Top Things to Do in Minneapolis
Do
Guthrie Theater
The Mississippi riverfront theater draws raves for first-class performances. Look for current event information on the website; also check the web for events at other popular local theaters, including The Cowles Center and Orpheum Theatre. guthrietheater.org
Mall of America
Seven Yankee stadiums could fit inside the Bloomington mega-mall, home to 520 stores, a Nickelodeon theme park and an aquarium. mallofamerica.com
Mill City Museum
Ride the Flour Tower, an eight-story elevator show about the city's rich milling history. A ninth-floor observation deck overlooks St. Anthony Falls. Open Thursday-Sunday. millcitymuseum.org
Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park
Five lakes and the trails connecting them provide opportunities for biking, walking and boating. The park is part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, a 51-mile urban loop. minneapolisparks.org
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Admission is free to view the permanent collection of more than 90,000 objects, which includes European tapestries and intricate Turkish embroideries. artsmia.org
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The 11-acre green space in the heart of the city houses more than 40 sculptures, including Spoonbridge and Cherry and Hahn/Cock. walkerart.org
Minneapolis Water Taxi
Captain Greg Hoseth takes small groups on a solar-powered boat for cruises along the Mississippi River near downtown. mplswatertaxi.com
Minnehaha Park
Hikers and bikers on the 10 miles of trails stop to see the Mississippi River, limestone bluffs and 53-foot-tall Minnehaha Falls. minneapolisparks.org
Target Field
Families come to the downtown stadium to cheer on the Minnesota Twins while savoring local fare like Polish sausages from Kramarczuk's. mlb.com
U.S. Bank Stadium
The Vikings' $1.1 billion stadium typically hosts a concert and behind-the-scenes tours; check website for events. usbankstadium.com
Weisman Art Museum
Frank Gehry's gleaming silver building houses the University of Minnesota's collection of more than 25,000 objects, including numerous pieces showcasing American modernism. wam.umn.edu
Eat and Drink
Bellecour Bakery at Cooks of Crocus Hill
Order fresh viennoiserie and patisserie in the heart of an upscale cookware shop. The crepe cake and chocolate-almond croissants rule. cooksofcrocushill.com/bellecour-bakery
Borough
For lunch it's hard to beat the Parlour Burger, a mix of ribeye, brisket and sirloin. Dinner in the former warehouse building goes fancy with choices like octopus, quail and scallops. boroughmpls.com
Colita
Playful touches like a tiny rubber duck on your cocktail set the tone for your experience. Expect a mix of upscale Mexican (lobster tostadas) and barbecue (Kansas City pork ribs). colitampls.com
Demi
If you're lucky enough to snag a reservation, get ready to splurge and be delighted by an intimate evening composed of many tiny but soul-filling courses. demimpls.com
Hai Hai
Each shareable plate shows chef Christina Nguyen's understanding and creative interpretation of Vietnamese food. haihaimpls.com
Hell's Kitchen
You can't go wrong with anything at this underground joint known for its Mahnomin porridge (wild rice, cream, berries and hazelnuts). hellskitcheninc.com
Lat14 Asian Eatery
Head to the burb of Golden Valley for some of the region's finest duck, ramen and curry dishes, cooked up by executive chef Ann Ahmed. lat14.com
Martina
Argentinian-inspired cuisine includes potato churros, a charred jalapeño burger, seafood and pasta dishes in the Linden Hills neighborhood. martinarestaurant.com
Midtown Global Market
Shop for ethnic groceries and ready-made foods at an indoor market. midtownglobalmarket.org
Milkjam Creamery
Flavors both familiar and unexpected guarantee a choice for every taste bud. Lil Jam, aka Milkjam Ice Cream and Hot Dogs, is open seasonally in south Minneapolis. milkjamcreamery.com
Nighthawks Diner + Bar
Chefs grind, cure and smoke meats on-site, elevating dishes like pulled pork and burgers. Neon purple lights at the bar illuminate 20 taps with local and regional brews. Nighthawks Diner's Facebook page.
Pizza Luce
The namesake pizza comes topped with Italian sausage, garlic, onion and mounds of gooey mozzarella. Mashed taters and bacon star on the popular Baked Potato Pizza. pizzaluce.com
Red Stag Supper Club
A green restaurant in northeast Minneapolis offers a Friday fish fry featuring seasonal catches. redstagsupperclub.com
Smack Shack
Go all out with the lobster boil: a whole lobster with corn on the cob, Polish sausage, red potatoes, coleslaw and milk bread. smack-shack.com
Soul Bowl
Gerard and Brittney Klass founded this fast-casual soul food treasure serving mix-and-match bowls of fried chicken, mac 'n' cheese, collard greens and more. It's part of Graze Provisions and Libations, a food hall in the North Loop. soulbowlmn.com
Spoon and Stable
James Beard Award-winner Gavin Kaysen churns out French-inspired cuisine made with seasonal Midwest ingredients, like duck breast with green wheat berries and kale. spoonandstable.com
Surly Brewing Company
You might have to wait for a seat in the cavernous beer hall, but it's worth it for beers like the hoppy Surly Furious and top-notch pub food: cheese boards, squash tacos and smoked meats. surlybrewing.com
Young Joni
Chef-owner Ann Kim continues her success with gourmet wood-fired pizza. But diners can also branch out with dishes inspired by her Korean heritage: Korean beef short ribs and grilled whole fish. youngjoni.com
Stay
Alma
Seven rooms in a historic building come with handwoven rugs and custom furniture made from local white oak. Round out your stay with fancy take-out from the restaurant on-site. almampls.com
Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Downtown
The renovated 1910 Plymouth building offers two-room suites accented with local artwork, plus an excellent breakfast buffet. embassysuites3.hilton.com
Hewing Hotel
Framed hatchets, exposed timber and brick, and custom Faribault Woolen Mills throws reflect the artsy vibe of this former warehouse in the North Loop. Get skyline views from the rooftop pool. hewinghotel.com
Hotel Emery
The former Hotel Minneapolis reopened in 2019 after a boutique makeover. The 222-room downtown hotel features midcentury minimalist style, a Spyhouse Coffee in the lobby and Giulia, an Italian restaurant. hotelemery.com
Loews Minneapolis Hotel
This super-luxe hotel spares no detail, even when it comes to pets. Four-legged family members dine on gourmet room service. loewshotels.com
Radisson Blu Mall of America
A lobby awash in a blue glow welcomes guests to this hotel attached to the Mall of America. Relax in the spa or indoor saltwater pool. radissonblu.com
For more information minneapolis.org