Welcome to the Things To Do, See, and Eat in Minneapolis blog post! I’ve been traveling back and forth to Minneapolis since 2018 as my boyfriend lives in Minneapolis and we’re long-distance. Makes for lots of exploring the city and finding my favorite spots! So he and I put together this blog post to help anyone else coming to Minneapolis enjoy the city the way we love to!
SEE MORE // OUR GUIDE TO TRAVEL CREDIT CARD: HOW WE DID LONG DISTANCE USING ONLY TRAVEL POINTS
Minneapolis in Autumn
TLDR for Minneapolis
How Much Time to Spend Here: Recommend 2-3 days, a full weekend is perfect!
Best Time To Go: May through October
Expected Cost: $$ – Not a super expensive city!
Where to Stay in Minneapolis: Downtown Minneapolis is going to be the most expensive, but definitely the most central option to stay in Minneapolis! Plus you have the light rail which takes you directly to and from the airport to save some money on ubers. Plenty of great hotels and it’s a walkable downtown to just pick literally any hotel around here!
SEE MORE // WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR CARRY ON
What To Bring To Minneapolis
Minneapolis Lakes 
Photo by Eastman Childs on Unsplash
Know Before You Go
Minneapolis Gets COLD
If you’re there in Winter, there is a 100% chance to have snow on the ground. If you’re there in Summer then the days will be hot but the nights are going to get chilly! Just make sure to pack a jacket no matter what!
The Minneapolis Light Rail
The Minneapolis light rail is actually a SUPER convenient way to get around! It takes you to and from the airport, and to plenty of other spots. Don’t be afraid to take full advantage of it!
Renting a Car Isn’t Needed
But it totally is handy. You can do a full Minneapolis trip without one and just using the light rail or walking or Ubering, but if you want to see fall colors or explore more then I would recommend a car for sure!
The Downtown Skyway System
Downtown Minneapolis has this INSANELY impressive skyway system! All the downtown office buildings are connecting by sky pathways since nobody wants to be outside like 60% of the year. They’re so cool and worth walking through! But if you’re staying or working downtown then make sure to keep an eye on those instead of going outside to get from building to building.
Best Things To Do in Minneapolis
Visit the Beach on the Lake
They don’t call it the land of 10,000 lakes for no reason! One fun thing to do during Minneapolis summer is hit up the beaches on the lake. You can enjoy the beautiful day, play Spikeball with friends, and maybe even rent a kayak to go out on the lake. My personal favorite spots would be Cedar Lake East Beach up off Cedar Lake, or Bde Maka Ska 32nd Street Beach (rentals from Wheel Fun Rentals).
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Como Park is an absolute favorite in Minneapolis and for good reason! You can walk around the Zoo and the park and enjoy the beauty, maybe even head to Lake Como and rent a paddleboard or kayak to hang out there. It’s a HUGE space that’ll keep you (and your tiny humans if you have them) entertained! Also, the conservatory itself is GORGEOUS and worth viewing.
Minneapolis in the Fall
Autumn (September through October) is the leaf-peeping season in Minneapolis! Some of the most incredible fall colors are worth seeing, especially if you’re from down South like me.
I recommend heading to the Afton Apple Orchard for your leaf-peeping! They have the LARGEST corn maze I have ever seen with Easy, Medium, and Hard levels. I kid you not, the hard took us an entire hour. Plus, after that, you can wander the orchard and pick up apples and pumpkins directly from their roots. It’s the perfect way to enjoy autumn!
Walk Across the Stone Arch Bridge
One of the best views in Minneapolis is the Stone Arch Bridge! This gorgeous bridge is right at the heart of Minni and provides the best views of the city. After that, walk across to Father Hennepin Bluff Park and then just take a stroll along Main St and enjoy the cute waterside cafes and restaurants. It gives off Amsterdam vibes!
Minnehaha Falls
A Minneapolis classic is taking a photo at Minnehaha Falls! A cute little waterfall right in the heart of the city, and then surrounded by a large park you can explore after visiting the falls. It’s not a waterfall like the Yellowstone one, but still pretty neat nonetheless!
