Minneapolis Travel Guide

Having spent 4+ years adventuring around Minneapolis during my time at the University of Minnesota, it's fair to say I know the city inside and out. From the hidden gem running trails to the perfect Saturday night hotspots to yummy brunch waffles, I have got you covered, girlfriend. Enjoy your time in the Land of Lakes!

Where to stay:

The Loews Minneapolis, The Grand Hotel Minneapolis, and the W Minneapolis are all excellent choices. Luxury, delicious cuisine, and 5-star service. You can't go wrong!

Where to spend the day:

A perfect day for me in Minneapolis has to include some outdoor activity. There are bike lanes, bike boulevards, trails, and paved paths all over the place! You can enjoy views of the city skyline and natural landscape during the same run. Theodore Wirth Park has miles of trails for hiking and nordic skiing.The Midtown Greenway is flat, perfectly paved, and is great for biking. The Greenway also connects to the Chain of Lakes trails, which weave around the numerous small lakes in the Minneapolis area. One of my favorite summer memories was an extremely hot long run on the Chain of Lakes, my friend and I scoped out all the hotties running on the path, and cooled off in the lake afterwards!

Where to go for a fancy dinner:

Butcher and the Boar has some OUT OF THIS WORLD cuisine. From Wood Grilled Oysters to the Sausage Sampler to the 21 Day Dry-Aged New York Strip, Butcher and the Boar is rustic yet elegant. It's a great date night spot and place to splurge!

Where to brunch:

Yum, so many options for brunch! The Birchwood Cafe has an amazing savory waffle. The ingredients change seasonally, but it is always incredible! Hazel’s Northeast has awesome quiche, but honestly everything I’ve tried there has been fantastic. If visiting on the weekend, put your name down and walk across the street to get a cold press from the Coffee Shop Northeast while you wait for a table! Last recommendation - Legend’s Bar and Grill serves giant 25 oz. bloody marys that are awesome if you like them with lots of garnishes!

Where to get a cheap, yummy meal:

A giant bowl of pho is $7.50 at Quangs, and you can easily bring half of it home leftover. In case you haven’t had it, pho is a Vietnamese soup with rice noodles, your choice of meat, and herbs like basil and mint. Also, every college student at the University of Minnesota knows to get a slice of pizza at Mesa Pizza for a couple dollars after bar close! They have a lot of crazy flavors such as the Southern Gentleman (cajun chicken, mashed potatoes, bacon, and cheddar cheese!).

Where to attend church:

Bethlehem Baptist or Evergreen, both wonderful! Message us if you have any other suggestions!

Where to get dessert:

Lund’s Killer Brownie is to die for. Please, please try it, you will be in Heaven. Izzy’s Ice Cream is decadent and hand-made. Lastly, Sebastian Joe’s has fabulous ice cream and coffee. A great treat for a summer day!

Where to shop:

The Mall of America is a 20 minutes drive south, and is easily reachable by light rail. The Blue Line connects directly to the mall! Perfect for winter!

Also, there is shopping in Uptown. I love to browse at the Kitchen Window.

Where to get coffee:

Spyhouse Coffee has multiple locations in Minneapolis. Due to its ample parking and quality Wi-Fi, I spent a lot of time studying for the MCAT and applying to medical schools at the Spyhouse Coffee on Broadway. My go-to order was a cold press or the Spygirl Latte, because I’m a sucker for latte art. They also have a turkey sandwich with red pepper aioli that is very good!

Where to workout:

In addition to the outdoor parks and trails I mentioned earlier, I highly recommend the free November Project workouts. They meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 am at Gold Medal Park, which is near downtown and the Mississippi River! This is a big group that accommodates all ages and abilities, super welcoming! Being a large city, Minneapolis also has many hot yoga studios, lux gyms, and Crossfit studios.

Where to go for a night out with friends:

The Otter Saloon is a dive bar with an eclectic crowd, with the best karaoke on Saturday nights.

Secret spots:

Guthrie Theater Yellow Room:  On the ninth floor, there is a cantilevered observation box made of yellow glass windows and floor. It has awesome views of the the riverfront, a great photo spot.

Walter Library sub basement and foundation levels:  A perfect study spot for focused, secluded studying. No cell phone service in these depths! Also, you will be anonymous among the other library moles.

Nicolett Island: This place probably isn’t a secret, but it’s a historic neighborhood on a small island in the Mississippi River, located in the heart of Minneapolis. There are Victorian houses painted in different colors, it is the perfect 1 mile loop for speed runs!

Outdoor spots:

Stone Arch Bridge: This is a very scenic bridge over the Mississippi river that has awesome views of the Minneapolis skyline! It is breathtaking when the bright blue sky reflects off the blue windows of the skyscrapers.

Minnehaha Park: Check out Minnehaha Falls in the summer and visit Sea Salt Eatery, an outdoor seafood restaurant! Or brave the cold and visit Minnehaha Falls in the winter. People ice climb on the falls, and you can explore behind the curtain of frozen water if you dare.