Best Things to do in Minneapolis

Whoever came up with the idea for a Jucy Lucy deserves a prize. Picture this: two patties with cheese in the middle, sealed on the edges to form an oozing cheddar or American core. This flagship burger is the pride of dive bars, diners and alehouses citywide, with lots of different takes on it. Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club both claim to have pioneered the Jucy Lucy, a precursor to stuffed burgers everywhere. The burgers have been featured on “Man Vs. Food” and “Food Wars,” as well as in several national publications. In 2014, even President Obama sang the Jucy Lucy’s praises after trying one at Matt’s.

Okay, this isn’t one specific spot. It’s a full neighborhood, but one with a lot to offer. Around the Hennepin-Lake intersection, you’ll find diverse eateries, boutique shops and cool bars. As a bonus, it’s right next to Chain of Lakes, so after an afternoon in the sun, you can hit Uptown for dinner, drinks and wherever the night takes you.

First Avenue is one of a handful of legendary and influential American music clubs and the city’s most iconic live music venue. Since opening in 1970, it’s been a launchpad for pioneers in the punk, R&B, alternative and indie scenes. Hometowners Prince, The Replacements, Soul Asylum and Husker Du all started their careers, in part, from this stage. The club has hosted artists like U2, Nirvana, R.E.M., New Order, Run DMC and many more.

Chances are, you won’t guess what this is based on the name. But anyone seeking an offbeat, history-steeped music scene should pay this record store a visit. Their unique collection contains albums you’re unlikely to find anywhere else, and it’s captivated fans and visitors since the 1960s. Whether you’re on a quest for a certain rare EP or just want to browse musical history for an hour, Electric Fetus is the spot.

Slip into another world as you peruse family-owned restaurants, groceries, shops and events while learning about the Twin Cities’ diverse population. You can take a culinary world tour by sampling traditional flavors from Thailand, Morocco, Mexico, Japan and more. Our advice: There’s a lot to explore, so don’t fill up at just one spot. 

Five hundred and twenty stores. Fifty restaurants. An indoor amusement park. This is a mecca of Americana and ode to shoppers and fans of gargantuan buildings. The nation’s largest shopping center (and it’s not even a close contest) lets you explore chain favorites and boutique shops alike. Spend an afternoon window shopping or pick up souvenirs for the whole extended family. And to wear out the kids: Nickelodeon Universe, the nation’s largest indoor theme park, offers a whopping seven acres of rides and fun.

They don’t call Minnesota “Land of 10,000 Lakes” for nothing. Just look at a map. The entire state is spotted with them, including the Twin Cities. The Chain of Lakes includes Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet, Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake and Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun). Nature lovers, exercise enthusiasts, boaters and beachgoers flock here every summer to enjoy its extensive network of trails and beaches. They’re perfect for biking, hiking, fishing, boating and sports when you need an escape from the city. 

Minnehaha Park is another testament to Minneapolis’s self-proclaimed “City by Nature” moniker. It features numerous trails, gardens and open areas, but its crown jewel is Minnehaha Falls, a 53-foot waterfall at the end of a short hike into the gorge. For a bit of history, you can visit the John H. Stevens House or Longfellow House on-site. Or just kick back for a picnic in one of the park’s many green spaces.

This is the only stone arch bridge on the entire Mississippi River. But take a stroll across it and you won’t simply be enjoying a one-of-its-kind feat of civil engineering. You’ll also get panoramic views of stunning St. Anthony Falls. Plus, it’s right next to the Mill City Museum, so after you learn about the city’s roots, you can take a quick jaunt over the bridge.

Located in uptown Minneapolis, Walker Art Center isn’t a typical art museum. In its halls, you’ll find a whole spectrum of disciplines: visual arts, performing arts, digital media, design, publishing and more. It’s also home to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, an 11-acre park perfect for afternoon strolls among 40 permanent installments, including the nationally renowned “Spoonbridge and Cherry.”

Upon its completion in 1874, the Washburn A Mill was declared the world’s largest flour mill. Now transformed into a museum — complete with mill re-enactments, baking labs and riverfront observation decks — it’s one of Minneapolis’ premier attractions. Learn about the city’s history, observe flour mill operations and then reap the rewards in a baking class. As a bonus, if you’re there on a Saturday (May-October), you can enjoy locally sourced produce at the Mill City Farmers Market. 

This downtown Minneapolis stage is a must-visit for theater junkies. Its namesake, Sir Tyrone Guthrie, left Broadway to produce performances focused on quality literature rather than profits. The theater’s three stages — a thrust stage, proscenium stage and black box — have featured Shakespearean classics, literary re-creations and contemporary works, all to critical acclaim. And the building itself is a marvel too. Designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Jean Nouvel, it overlooks the Mississippi and includes multiple astonishing features, like the “Endless Bridge,” which “floats” over the freeway.

Every baseball fan knows that visiting a stadium as much about the experience as it is the game itself. In 2010, “ESPN: The Magazine” called Target Field the Best Stadium in North America. It’s a small field, nestled in the heart of downtown, so you can cheer on the Minnesota Twins with a fantastic view of the skyline and an even better sampling of local cuisine. The best part? Decent tickets will only run you $20-50 a piece.