Minneapolis in Winter
So you’re visiting Minneapolis when it’s FREEZING COLD and you need to stay sane and warm. I feel that. My top recommendations to enjoy the Minneapolis winter would be either…
- Skiing at the Afton Alps: Not really a MOUNTAIN but more a nice fun hill to enjoy a day of skiing at! It’s the perfect option for new skiiers too because it’s on the easier side
- Ice Skating at Van Cleve Park: The park itself turns into a HUGE ice rink during winter, perfect to learn to skate and enjoy a lot of space to do so! There aren’t any rails though, so be prepared to free skate on your own.
Visit the Walker Art Center
Whether or not you’re a big fan of art, the Walker Art Center is worth a little visit on your trip to Minneapolis! It’s a beautiful center topped with a literal mini-golf course on the roof and a sculpture garden out in the back. The sculptures are famous, and you’re sure to recognize the cherry on the spoon right in the middle!
Catch a Water Ski Show
During summers in Minneapolis, you can head over to the Twin Cities River Rats River spot and catch their ski shows! They’re about an hour long and SO much fun to watch and unique to the Midwest. They’re normally on Tuesday and Thursday but worth double-checking the schedule! Plus, you can pick up beers from Pyrres Brewing Co to enjoy while you watch!
Catch a Comedy Show at the ACME
One of the coolest comedy clubs I have been to would be the ACME in Minneapolis! It’s a small venue where some of the biggest names test out their material. Think Hasan Minaj and Aziz Ansari big in a tiny venue. It’s a BLAST and always a great time! Plus they have some amateur nights with open mic and various other fun evenings.
Juicy Lucy at Matt’s 
Young Joni Back Room 
Boludo 
Hai Hai
Where to Eat in Minneapolis
I never really thought about Minneapolis as a food city before, but it totally is! Full of incredible restaurants and different cuisines, you’re sure to love SOMETHING you eat here!
Hai Hai – Vietnamese Restaurant
Definitely a TOP recommendation and a must in Minneapolis! Their Southeastern style food is delicious and the space itself is gorgeous. Plus, right in the heart of some of my favorite bars to hit after!
Estelle – European Restaurant
This is the go-to stop when the moms are in town! It’s a gorgeous French/Italian-style restaurant that makes for a great stop without totally breaking the bank. Known for their pizza, pasta, and delicious cocktails!
Young Joni – Pizza
First of all, the Back Bar of Young Joni is really where it’s at! They’re a secret back door at the side of the restaurant into their speakeasy backside. It’s the most amazing pizza and delicious cocktails!
Spoon & Stable – American Restaurant
This is absolutely a treat yourself kind of dinner, but one of the best restaurants in Minneapolis for a reason! Absolutely every bite is amazing, and it’s the kind of restaurant you go to when you want an experience. Make sure to make a reservation though!
Colita – Tex Oaxacan Restaurant
Another treat yourself dinner, but another GEM with the most amazing food and cocktails. Definitely needs a reservation, but the food here is amazing if you want an experience. This would do SO WELL in Austin and I loved it!
Nightingale – Brunch Restaurant
We eat at Nightingale almost every time we are in Minneapolis! Without a doubt the BEST brunch in the twin cities. It’s $10 bottomless mimosas which just makes it even better. But truly, brunch here is great!
Green and the Grain – Vegan/Vegetarian/Salads
Denver cannot go to Minneapolis without going to Green and the Grain. He swears the salads are the best he has ever and will ever have. It’s not cheap, but if you want a healthier option then definitely stop here!
Boludo – Argentinian Food
This little Buenos Aires cafe is going to have the BEST pizza and arepas you will ever have. Seriously mindblowing delicious. It’s a great easy stop if you want a quick bite before moving on!
Al’s Breakfast – Breakfast Food
This is a Minneapolis ICON restaurant. You’re for sure going to have to wait in line to get in because the diner-style breakfast spot is TINY but the breakfast food is going to be some of the best (and greasiest, in a good way) you ever have.
