Minneapolis Places of Interest
Mall of America
Located fifteen minutes south of downtown Minneapolis in Bloomington, this legendary mall attracts forty million visitors from around the world every year. Mall of America is the nation's largest shopping and entertainment complex with 4.2 million square feet of space, 520 stores and 20 sit-down restaurants. Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and Sears have large anchor stores here. The Mall features family fun venues such as Knott's Camp Snoopy, The Park at Mall of America and Lego Imagination Center. Mall of America is open 10:00 am - 9:30 pm Monday - Saturday and 11:00 am - 7:00 pm on Sunday.
For more information: 952-883-8800
The Park at MOAT
There is never a bad-weather day at The Park at MOA, the largest indoor family amusement park in the nation. Located inside Mall of America, the park features thirty thrilling rides and attractions for all ages, including the scream-out-loud Timberland Twister rollercoaster. The park is open 10:00 am - 9:30 pm Monday-Saturday and 11:00 am - 7:00 pm on Sunday. Visitors can purchase an Unlimited Ride Wristband Voucher for $24.95.
For more information: 952-883-8800
Hennepin Theatre District
What city has more theater seats per capita than any other city besides
New York
New York? It's not Los Angeles
Los Angeles or Chicago
Chicago, as you might guess; it's Minneapolis. The theater scene here is legendary, with over thirty venues and almost 100 theater groups; so you can be certain a great performance is going on somewhere in the city every day of the year. The Hennepin Theatre District, in the heart of downtown has three historic theaters: Orpheum, State and Pantage.
The Orpheum
A former vaudeville theatre, The Orpheum opened in 1921 with the legendary Marx Brothers and later became Minneapolis' first major movie theatre. A $10 million renovation began in 1993 and uncovered many surprising architectural treasures including six Pompeiian friezes. A 15-foot-high crystal chandelier dominates the performance hall, suspended from a spectacular, silver lined, domed ceiling. All other chandeliers are original to the 1920s theatre. The 2,600-seat Orpheum hosts major Broadway productions, dance groups and musical concerts.
The State Theatre
The 2,150-seat State Theatre opened in 1921 and was considered the most elaborate and technologically advanced theatre in the United States. The original floor of the stage was glass which allowed direct lighting from below. A three-year renovation began in 1989 and reclaimed the theatre's dazzling grandeur, which included massive chandeliers and original wall murals. The State re-opened in 1991 with the Minnesota Opera's production of Carousel and continues to host touring Broadway productions, dance groups, concerts and premiers of Minnesota-based films.
The Pantage
The oldest of the trio of historic theatres, Pantage opened as a vaudeville house in 1916 and thrilled theatre-goers with its Art Moderne façade and Beaux Arts interior. It was the innovator of the mezzanine, a carpeted lobby on the balcony level with restrooms and telephones. The intricately detailed ceiling features a magnificent glass dome high above the performance hall. Completely renovated, the theatre re-opened in 2002 as a venue for Off-Broadway shows and concerts. All three historic theatres are available for events and have experienced event planning staffs.
For more information: 612-373-5600
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Across from the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden displays forty of the finest and boldest contemporary works of art in the country and features major works by George Segal, Ellsworth Kelly, Henry Moore, Franz Lipchitz and other acclaimed artists. Don't miss the provocative Spoonbridge and Cherry, a sculpture of a massive spoon holding a cherry, by the renowned team, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen.
Admission is free.
Hours: Open daily, 6 am - 12:00 midnight.
For more information: 612-375-7622
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Known as MIA, this fine arts museum is one of America's greatest. Its permanent collection holds 100,000 objects that span 5,000 years of world culture. MIA is known for its impressive collection of Impressionist paintings and Asian art. The building is a stately 1915 neoclassical landmark in downtown Minneapolis.
The MIA offers unique facilities that are the ideal setting for private events, celebrations, meetings or other gatherings. MIA's knowledgeable event planning staff will take care of the details for you.
