We can pull together so many ideas, but there’s a whole organization dedicated to making sure you experience all the Twin Cities have to offer. Check out Meet Minneapolis for more ideas.
Experience City
City by Day
Walker Art Museum and Sculpture Garden
Experience the modern art gallery inside Walker Art Garden, before strolling across the street to see the acclaimed Cherry and Spoon. Unless the blue…eh…rooster…is more your style. That’s newer in the last couple years, and it draws all the jokes you’d expect from city dwellers.
Black Walnut Bakery
You’ll need to venture here earlier in the day, but if you can, the fresh baked daily pastries are divine!
Mall of America
Shop the largest mall in America. It’ll be mostly tourists, but they seem to enjoy it.
Shop Nicollet Mall
Right in the heart of downtown is a transit/bike only street lined with wide sidewalks and store entries. Shop stores along Nicollet Mall and explore the Dayton Project — the brand new area opened to commemorate the Dayton’s legacy in Minnesota.
Twins Game
See a Minnesota Twins game — the couple honestly doesn’t pay attention to who’s playing, but it’s still a fun stadium right downtown.
Hen House Eatery
Just a block over from The Marquette Hotel or four from Tru/Home2 is a local favorite breakfast, lunch, or brunch spot. It’s not uncommon for there to be a wait, so if you’re the type to get hangry, best to plan accordingly. If you can handle a wait though, it’s a downtown favorite for many a Minneapolitan.
City by Night
Cobble Social House
Would this even be a useful list if we didn’t list the location of our first date AND proposal? Great spot for cocktails.
Hewing Hotel Rooftop
Skip the bar/restaurant on ground floor and head direct to the roof. The cocktails are good and the views of downtown even better. (You do need to ask the front desk to unlock the elevator up.)
Brit’s Pub
A great spot for food and/or drinks. Their rooftop patio in the middle of downtown features a full lawn bowling court. (What can we say? Minneapolis loves the greenspace.)
Red Rabbit
The couple has sampled dozens of Italian eateries, but this one is convenient to the recommended hotels and a reasonable price point. They don’t take reservations, so stop in, get on the list, and then if it’s too long grab a drink across the street at the Hewing while waiting for the text saying a table is ready.
The Puttery
Need some late night fun? The Puttery features multiple bars for craft cocktails, beer, or wine, as well as food, but the real magic is in the activity: the place features mini golf, perfect for those looking for something more lively than sipping drinks.
Theater
So many theaters. The Orpheum, The State Theater, The Guthrie — there are so many theaters we can’t list them all. Theater is good day or night, so find a seat and settle in. A Google search will show dozens more, but to expedite your search:
- Iconic Theater: The Guthrie
- Best for Broadway: The Orpheum
- Unhinged Improv: Brave New Workshop
- Cheap Laughs: ACME Comedy Club
Experience Nature
Loring Park
Loring Park is the largest of multiple parks nestled in towering skyscrapers of downtown, Loring Park is a quiet oasis of green space, sport (tennis, horse shoes, basketball, etc.). During June, it’s also the location of Minnesota’s second largest festival, Twin Cities Pride — which is also the largest free Pride event in the US. (Fun fact: it was actually the Twin Cities who first coined the term “Pride” as it’s used in the LGBTQIA+ community.)
Stone Arch Bridge and Saint Anthony Main
Wander the cobblestone, historic street of Saint Anthony Main, trailing the Mississippi. The Stone Arch Bridge is an iconic site featured in countless portraits of the downtown skyline. It is going through a short facelift to preserve it’s historic features, so it may or may not be at peak picturesque the week of the wedding, but either way, it’s worth to walk just to see the mighty Mississippi flow by underneath.
Chain of Lakes
Bde Mka Ska, Lake of the Isles, and Lake Harriet are just three of the 22 lakes in the city limits. They’re our favorites, and most days of the week, the couple takes a run along the trails of these exact lakes. Thousands enjoy these three lakes alone each day. Grab a drink or lunch at the lakeside Pimento Jamaican Kitchen or rent a kayak for a short paddle at Wheel Fun Rentals. (They also have bikes for the bike trails!)
Lyndale Park Rose Garden
Next to Lake Harriet and the bird sanctuary is a stunning rose garden, curated by the dedicated city Parks and Rec Department. Bryan almost proposed here, but he decided to make Isaac wait another 2 months instead. So that’s fun too.
Minnehaha Falls
A waterfall in city limits? I mean, come on?!? How many cities get to say they have that AND all these other things? Minnehaha Falls is a solid choice for spots to see, and to make matters easier: you don’t even need to leave to adjacent park to grab food or a drink. Stop by Sea Salt for refreshments.