Minneapolis is a city that’s full of surprises. It’s home to the Minnesota Twins, where you can watch the guys in their pinstripes play ball, and it’s also home to the Guthrie Theater—one of the best places for theater in the country. The Twin Cities are a vibrant and exciting place to live, with plenty of things to do and see. The city has a thriving music scene, with local bands like Soul Asylum and The Replacements getting their start here. And if you’re looking for a more low-key way to spend your time, check out one of Minneapolis’s many parks or take in some art at any one of its many museums.
There are so many things to do in Minneapolis that it can be hard to choose what to do first! Luckily, we’ve done all the heavy lifting for you with this guide to everything fun and unusual in Minneapolis.
What is Minneapolis known for
Minneapolis is known as the “City of Lakes” because it has more than 100 lakes within its city limits. The largest lake is Lake Calhoun, which is located in the downtown area and is surrounded by parks and gardens. Minneapolis is a city known for its parks and lakes. There are over 11,000 acres of parkland within the city limits, and there are more than 200 miles of trails along the lakeshore. Minneapolis has a diverse population, with people from all over the world calling it home. It’s got the Mall of America, which is pretty much one of the biggest malls in the world. It’s got some great museums and art museums, like the Walker Art Center and Weisman Art Museum.
Best things to do in Minneapolis
Visit the Mall of America
Visiting the Mall of America is an unforgettable experience. You can enjoy a day of shopping, dining, and entertainment at this amazing destination. The Mall is a huge shopping center that contains over 500 stores and attractions, including an aquarium, Nickelodeon Universe amusement park, Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, American Girl Store, Lego Store, and LEGOLAND Discovery Center. It also has an indoor amusement park called Nickelodeon Universe. There are many other things to do at the mall too: an IMAX theater, restaurants galore (including a Rainforest Cafe), a movie theatre, and more. The biggest mall in the U.S., this is a must-see for anyone visiting Minneapolis. You can take the light rail from Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport to the mall, which is located just outside of downtown Minneapolis.
Watch Broadway Quality Theater at Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie is one of the top theaters in the country, and it’s right here in Minneapolis. They have an amazing lineup of shows that run through the year, so no matter what time of year you visit, there’s something great you can see. It seats 850 people in its main theater and offers affordable tickets to Broadway-quality productions: something you won’t easily find anywhere else outside of New York City and Chicago. They also have a cafe where you can grab dinner before or after the show. The Guthrie is located on E. Grant St., just south of downtown Minneapolis. Parking is available in the parking garage next door, but if that fills up there are plenty of other options within walking distance. The theater has been producing world-class work since 1963, and it’s a great place to experience some of the best theatrical productions in the country.
Visit the Minnehaha Mile
If you’re looking for a way to get out and explore the city, you should definitely visit the Minnehaha Mile. The mile-long stretch of land is located between Lake Street and Minnehaha Parkway, and it’s filled with fun activities. Although it’s not the only place in Minneapolis to buy used items, the area has a good number of thrift stores. Yoga studios and alternative health centers are also prominent on Minnehaha Avenue, and it has an eclectic range of dining options.
While touring north on Minnehaha Avenue, take a left on 35th Street, where you can stop by the Purple Rain House, the fictional home of Prince in the 1984 movie Purple Rain.
Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum
The Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum is a great place to go if you’re looking for something fun and unusual to do in Minneapolis. The museum features a permanent collection of contemporary art, and it’s known for its rotating exhibitions of both modern and contemporary art. The Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum is situated at the University of Minnesota, along the banks of the Mississippi River. This museum is worth the drive-by alone. Frank Gehry, a famous architect, designed the unique museum, making it a popular Twin Cities tourist attraction.
Take a Walking Tour of the Stone Arch Bridge
The Stone Arch Bridge is the second-oldest pedestrian and bicycle bridge on the Mississippi River. Formerly a railroad bridge, the last passenger service was in 1978, and it was opened as a walking and cycling bridge in 1994. Walking and biking along this path is one of the best free things to do in Minneapolis. This bridge is one of the more popular attractions in Minneapolis. James J. Hill constructed it in 1880 to connect railway lines with Union Depot, which continues to be an important part of Minneapolis’ scenery today.
Walking the bridge, you’ll get amazing views of the downtown Minneapolis skyline, the Mill City Museum, the Guthrie Theater, and the U.S. Bank Stadium. As you walk away from downtown Minneapolis, you’ll get great views of St. Anthony Falls, the dam that powered the Washburn A Mill, and what is now the Mill City Museum.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is one of the best free things to do in Minneapolis. It is a museum that houses some of the most stunning and interesting art in America. The museum has over 90,000 pieces of art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative art from across the globe. The museum’s collection spans over 5,000 years and includes everything from ancient Egyptian art to modernist photography. They also have a large Asian collection, which includes Japanese prints and Chinese calligraphy. They have multiple galleries that rotate regularly so you can always see something new every time you visit. The museum is open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, with the exception of Thursday, when it’s open until 9:00 p.m. A parking fee is required when visiting the museum.
Visit Minnehaha Regional Park and Falls
This park is located in South Minneapolis, near Lake Harriet. There are several different things to see here, including a waterfall and the remains of an old stone dam. The park also has walking paths and picnic areas. Minnehaha Falls is actually an extension of Lake Minnetonka. Minnehaha Creek starts in Gray’s Bay of Lake Minnetonka and winds all the way through the Twin Cities to end up at this awesome regional park. From there, Minnehaha Falls continues on to the mighty Mississippi River. Minnehaha Park isn’t just a stunning waterfall. You can hike down the falls and wind your way through the bank of the Mississippi River for miles. Plus, it has plenty of green space for picnics and grilling.
Foshay Tower
Minneapolis, Minnesota is a city of many charms. The city has been home to many fascinating events and people throughout its history, including the famous Foshay Tower. The building is now known as the W Minneapolis – The Foshay, and you can spend the night in the tower or simply stop by for drinks. I’d recommend checking out the bar on the top floor to get some epic views of downtown. The tower is located at 821 Marquette Avenue. The Foshay Tower was completed in August 1929 and stands 296 feet and 4 inches tall. This historical tower has an Art Deco design and is part of the National Register of Historic Places. It was one of the first buildings to exceed the height of Minneapolis City Hall, and it became an instant landmark for the Twin Cities region because of its distinctive architecture.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of fun and unusual things to do in Minneapolis. We’ve done our best to give you a diverse range of options that will appeal to any traveler, whether you’re visiting for business, with your family, or on a romantic getaway. There’s always something new to see and do here in Minneapolis, whether you’re interested in exploring the city or just relaxing at home. If you get bored easily and like to try new things, this is a great place to live.
