The 32 Best Things to Do in Minneapolis (By a Local)

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There is an abundance of fun things to do in Minneapolis, from lakes and waterways to historic places and museums. Not to mention, this Midwestern destination is home to award-winning restaurants and bars.

Minneapolis is a city for nature lovers (Minnesota is the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”) but people of all ages and interests will find something fun to do. Trust me, I’m a Minneapolis local! I’ve put together this guide so you know just what to do in Minneapolis.

And be sure to bookmark my guide on where to stay in Minneapolis!

Best Things to Do in Minneapolis

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Animal and plant lovers alike will enjoy this free attraction.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (651) 487-8201 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: Free, Voluntary donations of $8/adult and $5/child are encouraged

Como Park Zoo is full of exotic and domestic animals alike, like gorillas, tigers, monkeys, bison and flamingos. Plant lovers will also want to check out their gorgeous gardens and bonsai collection.

You can access both the zoo and the gardens for free, although voluntary donations of $8 for adults and $5 for children are encouraged.

Walker Art Center

Browse a unique collection of contemporary art and sculptures at one of Minneapolis’ best museums.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 375-7600 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed & Fri-Sun, 10 am – 9 pm Thu, Closed Mon & Tue | Entrance: $18 adults, free under 19

Walker Art Center began when a businessman who had the largest art collection in the country opened up a part of his home for the public to view his art for free in 1879.

Today, Walker Art Center is a contemporary art center with a permanent collection of over 13,000 pieces. It is one of the most-visited contemporary art centers in the USA and a must-visit for art lovers.

Pop by the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden after browsing the art galleries and grabbing a bite to eat at the bistro inside Walker Art Center. The Sculpture Garden is right next door and is one of the largest urban sculpture gardens in the country. Plus, the sculpture garden is free and open daily!

🛎️Need a Hotel? Check out 300 Clifton near Walker Art Center, a picturesque bed and breakfast in the iconic Eugene J. Carpenter Mansion. On the National Register of Historic Places, this is the perfect place to stay for history and art lovers.

Mall of America

Don’t miss this famous (and massive) Minneapolis attraction home to fun-filled rides, shopping, and so much more.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (952) 883-8800 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 9 pm Mon-Sat, 11 am – 7 pm Sun

The Mall of America is the largest mall in America and one of the most famous places in Minneapolis. There’s so much to do besides shopping that you could spend multiple days here alone. 

Families will enjoy visiting the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium and Nickelodeon Universe, the largest indoor theme park. For a challenge, try out an escape room at the Escape Game. With great restaurants and endless entertainment options, the Mall of America is a fun activity choice for families and solo travelers alike.

🛎️ Need a Hotel? Mall of America is in a suburb outside of the city, so if visiting the mall is the highlight of your trip, I recommend getting accommodation nearby like AC Hotel, which is about a 5 minute walk from the mall.

Minnehaha Regional Park

Get out into nature and enjoy some fresh air by visiting Minnehaha Falls or strolling peaceful walking trails.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 230-6400 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Minnehaha Regional Park is famous for its waterfall, Minnehaha Falls. Enjoy a stroll along the park’s trails while catching a glimpse of the falls. If you visit in the summer, I recommend cooling off in the wading pools. There is also a dog park, picnic tables, and bicycle rentals which you can locate using this map.

Mill City Museum

Learn about the history of Minneapolis’ flour industry and stop by a historic riverfront park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 341-7555 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Thu & Fri, 10 am – 5 pm Sat & Sun, Closed Mon-Wed | Entrance: $15, adults, $8, ages 5-17, free under 5

Mill City Museum is a National Historic Landmark where you can learn about the history of the flour industry. It’s rebuilt on the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill.

Don’t miss Mill Ruins Park while you’re here. It’s a nearby historic Mississippi Riverfront park built around the ruins of an old mill.

First Avenue & 7th Street Entry

Music fans should make a stop at this iconic venue, which has helped launch artists from Prince to Lizzo.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 338-8388 | Website | Hours: Showtimes vary

First Avenue is the longest-running live music venue that’s independently operated in the US. This unique venue and sidebar opened in 1970 and was repurposed from an old bus depot in downtown Minneapolis.

First Avenue hosts musicians of all kinds—both old and new—and has been a launching pad for artists such as Lizzo and Prince. Whether you want to see a famous singer or check out an indie artist, First Avenue is a cool place to do so.

