Minneapolis, here we come!
May 23, 2023 7:42 AM Subscribe
We (mid-40s couple, no kids) are headed to Minneapolis mid-June. It's essentially a first-time visit for us. For folks who live in the Twin Cities or are familiar with the area, what are the top things to do that you like to recommend to out-of-towners?
We don't really have much in the way of an agenda or any strong preferences in terms of what we get up to, though we are interested in walking around the city's prettiest and/or most interesting areas. We also love cocktail bars, so any recs in that vein would rock. Thanks so much!
We don't really have much in the way of an agenda or any strong preferences in terms of what we get up to, though we are interested in walking around the city's prettiest and/or most interesting areas. We also love cocktail bars, so any recs in that vein would rock. Thanks so much!
(Also right in that area--I don't know whether Barbette still does their happy hour special but that's pretty unbeatable if so.)
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:07 AM on May 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:07 AM on May 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
I've visited a few times and enjoyed the Twin Cities a lot. Strolling along the riverfront is fun. I also really like the sculpture garden and the Walker Art Center. Boneshaker Books, a volunteer-run, radical bookstore, is small and excellent. Seward Community Co-op is a wonderful community-owned consumer co-op for food and has great bulk spices, teas, and snacks. Indigenous restaurant Owamni is justifiably famous and amazing.
posted by wicked_sassy at 9:12 AM on May 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by wicked_sassy at 9:12 AM on May 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
So many options.
Do you bike? Minneapolis is consistently rated a top biking city for the many useful and scenic paved trails. There is a bike share program.
You didn't specify dates but the Stone Arch Bridge Festival is an arts and music event right along the riverfront on June 17 and 18.
The Guthrie Theater is an amazing building, and is doing Murder on the Orient Express at the moment.
There are farmer's markets by the Guthrie, by the sculpture park, and also a great one in St. Paul.
You probably can't get in at Young Joni, but you could go to the back bar.
posted by MillyMath at 9:42 AM on May 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
Do you bike? Minneapolis is consistently rated a top biking city for the many useful and scenic paved trails. There is a bike share program.
You didn't specify dates but the Stone Arch Bridge Festival is an arts and music event right along the riverfront on June 17 and 18.
The Guthrie Theater is an amazing building, and is doing Murder on the Orient Express at the moment.
There are farmer's markets by the Guthrie, by the sculpture park, and also a great one in St. Paul.
You probably can't get in at Young Joni, but you could go to the back bar.
posted by MillyMath at 9:42 AM on May 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Guthrie Theater is a powerhouse, and their summer shows are Murder On The Orient Express and Into The Woods, if that appeals to you!
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 10:17 AM on May 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 10:17 AM on May 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
Try Billy After Dark for cocktails.
posted by shadygrove at 10:58 AM on May 23, 2023
posted by shadygrove at 10:58 AM on May 23, 2023
A note on Owamni: they had a fire not long ago and are still closed. I know this because I will be visiting Minneapolis in a few weeks and had eating there on the top of my list. Latest on their Insta here (updated 2 weeks ago)
posted by AMyNameIs at 11:06 AM on May 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by AMyNameIs at 11:06 AM on May 23, 2023 [1 favorite]
Nice Ride bike share is no more, unfortunately. There are e-bikes but not sure how reliable/ubiquitous they are. If you do get ahold of the bike, a ride along the river is really fun (say, Stone Arch Bridge down to Minnehaha Falls State Park). Or around the chain of lakes.
Even if you don't see a show at the Guthrie, I believe you can still go in and check out the views of the city from above, which are worth it.
As far as walks... seconding the sculpture garden and Stone Arch Bridge.
Lake of the Isles is my favorite lake to walk around to gawk at the million-dollar homes. Take a break at Isles Bun and Coffee for some cinnamon rolls.
If you want an easy "order at the counter" place for food, Punch Pizza is great (try the Mimi). Sea Salt Eater at Minnehaha Falls is also great but lines can get very long so get there right when they open.
If the Twins are in town, it's worth checking out Target Field. A standing-room-only ticket and walking around the ballpark is one of the best ways to experience it.
If you're in a walk-and-shop kind of mood Uptown is fun to explore, or the quieter Grand Ave in St. Paul (pop over to the pretty Macalester College while you're over there).
If it's a rainy day, the Minneapolis Institute of Art is really impressive (and free).
posted by starman at 11:45 AM on May 23, 2023 [2 favorites]
Even if you don't see a show at the Guthrie, I believe you can still go in and check out the views of the city from above, which are worth it.
As far as walks... seconding the sculpture garden and Stone Arch Bridge.
Lake of the Isles is my favorite lake to walk around to gawk at the million-dollar homes. Take a break at Isles Bun and Coffee for some cinnamon rolls.
If you want an easy "order at the counter" place for food, Punch Pizza is great (try the Mimi). Sea Salt Eater at Minnehaha Falls is also great but lines can get very long so get there right when they open.
If the Twins are in town, it's worth checking out Target Field. A standing-room-only ticket and walking around the ballpark is one of the best ways to experience it.
If you're in a walk-and-shop kind of mood Uptown is fun to explore, or the quieter Grand Ave in St. Paul (pop over to the pretty Macalester College while you're over there).