The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Thursday from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm; Sunday from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, and it is closed Monday. Admission is free. For more information: 612-870-3049
Walker Art Museum
Newsweek Magazine calls it "possibly the best contemporary art museum in the country." One of the most visited contemporary art museums in the country, Walker Art Museum recently increased its total exhibition space from 30,000 to 40,000 square feet. This expansion created eleven exhibition galleries and doubled the space allocated to the museum's permanent collection.
Admission fees are as follows: $10 adults; $8 seniors (65+); and $6 student/teen (with ID). The museum is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm; Thursday and Friday, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm and is closed Monday and major holidays. For more information: 612-375-7600
Minneapolis Entertainment
Warehouse Historic District
In years past, Minneapolis was the undisputed "Flour Milling Capital of the World" with a bustling riverfront of mills, industrial buildings and constant freight train traffic. Today these historic buildings house trendy residential and business lofts, museums, restaurants, bars, boutiques and great nightlife.
First Avenue and 7th Street Entry
The walls of this famous, live music club located inside a historic Greyhound Bus Station still vibrate with the music of legends Iike Tina Turner, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker and Pat Benetar from the 70s; U2, Culture Club and Minneapolis' favorite son, Prince, from the 80s; and Ruben Blades and the Fugees from the 90s. First Avenue has earned the status of clubs like San Francisco's Filmore Auditorium, New York's CBGB and the Knitting Factory. It was recently named one of the top 100 nightclubs in the U.S. by Nightclub & Bar Magazine.
For more information: 612-332-1775
Metrodome
The Metrodome is the beloved home of the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings and the University of Minnesota football team. It also hosts amateur and cultural events and family focused activities. The Metrodome is the only facility in America to have hosted Major League Baseball's 1985 All Star Game, two World Series, two NCAA Final Fours and a Super Bowl. The Metrodome is available for private and corporate events.
For more information: 612-332-0386
Minneapolis Restaurants
20.21 Restaurant and Bar
Restaurateur extraordinaire Wolfgang Puck is at it again, and this time he has taken his food artistry right to the Walker Art Center. "20.21" serves up haute new American fare spiced up with an Asian flair. The ambiance is perfect and the views of the Minneapolis skyline are spectacular. You can dine on fresh, artfully prepared foods such as butterfish, short ribs, tempura shrimp and roasted Cantonese duck.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm and 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm. Weekend hours are as follows: Friday and Saturday, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm and 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm; Sunday Brunch is served from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. For more information: 612-253-3410
D'Amico and Sons Restaurant
Located in an historic warehouse on the Nicollet Island thoroughfare, D'Amico and Sons prepares contemporary Italian cuisine worthy of standing ovations. The mouthwatering menu features a high-quality selection of roasted meats, parchment-baked fish, and fresh, inventive pastas. An excellent wine list complements the world-class cuisine. The décor is understated with high ceilings and exquisite art.
For more information: 612-374-1858
La Belle Vie Restaurant
Gourmet Magazine honored La Belle Vie as one of "America's Top 50 Restaurants" in 2006. A masterful blend of French and Mediterranean cuisine, the selections are elegant and tasteful, whether you are ordering veal tenderloin with tarragon and sweetbreads or grilled chicken with chanterelles a la carte.
La Belle Vie Restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm; Friday through Saturday from 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm; and Sundays from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm For more information: 612-874-6440
Spoonriver Restaurant
This waterfront restaurant serves natural, vegan-friendly gourmet cuisine in an elegant and sleek setting. The menu features dishes such as Asian barbecue mock duck and real roasted Minnesota lamb with a vegetable ragout. Owner Brenda Langton also runs award-winning Langton's Café Brenda, an organic and vegetarian restaurant that was way ahead of the times when it opened in 1986.
