Spoonbridge and Cherry, Hell's Kitchen, Minnehaha Falls (@ricardo_canelon_photo) & the Guthrie Theater

If you've never been to the City by Nature, this itinerary will get you to all the iconic Minneapolis spots a first-timer should see in a three-day trip.

Day One:

• Arrive in Minneapolis and check into your hotel.
• Lunch suggestion: Hell’s Kitchen, a Minneapolis original, famous for their Lemon-Ricotta Hotcakes, homemade PB and quirky sense of fun.
• Activity: Visit Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, view Spoonbridge & Cherry, Hahn/Cock and LOVE sculptures among 40 sculptures in the 11-acre park located near the Walker Art Center, which operates this free garden in coordination with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
• Activity: Stroll over the Irene Hixon Whitney bridge to Loring Park (part of the Loring Park neighborhood) and the Loring Greenway to Nicollet, where you'll find restaurants, shopping and public art.
• Dinner suggestion: Brit’s Pub, where you can catch a game of lawn bowling on the rooftop or a refined meal on a rooftop with a year-round retractable roof at Union Rooftop.

Day Two:

• Breakfast suggestion: Keys Café Foshay in the historic, 1929 Foshay Tower.
• Activity: Stroll Nicollet and stop to see the Mary Tyler Moore statue at 7th Street, then the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center at 5th Street and the Minneapolis Central Library at 4th Street.
• Activity: Rent Nice Ride bikes (in season) or walk. Continue on to the Gateway area and see the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, Grainbelt Beer sign and cross the bridge to Nicollet Island. Check out the cobble-stone Main Street area and continue on to Water Power Park to see the top of the St. Anthony Falls. Continue on the path to the Stone Arch Bridge and cross the bridge with stops to read the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail signs and see the falls and Upper Mississippi Lock & Dam. Take a free tour of the Lock & Dam.
• Activity: Visit Mill City Museum; there, go on the Flour Tower and watch the film, “Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat,” then learn more about the early days of the city’s flour milling history in the exhibits area and be sure to stop in the Baking Lab for a treat.
• Activity: Stop at the Guthrie Theater building (open daily to the public) to see architect Jean Nouvel’s Pritzker Prize-winning design with a stop on the Endless Bridge and up to 9th floor for the Amber Box's golden-hued views.
• Lunch suggestion and activity: Visit Minneapolis Institute of Art – be sure to check out the period rooms and the collections that span 5,000 years. You can grab a snack or lunch at Mia's Agra Culture Coffee Shop & Cafe before spending a couple hours taking in all this free museum has to offer.
• Dinner suggestion: Eat Street – choose from among the diverse Minneapolis dining options on Nicollet Avenue, like 50-year-old gem Black Forest Inn.

Day Three:

• Breakfast suggestion: The Freehouse, a great breakfast spot – and a brewery!
• Activity: Explore the North Loop to explore the many boutique shops, cafes and breweries in this growing, popular area.
• Activity and lunch suggestion: Visit the American Swedish Institute at the historic Turnblad mansion. Lunch at their Fika cafe in the Nelson Cultural Center to try traditional Swedish meatballs, Cardamom buns or Gravlax.
• Activity: In any season, the 53-foot Minnehaha Falls is eye-catching – whether frozen in winter or flowing and lush with green foliage in warmer months, when you can also find Wheel Fun Rentals bike surreys, kids on the playground and lines out the door of the Sea Salt Eatery in the pavilion. Hike down to the creek, stroll or bike around this park gem in the middle of urban Minneapolis.
• Dinner suggestion: Bryant Lake Bowl, where you can have a filling meal, a local pint and take in a show or a game of bowling -- all in one spot.

Return Traveler Itinerary

Paisley Park, Midtown Global Market, Boom Island & Bauhaus Brew Labs

If you've been here before, welcome back; we've been expecting you (data shows visitors are likely to return once they've experienced Minneapolis). This sample itinerary will give you a deeper dive into the City by Nature in a three-day trip.

