Minneapolis is flying too far under the radar as a vacation destination. There, I said it. I never hear about people going on vacation to Minneapolis. It is such a shame because I think it is one of the best cities in the world. I hope that The Minneapolis Guide changes your mind and makes you book a ticket.
Minneapolis is a nature and art-filled city with some of the best food in the country. Between the James Beard-awarded chefs, notable Indigenous restaurants, and some of the country’s best Cambodian, Hmong, and Ethiopian food, there are many powerhouses of cooking here.
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Minneapolis
Here are some Minneapolis highlights that I thought I would share
- MSP has been voted the best airport by multiple travel publications
- Minneapolis is the happiest city in the United States
- Minneapolis has its own sound. (and that sound is purple.)
- Minnesota is in the top three charitable states in the county
- There are several large public parks within its city limits—Gold Medal Park and Minnehaha to name a few.
I love this city’s focus on art, whether it be the Fringe Art Festival, its great live and local music scene, or festivals like May Day.
It is a fantastic food city that isn’t getting the attention it should, although I hear Team Michelin is on its way there soon. The Minnesota State Fair has launched several food trends we all know and love like deep-fried Snickers bars and theJuicy Lucy.
If you are already sold, contact me to plan your trip.
The 411 for Minneapolis
This is all of the information you need on Minneapolis. Have a question that’s not answered? Contact me.
Transportation
Planes
MSP—Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport is the only airport serving the Twin Cities. It was recently named one of the top U.S. airports by two major travel outlets, Travel + Leisure and Afar.
If you are a Delta Frequent flyer or Amex Platinum card holder, the lounges here are amazing.
Did you know that Delta has vacation packages? Let’s make the most of those miles.
Trains
You can travel to the neighboring twin city, St. Paul, by Amtrak on the Empire Builder or the new Borealis route between St. Paul and Chicago.
Is there a train to/from the airport? Yes
The light rail runs from MSP terminals 1 & 2 towards the Mall of America or Downtown Minneapolis.
Public Transit & Ride Share
Minneapolis is well connected by public transit with both light rail and bus options. The transit service is called Metro Transit and offers seven to thirty-day passes that you can purchase below via app. If you book travel to Minneapolis with me, I would tell you the closest place to buy a physical pass.
Uber and Lyft are both available in Minneapolis.
Although not public transportation, Minneapolis has an extensive greenway for bike riders using old train tracks. This is a perfect town for bike riders.
Currency
USD—United States Dollar
Language
English is the official language of the United States.
Although English is the official language of the United States, Minnesota has the largest Somali and Hmong populations in the United States. Spanish is widely spoken in the Twin Cities. The area museums post English, Spanish, Dakota, and Anishinaabe wall labels.
The Best time to visit
Minneapolis is a great year-round city for those who love nature and the outdoors.
Late Summer/Fall is the best time to visit Minneapolis.
The Worst time to visit
For those who hate the cold, I would avoid January through March. Note that flying through Minneapolis during these months could also mean weather delays.
Minneapolis is built for bad weather. It has a very well-connected skyway system that connects buildings in the downtown core. You may walk more to get where you are going, but it is warm inside. Plus, there are coffee shops located throughout the skyway system.
On the flip side, spring can be rainy, and summer is humid.
Recommended number of days to spend in Minneapolis: 3+ exploration days
At a minimum, I would spend three exploration days in Minneapolis. There is a lot to see, do, eat, and hear. If you stay for three days you are only getting a taste and it would mean that you would miss out on visiting Minneapolis’ twin, St. Paul.
What is the average price of a mid-range hotel in Minneapolis?
This depends on the time of year, but I would plan for $225 per night + taxes.
When is Minneapolis open?
Minneapolis is open seven days a week with tons of places to get something to eat late at night. Bars close at 2:00 a.m.
Do you need to rent a car?
If you are staying in Minneapolis’s downtown core, you do not need a car. Getting to its twin city, St. Paul, is a light rail or Uber ride away.
If you want to take a day trip to places like Stillwater, renting a car in downtown Minneapolis is easy and cheaper than at the airport.