Minneapolis Skyway System

Explore shops, restaurants, and more with the walkability and ease of the skyway system.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Generally open 6:30 am – 10 pm Mon-Fri, 9:30 am – 8 pm Sat, 12 pm – 6 pm Sun

The Minneapolis Skyway System in downtown Minneapolis is a set of enclosed walkways that connect shops, hotels, restaurants, and more. The best part about the Skyway is you can freely cross the street without having to wait for a stoplight. 

It’s especially great to explore during the winter since the heated walkways will protect you from the cold outside. To take advantage of this, consider staying in a hotel on the Skyway System like W Minneapolis in Foshay Tower.

👉Pro Tip: The hours of the skyway system depend on the business each skyway is connected to, so while you’re there, watch out for signs that note the hours of that particular skyway.

Museums & Culture

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Stone Arch Bridge

This historic bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Minneapolis.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 230-6400 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 12 am daily | Entrance: Free

Stone Arch Bridge is a historical beauty that was built in 1883. It’s the second oldest bridge on the Mississippi River and is a former railroad bridge. It’s even been named a National Civic Engineering Landmark.

Stone Arch Bridge links Mill Ruins Park on the west bank and Father Hennepin Bluff Park on the east bank. You can also get a panoramic view of Saint Anthony Falls from the bridge.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This impressive and diverse art museum features works that span 5,000 years of history.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (888) 642-2787 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tue, Wed & Fri-Sun, 10 am – 9 pm Thu, Closed Mon | Entrance: Free

The Minneapolis Institute of Art is one of the largest art museums in the United States with more than 90,000 works of art that span 5,000 years of history. The museum aims to inspire wonder by making art from diverse cultures accessible. 

Families will enjoy their Family Center, which has books, toys, and a private restroom and nursing room. Book tickets at the Children’s Theater Company inside of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, too. The theater adapts classic children’s tales for the stage. Their website includes a calendar of productions, as well as age ratings and brief descriptions.

Weisman Art Museum

This eye-catching museum is a unique work of art inside and out.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 625-9494 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed-Fri, 11 am – 5 pm Sat & Sun, Closed Mon & Tue | Entrance: Free

The Weisman Art Museum is located on the University of Minnesota’s campus. It contains over 25,000 pieces of art including Native American Mimbres pottery, Asian art, and traditional Korean furniture. 

Notable artists showcased at the Weisman Art Museum include Marsden Hartley, Alfred Maurer, and Charles Biederman. But apart from the art, the most interesting thing about the museum is its exterior. Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry in 1993, the abstract structure is a work of art itself.

Basilica of St. Mary

The first established basilica in the U.S. features beautiful design and architecture, and hosts a fun-filled summer music festival.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 333-1381 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Mon-Fri, 9 am – 6 pm Sat, 9 am – 6:30 pm Sun | Entrance: Free

The Basilica of St. Mary is a historic Roman Catholic church in downtown Minneapolis. Because it’s the first basilica that was established in the United States, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The church features gorgeous stained-glass windows and Baroque-influenced architecture.

If you visit in the summer, check out the Basilica Block Party from July 9-10th. It’s an annual music festival that’s described as “summertime’s hottest church party” by City Pages, a Twin Cities newspaper. Proceeds from the event go toward the ongoing restoration of the basilica.

American Swedish Institute

Learn about the impact of Swedish Americans on the U.S., and tour a historic mansion at this local museum and education center.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 871-4907 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tue, Wed & Fri-Sun, 10 am – 8 pm Thu, Closed Mon | Entrance: $17, adults, $10, ages 6-18, free under 6

The American Swedish Institute is a museum, cultural education center, and cafe located in the historic Turnblad mansion. The institute focuses on preserving and studying the impact that Sweden and Swedish Americans have had on American culture and history. 

At the American Swedish Institute, you can tour the historic mansion, which was built for Swedish immigrants in 1908, as well as learn about Swedish and Swedish-American culture.

Guthrie Theater

This uniquely designed building hosts classic theatre performances.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 377-2224 | Website | Hours: 1 pm – 8 pm Tue-Fri, 10 am – 8 pm Sat & Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: Free to enter the public spaces, ticket prices to shows vary

Guthrie Theater was founded in 1963 and stages classic plays such as A Christmas Carol and Emma. The founders were disenchanted with Broadway and envisioned a place where exceptional actors could perform the classics outside of New York City.

