PLAY
Minneapolis is an urban playground that can be embraced year-round. As one of the only major cities in the United States that offers a rare mix of urban meets nature, the city provides an abundance of culture and outdoor adventure.
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The Chain of Lakes weaves throughout the city (which itself has more than 22 lakes) and offers biking, running, and walking trails, as well as waterfalls and countless parks. In fact, on average, there’s a park every six blocks throughout the entire city.
Spreading in all four directions from Minneapolis’ vibrant core are countless neighborhoods that offer a little bit for everyone. From the downtown theater district, sports stadiums, live music, and river walk to the trendy North Loop and Warehouse district and idyllic lakefront neighborhoods of Linden Hills, Lyn & Lake, and Uptown, there is no shortage of things to do.
In the heart of the city lies Loring Park, where you can stroll through the iconic Sculpture Garden and take in world-class contemporary art at the Walker Art Center. Explore the Mill City Museum along the Mississippi riverfront, where you can learn about the city’s beginnings. Just south of downtown is the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Home to more than 90,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the museum has one of the largest collections of art in the U.S. A few miles south is The Museum of Russian Art, the only museum in the U.S. that’s fully dedicated to promoting Russian art and culture.
For sports fans, catch a Twins game later this spring at Target Field. Located in the Warehouse District, the ballpark reflects the city’s dynamic blend of urban sophistication with outdoor innovation. Watch a Timberwolves Game at the Target Center. And check out some of Minneapolis’ most famous landmarks, such as the iconic First Avenue, where Prince was a regular, as well as the newest 100-foot-tall Prince mural on Parking Ramp A near First Avenue and the Target Center.
EAT
Home to Latino, Black, Somali, Hmong, and Indigenous communities, Minneapolis is a melting pot of diverse cultures and experiences, which is also reflected with its dynamic restaurant scene. Recent noteworthy openings include Owamni-By the Sioux Chef, located on the banks of the Mississippi River, in Mill Ruins Park. Owamni instantly became one of the nation’s most prominent examples of Indigenous American cuisine, with its offering of decolonized, modern Indigenous cuisine. James Beard Award–winning chef Gavin Kaysen’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Mara graces the bottom floor of the new Four Seasons Hotel, with floor-to-ceiling windows and innovative, globally infused cuisine. Local favorites include Laotian chef Ann Ahmed’s Khâluna, Linden Hills gem Martina run by Argentinian chef Daniel del Prado, and James Beard Award “Best Chef Midwest” winner Ann Kim’s family-friendly Pizzeria Lola and Korean-inspired Young Joni. Want to check out some of Minneapolis’ casual ethnic cuisine? Head to Eat Street, a stretch of Nicollet Avenue south of downtown where you can find Chinese, Hmong, Somali, Jamaican, Mexican, and more.
For coffee connoisseurs, there’s no shortage of coffee houses sprinkled throughout the city. Check out this list of top neighborhood coffee shops to get your caffeine fix and stay warm while exploring Minneapolis. Chef Daniel del Prado’s Café Cerés has three locations throughout the city and offers buttery pastries, coffee, and cakes, as well as grab-and-go Mediterranean-influenced snacks. Minneapolis also has a vibrant microbrewery scene. From award-winning craft beers at Pryes Brewing (located off the Mississippi River) to local favorite Surly Brewing and newcomer distillery and cocktail apothecary Earl Giles in Northeast, you never have to go far to grab a drink.
STAY
Soaring high above the Mississippi River in the North Loop of Minneapolis is the new Four Seasons Hotel, which offers inspiring views, a sustainable spa, and world-class cuisine at Mara. In the North Loop is the fabulous Norwegian-inspired Hewing Hotel, with a rooftop bar and sauna. For Art Deco with a touch of urban chic and luxury, check out The W Minneapolis–The Foshay, located in the city’s core. Traveling with kids? Consider staying at the Moxy Minneapolis. Located in Downtown East, it offers quick access to restaurants, museums, parks, and activities, as well as rooms with lofts and a common lounge area with games for the kiddos.