Spoonriver is open for Brunch on Saturdays from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm in the summer and from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm in the winter. On Sundays, it is open from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Lunch is served Tuesday-Friday from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm. Dinner is served Tuesday-Thursday from 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm, Friday-Saturday from 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm and Sunday from 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm. For more information: 612-436-2236
Minneapolis Nightlife
Riverfront District
This hot, new district along the historic riverfront has fantastic restaurants, old-fashioned bars, hip wine bars and night clubs, not to mention the panoramic river views. Diners at Vic's Restaurant enjoy the cozy ambiance of the historic building, the mouth-watering menu of steaks, chops, fish and pasta, and a specialty martini list. Beer lovers flock to Tugg's Tavern for their friendly, fun atmosphere, their famous "beer towers", chile and signature, thick, juicy burgers.
In the daytime, visitors will enjoy exploring the city parks, people-watching, and strolling along the streets of the Riverfront District past historic buildings, boutiques, and cultural venues such as the Soap Factory, an offbeat sculpture gallery in a converted warehouse. The Soap Factory is also the new performance space for the renowned Guthrie Theatre, the gold standard for professional regional theatre in America.
Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant
Nicollet Mall's Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant has long been considered the Twin Cities' top jazz club, and a favorite amongst jazz performers. Week nights, you'll find nationally renowned artists like Roy Hargrove and Steve Tyrell; Local favorites Connie Evingson and Nachito Herrera liven things up on weekends. Patrons come straight from work for happy hour or to dine on tenderloin, tiger prawns and other scrumptious main courses in the restaurant, as the syncopated rhythms of jazz floats in from the adjacent club room.
The Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant hours are as follows: Monday-Thursday, 11:00 am - 10:00 pm; Friday-Saturday, 11:00 am - 11:00 pm; Sunday, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm For more information: 612-332-1010
Shout House Dueling Pianos
Sing, dance, dine and be merry at this Warehouse District landmark and rowdy nightclub. The sounds of Rock 'n Roll classics fill the air as the black and white keys of dueling grand pianos are played. The musicians take requests from the audience covering hits from the 50s to today. Everyone sings along and dances.
Shout House Dueling Pianos is open Tuesday-Thursday from 7:00 pm - 2:00 am; Friday from 5:00 pm - 2:00 am; and, Saturday from 5:00 pm - 2:00 am. It is closed on Sunday and Monday. For more information: 612-337-6700
Treasure Island Resort and Casino
Near the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, this Caribbean-themed hotel and casino has a variety of games including slot machines, blackjack tables and bingo. The lounges showcase national and international celebrities with stand-up comedy acts and all types of live music. The resort provides whirlpool suites, restaurants and 25,000 square feet of meeting space.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm and 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm Weekend hours are as follows: Friday and Saturday, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm and 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm. Sunday Brunch is served from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. For more information: 800-222-7077
Loon Bar and Café
A mainstay of the downtown Warehouse District, Loon Bar and Café helped kick-start the revitalization of the Warehouse District back in 1981. This trendy sports bar appeals to everyone, from Timberwolves fans and athletes to celebrities and the briefcase crowd; and, the big tables and booths are always packed. Loon Bar and Café's traditional sports bar menu is a crowd pleaser with delicious salads, overstuffed sandwiches, and award-winning chili.
For more information: 612-332-8342
Recreation and Outdoors in Minneapolis
Chain of Lakes
Lake Calhoun is the largest of the five lakes of Minneapolis' famous Chain of Lakes. The lakes are part of the Minneapolis Park System and provide year-round activities for the young and old. Three miles of paved paths around Lake Calhoun create a haven for walkers, in-line skaters and bikers. The beaches are popular amongst enthusiastic volleyball players, sunbathers and picnickers. On the water, sailors and windsurfers catch the breezes while canoeists and kayakers paddle their way around the lake. In the winter, Minnesota's famous ice fishing houses are rolled out on the frozen lake to accommodate the most avid fishermen. Chain of Lakes Byway District is open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.
