From beautiful lakes and incredible outdoor adventures to fascinating cultural and arts scenes to endless entertainment opportunities, there is something for everyone in Minneapolis. The city is brimming with museums, historical sites, award-winning restaurants, and top-notch hotels and resorts that guarantee an epic stay in the city. Plus, there is a fantastic selection of free attractions for vacationers traveling on a budget. Here are the 10 best things you can do in Minneapolis.
10 Minneapolis Institute Of Art (MIA)
Located in the beautiful neighborhood of Whittier, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) is a government-funded museum boasting an incredible art collection of more than 90,000 pieces and includes African, American, Asian, and decorative arts. It also houses textiles, paintings, drawings, new media, sculptures, prints, and contemporary, each falling one of the museum's seven themes. These pieces of artwork span over 5,000 years of history. The museum’s exhibits are fascinating, and travelers into the arts will have an unforgettable experience here.
9 Mill City Museum
Dating back to the 19th century, exploring Mill City Museum is one of the best things to do in Minneapolis. The museum is housed in the ruins of the Washburn A Mill complex, built in 1880. The flour mill was one of the largest in the world at the time. Vacationers can get in touch with the long wonderful history at this museum. There are gorgeous galleries where one can learn how the first ever flour mill processed wheat for the people in the 19th century. This is one of the best places travelers can explore with kids since there are a lot of fun activities children can enjoy at the facility and the ruins.
8 Walker Art Center
Located in the heart of the city, Walker Art Center is one of the top-rated attractions in Minneapolis, making it a must-visit spot, especially for vacationers into modern art. Walker Art Center was founded in 1967 as a public art gallery and later became one of the 'Big Five modern art museums in the United States. There are several pieces to explore, including design, architecture, sculptures, paintings, photography, new media, film, and more. Actually, this museum boasts more than 13,000 collections of contemporary pieces of art.
7 Minneapolis Skyway System
Located in downtown Minneapolis, Minneapolis Skyway System is a spectacular set of pathways that links vacationers and locals to different hotels, attractions, restaurants, malls, and more. The system gives an incredible shortcut for crossing the street without going through the trouble of waiting for the spotlights. Vacationers looking to take advantage of this system should opt for a hotel nearby. Exploring the Minneapolis Skyway System in winter is really impressive as it protects one from the harsh winter cold.
6 St. Paul’s Grand Avenue
Starting from St. Paul’s downtown area to the Mississippi River and covering about 25 blocks, Grand Avenue is a perfect destination for shopping enthusiasts. From the latest clothes in fashion to jewelry to home décor to plants and flowers, vacationers will find everything on this avenue. It is the place to satisfy all food cravings and explore the city’s thriving craft brewing scene. Vacationers can go wine tasting and visit some of the top bars around.
5 Minnehaha Regional Park
Recognized for its stunning Minnehaha Falls, this park is a nature lover's dream. It is a perfect place for a summer stroll while enjoying the breathtaking view of the falls. Several trails lead vacationers to the falls and some of the most spectacular sights at the park. The wading pools are great for cooling off after spending some hours outside in the heat. At the park, visitors find several picnic tables, a dog park, and rentals to obtain bicycles for those who'd like to bike around.
4 Midtown Global Market
Boasting products and cuisines from different cultures, Midtown Global Market is a must-visit attraction in Minneapolis. With more than 18 international eateries, the food scene in this market is incredible. There are also many food vendors offering authentic dishes ranging from Japanese to Mediterranean to Thai and Moroccan. Whether looking for home décor, personalized gifts, or cultural clothes, the Midtown Global Market has it all.
- Opening days: Mondays through Saturdays, 11:00 – 8:00 pm, and Sundays, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
3 Mall Of America
One of Minnesota’s best things to do is visit America's largest mall, the Mall of America. There are so many fun things to do in this mall, ranging from shopping to exploring the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium and Nickelodeon Universe, a nice place to visit with kids. It is the largest indoor theme park and has some exciting games. Tourists will also find numerous restaurants that serve different types of food. The mall has several great things to see that may take travelers days exploring the mall.
2 Guthrie Theater
Guthrie Theater is one of the top places that vacationers can visit in Minneapolis after dark. Founded in 1963, the theater hosts some of the most amazing plays that come in a wide variety, plus occasional concerts. Guthrie also runs programs and workshops throughout the year, so visitors can visit it at any time of the year. Apart from visiting the beautiful art museums and galleries, Guthrie Theater is another great spot to witness the incredible art scene of Minneapolis and appreciate the local talents.
1 First Avenue
Visiting First Avenue and enjoying some good live music is definitely one of the best things vacationers can do in Minneapolis. The place has hosted live concerts since 1970 that have had some of the most famous artists from around the world entertaining people. The likes of Tina Turner and Depeche Mode have performed at First Avenue. Vacationers will also find some restaurants and bars, including the Deport Tavern, a favorite dining spot.