Location: Minneapolis
Top Things to do in Minneapolis
10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Minneapolis That You Shouldn't Miss
With its gleaming skyscrapers set amid glittering lakes, Minneapolis makes for an attractive and fun getaway. A truly year-round destination, the city offers activities for every season. In winter, one can explore the downtown area through more than seven miles of glass-enclosed skyways. In addition to keeping you warm, they create a lively thoroughfare filled with specialty shops, restaurants and services. Whether you want to escape the winter cold or the summer warmth, the Mall of America offers shopping, dining and entertainment options for any time of the year and every member of the family. Art lovers have plenty to see at the Minneapolis Art Institute, Walker Art Center and the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, which all house world-renowned collections. The theater scene is thriving. With more than thirty theaters, Minneapolis has more seats per capita than any U.S. city except New York. See a Broadway show and enjoy dinner and live jazz at a fabulous restaurant. With kids in tow, check out the Science Museum of Minnesota, where visitors can produce their own video, or come face to face with a shark at the UnderWater Adventures Aquarium. In summer, the action moves outside. Known as "The City of Lakes," Minneapolis has 22 lakes located within city limits and many more in the surrounding area. In town, hordes of locals and tourists in-line skate or stroll around Lake Calhoun, stopping for ice cream along the way. Just outside of town, Fort Snelling State Park offers outdoor recreational activities from hiking to biking and golf to boating. No matter when you visit, Minneapolis offers lots for everyone to enjoy.
Restaurants in Minneapolis
1. Minneapolis Institute of Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,356 reviews
Travel through 4,000 years of world history as you view more than 80,000 works of sculpture, photography, paintings, drawings and prints.
Reviewed By RedYoga - Benicia, United States
I was visiting Minneapolis for a conference, and saw an ad for the special exhibit of Native American women's art at MIA. Kudos to MIA for putting together such an amazing exhibit--it is fantastic! I walked through the special exhibit twice to better take it all in. I would encourage everyone to go see it! Not to be missed.
2. Children's Theatre Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By elizabethmH1939GV - Richmond, United States
Saw Cinderella with my great niece, age 12, her grandmother and mom. We all thoroughly enjoyed the play and laughed and laughed. Highly recommend this show and any other performance they do. Very professional acting and set design. Brava!
3. Riverview Theater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 187 reviews
Reviewed By elizabethdR5388VF - Saint Paul, United States
The price can't be beat: for tickets and refreshments. The popcorn is freshly popped and of great quality. The variety of the films every day is great - a different film every showing of the day.
4. Norseman Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
Daily Tours, Bottling parties, Daily venue rental. Norseman Distillery, the first micro-distillery in Minneapolis, was founded with principles of using the very best local ingredients to produce small batches of exceptionally fine spirits. From our micro-distillery in northeast Minneapolis, we hand craft each batch with the hopes of inspiring legendary cheer in those who drink it.
5. Inbound Brewco
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 60 reviews
Inbound BrewCo is a craft brewery and taproom in the North Loop of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The taproom is spacious and filled with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows. Kids are welcome, and we have canned sodas and kombucha for them (and for your gluten-free friend). Dogs are also allowed in the taproom, both inside and on the patio. You are welcome to order in food or purchase from the food trucks that park outside. Reservations are required for the taproom and patio, you can make them online.
Reviewed By MNteacherT7263ZC
I ordered an apricot beer, which was good. My husband liked the IPA he ordered as well. Our server was very friendly. The decor and music gives a fun vibe. We were there early in the day so there were only a few people. I imagine it’s be really fun with a crowd and open garage doors.
6. House of Balls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
The House Of Balls is three decades old art institution in Minneapolis. Come see the sculptural oddities out of repurposed artifacts.
7. Urban Forage Winery and Cider House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Urban Forage is a small urban winery located in the heart of Minneapolis. We pick fruit from trees in the city and suburbs and use it to produce natural wines and ciders in our basement production winery. As world travelers ourselves, we welcome visitors to our uniquely Minnesotan winery and are always ready with restaurant recommendations and other travel suggestions.
Reviewed By sndawady
Must visit place if you visit or live in twin cities. 100% organic hand made wines made from local fruits. Excellent product quality. Prime location near downtown Minneapolis. Very neat and Eco-friendly place. There is something for whole family. Kids loved the place for different games/activities. Very friendly and welcoming staff go above and beyond to make whole family experience to cherish. I would highly recommend this place for everyone to visit alone, with family, or planning an activity.
8. Guthrie Theater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,041 reviews
THE GUTHRIE THEATER is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training, known for its dynamic productions of classic and contemporary plays. Open to the public year-round, this award-winning cultural destination houses three theaters, dramatic public spaces and distinctive dining. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the Guthrie is located in the historic Mill District of Downtown Minneapolis and features a 175-foot cantilever bridge which overlooks the Mississippi River. When it opened in 2006 Time magazine called the building "a 21st century dream factory." Visit the Guthrie to see a show, grab a cup of coffee and explore the building, shop at the Guthrie Store, or to simply take in the extraordinary riverfront views. Backstage tours are Friday and Saturday mornings.
Reviewed By teacherpam88 - Minneapolis, United States
The Gutherie Theatre building is an architectural masterpiece, with a spectacular cantilevered bridge overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis. There are 3 stages within the complex, each hosting a different theatrical experience with exceptional performers. The building has fine and casual dining and backstage tours are offered every Saturday. Discounted rush tickets are available 1 hour prior to performance. This theater might be the highlight of your visit...or your year!
9. Weisman Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 255 reviews
Located on the campus of the University of Minnesota, this museum features fine arts from the contemporary period.
Reviewed By jerb2014 - Bristol, United States
This museum is a very interesting on. Architecturally, it is very contemporary in design, which intrigued us. Inside the collection is a substantial one so be prepared to spend a good part of a morning here. There is on the street parking and also a parking garage and the admission is free. The entrance is a bit convoluted as when you enter from the street where the parking garage entrance is, you must go up a couple of floors to the entrance of the museum. Inside there are over twelve galleries filled with contemporary art of the first half of the twentieth century pottery, paintings and sculpture. Don't miss Georgia O'keeffe's Poppies. There is a very nice display of traditional Korean furniture. They do offer classes, talks, workshops, etc. There are tours on the weekend. Be sure to go to the floor with the public restrooms. There is a terrace on that floor that provides a very interesting view of the city of Minneapolis from the opposite side of the Mississippi. Now is more classical art is your thing and time to spend in art museums is limited. You might want to visit the MIA, which houses a much larger collection of art from many different eras. We truly enjoyed this museum.
10. American Swedish Institute
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 495 reviews
Founded in 1929 by Swan J. Turnblad, this castle serves as a combination historic house/museum that features exhibits and programs of the Swedish culture.
Reviewed By Netanders - Herndon, United States
My Swedish heritage friends and I came to have lunch (meatballs, of course) and tour the Viking exhibit. I liked the exhibit but was amazed by the mansion itself. It’s beautiful!