Day One:

• Arrive in Minneapolis and check into your hotel.
• Lunch suggestion: Kieran’s Irish Pub is conveniently located downtown and boasts traditional Irish food and drinks, live Irish music and an exceptionally friendly staff. If you're here in the warmer months, enjoy the large patio.
• Activity: Visit Boom Island Park and see the lighthouse and the Minneapolis skyline from the riverfront as you explore the trails that lead you along the riverside and park. You can also tour this area on two wheels by renting a Nice Ride bike or taking a Magical History Tour on a Segway.
• Activity: Go on a brewery crawl in Northeast Minneapolis, lovingly called "Nordeast" by locals. You can walk between 612Brew, Bauhaus, and Sociable Cider Werks all within less than 10 minutes.
• Dinner suggestion: End the evening at nearby Young Joni’s and enjoy delicious cocktails, globally influenced dishes and wood-fired pizzas. Make a reservation, as Chef Ann Kim is a 2019 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Midwest. End the night with a visit down the alley to the Back Bar; just look for the red light and have a nightcap in a spot reminiscent of your grandma's basement (in a good way).

Day Two:

• Breakfast/brunch suggestion: Barbette offers French cuisine using local, organic food in Uptown.
• Activity: Visit The Museum of Russian Art and experience the largest collection of Russian Realist paintings, as well as other examples of Russian art, history and culture.
• Activity: Whether you were a fan or not, a tour of Prince’s former home and studios at Paisley Park is not to be missed. Among the highlights are his private NPG Music Club, the studios where he produced his biggest hits, clothing and instruments he used and his private office and kitchen. (Note: This museum is 22 miles southwest of Minneapolis in Chanhassen, Minn., so you'll need transportation; and tickets must be arranged in advance.)
  
  While you're there, spend some time smelling the roses or hundreds of other flowers and trees at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, just down the street. Stop by the Apple House in the fall to sample the wares from the place the Honeycrisp Apple was invented.
• Activity and dinner suggestion: Complete your tour of the area at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres where you can catch a Broadway musical, musical act or comedy show and enjoy a pre-show meal from the nation’s largest professional dinner theatre, which has been producing hits since 1968.

Day Three:

• Breakfast suggestion: Enjoy pastries and coffee or other morning treats at Café Alma, located in a historic building within Minneapolis’ first neighborhood, which also houses Hotel Alma, a seven-room boutique hotel, and Restaurant Alma, where James Beard Award-winning Chef Alex Roberts and his team provide authentic hospitality in a cozy setting.
• Activity and lunch suggestion: Venture to Midtown Global Market, an internationally-themed public market in South Minneapolis, where you can explore more than 20 different cultures at this international public market, which features 45 businesses offering mouth-watering tastes, locally made art and international entertainment (check the schedule in advance). Try everything from camel-meat burgers to pasta to Baba Ghannuj. Wash it all down with a pint from East Lake Brewery.
• Activity: Visit Minnesota’s only Smithsonian-Affiliate Museum, The Bakken Museum, and enjoy a world-renowned collection of books and artifacts, as well as multiple interactive galleries on invention, science, plant medicine, and more. Don't miss the medicinal garden.
• Activity: Tour U.S. Bank Stadium and learn all about the Minnesota Viking’s $1.3 billion home, which also hosted Super Bowl LII, 2019 NCAA Men's Final Four and four years of the summer X Games, among hundreds of events and shows since opening in 2016. Even those who aren’t football fans will enjoy this behind-the-scenes experience. Check tour schedules online and plan ahead.
• Dinner: Your last night downtown gives you many options for dining so check out the plentiful suggestions from our team of insiders and enjoy every bite.

Lifestyle Writer & Influencer Itinerary

Stone Arch Bridge, Glamdoll Donuts, Weisman Art Museum & Hai Hai

This collection of Minneapolis favorites will fill your Instagram feed with crowd-pleasing beauty shots as you demonstrate how to enjoy the good life in Minneapolis.