Guthrie Theater is also known for its distinctive building and location. One of its most noteworthy features is the Endless Bridge, a cantilever that hovers above the parkway. The theater also overlooks the Mississippi River and, along with the nearby Gold Medal Park, presents scenic river views.

👉 Pro Tip: There is no dress code at Guthrie Theater, so no need to pack any formal clothes if you plan on seeing a play here during your trip.

Minnesota History Center

Dive into all things Minnesota history at this St. Paul museum that’s also home to a native pollinator garden.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (651) 259-3000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed & Fri-Sun, 10 am – 8 pm Thu, Closed Mon & Tue | Entrance: $15, adults, $8, ages 5-17, free under 5

The Minnesota History Center is an award-winning museum in St. Paul that’s all about Minnesota. Learn about Minnesota’s past through exhibits that have authentic historical objects and multimedia presentations.

Run by the Minnesota Historical Society, the center’s featured exhibits explore Sinclair Lewis, an author from Minnesota, extraordinary Minnesotan women, and Minnesota’s Native communities. 

The history center also has a new pollinator garden, which features native plants that attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and more. This environmentally friendly garden is a great place to check out in the summer when the pollinators will be out in full force.

Outdoor Minneapolis Attractions

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Pine Tree Apple Orchard

Enjoy seasonal produce and goodies at this local orchard and farm.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (651) 429-7202 | Website | Hours: Varies by season

Visiting an orchard is a fun way to get some fresh produce during your trip. In the fall, Pine Tree Apple Orchard offers a variety of fresh apples, including the HoneyCrisp, which is Minnesota’s famous apple and arguably one of the tastiest apple varieties. They also have several types of apples you may have never heard of before.

Along with apples, you can get fresh cider, caramel apples, and homemade baked goods. In addition, they also have a corn maze and pick your own pumpkins in the fall. In the summer, you can pick your own strawberries. 

👉 Pro Tip: Strawberry season is mid-June to early July and apple season is mid-August to March. Pine Tree Apple Orchard lists which varieties of apple are available and when their estimated harvest dates are on their website.

Chain of Lakes Regional Park

This nature park offers scenery and outdoor activities year-round, from canoeing to cross-country skiing. 

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 6 am – 12 am daily | Entrance: Free

Chain of Lakes Regional Park is a set of five nearby lakes: Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, and Lake Harriet. The five lakes collectively have biking paths, walking paths, ice rinks, picnic areas, canoeing, and playgrounds. 

In addition, Lake of the Isles and Cedar Park offer cross country ski trails, which are generally very flat, so they’re great for beginners or casual skiing. Chain of Lakes would be a great place to visit in the winter for some outdoor fun.

Long Meadow Lake

The perfect place to take a peaceful stroll or longer hike at this well maintained park.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 6 am – 12 am daily | Entrance: Free

Long Meadow Lake is the perfect place to go for a walk near the Mall of America. There are 14.6 total miles of maintained walking trails at the park. For casual visitors, there’s a 1-mile and 1.3-mile loop.

For a more serious hike, there are also longer loops: a 7.3-mile one and a 16-mile one. However, the terrain at the park is mostly flat, so most of the difficulty of the longer loops comes from the distance.

Along the path is also the official visitor center for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Inside, you can learn about the wildlife that you can see in the area. Keep your eyes out for deer, birds, frogs, and maybe even snakes. There is also a fishing pier for those who like fishing.

Loring Park

This urban park near the Walker Art Center offers everything from recreational facilities to wading pools in summer and ice skating in winter.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 370-4929 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Loring Park is one of the best parks near downtown Minneapolis. It’s connected to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden by a footbridge, so it’s a great place to spend an afternoon after visiting the Walker Art Center.

The park offers everything from biking/walking paths, to tennis and basketball courts, a fishing pier, and a community garden. In the summer, you can cool off in their wading pools, and in the winter, you can skate in their ice rink.

Boom Island Park

A riverside park that features a mini lighthouse and skyline views.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 230-6400 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 12 am daily | Entrance: Free

Boom Island Park is a gorgeous riverside park that overlooks the east bank of the Mississippi River. One of its key features is its miniature lighthouse, which sits at the north end of the park and makes for a great photo op. This park is perfect for those who are staying in the Warehouse District and want a taste of nature.

