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Right Here: All Our Top Recs For MinneapolisMinneapolis delivers big in every direction. From epic riverfront views and world-class food halls to legendary live music venues, incredible public art, and stunning outdoor spaces, there is so much packed into this city. We had an absolute blast exploring it and can't wait to share our favorite spots with you!AuthorsMidwestMunchers
DestinationsMinneapolisItinerary

Trip Highlight

Here's just a taste of all we experienced. Scroll down for a deep dive into the best times in the city!

Hyatt Place Minneapolis/Downtown

The Hyatt Regency Minneapolis is a super nice spot right downtown on the Nicollet Mall. It connects directly to the Minneapolis Convention Center via the indoor skyway, which is a massive lifesaver when the weather gets rough. Plus, it has an indoor pool and a huge, 32,000-square-foot fitness center that makes it easy to squeeze in a workout while you're traveling.

Minnehaha Falls

Minnehaha Falls is such an awesome, unexpected slice of wilderness right in the middle of Minneapolis. The 53-foot waterfall looks incredible no matter the season, and you can take a massive staircase down into the gorge to hike all the way to the Mississippi River. After exploring the trails, it's pretty much a tradition to grab some fish tacos and a cold local beer at Sea Salt, the seasonal restaurant right there in the park.

Fawkes Alley Coffee

Fawkes Alley Coffee is such a cool hidden gem tucked away in a historic brick alley near Loring Park. It honestly feels like you’ve stumbled onto a European street, and the spacious, dog-friendly patio is the perfect spot to hang out with an espresso tonic. Plus, it’s a nonprofit that gives 100% of its profits to the Futsal Society to fund youth soccer and mentorship programs, so your morning latte is actively doing some good for the community.

J.D. Hoyt's Supper Club

J.D. Hoyt's Supper Club is a legendary steakhouse that has been holding down the North Loop neighborhood for over forty years. They cook up massive, athletic-sized portions of steak and chops over a 100% hardwood charcoal grill that gives everything an incredible, juicy sear. The vibe is warm, cozy, and completely unpretentious, great for hanging out on the patio, sipping a cocktail, and overlooking the city skyline.

Rooftop at Hewing Hotel

The Rooftop Lounge at the Hewing Hotel is easily one of the coolest spots in the North Loop to grab a cocktail and soak in panoramic views of the skyline. It features a stunning heated pool and a Nordic-inspired sauna, a combination that works year-round and feels like an upscale urban oasis. The vibe is laid-back yet stylish, great for unwinding by the fire pits with a local draft beer after a busy day.

Minneapolis Farmers Market

The historic Minneapolis Farmers Market is an absolute institution and the largest farmer-managed market in the state. Wandering under the iconic red sheds is a great way to spend a morning, whether you're stocking up on fresh produce from local growers or grabbing a bite from the massive variety of food vendors. The vibe is always buzzing and full of community energy, especially on the weekends when more than 200 growers show up to showcase their stuff.

Milkweed Books

Milkweed Books is an awesome independent bookstore! It's operated by Milkweed Editions, a nonprofit literary publisher, so the shelves are packed with an incredible, curated mix of indie fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. The space is super sun-filled and cozy, and since the building is totally dog-friendly and features an on-site coffee shop, it’s basically the ultimate spot to grab a latte and browse for your next read.

Kramarczuk's Sausage Co. Inc.

Kramarczuk's is a legendary Northeast Minneapolis landmark that has been serving up incredible Eastern European comfort food since the 1950s. Half cafeteria-style restaurant and half deli counter, it’s the ultimate spot to grab a casual tray of handmade pierogis, stuffed cabbage rolls, and a cold beer. You absolutely cannot leave without stopping by the market side to stock up on their famous, scratch-made smoked sausages and fresh-baked breads.

Boom Island Park

Boom Island Park is a fantastic open riverside spot that gives you some of the absolute best, uninterrupted views of the downtown Minneapolis skyline. It’s a favorite local hangout for throwing down a blanket on the massive lawns for a lazy picnic, or hitting the paved trails that tie right into the city's main bike loops. Even though it's no longer an actual island, the historic logging vibe, the cool pedestrian bridge to Nicollet Island, and the quirky little miniature lighthouse make it a really unique place to unwind right by the water.

Lake of the Isles Pencil

Every June, thousands of people head over to the shores of Lake of the Isles to watch a giant, 20-foot No. 2 pencil sculpture get ceremonially shaved down. It’s an incredibly fun, quirky community block party where a massive, custom 4-foot sharpener is hauled out to do the honors while everyone cheers. The whole vibe is wonderfully bizarre, complete with a live pep band, people dressed up in full pencil costumes, and spectators watching the spectacle right from their kayaks on the lake.

Prince Mural

The massive, seven-story Prince mural in downtown Minneapolis is a stunning tribute to the city's favorite hometown icon. Located directly across the street from First Avenue, the artwork stands 100 feet tall on the side of a parking ramp and features three incredible eras of the musician. It’s become a huge gathering spot for fans from all over the world, especially during block parties and community sing-alongs when everyone comes together to celebrate his legacy.