Day One:

• Arrive in Minneapolis and check into your hotel.
• Activity: Head to the Weisman Art Museum perched high above the Mississippi River on the campus of the University of Minnesota, where you’ll first want to find the perfect vantage point for photos of the stunning metal façade, designed by Frank Gehry. Indoors you’ll find galleries holding more than 25,000 images, Native American Mimbres pottery and traditional Korean furniture.
• Dinner suggestion: Hai Hai in Northeast Minneapolis will transport you to Southeast Asia with tasty and colorful dishes of modern Vietnamese street food from James Beard Award finalist Chef Christina Nguyen. Hai Hai’s tropical craft cocktails are Insta-ready all the time but are perhaps most fun when the patio is open and you can snatch a seat on the tiny plastic stools that will feel just like you’re on the streets of Saigon.
• Dessert option: Save some room: Across the street from Hai Hai, Crepe & Spoon offers a delicious array of vegan ice creams and crepes.
• Activity: Catch a show on one of the Guthrie Theater’s three stages and be sure to arrive early enough to enjoy the views from the Endless Bridge and Amber Box. The 2006 Jean Nouvel building’s deep blue exterior mirror the mood of the river below and the former industrial neighborhood that’s now a posh place to be.

Day Two:

• Activity: Take an early morning photo walk or jog along Mississippi riverfront at Mill Ruins Park and the Stone Arch Bridge, where you’ll spy the best views of St. Anthony Falls and the city skyline rises to make dramatic backdrops for your selfies. (Also excellent spot for a “golden hour” shoot.)
• Breakfast suggestion and shopping: In the mood for a cold brew, espresso or matcha? Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea is a colorful and trendy staple in the North Loop. It's the ultimate spot for picture-perfect drinks and breakfast bites that taste as good as they look. Nearby, you'll find D.NOLO (Destination North Loop), a co-op shopping experience featuring products from cutting-edge retailers. From there, you’ll find a nearly endless string of haute boutiques as you roam the North Loop’s trendy streets.
• Activity: The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is a Minneapolis park adjacent to the Walker Art Center, with more than 40 artworks displayed across 11 beautiful acres. The most famous sculpture, the Spoonbridge and Cherry (Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen), serves as its centerpiece, but the big blue rooster (Katharina Fritsch’s Hahn/Cock) is a close second for photographs backed by the magnificent view of the downtown skyline and Basilica of St. Mary, the first basilica in the nation.
• Dinner suggestion: Cross the brightly hued Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge over Hennepin Avenue to Loring Park, where you can stroll while taking in more art and nature. Then grab a table at Café and Bar Lurcat for sophisticated American comfort food with a view.

Day Three:

• Breakfast (or anytime) suggestion: The popular, aesthetically-pleasing Glam Doll Donuts features doughs, fillings and icings prepared in-house from scratch in the company of a photo booth, a patio and a rotating collection of local artwork in the Eat Street location (a second shop is found in Northeast Minneapolis).
• Activity: See a lot in a short time by going on an expert-led sight-seeing tour from Experience the Twin Cities or join in on any number of food, historical, music, bike, boat, Segway an walking tours available in Minneapolis. Some are seasonal, so check websites and plan ahead.
• Lunch suggestion: Featuring street foods from around the world, World Street Kitchen tastes range from Asian-inspired rice bowls to falafel burgers.

History Buff Itinerary

Mill City Museum, Bell Museum, Bakken Museum & the American Swedish Institute

If you majored in history, geek out over old stuff or want to know who lives here and why Minneapolis exists, you can follow this itinerary to get all this and more. Go to these spots in any order, in a day or over several.

• American Swedish Institute is housed in a 33-room mansion featuring vibrant exhibits and programs about the Swedish culture. You can even nosh on Swedish meatballs and smorgasboard.
• The Bakken Museum will have you convinced that all Minneapolis museums are in mansions after you hit these first two spots. The Bakken is the only Smithsonian affiliate museum in Minnesota and features a world-renowned collection of books and artifacts, multiple galleries focusing on the wonders of invention and more.
• Bell Museum has been Minnesota's official natural history museum for over a century, preserving and interpreting the state's rich natural history. In it's new home (see, not a mansion) on the University of Minnesota's Saint Paul campus, you'll also find a planetarium, a woolly mammoth and creatures great and small.
• Hennepin History Museum preserves Hennepin County's history and shares it through engaging exhibits and programs in an historic home in the Washburn-Fair Oaks Historic District.
• Mill City Museum tells the story of the origins of Minneapolis in just 19 minutes flat, and takes you up and down an actual grain elevator where you'll learn how flour fueled the growth of the city. One of the best views of the Mississippi Riverfront can be had on the museum's observation deck. (The Minnesota Historical Society also runs the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul and Fort Snelling, and you can add those tours on to this busy schedule if you've got the time.)

