Bunched close together, Lake Harriet, Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, and Cedar Lake form 15 miles of connected walking and biking paths. Lake of the Isles boasts some of the prettiest pathways and fanciest houses in the city, and the southwest side of Bde Maka Ska has a beautiful view of the skyline. Pick one to walk around, or find an e-bike (Lime and Veo operate in the city) and bike around several! You can also rent kayaks, canoes, and even paddleboards if you want adventure.
A striking, wilderness waterfall in an urban setting with lots of little walking trails nearby. Overlooking the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Park is one of Minneapolis’ oldest and most popular parks, attracting over 850,000 visitors annually. Located at the intersection of Hiawatha Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway, the 193-acre park features a 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and river overlooks.
Located along the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis, walking around the Mill District is a great way to appreciate the city’s history and see some of its best views. Wander below the Bridge to Mill Ruins Park to look at the remains of the "flour milling capital of the world." If you have more time, check out the Mill City Museum to learn more about Minneapolis history and the flour industry - it's a really good, interactive museum!
Offers a panoramic view of St. Anthony Falls and downtown Minneapolis. It is recognized as a National Civil Engineering Landmark.
Take a stroll along Saint Anthony Main (maybe combine it with crossing the stone arch bridge) and stop at Aster or Wilde cafe! The charming blend of historic architecture, cobble stone roads, and a riverfront location, make it a lovely outing!
The Walker Art Center has an excellent collection and even MINI GOLF ON THE ROOF. Next to the Walker Art Center is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home of 'Spoonbridge and Cherry,' an iconic Minneapolis symbol. A definite MUST VISIT location!
Explore the city via segway! Magical History Tour is a three-hour Segway exploration covering both sides of the fabled Mississippi River and the city’s downtown historic district. Immerse yourself in over a century of history on this six-mile adventure. Cross the Stone Arch Bridge, visit the Minnesota Historical Society’s Mill City Museum for refreshments, and cruise by Gold Medal Park on the Mississippi riverfront below the world-famous Guthrie Theater.
The BIGGEST mall in the Western Hemisphere, spanning 5.2 MILLION sq ft. and 520 stores! AND the best part is there's an amusement park with rides and roller coasters in the center (Nickelodean Universe). Our favorite rides are the Avatar Airbender and the Rock Bottom Plunge :) It's an experience!
Catch the Minnesota Twins in action at Target Field! The Twins have home games on September 3rd and 4th, offering a perfect opportunity to enjoy America's favorite pastime in a vibrant setting.
Our favorite vintage bowling alley, with retro vibes and awesome live performances in the theater. Such a fun outing!
Home to more than 90,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, Mia is one of the largest art museums in the United States.
Northeast Minneapolis also boasts a fine selection of craft breweries. Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, Pryes Brewing 56 Brewing are situated right along the Mississippi River, while Padraigs Brewing, Bauhaus Brew Labs, Fair State Brewing Cooperative, and Sociable Cider Werks are all conveniently located on or along the Central Avenue Corridor. You can check off a number of them on foot or rent a bike!
A stunning theater with performances, a scenic “Endless Bridge” over the Mississippi River, and skyline views.
Great views from high up in this historic skyscraper - you will not regret a sunset spent looking out of Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a magical garden just waiting to be explored! With over 1,200 acres of blooming flowers, peaceful walking trails, and picture-perfect backdrops, it’s like stepping into a real-life storybook. It is a bit of a drive from downtown Minneapolis, but whether you're a plant lover, nature wanderer, or just in it for the Insta-worthy views, it’s a must-see stop for some fresh air and floral vibes!
This beautiful historically significant Victorian-style glasshouse, offers a vibrant, year-round escape with diverse plant collections and seasonal flower shows!
A whimsical destination featuring indoor mini golf, vintage pinball, arcade games, full bar, tap wall, food, and two performance stages for live entertainment! With every putt, boozy milkshake, arcade game, skee ball battle, and delicious burger devoured, Can Can Wonderland gives back in support of the Minneapolis-St. Paul artist community we love!
This AMAZING joint serves a full, chef-driven menu paired with world-class music performances seven nights a week. Anya and Nathan celebrated their second dating anniversary here and discovered their love for Paris Combo!
A Juicy Lucy is Minneapolis’s greatest culinary invention: a cheeseburger that has the cheese stuffed inside the burger patty. Two old-school Minneapolis bars, the 5-8 Club and Matt’s Bar (the latter of which spells their rendition “Jucy Lucy”), both claim to have invented this groundbreaking ground beef creation, and we’d definitely recommend seeking out their classic takes. But you can also get a great Juicy Lucy at a number of other bars and restaurants around town, including Blue Door Pub and Uncle Franky's.
Anya's favorite ice cream spot in the city! ANYA AND NATHAN'S FAVORITE FLAVORS ARE "BLACK" AND "RIDIN' DUUURTY"
This place is just to die for...soft serve that you can load up with every topping imaginable. Adorable outdoor seating and good vibes all around!
Cutesy retro diner serving hole-less doughnuts topped with a mix of sweet and savory ingredients. These combinations, like fried chicken with maple syrup or pulled pork on a glazed donut, are what sets them apart! YUM
Speaking of donuts, try out this CUTESY looking and tasting place.
Punch Pizza is our favorite in town! They use authentic Neapolitan techniques, focusing on simplicity and fresh ingredients. Their pizzas are baked in a wood-burning oven, giving them a distinct smoky flavor and crispy crust.
Deep-fried cheese curds are a Minnesota/Wisconsin staple! You gotta eat em! We recommend going to Blue Door Pub or Red Cow, but there are lots of restaurants around that offer them.
If you want to experience the great Lake Superior, the closest and funnest place to do that is Duluth, MN. Explore Canal Park, a vibrant neighborhood of cute shops, delicious food, and local art galleries centered around the port! Throw rocks into lake superior and awe at the breathtaking expansive views of the water. Don't forget to eat a caramel apple at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory! Reach out to Anya directly if you plan to go to Duluth, for more specific recommendations (fav restaurants, activities, etc)!
Park Point Beach is the longest freshwater sandbar in the world, and it's located on the largest freshwater lake in the world, the massive and beautiful Lake Superior!
For my hikers and nature lovers! Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, and Tettegouche State Park are A MUST. These parks have spectacular waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and out of this world rock formations. Make sure to use their resources to learn more about the indigenous history, geology and wildlife of the North Shore.
Anya's favorite stop on the way up the North Shore! Riders control their own speed down a half-mile twisting track on a bobsled-like ride, with stunning views of Lake Superior and the surrounding area.
If you want to go EVEN FURTHER UP NORTH, check out the charming town of Grand Marais. Often considered the gateway to the Gunflint Trail and Boundary Waters Canoe Area! This is Anya's FAVORITE place in the state, going there every year with family. Eat at Sven and Ole's pizzeria and walk out to the lighthouse for spectacular views. Reach out to Anya directly if you plan to go to Grand Marais, for more specific recommendations!
This expansive wilderness area, primarily accessed by canoe, is renowned for its natural beauty, with over 1,100 lakes and 1,500 miles of canoe routes. It's a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking, and camping.