Matt’s Bar – Home of the Juicy Lucy
One of the most famous items from Minneapolis is the Juicy Lucy! It’s essentially a burger but with the cheese-stuffed instead of the patty. Basically, it’s delicious and Matt’s Bar claims to be the OG creator!
Britt’s Pub Minneapolis 
Where to Drink in Minneapolis
Listen. It’s too cold to be outside like 60% of the year in Minneapolis so the best thing to do is enjoy a cocktail or a beer. And boy does Minneapolis house some of the BEST breweries and cocktail bars I have ever had. I’m listing the icons, but seriously there are SO MANY great options here and you’re going to love them all!
Fun Cocktail Bars
Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge for the Tiki Cocktails
For cocktails and a river view! This was one of the first bars I ever went to in Minneapolis. It’s a tiki-style bar with some insane drinks to share with the group. Perfect if you want a fun night out!
Betty Dangers Country Club for the Environment
Oh my god go here for a BLAST. This cocktail bar has a Ferris wheel and mini-golf course and the wildest interior you will ever see in a bar. If you’re looking for a fun time, this is gonna be the spot.
Hewing Hotel Rooftop for the Views
If you want a rooftop cocktail to really experience the beauty of Minneapolis, then head to the rooftop at the Hewing Hotel! It’s not going to be cheap, but it’s definitely going to be gorgeous.
Tattersall Distillery for Cocktails
If you want a delicious distillery and cool experience then Tattersall is the move! It’s a great space with awesome cocktails. A little on the pricy side, but they’re worth it!
Low Key Bars
331 Club for the Live Music
If you want a classic local bar, then head to the 331 club! Delicious beer and pizza AND they have a drunk spelling bee. Check the schedule and enter their spelling bee! Every round you pass gets you a free drink. Also even without the spelling bee, there’s plenty of nights they have live music!
Brit’s Pub for the Rooftop Drinks
If you want a rooftop but not wanting to spend $$$ on cocktails then go to Brit’s! Their rooftop lawn is one of my favorites on a nice day, and it’s my go-to spot to catch a soccer game.
The Front Cafe for nightlife
If you want a night on the town in Minneapolis, head to the Front. It’s more of a club than anything, so it’s the place to be for drinks and dancing in MSP.
The CC Club for a Dive Bar
If you just want a local dive with local people, head to the CC Club. I have minimal additional info beyond it’s just a local gem!
Surly Brewing Co
Minneapolis Breweries Worth Visiting
Sharing some of the favorite Minneapolis Breweries for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious beer! There are honestly TONS, these just happen to be the ones I recommend for good beer + a really cool space.
Surly Brewing Co
A Minneapolis staple brewery for good reason! Not only is their beer just delicious, but they have a gorgeous outdoor taproom space that’s a blast for enjoying a drink on a gorgeous day. Plus, lots of watch parties happen here if you wanna catch a game!
Indeed Brewing Co
Just your casual Minneapolis brewery, but I love having their beer and enjoying their taproom! Plus they have a huge outdoor and indoor space to enjoy, so there’s plenty of room and it doesn’t get overcrowded easily. Also, they’ve got food trucks!
Dangerous Man Brewing
Known for their Peanut Butter Porter and all the amazing collaborations they do with other breweries! It’s overall a fabulous brewery with a cute taproom and fun environment. And it’s the go-to spot before you participate in the Drunk Spelling Bee at the 331 Club!
Bauhaus Brew Labs
What I love most about Bauhaus is the board games they have! We head here with friends when they’re in town to play games and enjoy great beer. It’s just a great spot to spend the afternoon, especially when it’s FREEZING outside or raining since you can entertain yourself easily indoors here.
Thanks for checking out our Minneapolis Guide for the best things to do and places to eat in Minneapolis. It’s become one of my favorite cities ever, and I love sharing all these gems with the world! So if you have any other favorite Minneapolis spots or questions about Minneapolis, please comment!