For more information: 612-230-6400
Stone Arch Bridge
Enjoy spectacular river views when you walk across the Mississippi River on an historic, stone railroad bridge that dates back to the 1880s. The only stone arch bridge over the Mississippi, the stately bridge is a key pedestrian link in the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail which connects archeological sites and historic buildings on both sides of the river.
Loring Park
Loring Park is Minneapolis' oldest city park in a park system that has grown to include 150 parks and numerous lakes. In the heart of downtown, Loring Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the renowned designer of New York City's Central Park. It's a favorite with locals who come to walk and bike, as well as play basketball, tennis, shuffleboard and horseshoe. In the summer, families gather in this natural sanctuary for free concerts and picnics. Loring Greenway, a pedestrian walkway, connects the park to downtown's Nicollet Mall. The park is open daily from 6:00 am - 10:00 pm. Admission is free.
For more information: 612-370-4929
The Grand Rounds
Designated as a National Scenic Byway, Grand Rounds is a 50-mile loop of picturesque trails, paths and roadways that meanders around seven byway districts of Minneapolis. Join it at any point for a short walk or a long bike ride with unsurpassed views of Minneapolis.
For more information: 612-370-4838
Lyndale Park Rose Garden
An exquisite setting for weddings, the Lyndale Park Rose Garden in Lyndale Park Gardens is the second oldest public rose garden in the country dating back to 1946. The garden showcases 3,000 plants in 100 different varieties. Adjacent to Lake Harriet, it is an official All America Rose Selections (AARS) test rose garden. Roses are in bloom from mid-June until early October. The Gardens are open daily from 7:30 am - 10:00 pm. Admission is free.
For more information: 612-230-6400
Minneapolis Tours
Riverboat Cruises
Minneapolis Queen
Board the 125-passenger Minneapolis Queen at Boom Island Park in the heart of the historic Minneapolis Riverfront District for their fun and informative "Sightseeing and Locks" Cruise, a 90-minute ride on the Mississippi River along the downtown waterfront. Learn about Minneapolis' rich heritage as the flour-milling capital of the world and the industries that prospered along its waterfront. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the revitalized Riverfront District and the dramatic architecture of the city's modern skyscrapers.
A new paddle wheeler, the Queen provides public cruises and private, special-event cruises. Concessions and beverages are available on board. The cruise season runs from Mother's Day through the third weekend in October, and the fee is $16.95 per person. For more information: 888-791-6220
Paradise Lady
Sleek and luxurious, Paradise Lady is an elegant charter yacht for cruising the Mississippi River along the scenic Minneapolis waterfront. Passengers enjoy the parks, greenways and towering trees that line the shore against the backdrop of Downtown's stylish skyscrapers. With luxurious facilities for groups of 10 to 145 people, Paradise Lady is an ideal venue for private parties, wedding receptions, and corporate events. Amenities include a Grand Salon, fully appointed bar, lavish restrooms, grand staircase, dance areas, full service galley and three open-air decks. Paradise Lady's public cruises include a two-hour Sunday Brunch cruise ($29.95/person) and a two-hour Late Night Happy Hour cruise ($19.95/person).
For more information: 952-474-8058
Twin Cities Highlights Tour
Enjoy a sweeping tour of Minneapolis while sitting aboard a deluxe motorcoach and listening as a tour guide describes the sights. The downtown leg of the tour includes the famous Nicollet Mall, the Minneapolis skyway network, the Metrodome, the Tony Award-winning Tyrone Guthrie Theatre and the internationally acclaimed Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The tour continues through the Kenwood residential area where participants are able to view the television home of Mary Tyler Moore. It then meanders around sparkling lakes and lagoons, past the Mall of America, to the legendary Minnehaha Falls. After stopping at the Falls, the tour continues to Fort Snelling and ends in Saint Paul.
