Minneapolis and Saint Paul are known as the Twin Cities. Located in Minnesota, they often get skipped over by people looking to plan a weekend. Some might even call Minnesota a flyover state, but as someone who spent most of my life there, I couldn’t disagree more. If you are someone that loves a good Bloody Mary, some really nice people, and two wonderful cities within a 10-mile radius, I think you need to give Minnesota a chance.
We put together a list of our top ten things to do in the Twin Cities. We have spent time living in both and would cringe if you asked us our favorite of the two. They both have their own flavor and warrant their own attention. Growing up here allows you to have two major cities at your fingertips.
What’s the Difference Between Saint Paul and Minneapolis?
Why are there two large cities so close? Are they actually different? YES! There are two completely unique downtown areas, and each city has its own vibe.
Saint Paul
Saint Paul is the twin with a little more history and a bit smaller population. The downtown is fairly quiet on weekend evenings, but they have a large downtown farmer’s market and historic neighborhoods to spend some time in. You will have your pick of dive bars, Irish pubs, and great restaurants.
The Capitol building and Cathedral really make the skyline unique. Visit the History Center for interesting exhibits about Minnesota’s history, or take a tour of the Capitol building and see the second largest self-supporting marble dome in the world (after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome). The mansions of Summit Avenue tell stories of the heydays of the railroad business and the birthplace of F. Scott Fitzgerald. You can even stay at the Saint Paul Hotel, where many presidents have spent the night.
This is also the city I was born and grew up in, so it’s extra special to me.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis gets more active at night. It’s the newer, larger, more modern twin. There are a lot of great breweries, three giant sports venues, and all kinds of fun near the University of Minnesota’s main campus. With the chain of lakes and the Sculpture Garden, there is a lot of green space as well. Don’t worry, you can still enjoy a little history with the Mill City Museum, which covers the importance of the Mississippi River in the flour and logging industry.
We spent quite a few years living here as adults in a few different neighborhoods. This city has changed a lot in the last few years, and there’s so much more I have on my list to explore.
While the downtown areas are quite different in the Twin Cities, the neighborhoods give off similar laid-back vibes that are perfect for a weekend of exploring. There is something for everyone.
The Basics
Let’s start with the basics for your visit before diving into the list of the best things to do in the Twin Cities.
Getting Around
The Twin Cities are continuously voted one of the best biking cities in the country. They have NiceRide bikes to rent all over the city. They also have a light rail that connects the airport to both downtowns. Lyft and Uber are prevalent and inexpensive. Driving is very easy here as well and will allow you to get everywhere you want to be without much hassle.
Places to Stay
Any hotel in either downtown area will be easy to navigate from. Our recommendations would be this one in downtown Minneapolis or this one in Saint Paul. There are some great hotels in the suburbs of Roseville and Bloomington, which are both pretty centrally located as well. AirBnBs are another popular option, and you can find quite a few, especially in the Dinkytown and NE Minneapolis areas near the U of M.
When to Visit
The Super Bowl was there in 2018. This was exciting because the north gets a horrible reputation of being a miserable place in the winter, but Minnesotans have just learned how to embrace it and enjoy it. That said, if it’s your first time visiting, I would recommend visiting in the summer months. The Twin Cities come alive in the summer months with festivals, outdoor patios, and plenty of ways to get in the water to cool off.
Top Ten Things to do in the Twin Cities
It’s hard to pick just our top ten favorites, but we narrowed down the list to make it easy to plan your weekend. We’ve included a couple of extras in our sample itinerary below as well.
Cheer On Teams at any Local Sporting Event
The women of Minnesota are the big winners. The NWHL team, the Whitecaps, were national champions in 2019. The MN Lynx have won the title multiple times. You can grab tickets to see those champions or take in one of the other major sports teams. All the stadiums feature great local beers and good food.
The MN Twins have an amazing stadium called Target Field, with great food and a view of downtown. In colder weather, you can check out the Vikings and their amazing venue. The Timberwolves play across the street from the Twins as well at Target Center.
On the other side of the river, you’ll find the professional Hockey and Soccer teams in Saint Paul. Plus, you can grab tickets to our favorite sporting event in the Twin Cities, the St. Paul Saints. One of the team’s owners is Bill Murray, who is often spotted at the games. Sit in the cheap seats and cheer them on while watching the sunset behind the skyline.
