designed to test our senses and teach about how our brains interpret reality – these include tilted rooms, holograms and an infinity room.
The Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis is one of the city’s top shopping destinations. Spanning 12 blocks in downtown Minneapolis, it features all major chains as well as local boutiques and designer stores. Plus there are dining options such as Latin American restaurant Barrio or Italian eatery Zelo!
Butcher & The Boar
An apple orchard is an exciting way to experience Minnesota. Pine Tree Apple Orchard provides HoneyCrisp apples and other varieties not commonly sold in stores, plus features an on-site corn maze and pumpkin patch during fall months.
Valleyfair, one of the Midwest’s premier theme parks, provides thrill rides such as Vortex (a rollercoaster accelerating to 68mph in four seconds). Or for something less exhilarating try waterslides or relaxing on the beach!
Mill Ruins Park is a National Historic Landmark that offers an intimate glimpse into Minneapolis’ past, filled with remnants from its flour milling history and including public art pieces as well as walking and biking paths. As one of Minneapolis’ National Historic Landmarks, it serves as an overgrown snapshot of Minneapolis history, full of remnants from this former industry’s former presence here. Additionally, there is a small lake for fishing as well as walking and biking paths running throughout its perimeters.
The Mall of America boasts Nickelodeon Universe, a thrilling indoor theme park; Sea Life Center – a must-visit aquarium; the Crayola Experience where visitors can design their own crayon; and FlyOver America, an immersive aerial ride experience offering stunning sights from above. Plus there’s shopping! Don’t forget the 12-block long Nicollet Mall; with major chain stores as well as independent boutiques it provides shoppers with plenty of opportunities to shop!
The North Loop
The North Loop, commonly referred to as the Warehouse District, features many historic buildings repurposed into restaurants and bars. Find unique Minnesota gifts at Birchbark Books & Native Arts or Wild Rumpus bookshops; discover its rich milling history by walking along the Mississippi River walking trail; then stop at Stone Arch Bridge to take pictures of St Anthony Falls or Minneapolis skyline for your Instagram feed!
Enjoy an iconic Broadway or concert experience at either State or Orpheum Theatres. Or, sit back and laugh your way through an original comedy, improv or satire performance from Brave New Workshop!
Explore Minneapolis history through a guided or self-guided visit to Mill Ruins Park, then skate across the ice at Foshay Center’s rink. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of downtown Minneapolis from Foshay Tower’s observation deck; unleash your inner hero and escape a locked room at an Escape Game; discover your artistic side at Crayola Experience before flying over America on Mall of America’s flight simulator!