Aster House

Aster House is an incredibly cool addition to historic St. Anthony Main, bringing a distinct "Jet Set meets Jazz Age" vibe to a beautifully restored 1880 livery stable. The space itself feels warm, cozy, and full of character, offering elevated Minnesota comfort dishes like wild rice fritters and an absolutely killer bone-in pork chop. Grab a custom cocktail at the bar, and if you can score a spot on their massive riverfront patio, you get some of the absolute best views of the downtown skyline.

Orpheum Theatre

The historic Orpheum Theatre is a massive anchor of the downtown entertainment scene and the biggest theater on Hennepin Avenue. Originally built in the 1921 vaudeville era (and weirdly enough, once owned by Bob Dylan in the '80s), the space hits you with stunning Beaux-Arts style, a huge glittering ceiling dome, and intricate plasterwork. Today it's one of the best places in the city to catch massive touring Broadway hits like Wicked or major live music acts, a great excuse to dress up a bit and head downtown.

Brit's Pub

Brit's Pub is an absolute downtown institution and the ultimate go-to spot for soccer and rugby fans, especially on weekend mornings when they open early for Premier League matches. The absolute crown jewel of the place is the massive, 10,000-square-foot rooftop deck where you can grab a proper pint of English ale and play a round of lawn bowling right against the city skyline. It’s got a super fun, high-energy atmosphere in the summer, but the cozy fireplaces downstairs make it just as good for escaping a brutal Minnesota winter.

Loring Park

Loring Park is like the central backyard of downtown Minneapolis, full of massive, shady trees, a peaceful central pond, and tons of resident ducks and turtles. It's a super active hub that connects directly to the Walker Art Center via the iconic pedestrian bridge, great for a lazy Sunday stroll. Plus, the park plays host to some of the city's coolest summer events, from big festivals and live music to casual outdoor movie nights on the grass.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is an absolute standout right next to the Walker Art Center, offering a massive 11 acres of amazing outdoor art to explore. It's home to the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry water feature, which is pretty much the unofficial, most-photographed symbol of the entire city. It is completely free to wander through, great for grabbing a coffee, catching some incredible views of the downtown skyline, and snapping a few photos on a nice day.

The Market At Malcolm Yards

The Market at Malcolm Yards is an awesome, high-energy food hall tucked into a beautifully restored historic building in the Prospect Park neighborhood. The absolute highlight is their massive, self-pour tap wall where you just scan a card and pay by the ounce for everything from local craft beers to custom cocktails. With nine different culinary kitchens serving up everything from artisanal wood-fired pizzas to sushi burritos and hand-rolled empanadas, it's the ultimate spot when your group can't agree on what to eat.

Graze Food Hall by Travail

This is an awesome, two-story food hall right in the heart of the North Loop with a massive outdoor patio and fire pits. The vibe is incredibly vibrant and relaxed, featuring a diverse lineup of local vendors serving up everything from hot chicken and street tacos to craft soul food. Plus, their stylish upstairs rooftop bar is easily one of the best spots in the neighborhood to grab a cocktail and soak in great views of the downtown skyline.

Nicollet Island

Nicollet Island is this incredibly cool, charming little escape that sits right in the middle of the Mississippi River just a stone's throw from downtown. It feels like stepping back in time with its historic, colorful Victorian homes, quiet cobblestone streets, and massive, shady trees. Wander across the pedestrian bridge, watch the river flow by, or hang out on the grass for an awesome view of the city skyline.

Historic Stone Arch Bridge

The Historic Stone Arch Bridge is an absolute Minneapolis icon and a favorite local spot for a morning jog or a casual sunset stroll. As the only granite and freestone arch bridge across the entire Mississippi River, it serves up some of the most spectacular, panoramic views of the downtown skyline and the rushing St. Anthony Falls. It’s completely pedestrian and bicycle-only, connecting the historic Mill District directly to the lively restaurant scene on the northeast riverfront.

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary

Tucked away inside Theodore Wirth Park, the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden is the oldest public native plant garden in the entire country, dating all the way back to 1907. It's a gorgeous, 15-acre hidden gem where you can wander along soft woodchip trails and boardwalks through distinct woodland, wetland, and prairie zones. With more than 500 plant species and a reputation as a major bird sanctuary, there is always something new blooming or flying by, a genuinely great escape from the hustle of the city.

Hola Arepa | Latin American

Hola Arepa is a vibrant, high-energy favorite in South Minneapolis that started as a wildly popular food truck before opening its gorgeous, tropical brick-and-mortar space. They specialize in Venezuelan-style arepas—which are crispy, handmade white corn cakes stuffed with incredible fillings like slow-roasted pork, shredded beef, and sweet plantains. The vibe is always buzzing, especially on their gorgeous, sun-drenched patio where it is practically mandatory to pair your meal with one of their amazing, scratch-made craft cocktails.

Nur House Cafe

Nur House Cafe is an incredibly charming, locally owned gem sitting right on the edge of the Commons park in downtown Minneapolis. The name "Nur" is the owners' family name and means "light" in Arabic, which perfectly captures the bright, welcoming community energy they've brought to the neighborhood. It is the ultimate spot to sit and unwind with a unique, multicultural drink like their salted date caramel latte paired with an amazing slice of tahini banana bread or Egyptian croissant bread pudding.