Location: Minneapolis
Top Things to do in Minneapolis
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What to do and see in Minneapolis, Minnesota (MN): The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
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. Theatre in the Round
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
3. 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.
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. Orchestra Hall
7. The Escape Game
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,106 reviews
The Escape Game is a live 60-minute adventure. You and your team will select a challenge and will have one hour to complete your mission and escape. We offer several unique experiences, all happening in a completely immersive environment. You may be in prison planning an escape, on Mars trying to repair a spaceship or in a museum stealing back a piece of art.
Reviewed By Pioneer34644371369 - Edina, United States
We were looking for a family activity on an especially cold day. We ended up at The Escape Game at Mall of America. Our adventure room was Mission Mars. I was reluctant at first as I thought it would be very difficult. We all ended up having a lot of fun! Michael was a great guide with a lot of energy and the experience surpassed my expectations.
8. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,754 reviews
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is closed for renovation, and will reopen in June 2017. One of the crown jewels of the city’s park system, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden unites two of Minnesota’s most cherished resources—its greenspace and its cultural life. A partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, the Garden is a top destination for tourists to enjoy art like the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry in an outdoor park setting.
Reviewed By victoriavZ5721AB - Rochester, United States
Had to check out the Minneapolis sculpture garden to see the famous spoon and cherry. We parked in the $4 parking lot and enjoyed strolling through the walkways to see some interesting sculptures. The native landscape and wildflowers only added to the beauty of the art and the location in the city. Got some cool pics as well which I'm sure we'll cherish for a long time!
9. 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!
10. Bde Maka Ska
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 607 reviews
Reviewed By CaptTrouble - Hudson, United States
This is a large and beautiful lake to walk around in Minneapolis. I would recommend walking on weekdays as it and the other lakes in the chain can be absolutely crazy busy on the weekends. My husband and I took a brisk walk around it in October to admire the sunshine and the fall leaves. Bde Maka Ska is now the official name of this lake; there is still a Lake Calhoun in Kandiyohi County. Bde Maka Ska is the largest lake in the City of Minneapolis with a size of 401 acres and a maximum depth of 87 feet. The name is a Dakota one, pronounced Be-DAY Me-KAH-Ska, which in English means Lake White Earth. The lake was given the name Calhoun in the early 1800's by the U.S. Army in honor of the United States Secretary of War while the Army was surveying the area for Ft. Snelling. Calhoun's history as a slaveowner and pro-slavery politician led to modern day questions about whether the lake was best named after him. In 2017 the Minneapolis Park Board voted to change the name back to the Dakota name Bde Maka Ska, with the Hennepin County Commissioners agreeing. In 2018 the MN DNR made it the official name in Minnesota. The State submitted materials to the federal government to change the name on the federal level, which was approved in June 2018. Signs were changed around the lake. On April 29, 2019, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that the name could only be changed by legislation. The federal government has declined to change the name back and the Park Board has declined to change the signs back.