Budget Itinerary

Como Zoo & Conservatory, Eat Street favorite Quang, The Lakewood Cemetery Memorial Chapel dome & a METRO Transit Green Line

When you're careful with your spending, you can still find a lot to do in Minneapolis where free and inexpensive activities are our specialty. Many of the above itineraries would also fit the bill, or you can substitute any of those activities into this one to create your perfect trip.

Day One:

• Hotels: You’ll find the best deals off-season (i.e., winter) or on weekends in Minneapolis. Hotel options are many – look for your stay here.
• Breakfast suggestion: In Dinkytown check out Al’s Breakfast, a James Beard America’s Classics winner in 2004, with made-from-scratch breakfast at only a 14-seat counter. They serve large portions for a small price but make sure you don’t bring a large group because of the limited seating.
• Activity: Stroll down Minneapolis’ downtown pedestrian thoroughfare, Nicollet, using these free audio tours, through the Loring Greenway to Loring Park and across the Whitney bridge to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, while soaking up free art from locals and well-known artists all along the way. Must-stop spots: Mary Tyler Moore statue, Berger Fountain and Hahn/Cock.
• Activity: Take in the sights of animals like giraffes and sloths, and tropical plants, a seasonal Sunken Garden and outdoor Japanese Peace Garden at the Como Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul, where admission is free (but donations gratefully accepted). Bring a picnic or grab a bite at the on-site café.
• Dinner Suggestion: Head to Keg & Case Market, where you can have your choice of tasty food from the market’s many vendors while browsing local maker’s wares.
• Activity: Catch the "golden hour" when you stroll across the Stone Arch Bridge and take in the Minneapolis skyline views, Saint Anthony Falls and Water Power Park, where you can get close to the top of the falls for a rare look.

Day Two:

• Breakfast Suggestion: Go to Hell’s Kitchen for all-day breakfast with their extensive menu (or later, happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m.). They also have a kid’s menu and large appetizers ready to share.

• Activity: Take a free, self-guided tour (or free pre-arranged group tours) at Lakewood Cemetery, where more than 150 years of Minneapolis history includes the gravesites of notables like Tiny Tim, Hubert H. Humphrey and Paul Wellstone, among the many leaders of the industries that made Minneapolis what it is today.

• Lunch Suggestion: Try one of many places to eat along Eat Street or other local favorites.

• Activity: Minneapolis is one of the top cities in the nation for its parks -- and one of the jewels in the crown is Chain of Lakes Park, which includes five of the city's 22 lakes: Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun), Harriet, Lake of the Isles, Cedar and Brownie, with connected parkways, waterways and all ways of fun including free performances in the summer, inexpensive boat and bike rentals and plenty of benches to watch the scene for free.

• Dinner Suggestion: Check out the insider list of cheap eats from Meet Minneapolis that includes Happy Hour deals.

• Evening Activity: Grab a Green Line METRO train and then watch the sunset at Prospect Park Water Tower, where a skyline view is worth the walk up the hill to the famous “Witch’s Hat” Water Tower. Once a year, the public can even go up the stairs inside the tower for a higher perch. After, head to Surly Brewing Co. where there’s always something fun happening in the Beer Garden or on their outdoor patio.

Uptown Minneapolis Itinerary

Bde Maka Ska, The Lynhall, Lynlake Brewing & Bryant Lake Bowl

Hotel Suggestion: Moxy Minneapolis Uptown is the only hotel in the area, but this boutique hotel with the social heart of a hostel is an excellent home-away-from-home while you’re visiting Uptown. There’s a music-themed lobby with an awesome record room and guitars in most rooms. This unique hotel also has lounge spaces, a 24-hour fitness area, a top floor party room, and a sleek bar that’s always open.

