Things to Do
For our family and friends from out of town, we want you to enjoy the most out of your time in Minneapolis. Since the city is split up into many neighborhoods, here are some of our favorite spots to eat, drink, and explore in each neighborhood. Choose your own adventure!
* our absolute favorites *
Downtown, North Loop & Mill District
This is the area where the wedding venue and hotel blocks are. It’s walkable, younger, and the most modern area of the city.
FOOD & DRINK
For a pastry, stop by Bellecour.
For a coffee, head to Caphin or Backstory.
For breakfast, eat at Hen House* (get the OJ).
For a nice meal ($), stop by Parlour (for the burger) or Red Cow (also for a burger).
For a really nice meal ($$), visit Spoon & Stable* or Porzana.
For a great dive bar, head to Cuzzy’s* (bring a dollar bill and order a grape ape).
EXPLORING
For a morning outing, head to the Mill City Farmer’s Market.
For a good history lesson, visit to the Mill City Museum during museum hours.
For exploring, walk across the Stone Arch Bridge* or along the Mississippi River.
Northeast & St. Anthony Main
This area with the best restaurants (in our humble opinion), great access to the river, and is the artsy neighborhood.
FOOD & DRINK
For a coffee, stop by FRGMNT (St. Anthony Main) or Alma Cafe.
For a nice dinner ($), visit Hai Hai* (the Hanoi sticky rice? 10/10) or Aster Cafe.*
For an even nicer dinner ($$), make a reservation at Diane’s Place, Vinai, Oro by Nixta, or Minari. These are all close to the venue for the welcome party!
For craft beer and seltzers, visit Indeed Brewing or Bauhaus.
For a fun wine bar, stop by Small Hours.*
For a great dive, go to Grumpy's.*
EXPLORING
For a nice walk, stroll St. Anthony Main Street and the Stone Arch Bridge.*
Uptown & Southwest
This is where we live! There’s a lot of green space, is very bike-able, and has the best bakeries in the city.
FOOD & DRINK
For coffee and a pastry, visit Rustica*, Mosaic Coffee, Honey & Rye or Black Walnut.
For gluten-free pastries, visit Hold the Wheat.
For a great dive, visit CC Club.*
For an Irish pub, visit Morrissey’s.
For a good meal, visit Victor’s 1959 Cafe.
EXPLORING
For nature that makes you forget you’re in a city, walk around the chain of lakes*:
Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet, and Cedar Lake.
For a fun activity, go to Bryant Lake Bowl (but you’ve gotta know how to count!).
Longfellow, Seward & Southeast
This is the most alt and diverse area of the city. Great global foods, home of the Jucy Lucy, and chill vibes.
FOOD & DRINK
For great coffee, visit Northern Coffee Works.*
For great baked goods, stop by Baker’s Wife.
For great Latin food, visit El Mercado Central.*
For global cuisines, head to Midtown Global Market.
For getting a Jucy Lucy (cheese-filled patty), visit Matt’s Bar* or 5-8 Club.
EXPLORING
For great nature walks, visit Minnehaha Falls.
For a chill park day, go to Powderhorn Park.
For lake access, head to Lake Nakomis.
University, Dinkytown & Como
Close to the University of Minnesota, this neighborhood feels like a college campus. Ski-u-mah!
FOOD & DRINK
For a Minnesota classic, visit Surly.
For big group eating, check out Malcolm Yards (multiple restaurants, one spot).
For a good cocktail, check out O’Shaughnessy’s Distillery.
For great Chinese food, eat at Shuang Cheng in Dinkytown.
For beers and burgers, visit Blue Door* in Como.
EXPLORING
For a good walk, check out the U’s campus (our alma mater).*
North & Bryn Mawr
This area of the city has the biggest park in the city and is pretty chill.
FOOD & DRINK
For coffee, visit Misfit Coffee.*
For a big brewery, head to Utepils.
For barbecue, eat at Animales.
EXPLORING
For great nature, visit the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary at Theodore Wirth Regional Park.
For city golfing, check out Theo Wirth golf course.
For a farmers market, visit the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market.