Other
Minneapolis is a great city if you want to vacation spirit-free.
Minnesota has no tax on clothing!
Sample Minneapolis Itinerary
Spend A Day In Minneapolis
A day filled with art and food in the downtown Minneapolis core. Visit museums, explore the Mississippi, and eat from some of the best restaurants in the city.
Minneapolis Recommendations At Every Budget (AKA The Three Bs)
Budget
1-Hyatt Centric, 2-Kramarczuk’s Deli, 3-Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Surly Brewing
- Where to stay: Hyatt Centric (Ask me about partner perks)
- What to do: Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Where to eat: Kramarczuk’s Deli
- Where to drink: Surly Brewing
Why I Chose These Places
The Hyatt Centric is centrally located near Nicolette Mall, which is a public transportation hub. It is a couple of blocks from the light rail, making it easy to get from the airport to downtown. Hyatt Centric is a line of boutique hotels within the large Hyatt Brand. I can get you perks here. The Minneapolis Institute of Art is the largest free museum in Minneapolis. It has one of the largest collections of Asian Art in the country, as well as decorative arts, Renaissance Art, and more. Kramarczuk’s Deli is an Eastern European deli that serves everything cafeteria-style. You can get a great filling meal without blowing your budget. Minnesota has a huge craft beer culture and there is so much variety in what is brewed. Surly feels like a community hub in the guise of a brewery. See live music, play games, get great bar food, and tons of patio space.
Remember to see the musical murals near First Avenue and 7th Street, featuring musicians from Minnesota, such as Bob Dylan and Prince.
Do you want to book?
Bonus
1-Emery, 2-The Walker, 3-Owamni
- Where to stay: Emery
- What to do: Walker Arts Center
- Where to eat: Owamni
- Where to drink: Meteor
Why I Chose These Places
These are my greatest hits of downtown Minneapolis. The Emery is a boutique hotel with my favorite Minneapolis coffee shop, Spyhouse, on the ground floor. It is walkable to Gold Medal Park, a beautiful city park running along the Mississippi River, which holds the Guthrie Theater. My dinner pick is Owamni. This restaurant is winning all kinds of awards for bringing Indigenous ingredients back into the conversation and a prime seat at the table. I can’t talk about Minneapolis without mentioning one of my favorite museums on earth, The Walker Art Center. This is where I learned to love art, and Fluxus changed the way I saw the art world.
See the Day in Minneapolis itinerary for expanded information about my bonus picks. (Coming soon, get a preview here.)
Do you want to book?
Bougie
1-Four Seasons, 2-Demi, 3-Billy After Dark,
- Where to stay: Four Seasons Minneapolis (I can get you perks at this hotel)
- What to do: Dakota Jazz Club (Jazz image by Cottonfbro for Pexels)
- What to eat: Demi
- Where to drink: Billy After Dark (B.A.D.)
Why I Chose These Places
If you want to have a luxurious experience in Minneapolis, I recommend staying at the Four Seasons. This experiential hotel has a great spa, dining, and pop-ups throughout the year. You can also book experiences to get to know the city better. The Dakota Jazz Club on the Nicollet Mall is a gem hiding in plain sight, a venue that books well-known artists–it’s not just jazz. Have you ever eaten a meal so fantastic that you wanted to hug everyone who worked there? Ok, maybe that is just me. That is exactly what I felt after eating at Demi. This tasting menu-only spot is one of three restaurants of Chef Gavin’s Kaysen’s in the area and my favorite restaurant in Minneapolis. Although I don’t recommend Billy After Dark after Demi–as Demi has a wine pairing that you shouldn’t miss–this speakeasy is serving some of the most interesting cocktails in the downtown core. I don’t mean that they are interesting in the Minnesota Nice way; I mean that they are more devised than mixed.
Do you want to book?
Recommended Tours
I have a selection of recommended tours in Minneapolis. Please get in touch with me at the link above, and I can send them to you.
I hope The Minneapolis Guide inspires you to travel to this gem in the north. If you aren’t convinced, I post previews of my city itineraries in my newsletter, Out of Office Curated. Subscribe below.