Scroll for Activity, Restaurant, Brewery and Distillery recommendations.
Activities
Stonearch Bridge
Visitors should visit the Stone Arch Bridge and the Mississippi riverside walk for stunning views of the river, waterfalls, and Minneapolis skyline from one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. It’s a perfect blend of history, scenery, and an easy, beautiful stroll—especially at sunrise or sunset.
Walker Sculpture Garden
One of Minneapolis most famous sites entails the centerpiece,“The Cherry in the Spoon”. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is an 11-acre urban sculpture park in Minneapolis featuring more than 40 permanent art installations.
It’s free, publicly accessible, and blends art, architecture, and green space, it’s ideal for a relaxed walk, photography, art appreciation, or a casual outing solo or with friends.
Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)
A world-class art museum in Minneapolis with a collection of over 90,000 works spanning some 5,000 years and representing cultures from six continents. Admission is free (for the core collection).
Inside you’ll find everything from ancient artifacts and Asian masterpieces to European paintings and contemporary works — offering a global art-history experience under one roof. It’s a great place for art lovers, curious minds, families, or anyone looking for a peaceful, inspiring spot to explore, learn, or just enjoy a quiet, beautiful environment.
Bde Maka Ska
Chain of Lakes (Lake Harriet, Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles) offers beautiful shoreline paths, peaceful scenery, and a perfect blend of nature within the city—ideal for walking, biking, or simply relaxing by the water. It’s one of the best ways to experience Minneapolis’s outdoor lifestyle in a single, scenic loop.
Minnehaha Falls - Minnehaha Park
Visit Minnehaha Regional Park and Minnehaha Falls to experience a dramatic 53-foot waterfall surrounded by wooded trails, river overlooks, and peaceful green spaces. It’s a uniquely scenic spot that feels like a natural escape right in the heart of the city.
Restaurants
The Twin Cities (Minneapolis + St. Paul) have a vibrant and constantly evolving restaurant landscape with something for every taste and budget. You’ll find everything from world-class fine dining to beloved neighborhood spots and global comfort food. The area’s dining reflects rich local history and its many immigrant communities, with standout offerings in Southeast Asian, East African, Hmong, Indigenous, Latin American, and classic American cuisines.
Note: Many of the restaurants are within walking distance of the downtown hotels.
🍔 Classics & Local Favorites
The region has iconic local eats like the Juicy Lucy burger — a cheese-stuffed hamburger unique to the Twin Cities. Matt’s Bar holds the title of the original creator of the Juicy Lucy.
🍷 Fine Dining & Notable Restaurants
For special occasions or foodie adventures, there are many acclaimed restaurants spanning styles and price points. Some noteworthy names:
Upscale / Signature Spots
Bar La Grassa — A beloved Italian hotspot known for its expertly crafted pastas, bold flavors, and lively, energetic dining room.
Khaluna — An upscale Southeast Asian restaurant blending Thai and Laotian flavors with refined presentation and craft cocktails.
Billy’s Sushi — A modern sushi destination known for high-quality fish, creative rolls, and an energetic, upscale atmosphere.
Spoon and Stable – A highly regarded New American restaurant offering seasonal, chef-driven dishes in a warm, polished space.
Owamni by The Sioux Chef – A groundbreaking restaurant showcasing Indigenous North American cuisine made with decolonized ingredients and techniques.
Bûcheron – A refined French-American restaurant highlighting classic French techniques with seasonal Midwestern ingredients; recent James Beard Award winner.
Porzana — A modern Italian chophouse known for its standout steaks alongside handmade pastas and refined, wood-fired dishes.
Demi – An intimate fine-dining experience featuring a multi-course tasting menu focused on precision, creativity, and storytelling.
Casual & Local Favorites
Hola Arepa — A vibrant, casual restaurant serving Venezuelan-inspired arepas, small plates, and craft cocktails in a colorful, energetic setting.
Diane’s Place – A creative café showcasing Hmong-influenced dishes with bold flavors, thoughtful plating, and a cozy neighborhood feel; recent James Beard Award winner.
George & The Dragon – A friendly neighborhood pub serving classic comfort food, solid cocktails, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Red Cow, North Loop — A popular burger spot known for quality ingredients, a broad beer list, and a lively yet approachable vibe.
Saturday Dumpling — A casual counter-service favorite specializing in handmade dumplings and comforting Asian-inspired small plates.
Brasa Premium Rotisserie- Northeast Minneapolis – A laid-back local favorite offering flavorful rotisserie meats and Caribbean-inspired sides ideal for sharing.
Red Rabbit Minneapolis – A bustling Italian-inspired restaurant serving pizzas, pastas, and cocktails in a fun, neighborhood setting.
Butcher & The Boar – A lively American restaurant known for hearty meat-forward dishes, whiskey selections, and an energetic dining room.
☕ Coffee Shops & Cafés
Coffee & caffeine favorites for casual mornings or lingering work sessions:
Lake and Bryant Cafe – Cozy, highly rated café with great pastries, coffee, and breakfast bites.
Càphin & Cream & Amber – Casual coffee spots with excellent drinks and neighborhood feel.
(Note: Others like this include Dogwood, SK Coffee, and Spyhouse.)Backstory Coffee Roasters – Local roastery and café known for quality espresso and thoughtful brews.
Heather’s – Popular brunch and coffee spot with a relaxed vibe.
Mojo Coffee Gallery – Art-gallery café loved for strong coffee and relaxed weekend brunch.
Walden Coffee – Well-liked neighborhood coffee house ideal for brunch with friends.
🍳 Breakfast & Brunch Favorites
Classic breakfast, brunch, and morning eats locals love:
**** Rise Bagel Co. **** — A cozy North Loop bagel shop serving house-made organic bagels boiled and baked the traditional way with creative schmears, hearty breakfast sandwiches, and quality coffee in a casual, bustling atmosphere.
The Breakfast Club – Classic comfort breakfast and brunch with hearty portions and great pancakes.
Hen House Eatery – Downtown favorite for all-day breakfast, scrambles, and stacks.
Our Kitchen – Uptown staple diner serving breakfast classics with loyal local fans.
Al's Breakfast – Tiny, beloved breakfast counter with old-school charm and big flavors.
Ideal Diner – Northeast classic with hearty breakfast favorites and crowd-pleasers.
Hot Plate – Highly rated local breakfast brunch spot with creative twists on morning classics.
Breweries
Minneapolis and St. Paul have a lively craft beer scene with dozens of breweries offering a wide range of styles — from classic lagers and IPAs to experimental sours, saisons, and seasonal releases. There are tens of local taprooms where you can sip fresh beer, often paired with food trucks or casual bites.
🎯 Iconic & community favorites: The region is home to well-known breweries like Surly Brewing Co. and Indeed Brewing Company, alongside beloved locals such as Pryes, Inbound, Falling Knife, and Insight Brewing — each with its own vibe and specialties. Plus many more!
🚶 Walkable beer districts: Neighborhoods like Northeast Minneapolis and the North Loop (both very close to downtown hotels) are popular for brewery hopping on foot — you can explore multiple taprooms within a short walk.
Weather
In mid-September, the Minnesota weather is typically mild and pleasant, with daytime highs of 70-75 and evening lows around 50-55. A light jacket or sweater is recommended for the evenings.