Located at the southern part of the northern state of Minnesota, the city of Minneapolis is a blend of beauty with cleanliness. If features more water bodies than we could ever explore. Starting with the River Mississippi, it features another 13 lakes, wetlands, waterfalls, and many more creeks. This is also the largest city of the state of Minnesota, and the larger among the Twin City Minneapolis - Saint Paul. Although Saint Paul is the capital of the state, Minneapolis is the unofficial business capital. Over 33 million people visit the twin city per year, and if you also have a plan; we have tailored a tour to help you explore the city better. Below this paragraph, we’ve indexed the best things to do in Central Minneapolis, Minnesota. So stay with us if you wish to know the fun side of the core community, which the maps usually skip.
1. Shop until your feet hurt at Nicollet Mall
If the downtown is the heart of Central Minneapolis, then Nicollet should be the prime artery. Do not get confused with the word mall here, because it’s actually the main shopping avenue of this city. It’s a mile-long, vehicle restricted, shopping oasis. This project was introduced to make this particular spot, the most important place in this city. Which is why Nicollet has branded stores, entertainment areas, and offices. You will see much more to do here than we can write about in a single paragraph. The shopping scene is just exceptional at Nicollet, do try.
Nicollet Mall
Address: 555 Nicollet Mall, Downtown Minneapolis, MN 55403,
2. Admire 360-degree views from the Foshay Museum and Observation Deck
This Art Deco landmark was constructed in the year 1929, and it remained the tallest building of the entire Midwest for the next 48 years. The design is slightly inspired by the Washington Monument, as the sides of Foshay are also sloping slightly to inward as it goes up. Originally employed for city’s commercial intents, Foshay transformed into a hotel in the year 2006. The building is 32 stories high, and it has an observation deck on level 31st. If you wish to have the panoramic views of the city from this height, ask for the deck tickets from the hotel reception.
Foshay Museum and Observation Deck
Address: 821 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402, USA
Website: Foshay Museum and Observation Deck
Opening hours: 11am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 10 USD
3. Take a leisurely stroll with your partner at The Commons
A great addition to the downtown, this is one of the newest world-class urban parks in the city of Minneapolis. The 17,000 sq meter (182986.5 sq. feet) area of this park is much like an oasis for this hectic city life. This park features so many great things like splash pad, coloring station, library, jungle gym, picnic area, and many more activities. It’s a wonderful hangout space that is family-friendly, and even dog-friendly. Visit with your partner and enjoy every bit of it.
The Commons
Address: 425 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA
Website: The Commons
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
Price: Free
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4. Pay your holy respect at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
Being situated within the walking distance of the most part of downtown, Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral is one of two chapels of the Twin Cities; another being the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Saint Paul. The church of Saint Mark’s was found in this city in the year 1858 and received the designation of a cathedral in the year of 1941. However, this Gothic Revival architecture is from the year 1910, which is when they moved the church to a new building in the middle of the city. It’s the house of worship for the downtown community; you can also visit and pay your holy respects.
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
Address: 519 Oak Grove St, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
Website: Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9am - 4pm; Fri: 9am - 12pm; Sun: 8am - 6pm (closed on Sat)
5. Check out interesting exhibits at the Wells Fargo Museum
Long before the invention of the motor vehicles, this nation was moving with carriage coaches. Better known by the ‘stagecoaches’ in the bygone era, they were considered a suitable mode of transportation for the long distances then. Wells Fargo also entered this carriage market in 1867 with the advertisement of express-delivery assurance. They used the stagecoaches as shown in the picture back in the time for their roundtrip journey between the West and the Midwest. Wells Fargo is a multinational finance company today, and this museum exhibits the memorabilia of their early days.
Wells Fargo Museum
Address: 90 S 7th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402, USA
Website: Wells Fargo Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: Free
6. Relax and unwind at Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park
This park has an area of over 71 acres (28.7 hectares) and swells on both sides of the Mississippi. Since the park lies in the middle of the city, it’s visited by a lot of people each day. Mostly, they would be jogging, walking their dogs, reading, or maybe just sleeping in the tree shades. If you’re also feeling a bit exhausted in the downtown, take a tour of the Central Mississippi Riverfront; sit on the grass near the stone arch bridge and revive your energy. The entrance is free and it stays open till quite late.
Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park
Address: East and West banks of the Mississippi River between & 35W bridges, Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401, United States
Website: Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
Price: Free
7. Check out the “Gold Medal Flour” sign
This sign would probably mean nothing for an outsider, but to a resident of Minneapolis; it’s an icon, a landmark, and a relic of his city. This history of it traces back to nearly 150 years ago when this city became the dominant flour producer for the world. The milling story of Minneapolis is a different subject and a long one too, but if we just stick with this sign; it’s fixed there since 1910. The neon light version that we’re seeing with this image is there since the year 1940.
“Gold Medal Flour" Sign
Address: 700 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
Website: “Gold Medal Flour” Sign
8. Take a look inside the Lumber Exchange Building
This red-bricked Romanesque architecture will forever remain the special one for the residents of this city, as it was the first skyscraper of Minneapolis. Constructed in the year 1885, it is famed to be the first fireproof building of the entire United States. It’s a popular wedding reception venue today, but you can enter the building for casual purposes too. Get inside of it and take a look, it features a blend of two generations. It boasts high-vaulted ceiling, exposed brick décor, marble flooring; plus: remodeled offices, skyway connectivity, and much more modern things.
Lumber Exchange Building
Address: 10 S 5th St #300, Minneapolis, MN 55402, USA
Website: Lumber Exchange Building
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 2am
9. Click pictures in front of the Bob Dylan Mural
A tribute to the greatest singer and song-writer of the history, this famous mural is painted over a five-story building by the famous Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra and his team. The wall painting is given a kaleidoscope look, which shows Bob Dylan in three images at three stages of his life. The quote written on the side is taken from his album from the year 1964 ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’; actually, it does match with the phases too. Find this downtown location, click a picture with the mural and share it with the world.
Bob Dylan Mural
Address: 1, S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402, USA
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
10. Plan a picnic with family at Stevens Square Park
It’s a nice little park in the Stevens Square neighborhood; the southernmost part of the Central Minneapolis. It’s pretty much an average garden but here you will see families picnicking instead of just pairs relaxing on the grass. Since it’s a safe and welcoming place for families; why not plan a picnic day. The park ground covers children playground, a barbecue area, and also a public restroom.
Stevens Square Park
Address: 1801 Stevens Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
Website: Stevens Square Park
Opening hours: 6am - 12am (daily)
Price: Free
11. Check out the collection at the Museum Louvre It Or Leave It
Although this place has no ties with Paris’s Louvre Museum, it’s still a splendid exhibition with real antiques from around the world. We cannot claim that this museum should take a position on your must-go index, but we can confirm that this gallery deserves a visit when you’re passing by it through the downtown. They feature a variety of antiques and crafts, and the theme of art forms also varies here. Some specimens that you will see here: lithographs, paintings, ceramics, cloths, and more of such objects.
Museum Louvre It Or Leave It
Address: 608 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55402, USA
Website: Museum Louvre It Or Leave It
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 2:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: Free
12. Admire the architecture at Substance Church Downtown Historic Wesley
It is considered an emerging church of the United State, but the founder and pastor, Peter Haas denies the claim. The non-denominational approach of this church and the neo-charismatic speeches by its young pastor has made it the most-youthful church of our time. Over 1/3rd of its believers are still under the age of 30. And as their worship methodology is rare, so is the architecture; Substance Church hallmarks Richardsonian Romanesque style of design. Visit this place and admire the picture-perfect venue.
Substance Church Downtown Historic Wesley
Address: 101 E Grant St, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
13. Stop by the famous Music Wall
It was the decade of the 70s when this musical wall went viral all over the world; Time Magazine also did an article in this regard. It’s said that the wall was painted by the Schmitt Music Company when this building served as their central office. And if you’re wondering about the musical notes, it’s a century-old piano-suite called the ‘Gaspard de La Nuit’; written by a French composer, pianist, and conductor Joseph Maurice Ravel. This is also a renowned landmark of Central Minneapolis and a must-visit location for an outsider.