🛎️ Need a Hotel? If you want to stay in the Warehouse district to be near its great bars and have close access to Boom Island Park, check out Element Minneapolis.

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

Explore one of the biggest urban park systems in the country, home to pathways, recreational facilities, nature areas, and more.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 230-6400 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 12 am daily | Entrance: Free

The Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway is one of the longest systems of urban parks in the U.S. It has also been nominated to be included on the National Register of Historic Places. With about 50 miles of parkways and 102 miles of trails, exploring the entire system would be quite the endeavor.

The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway is split into seven segments:

• Downtown Riverfront
• Chain of Lakes
• Minnehaha
• Mississippi River
• Northeast
• Victory Memorial
• Theodore Wirth

The various parks span lakes, creeks, riverbanks, wetlands and woodlands. Plus, they include athletic fields, playgrounds, golf courses, picnic areas, gardens and much more.

Fun & Family

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Minnesota Zoo

This zoo was one of the first of its kind to arrange animals by their environments.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (952) 431-9200 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: $25.95, adults, $19.95, children

The Minnesota Zoo is a zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Its mission is to connect people and animals to save wildlife. It was one of the first zoos to organize its animals by living environment rather than by species.

There are six themed exhibit areas:

• 🐺 The Medtronic Minnesota Trail features animals that are native to Minnesota. 
• 🐠 Discovery Bay contains several aquariums centered around marine wildlife. 
• 🦬 The Northern Trail has animals native to the north, such as the Amur tiger and black-tailed prairie dog. 
• 🐒 The Tropics Trail centers around animals from the tropics.
• 🐄 Wells Fargo Animal Farm is themed around farm animals.
• 🐻 Russia’s Grizzly Coast displays animals that live around Russia’s Pacific coast.

👉 Pro Tip: The Minnesota Zoo is in Apple Valley near Bloomington, so it’s a great place to visit if you plan on staying near the Mall of America. Otherwise, if you’re staying in Minneapolis itself, Como Zoo is more convenient.

Target Center

An arena and event center that’s home to the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA Minnesota Lynx.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 673-1300 | Website | Hours: box office opens at 10 am on event days

Target Center is an arena in the downtown Warehouse District and one of the biggest attractions in Minneapolis. Connected by skyway to several downtown properties, it’s super easy to get to if you’re staying nearby.

Target Center is home to NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves, and four-time WNBA world champion Minnesota Lynx. As a multipurpose arena, it hosts a wide variety of events like concerts, sporting events, and graduations.

👉 Pro Tip: Note that most bags or purses are not allowed inside, so make sure to leave your bag at your accommodation. For specific details on what you can bring, check out the bag policy on their website.

Midtown Global Market

Get a taste of global cuisines and cultures at this internationally focused market.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 872-4041 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Mon-Sat, 11 am – 6 pm Sun | Entrance: Free

Midtown Global Market is a globally themed public market on East Lake Street that sells handmade crafts and clothes from all over the world. When you’re done shopping, you can pop by one of the various food stalls for a taste of diverse cuisines.

Every Friday, they host Family Friday, which has music and kids crafts, and every Sunday they have Sunday Sounds, where you can enjoy live music while you shop and eat.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

This Renaissance Festival is the largest in America.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (952) 445-7361 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 7 pm weekends from late August to early Sept (varies yearly) | Entrance: $31.29 adults, $22.13 children (general admission)

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is the largest in the U.S. with an annual attendance of 300,000 people. It’s a fun activity if you are visiting in late summer or early fall.

The festival has a costume contest, a daily parade, jousts four times a day, and much more. Make sure to check their website for the exact program for that day since it varies by weekend. For those who travel with their pets, the festival is also dog-friendly!

👉 Pro Tip: If you know in advance that you want to attend the festival, make sure to buy tickets on their website ahead of time for an early bird discount. Tickets are valid for any one day during the festival season, so you don’t even need to know when exactly you plan on going to purchase them.

Target Field

Catch the Minnesota Twins during baseball season or take a tour of the field during the off-season.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 659-3400 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm Saturdays during baseball season

Target Field is home to the Minnesota Twins baseball team. It’s the perfect place for baseball fans to spend an afternoon. If you visit Minneapolis during baseball season (April to October), you can catch the Twins in action at a game. 

