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Minnesota, United States

Minneapolis

Two days for the riverfront, lakes and museums before driving north. Below: 4 sights, 2 outdoor spots and 3 places to eat, plus how Minneapolis fits into a longer trip.

Plan Minneapolis with friendsBrowse 10 places
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Places
10

4 See · 2 Outdoors · 3 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Minnesota North Shore

Best season
Jun – Oct

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

29°C / 84°F avg high

Coolest month
January

-6°C / 22°F avg high

Wettest month
June

about 130 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Minneapolis

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

4 sights worth building a day around across Mill District, Lowry Hill and Whittier. 2 of them are free.

  • Stone Arch Bridge in MinneapolisPhoto: Runner1928 · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Stone Arch Bridge

    1883 railroad bridge turned walkway over St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi.

    • Mill District
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Sunset
  • Mill City Museum in MinneapolisPhoto: Mister Jon · Google
    See

    Mill City Museum

    Museum in the ruins of a flour mill, with an elevator ride through the building's history.

    • Mill District
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning
  • Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in MinneapolisPhoto: Johnny McGahee · Google
    See

    Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

    Contemporary art museum beside the free garden with the Spoonbridge and Cherry.

    • Lowry Hill
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Afternoon
  • Minneapolis Institute of Art in MinneapolisPhoto: Louie Smirnoff · Google
    See

    Minneapolis Institute of Art

    Free encyclopedic museum with period rooms and strong Asian and American collections.

    • Whittier
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Afternoon

Outdoors

2 outdoor spots for fresh air across Uptown and Minnehaha. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Bde Maka Ska in MinneapolisPhoto: Thomson200 · CC0
    Outdoors

    Bde Maka Ska

    Largest of the Chain of Lakes, with a 3-mile loop path, beaches and paddleboard rentals.

    • Uptown
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Summer morning
  • Minnehaha Falls in MinneapolisPhoto: Jiss Jacob Sebastian · Google
    Outdoors

    Minnehaha Falls

    53-foot waterfall in a city park with creek trails to the Mississippi.

    • Minnehaha
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Spring

Eat

Where we would book a table in Minneapolis across Powderhorn, Mill District and North Loop.

  • Matt's Bar in MinneapolisPhoto: Indoorfish · Google
    Eat

    Matt's Bar

    Corner tavern claiming the original 'Jucy Lucy' cheese-stuffed burger.

    Tip Let it cool before the first bite; cash was long required, check payment.

    • Powderhorn
    • $
    • 45 min
    • Lunch
  • Indígena by Owamni in MinneapolisPhoto: Indígena by Owamni · Google
    Eat

    Indígena by Owamni

    Sean Sherman's Indigenous kitchen, no dairy, wheat or cane sugar, now in the Guthrie Theater with river views.

    Tip Separate entrance from the theater; reserve ahead.

    • Mill District
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Dinner
  • Spoon and Stable in MinneapolisPhoto: Spoon and Stable · Google
    Eat

    Spoon and Stable

    Chef Gavin Kaysen's restaurant in a former North Loop horse stable.

    Tip Book ahead; bar seats are easier.

    • North Loop
    • $$$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dinner

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Minneapolis in Prospect Park.

  • Surly Brewing Co. in MinneapolisPhoto: Surly Brewing Co. · Google
    Drink

    Surly Brewing Co.

    Big beer hall and patio from the brewery behind Minnesota's craft beer boom.

    • Prospect Park
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Evening

How to fit Minneapolis into a trip

Minneapolis is stop 1 of 3 on our Minnesota North Shore route. Follow it as-is or lift Minneapolis into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Minneapolis month by month

Average daily highs run from -6°C / 22°F in January to 29°C / 84°F in July. June is the wettest month, with about 130 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Minneapolis weather and the best time to visit →

Near Minneapolis

7 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.

Minneapolis questions, answered

How many days do you need in Minneapolis?

Our route notes suggest 2 days in Minneapolis. On our Minnesota North Shore route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 15 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Minneapolis best known for?

Two days for the riverfront, lakes and museums before driving north. Standouts on our list: Stone Arch Bridge (1883 railroad bridge turned walkway over St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi); Mill City Museum (Museum in the ruins of a flour mill, with an elevator ride through the building's history); Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (Contemporary art museum beside the free garden with the Spoonbridge and Cherry).

When is the best time to visit Minneapolis?

Our Minnesota North Shore route is best Jun – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (29°C / 84°F), the coolest in January (-6°C / 22°F) and the most rain in June (about 130 mm).

What are the best things to do in Minneapolis?

Start with Stone Arch Bridge, Mill City Museum, Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis Institute of Art and Bde Maka Ska. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 2 outdoor spots, 3 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Minneapolis?

Our picks: Matt's Bar (Powderhorn); Indígena by Owamni (Mill District); Spoon and Stable (North Loop). Let it cool before the first bite; cash was long required, check payment (Matt's Bar).

What is near Minneapolis?

The closest destinations in our guides are Downtown Minneapolis & the Riverfront (about 1 km / 1 mi), Minnehaha Falls (about 8 km / 5 mi) and Duluth (about 220 km / 137 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Minneapolis with your crew

Open the Minnesota North Shore route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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