For more information: 888-307-4168
Segway Magical History Tour
Motorized Segway scooters create a magical, three-hour guided tour through 12,000 years of history along several miles of the Minneapolis riverfront. The scooters are self-balancing and easy to steer leaving riders free to enjoy the sights and scenery, including St. Anthony Main, Stone Arch Bridge, Upper Lock and Dam, Hennepin Avenue Bridge, Mill Ruins Park, St. Anthony Falls, a stop for refreshments at Mill City Museum, Gateway Park, Sawmill District, Boom Island and Nicollet Island. The price of this unique Minneapolis tour is $69.95 per person. Tours operate daily from April 1st-November 15th.
For more information: 800-749-5584
Upper Saint Anthony Falls Lock and Dam Tour
The Falls of St. Anthony is the only waterfall on the 2,320-mile-long Mississippi River. Responsible for Minneapolis' rise as the flour milling capital of the world and the largest city in the state, this once thunderous 32-foot cascading waterfall is now controlled with a dam and a series of locks. Completed in 1963, this engineering feat made the Mississippi River navigable for the first time north of the Twin Cities. Tourists meet at the Visitors Center for a tour of the facilities and a birdseye view of the locks and dam.
For more information: 877-552-1416
Family Activities in Minneapolis
Nicollet Mall
Nicollet Mall transformed a faded downtown area in one of the country's first pedestrian malls. Today the twelve-block shopping mecca is home to hundreds of shops, theaters, restaurants and department stores. Shoppers stroll down shady boulevards landscaped with beds of flowers and enjoy the Mall's many attractions.
Como Park Zoo
Admission is free at this historic zoo in St. Paul's Como Park which opened in 1897 with a gift of three deer. Today the zoo exhibits exotic animals from all over the world, including the first Siberian tigers to be raised in captivity. Kids love the monkey house and the outdoor seal area. Other great family attractions in the park include a Japanese Garden, conservatory, golf course, amusement park and numerous trails for walking, biking and roller-blading.
The Zoo is open daily from 10:00 am-6:00 pm from April to September and 10:00 am - 4:00 pm from October to March. The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Admission fees are $7.00 for children ages 3-12, $12.00 for ages 13-64 and $8.25 for ages 65 and over. For more information: 651-487-8200
Science Museum of Minnesota
Founded in 1907, the museum is located in the state's capital city of Saint Paul. The Science Museum of Minnesota's five exhibit halls focus on paleontology, the human body, physical sciences and technology, peoples and cultures and the Mississippi River. A favorite with all ages is the Dinosaurs and Fossils Gallery filled with world-class specimens and interactive displays. One of the museum's most impressive dinosaurs is the skeleton of the 82-foot-long Diplodocus dinosaur, one of the largest creatures ever to roam the earth; it was discovered by Minnesota high school students. The museum's Imax Omnitheater delivers bigger-than-life science lessons for more than a million people every year.
For more information: 651-221-9444
Children's Theatre Company
Located in the Minneapolis Institute of Art facilities, this internationally acclaimed theatre company is setting new standards of excellence for children's theatre and is one of the largest of its kind in the world. In 2003, it became the first theater for young people to receive the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Since 1965, their goal has been to create extraordinary theatre experiences and to use theatre to educate, challenge and inspire young people. Recently audiences from pre-schoolers to teenagers have enjoyed Disney's High School Musical, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and A Year with Frog and Toady. Ticket prices vary from performance to performance.
For more information: 612-874-0400
Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul
This popular children's museum sparks children's learning and imagination with extraordinary hands-on, action adventures for kids ages six months through 10 years. The Earth World exhibit encourages exploration and learning with exciting animal shows that bring kids face-to-face with turtles and other live creatures. Youngsters can crawl through a big log and a giant anthill and meet the queen ant or go into a beaver den, put on a costume and pretend to be a busy beaver. The Our World exhibit connects children to people, places and communities by letting them play grown-up roles such as working in a Spanish grocery store (mercardo) or a Korean restaurant.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Friday, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm; Memorial Day through Labor Day: Also open Monday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm For more information: 651-225-6000
