Things To Do
Mill City Museum & Saturday Farmers Market
Explore the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill! And its a two block walk from the Renaissance Hotel! Every summer Saturday from 8am – 1pm at Mill City Museum there is a open air farmers market where you can shop local from over 115 rotating farmers, food makers and artists rain or shine! Thursday - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Friday - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday -10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Walk the Stone Arch Bridge
Only a 6 minute walk from the Renaissance hotel is one of the most iconic landmarks in Minneapolis, the Stone Arch Bridge is a former railroad bridge that crosses the Mississippi River and connects you to some of the most beautiful parts of the city! Head across the Stone Arch Bridge to get breathtaking views of the Minneapolis downtown skyline.
Father Hennepin Bluff Park
Once you cross the Stone Arch bridge this will lead you into Father Hennepin Bluff Park, where you can walk out onto the footpaths and bridges of the park to get a close-up of the Mississippi and Stone Arch Bridge.
Paradise Charter Cruises & Minneapolis Queen
July Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 12:00 (noon) – 1:30 p.m. Thursdays – Sundays: 12:00 (noon) – 1:30 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. *Advanced reservations recommended. Walk ups are NOT guaranteed. The narrated cruises will take you along the southern route of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway and Heritage Trail system, along the University of Minnesota Campus riverfront, under the stunning 35W Bridge, through the lower St. Anthony Falls Lock system showcasing views of the St. Anthony Falls, the historic Stone Arch Bridge, amazing river bluffs with views of the amazing downtown Minneapolis skyline as we show you the best the Mississippi River has to offer! *A full service cash bar along with corn dogs, chips, snacks, etc. are available for purchase.
Cafe Ceres Coffee Shop
Open daily from 7am to 3PM. 4 minute walk from the Renaissance Hotel, a chic modernist cafe, offering signature coffee and pastries along with select grab & go items.
Burgers & Cheese Curds ~ Red Cow North Loop
10 min walk from Renaissance Hotel - get your fill of MN burgers and cheese curds! Hours: Thursday: 11am-10pm Friday: 11am-11pm Saturday: 10am-11pm
Como-Harriet Streetcar Line
Take a nostalgic ride on one of our historic streetcars along a scenic route between the lakes. Your Motorman will provide interesting information about the car and Minnesota streetcar history. After your trip back in time, enjoy the beauty of Lake Harriet, part of Minneapolis’ famed Chain of Lakes. Following the trolley ride you can walk the trails at Bde Maka Ska or rent a kayak and enjoy a lakeside refreshment! Board at the Linden Hills Station, Queen Avenue South at West 42nd Street or the platform at Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) on Richfield Road just south of West 36th Street. A round trip takes about 15-minutes. Reservations are not required! One ride: $3 per person, children 3 and under ride free
Rent Kayaks, Paddleboards or Canoes at Bde Maka Ska
Bde Maka Ska is the largest lake in Minneapolis. It joins the Lake of the Isles through a long channel and is the biggest lake of five that make up the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. Surrounded by city park land and circled by bike and walking trails, it is popular for many outdoor activities like canoeing, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, and biking. Hours Jul 21 - Aug 3: Mon – Fri: 9am – 8:30pm Sat, Sun & Holidays: 8am – 8:30pm Pricing: $39 - Half-Day Single Kayak $55 - Half-Day Double Kayak $52 - Half-Day SUP $55 - Half-Day Canoe
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden & Walker Museum
Explore more than 60 sculptures from the Walker’s collection on 11 scenic acres in the heart of Minneapolis and takes about an hour to walk through. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is free, open to the public, and is open from 6 am to 12 midnight every day. Then visit the Walker Museum which is in the same location as the sculpture garden. Internationally recognized as a leading arts venue, the Walker Art Center is a Museum that presents contemporary visual arts and design exhibitions; dance, theater, and music performances; and film screenings. Hours: Thursday - Free from 5PM to 9PM every Thursday. 10 am–9 pm Friday–Sunday 10 am–5 pm*
Minnehaha Regional Park & Falls
Minnehaha Regional Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota is a popular city park most famous for its 53-foot Minnehaha Falls, a stunning waterfall cascading over limestone bluffs and offering picturesque river overlooks; the park is renowned for its scenic beauty, hiking trails, gardens, and historical significance, with the falls gaining national recognition from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "The Song of Hiawatha."
Matt's Grill - The Famous Jucy Lucy
Matt’s Bar & Grill, now a Minneapolis landmark, began in 1954 as a neighborhood burger eatery. Shortly after we opened, founder Matt Bristol explains how the “Jucy Lucy” was created when a local customer asked for two hamburger patties with a slice of cheese in the middle. Upon biting into this new, molten hot burger, he exclaimed “that’s one juicy Lucy”, and a legend was born. Matt's has received numerous awards, and has appeared in publications from Hamburgers Across America to the The New York Times! Hours of operation: 11am - 11 pm (last orders 10:15pm)
Mall of America
The Mall of America is the largest indoor shopping mall in the United States, with 5.6 million square feet of space! The mall has a theme park, aquarium, miniature golf course, wedding chapel, and more than 500 stores. Some of the attractions include Nickelodeon Universe, SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, FlyOver America, and Crayola Experience.
Prince Paisley Park - Home & Studio Tour
The Paisley Park compound of Prince was built in 1986 on a former cornfield. Prince used this as his primary recording, filming, and rehearsal location from 1987 to the early 2000s, and again from 2007 onward. Now it is a museum, concert venue, and recording studio! Thursday 9 AM - 5 PM Friday 9 AM - 6 PM Saturday 9 AM - 6 PM Sunday 9 AM - 5 PM