Target Field also runs 90 minute tours of the field, where you can explore areas of the ballpark that the average game-goer doesn’t get to see. The tours are also run off season, so if you visit after baseball season is already over, chances are you can still tour the ballpark. Check out their website for more information on the times and prices of the tours.

Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater

Go bowling, enjoy dinner & drinks, or even catch a show at this diverse, multi-purpose venue.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 825-3737 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 12 am Sun-Thu, 9 am – 1 am Fri-Sat | Price: $10 – $20 a game

Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater is a bowling alley, bar, restaurant, and even a cabaret theater all in one. This vintage bowling alley is low-tech and still uses the same automatic pinsetters that were installed in 1959. 

The video/pool hall was converted into a cabaret theater which now has shows almost every day. Their restaurant serves classic American food, along with some global favorites like Korean bibimbap and pad thai, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

📚 Related Reading: Unsure which area you should stay in during your visit? Check out my guide on where to stay in Minneapolis!

U.S. Bank Stadium

This stadium hosts everything from NFL games to indoor skating and monster truck shows.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 777-8700 | Website | Hours: gates open at 5 pm on game days

The U.S. Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose enclosed stadium that’s home to the Minnesota Vikings. Football fans can catch a game here during football season.

But the U.S. Bank Stadium has more to offer than just football. It hosts a variety of events around the year like indoor skating, monster truck shows, and concerts. You can also take a 90-minute tour of the stadium.

Food & Drink

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North Loop (Warehouse District)

Explore Minneapolis like a local by wandering around this vibrant neighborhood that’s been converted from old warehouses.

📍 Google Maps | Website

North Loop in downtown Minneapolis is also called the “Warehouse District” because many of the businesses have been renovated from old warehouses. This vibrant neighborhood is known for its unique bars and restaurants, many with live music. 

Check out one of my favorites Town Hall Brewery, a brewpub with a variety of local beers on tap, or Modist Brewing Co., which turns its taproom into a roller skating rink on Valentine’s Day.

📚 Related Reading: Is Minneapolis Safe?

Olivia’s Organic Cafe

A go-to brunch spot near the Mall of America that serves up delicious pastries and is friendly to those with dietary restrictions.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (952) 346-8800 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 2 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon & Tue

Olivia’s Organic Cafe is a great brunch spot to visit if you plan on visiting the Mall of America. It’s just nearby and boasts decadent pastries and classic brunch items like sandwiches and pancakes. 

Plus, everything is organic, gluten free, peanut free, and dairy free and it has plenty of vegan options, so people with dietary restrictions will love this quaint cafe. But the food is so good that I think even the staunchest gluten fan wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

Moto-i

This ramen restaurant was the first sake brewpub outside of Japan.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 821-6262 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 12 am Mon-Fri, 11 am – 12 am Sat & Sun

moto-i is an izakaya (meaning a “stay-drink-place”) and the first sake brewpub outside of Japan. It serves craft sake, steamed buns, and ramen.

moto-i is the only craft sake brewery in Minneapolis, so it’s a must-visit for fans of sake and Japanese food. They also have sake cocktails, local Minneapolis tap beers, and non-alcoholic cocktails. 

The vibe at moto-i is cozy and perfect for a date night or a chill night out with your friends. When the weather is good, you can sit on the rooftop and enjoy the view of the city.

Murray’s

An iconic Minneapolis restaurant that’s family-owned and serves up one tasty steak.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (612) 339-0909 | Website | Hours: 4 pm – 9 pm Mon, 11 am – 1:30 pm & 4 pm – 9 pm Tue-Thu, until 10 pm on Fri, 5 pm – 10 pm Sat, 4 pm – 8:30 pm Sun

Murray’s has been serving prime steaks and cocktails since 1946. This fine-dining steakhouse has been passed down through the Murray family and is now run by the third generation. Steak lovers must try their Silver Butter Knife Steak, a signature dish that’s carved tableside.

Located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, you can easily find this restaurant by its bright, iconic sign.

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From fascinating museums to great food, the many underrated attractions around Minneapolis make the city one of the best places to visit in the Midwest. 

Want more to do around the city? Check out my list of the best day trips from Minneapolis!

(Featured Image Credit: Checubus / Shutterstock)