If it's a rainy day, the Minneapolis Institute of Art is really impressive (and free).
posted by starman at 11:45 AM on May 23, 2023 [2 favorites]
I would give a thumbs up to starman's ideas, many of which I came here to offer.
The Saints play baseball in downtown St. Paul at a fun little park, adjacent to the Saturday morning farmer's market.
Also in St. Paul, visit the Minnesota History Center for a few hours. Then go up the hill to the Cathedral and take their guided tour. Then go across to the Capitol and check out the GORGEOUS multi-year restoration that wrapped up a couple of summers ago. A hat trick of history and craftsmanship and beauty.
Dunn Bros. Coffee is still quite good, when you are in Grand Avenue.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:40 PM on May 23, 2023
The Saints play baseball in downtown St. Paul at a fun little park, adjacent to the Saturday morning farmer's market.
Also in St. Paul, visit the Minnesota History Center for a few hours. Then go up the hill to the Cathedral and take their guided tour. Then go across to the Capitol and check out the GORGEOUS multi-year restoration that wrapped up a couple of summers ago. A hat trick of history and craftsmanship and beauty.
Dunn Bros. Coffee is still quite good, when you are in Grand Avenue.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:40 PM on May 23, 2023
The brewery tours abound and many are fun: Surly, Summit, et al.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:41 PM on May 23, 2023
posted by wenestvedt at 12:41 PM on May 23, 2023
The Walker Arts Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art are both great.
posted by 4rtemis at 2:39 PM on May 23, 2023
posted by 4rtemis at 2:39 PM on May 23, 2023
I went to Minneapolis last month!
I thought all the coffee places were surprisingly good in third wave style, but especially liked Fragment.
MIA was pretty cool and free. The falls in town were neat and the park had a surprisingly good seafood restaurant (Sea Salt) inside.
Was sad Owamni was closed, was looking forward to it. Young Joni was a cute pizza spot (we went for the pickle pizza) and the back lounge especially had a nice vibe.
Axe man is a junk store with a sense of humor that I enjoyed.
posted by sibboleth at 6:00 PM on May 23, 2023
I thought all the coffee places were surprisingly good in third wave style, but especially liked Fragment.
MIA was pretty cool and free. The falls in town were neat and the park had a surprisingly good seafood restaurant (Sea Salt) inside.
Was sad Owamni was closed, was looking forward to it. Young Joni was a cute pizza spot (we went for the pickle pizza) and the back lounge especially had a nice vibe.
Axe man is a junk store with a sense of humor that I enjoyed.
posted by sibboleth at 6:00 PM on May 23, 2023
i can help :)
PM me for specifics.
a few suggestions:
- if you are here this weekend, go to dustys and catch 5 cent reality... brilliant band
- the baths at watershed (tough to get in)
- as noted the current show at the walker art center
- james beard award winning pizza at young joni (i prefer the salads and ribs)
- spoon and stable is riculously good
- omakase at kado no mise is sublime
- hai hai is quirky and amazing
- I love the old school airport restaurant in st paul - holmans table
- live music at palmers if you want to catch a little bit of minneapolis' old wild side
- 331 is usually good for live music and couple drinks
- the canteliver at the guthrie theatre for the view is a must
- farmers market at the same place on saturday morning is great people watching
- bike around as many of the lakes and rivers as you can (one on one bike is good place to rent)
- go for a swim at hidden beach or bring some chilled chardonnay and people watch
- the other beaches on cedar lake are also great for swimming
- first avenue and 7th st entry are legendary for live music
- you could go to paisley park to see some prince music history
- for a boat ride and dinner on lake minnetonka al and almas is a little cheesy but also kind of amazing if you dont judge
top picks:
- stone arch bridge, guthrie theatre canteliver
- walker art center and sculpture garden
- hidden beach
- young joni
- watershed
posted by specialk420 at 7:30 PM on May 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
PM me for specifics.
a few suggestions:
- if you are here this weekend, go to dustys and catch 5 cent reality... brilliant band
- the baths at watershed (tough to get in)
- as noted the current show at the walker art center
- james beard award winning pizza at young joni (i prefer the salads and ribs)
- spoon and stable is riculously good
- omakase at kado no mise is sublime
- hai hai is quirky and amazing
- I love the old school airport restaurant in st paul - holmans table
- live music at palmers if you want to catch a little bit of minneapolis' old wild side
- 331 is usually good for live music and couple drinks
- the canteliver at the guthrie theatre for the view is a must
- farmers market at the same place on saturday morning is great people watching
- bike around as many of the lakes and rivers as you can (one on one bike is good place to rent)
- go for a swim at hidden beach or bring some chilled chardonnay and people watch
- the other beaches on cedar lake are also great for swimming
- first avenue and 7th st entry are legendary for live music
- you could go to paisley park to see some prince music history
- for a boat ride and dinner on lake minnetonka al and almas is a little cheesy but also kind of amazing if you dont judge
top picks:
- stone arch bridge, guthrie theatre canteliver
- walker art center and sculpture garden
- hidden beach
- young joni
- watershed
posted by specialk420 at 7:30 PM on May 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:06 AM on May 23, 2023 [1 favorite]