Enjoy a Good Bloody Mary with All the Toppings
A Bloody Mary is a cocktail made with tomato juice, a blend of spices, and vodka. Each place makes its own unique mix, so you might get some that are spicier than others or have more of a horseradish flavor. After trying them in many cities in the country, I definitely prefer this drink made in MN.
Hell’s Kitchen in Minneapolis is a great spot for this classic brunch drink. We don’t recommend the food here, but we definitely recommend buying a ticket for the 35-foot “build your own Bloody Mary” bar. You won’t be hungry after you see all the snacks you can pile on top of your drink. There are no less than 40 kinds of hot sauce and every veggie you could think of to add to your cocktail. Once you’ve concocted your drink, you can pile on waffles, chicken wings, and pizza – it just has to balance on the glass. We try and visit every time we are home.
If you don’t want to do the work yourself, plenty of brunch spots in town offer a Bloody Mary. You’ll be pleased to know that it is customary in Minnesota to serve the drink with a small glass of beer.
Take a Beer Tour of Twin Cities Breweries
The Twin Cities are home to over 80 different microbreweries. If you love beer, this is a great destination that stacks up with Portland and San Diego. There are a few neighborhoods that have a concentration of breweries and make for some great beer tours.
Located near Target Field in downtown Minneapolis, the North Loop neighborhood is blowing up. There are tons of breweries. You could spend an entire weekend just checking those out. Our favorites are Modist, Fulton, and Inbound. Once you’re hungry, head to the Smack Shack or the Freehouse.
Northeast Minneapolis is a little more established than the North Loop. You cross the river and find another giant selection of delicious craft beers. A couple of favorites include Able Seedhouse+Brew, 612Brew, and Bauhaus. They have rotating food trucks, including our favorite, the Herbivorous Butcher – one of the best vegan spots we’ve ever tried.
Obviously, you can head to Saint Paul to check out a few of their top spots. Lake Monster, Urban Growler, and Dual Citizen are lumped close together and offer a great variety.
Visit Minnehaha Falls and the Mississippi River
Minnehaha Falls are located right in the middle of the city. It’s amazing to see any season. In the winter, they completely freeze over. The spring months have the falls pumping as the snow melts. And in Summer and Fall, you’ll enjoy the natural beauty and all the great hikes in the park. Take the trail down the stairs past the falls and it will take you along the creek to the Mighty Mississippi River.
The Mississippi River divides Minneapolis and Saint Paul and travels all the way south to New Orleans before flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. You can enjoy great views of the river in many places throughout the city, but this park will make you feel like you’re out in nature. Fort Snelling State Park is another cool spot to get some river views, plus you can explore the old military fort from the 1800s.
Embrace the Minnesota Art Scene at Can Can Wonderland
Sure, the Minneapolis skyline is famous for the Cherry and Spoon sculpture at the Walker Art Center, but that isn’t my favorite way to enjoy local artists. Can Can Wonderland is my favorite. In an old warehouse, an arts-based public benefit corporation transformed the space into a miniature golf course, arcade, and fun cocktail bar with live entertainment. Each golf hole was created by a different local artist and has a unique theme. You’ll have the chance to putt your ball into holes themed after tornados, the State Fair, grandma’s living room, and even a golden toilet.
Once you’re done with your golf game, you can enjoy classic arcade games or sample one of their famous boozy milkshakes or cocktails. My favorite is the cocktail that comes in a plant pot, but the menu is constantly changing. This is a fun activity for a rainy day or cold winter afternoon. Support the art community while having so much fun at this local treasure.
Learn About Minnesota Music
If you are a music fan, the Twin Cities are home to a bunch of great concert venues. First Avenue is one of the most famous. You’ll usually find purple flowers outside now that Minnesota’s most famous resident has passed away – Prince. In fact, if you’re a big Prince fan, you are able to visit Paisley Park (his home and recording studio) about 30 minutes south of the cities. Check out this local calendar to see what’s playing.
Walk through downtown Minneapolis to find murals dedicated to Prince, different generations of Bob Dylan (another MN legend), and the unique music wall near the Foshay Tower. With so many great music venues, it’s clear why this is always a stop for bands on national tours.
Order a Juicy Lucy
We are not meat-eaters anymore, but still recommend this to anyone visiting the Twin Cities. It is a food item that has been featured in many different Travel Channel or Food Network shows. Imagine a burger with cheese cooked inside to a perfect molten texture. It usually comes with a warning flag to beware of the oozing gold on the inside. That’s a Juicy Lucy.
