Minneapolis is one of the greenest cities we’ve been to and one of the best big city destinations for outdoor lovers like us. So it’s no wonder that our perfect weekend in Minneapolis includes tons of outdoor destinations. But what’s more, Minneapolis has a unique food scene filled with fried foods and comfort casseroles. So this weekend in Minneapolis is jammed with healthy outdoor exercise and very unhealthy evenings filling your face with food, beer and wine. Sounds like the perfect weekend in Minneapolis to us!
Weekend In Minneapolis Itinerary
Day 1 – Nature and Shopping
Morning – Como Park
First, grab breakfast at Hope Breakfast Bar in St. Paul. This place has amazing breakfasts! From the fluffiest pancakes to the most exquisite chicken and waffles, get your fill here before starting on your day filled with a lot of walking.
Next, visit Como park. An absolutely amazing FREE zoo and botanical garden. A suggested donation is appreciated and well worth it. This zoo has polar bears, penguins, tigers and other colder weather animals. We’ve visited the zoo in every season and it’s fun no matter the season. In fact, winter is the best season for seeing active animals. Once done at the zoo, don’t forget the botanical gardens in Como Park. There is a tropical gardens, a butterfly garden, several outdoor botanical ponds in the summer and an impressive bonsai collection.
For lunch, try one of our favorite Mexican dives, Andale Taqueria, or one of the many Ethiopian Cafes in town.
Afternoon – Minnehaha Falls And Mall of America
After lunch, visit Minnehaha Falls. This is an impressive falls for being right in the center of a large metropolitan area. The park is nice too. You can wander the park trail and even get close up to the falls.
Next, whether you like shopping or not, you should visit the Mall of America during your first weekend in Minneapolis. The Mall of America isn’t so much a mall as it is a wonder of American consumerism. Every shop you could imagine from TJ Maxx to Burberry, plus tons of things to do besides shopping. We love the aquarium in the basement of the mall but the kiddos will love the roller coasters inside the mall. Even if you don’t want to ride the coasters, it’s worth seeing. Plus people watching here is just plain fun.
For dinner, grab a chill meal at one of the many local bars and grills. Eat some fried veggies and enjoy some local brews.
Lastly, check with the musical venues downtown to see if a performer you’re interested in is playing. There are bands, comedians or plays virtually every night of the week but shows do sell out on weekends. So if you are spending a literal weekend in Minneapolis make sure to get tickets ahead of time.
Day 2 – Art and History
Morning – Mill City Museum
Grab breakfast at Eggy’s Diner, a local favorite in the downtown area. They specialize in obviously – Eggs – but they also make some pretty unique creations for breakfast.
Next, spend the rest of your morning exploring the Mill City Museum to learn about the history of Minneapolis on your first weekend in Minneapolis. It’s always great to learn about the city you’re exploring and this will help you to orient the area your exploring within history. This museum has great interactive experiences that are fun for the whole family. The museum is also housed in an old flour mill which makes the historical experience even more immersive.
Before leaving the area, head toward the river and you’ll see the Stone Arch Bridge, one of the most iconic sights in Minneapolis. This is a pedestrian only bridge that allows you to walk over the Mississippi. Take a stroll over it for some great views of the downtown skyline and St. Anthony Falls.
For lunch, try one of the amazing bars serving up Juicy Lucys.
Afternoon – Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Afterward, stop at Sebastian Joe’s on your way to the sculpture garden. This ice cream shop makes their own ice cream and has some very unique flavors. Don’t worry if you see a long line. It moves fast and it does live up to all the hype.
Next, head to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. This great outdoor garden is filled with large 3D art. Some pieces, like the spoon are permanent and some rotate through the collection. If you’re a fan of art, consider checking out the Walker Art Center for indoor pieces of art.
Before the end of your day, make sure to stop by Surly Brewing, our favorite Minneapolis brewery. Stop for a beer or two before grabbing dinner downtown. The restaurants downtown highlight some of the best chefs in Minneapolis and a fancy dinner is a great way to end your weekend in Minneapolis.
Want to Adjust the Itinerary?
If you are only staying one day in Minneapolis, we think the morning of day 1 and afternoon of day 2 of our weekend in Minneapolis are the best.
If you have more time, check out our list of things to do in Minneapolis to extend your stay. Or consider taking a St. Croix road trip. This road trip starts just an hour from Minneapolis and takes you to the popular weekend getaway of Stillwater along with a few Wisconsin State Parks.
Where To Stay
If you can stay in downtown Minneapolis near the Mill City Museum, lots of the things on Day 2 of this weekend itinerary in Minneapolis will be within walking distance. There are some really cute and inexpensive home rentals in this area. Hotels are good options too but tend to be a little more expensive for the real estate you get.
Getting There And Around
Minneapolis has a major international airport. You’ll find frequent flights into Minneapolis from around the country and world.
The Twin Cities are pretty spread out and our weekend in Minneapolis is also spread out so you’ll need a car. You can get around by a combination of the light rail and ride shares, however it’s easier to navigate with a car. If you do have a car, you really can stay anywhere in the twin cities area. There are some neat home rentals from old victorian homes to trendy backyard cottages located in the more residential neighborhoods.
We hope this post has helped you to plan your own weekend in Minneapolis. We’ve spent many a weekend in Minneapolis and this is really the best of the best. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below and we’d be happy to get back to you.