Music Wall
Address: 94 S 10th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
Website: Music Wall
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
14. Learn about the history of the floor industry at Mill City Museum
Mill City Museum is situated inside of the ruins of Washburn A Mill, the chief flour milling plant from the Washburn Crosby Companies; which later changed the name to General Mills after a mega-merger. This particular flour mill was the largest flour mill of the world in the decade of 1880, and it single-handedly did the most work for the advancement of this city. The Gold Medal Flour sign that we’ve discussed in an earlier head is also fixed here. Now also registered as a National Historic Landmark, you can get the chronicles of flour milling of Minneapolis from this museum.
Mill City Museum
Address: 704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
Website: Mill City Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Price: 12 USD
15. Watch a live play at the Guthrie Theater
Guthrie was founded in the year of 1963 by Sir Tyrone Guthrie and a handful of his mates. When his group got sick of the higher asking prices from the Broadway, and the ever-growing suppression from the extravagant production houses; they thought about opening a non-profit venue that encourages the small indie theatricals. Because of their hard work, we have this massive 20,000 sq. feet (1858 m2) theater on the banks of Mississippi, which comprises three stages complex, and some public lobbies.
Guthrie Theater
Address: 818 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA
Website: Guthrie Theater
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)
16. Try American cuisine at Café and Bar Lurcat
Taste the typical American flavors like beef short-ribs, smoked bacon, and fries and rolls; at Café and Bar Lurcat. The place belongs to the group D’Amico Family of Restaurants, a renowned chain in the Twin Cities Minneapolis - Saint Paul. American cuisine is a blend of several cultures that ever lived on this land, and this eatery could serve you almost every variety of it. Alongside, they feature a mega-collection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Consider this restaurant when you wish to eat something good. The location is in downtown, near the Walker Art Center.
Café and Bar Lurcat
Address: 1624 Harmon Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
Website: Café and Bar Lurcat
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4:30pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 4:30pm - 11pm; Sun: 4:30pm - 9pm
17. Quench your thirst with a couple of drinks at Brit’s Pub
There is no better pub in the whole of Minneapolis, where you will see more playful settings than Brit’s Pub. This place has a bar, an eatery, and above all else; a 10,000 square feet (929.03 meter square) English garden for Lawn Bowling sessions. This sport is almost identical to Bocce, but with a couple of differences. Anyway, Brit’s Pub features an extensive food menu, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and desserts. They have pool tables as well, and they offer free Wifi to guests. This place is totally recommended from our side.
Brit’s Pub
Address: 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
Website: Brit’s Pub
Opening hours: 11am - 2am (daily)
18. Hit the dance floor at REV Ultra Lounge
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
We could have listed another well-known nightclub, but we are picking up a little lounge. Do you know why? It’s because the size doesn’t matter for clubbing. REV Ultra shines where it matters the most, the quality of music and the ambiance. This club is very young, so young that they do not even have a website of their own yet; you can see that they are managing public promotion through a Facebook page. But trust us, you will enjoy the experience. The entry is cheap, drinks are inexpensive, and they are in downtown.
REV Ultra Lounge
Address: 731 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
Website: REV Ultra Lounge
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 10pm - 2am (closed from Sun & Thu)
Price: 20 USD
19. Pamper your body at Embury Spa
Based at Loews Hotel, this is a notable spa center of the city of Minneapolis. Although a wellness center is not something you would normally see on our index, we have reasons for putting it here. When your body will get tired of doing the things that we have listed here, a spa session will help revitalize the zeal. Embury Spa is situated on the sixth floor of this hotel, and here you will be having body massages and touch-ups.
Embury Spa
Address: 601 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
Website: Embury Spa
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 8pm; Sun: 10am - 6pm
20. Catch a live baseball match at U.S. Bank Stadium
You have checked all the major things, we even listed a spa center, so it’s time for some real entertainment. On the concluding spot, we are recommending the U.S Bank Stadium to offer you fun-filled three hours. Catch a baseball game when you arrive at Minneapolis, you can check the local calendar for that. The stadium was opened pretty recently in the year 2016, and it’s used for NFL and baseball. The seating capacity is about 70,000.
U.S. Bank Stadium
Address: 401 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA
Website: U.S. Bank Stadium
Seriously, that’s not all
We have indexed the more useful information about the core region, which should be helping a tourist to cover this city like a local. But you do realize that Minneapolis is a grand-sized city, one cannot just bind all the best features together with an article. Thus, together with our recommendations, never stop looking for the cool stuff around you.
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