Location: Downtown
Top Things to do in Downtown
What to do and see in Downtown, Minnesota (MN): The Best Things to do
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. Chain of Lakes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 402 reviews
Three separate lakes (Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet) all surrounded by pedestrian paths.
Reviewed By jesseMN - Savannah, United States
Walk, jog, swim, hear a concert, rent bikes, roller skates, canoes...the chain of lakes is one of the many attractions of the excellent Park system - connected by trail and water to other parks - that attacts year 'round visitors. A cherished resource that is actually three interconnected lakes in the City. Accessable by public transit.
2. Mississippi Mile
3. Pedal Pub Twin Cities
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 97 reviews
Our mission is to provide a fun, safe, environmentally-friendly way for groups of adults to get some light exercise and fresh air while touring interesting parts of the Twin Cities. We rent the entire bike as well as single seats.
4. Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 150 reviews
40+ Miles Of Bike Trails Throughout The City
Reviewed By Blairian - Tucson, United States
Loved our trip around the Grand rounds. Rode with our bike group one Sunday in September. Reasonably well marked, but be sure to check the map at each of the gazebo like structures or run a map app on your phone. Beautiful ride.
5. 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!
6. Stone Arch Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 674 reviews
Considered the only bridge of its kind, this soaring structure is made of native granite and limestone measuring 2,100 feet in length across the mighty Mississippi.
7. River Road Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
A 6-mile paved bike trail from Fort Snelling State Park to downtown Minneapolis.
8. Foshay Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 277 reviews
After recent renovation, our museum and observation deck are now open seven days a week from 12:00pm-9:00pm. Weather permitting, both will be open year round.
Reviewed By terrencet960
I grew up in Minneapolis and I was always fascinated with a building that looked like the Washington Monument. It was constructed in 1906 and it was the tallest building between Chicago and the West Coast until the early 1970’s and was converted into a Hotel in 2008. This fall my wife a visited family and we were pleased to stay in this historic building. The hotel is very interesting, step into the elevators and jump back in time, the rooms have a wonderful view of the downtown (ask for an upper floor room) and the décor in the rooms are fun. Minneapolis is a great walking town, with walkways that connect most of the downtown, we were able to walked to the Twins baseball field which is about a mile way. Easy access to restaurants and shopping. You can also visit the Foshay museum and observation deck located on the 30th floor
9. Mill City Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,543 reviews
Built into the ruins of what was once the world's largest flour mill, Mill City Museum is located on the historic Mississippi Riverfront. Here, visitors of all ages learn about the intertwined histories of the flour industry, the river, and the city of Minneapolis.
Reviewed By christinehE6161VY - West Palm Beach, United States
We just left a 2 hour tour of the Mill City Museum. It was a full 2 hours, with a 29 minute film survey of Minneapolis history and culture, an elevator tour of the flour mill history, and a docent presentation of working women’s lives in the late 1800’s. Very interesting. This is all besides the permanent displays about General Mills and it’s background. Good time to visit downtown Minneapolis with less traffic!!
10. St. Anthony Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Waterfalls that once possessed religious significance for Native American tribes are today part of Minneapolis' historic district.
Reviewed By Deremy - Mukilteo, United States
If you dont look at the debris in the water. Great historiy esson provided by captain en route from the dock through the flour mills.
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