The two most famous places to get one are Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club. Both claim to be the creators of the famous burger, but we recommend Matt’s. If you’re feeling crazy, try both. It’s constantly a battle between the two and most locals have an opinion on which is better. As far as our favorite Juicy Lucy, we would advise heading to a lesser-known gem, The Nook. This restaurant is right across the street from my high school and family-owned for years. I think it should be considered in the future food wars episodes featuring this burger. So, our vote is the Nook, but it has been a while.
Eat, Drink, and Hang Out in the West 7th Neighborhood
Right on the outskirts of downtown Saint Paul, this area has recently erupted into a favorite for visitors and locals. The MN Wild hockey team plays at the Xcel Energy Center, which is in the heart of this area. The road is lined with a variety of bars and restaurants. Cossetta’s is an Italian family restaurant with a long history and our favorite pizza in town. The food truck park across the street is worth checking out for the Stripes taco truck and kool-aid cocktails.
Further down West 7th, you’ll find the old governor’s mansion called the Alexander Ramsey House. You can explore the different stands at Keg & Case Market. Or stop in for a martini at Mancini’s Char House. The street is packed with restaurants, shops, and places to hang out and relax.
Find One of the 10,000 Lakes
You cannot come to Minnesota without visiting one or ten of our famous 10,000 lakes (the number is actually 14,380). Each city has its own park system with lakes galore. Como Park in Saint Paul has a beautiful lake to walk around and a free zoo and conservatory for the kids. For more lakefront walking and more adult-friendly activity, head to the Chain of Lakes in Minneapolis. Bde Maka Ska is the main attraction with lakes on both sides of it for a full day’s worth of outdoor fun. You can kayak, bike, or just stroll.
There are so many different ways to enjoy the lakes in Minnesota during any season. Ask everyone you meet that lives there what their favorite is. You’ll probably hear so many different answers.
Experience The Great Minnesota Get Together
If you are lucky enough to visit the Twin Cities during the last week of Summer, you cannot miss the 12-day Minnesota State Fair. This fair is one of the largest in the country and it is amazing. You can find just about every kind of food fried and on a stick – alligator, deep-fried twinkles, pickles, ostrich, and so much more. Last year, I think we even had our first beers on a stick.
It isn’t just unhealthy fried food—you will find everything you could ever imagine from some of the state’s best restaurants. The amount of walking you do will help you work off the snacks and make room for more. Throw that in with free live music, carnival rides, strange butter sculptures, and some insane people watching and you’ve got a full day of fun.
More than a weekend?
Here are some great day trips or even overnights that are less than 2 hours from MSP airport.
Duluth & Lake Superior
Located about 2 hours north of the Twin Cities, this city on the lake has tons of awesome bars and restaurants, and the views of the 2nd largest lake in the world are amazing. They have tons of waterfront shopping and attractions. Highway 61 runs north out of town for some of the most scenic views in the state.
Check out our favorite stops along Highway 61 and the North Shore of Minnesota.
Northfield
This is a college town south of the Twin Cities that is worth a day trip. It has a lot of history and a great Main Street to walk around. It is a charming place to spend an afternoon.
Lake Minnetonka
Just outside the city limits of Minneapolis, you will find a boater-friendly lake that borders many small towns. Lake Minnetonka is huge and has many ways to get out on the lake to cruise around and check out the mansions. Excelsior is our favorite of the lakefront towns with a chilled-out vibe and good local flavor.
Stillwater
Our favorite of day trips from the Twin Cities is this small historical town on the banks of the St. Croix River. With views of the Wisconsin bluffs across the water, this picturesque little town is a great place for a sunny afternoon. The historic riverside streets are filled with shops, restaurants, and small boutique hotels. Plus, you can walk across the river to visit Wisconsin.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in the Twin Cities
This list is definitely not complete. We didn’t even mention exploring the skyways, the Mall of America, the Science Museum, or Grand Avenue. This was home for both of us for a huge chunk of our lives. We love returning to visit our favorite things to do in the Twin Cities.
That wraps up our list and has us missing home a little bit. Let us know if you are heading there and if you have any other questions in the comments below. We’re happy to give you more ideas.
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For more weekend adventures, check out our 3 day itinerary suggestions for Nashville, Tennessee or Austin, Texas.