Day One

• Breakfast Suggestion: Although they’re open all day, The Lynhall has delicious breakfast food, pastries and coffee. It’s a market-inspired restaurant, and they also teach cooking classes.
• Activity Suggestion: Uptown is home to many famous murals, and the best way to check them out is by bike. Rent a bike from Wheel Fun Rentals and check out all the cool art around the area, including the Prince mural.
• Lunch Suggestion: If your group has varying tastes, stop by World Street Kitchen. This open kitchen food truck/restaurant serves up street food from across the globe.
• Activity Suggestion: Shop ‘til you drop at the many stores located all around Uptown. Whether you’re into thrifting or high-end fashion, unique art and home décor or kitchen supplies, it’s guaranteed you’ll find a shop that fits your style. Or, for shopping and dining in one place, check out Seven Points (formerly Calhoun Square).
• Dinner Suggestion: Named after James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim, Kim's blends bold Korean flavors with Midwestern ingredients. After dinner, head to the cozy Bronto Bar underneath the restaurant for a nightcap.
• Activity Suggestion: The Jungle Theater puts on five award-winning productions every year. If improv is more your style, check out HUGE Improv Theater which hosts comedy improv shows every day of the week.

Day Two

• Breakfast/Activity Suggestion: Bryant Lake Bowl serves up delicious breakfast/brunch until 3 p.m. every weekend. Enjoy a delicious meal, and afterwards enjoy a few rounds of bowling at the attached bowling alley.
• Lunch/Activity Suggestion: The Chain of Lakes is fun during every season. Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) is the closest to Uptown, and there you can hike the entire 3.4 miles, rent kayaks or paddleboards, snowshoe or whatever mode of transport your heart desires (and season dictates). There are plenty of places for a picnic, and lots of takeout options nearby.
  
• Activity Suggestion: If you’re an indie, foreign, art-house film lover, be sure to catch a movie at the Lagoon Cinema. Eclectic or a little more mainstream, shows here are not what you’ll find at the mall.
• Dinner Suggestion: For a variety of beers, a rooftop with great views, unique decorations, and great bar food, check out LynLake Brewery.
• Activity Suggestion: Uptown is known for its hip bar scene, so be sure to check a few out while you’re here. Uptown Tavern and The Pourhouse are all within walking distance of each other and boast happy hour deals and rooftop views during the summer. If you're more of a wine person, head to the Troubadour Wine Bar to sip wine, graze on cheese and listen to live music.

Black-Owned Minneapolis Itinerary

Minneapolis is home to a thriving Black community, with numerous artists, business owners and entrepreneurs. Here's your guide on how to support local Black-owned businesses in Minneapolis in a two-day itinerary.

Day One

• Breakfast Suggestion: Start your mornings off right with grabbing breakfast at Breaking Bread Café, which was founded by Appetite for Change. Breaking Bread Café was created to ensure there was a place for people to come together and enjoy delicious food made from scratch. They offer classic soul foods, like shrimp & grits and chicken & waffles.
• Activity: Next, stop by the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum, which opened in 2018. The MAAHMG is a community gathering place for people to celebrate Black history and preserve Black achievements, contributions and experiences in Minnesota.
• Activity: Visit the Strive + Sistah Co-op in IDS Center, a quaint shop and bookstore. This shop offers a variety of different patterns and accessories, as well as books written solely by Black authors, ranging from memoirs to children books.
• Lunch Suggestion: Head to the North Loop and get lunch at Soul Bowl, which was created in 2017 to change the narrative and bring people together to celebrate culture and community. Located within Graze Provisions + Libations food hall, where you can build your ideal bowl, starting with a base, veggie or meat and a sauce.
• Activity: Shop until you drop at D. NOLO, one of the fastest growing co-ops in the Midwest. It offers stylish clothing and a great shopping experience with a diverse selection of clothing, shoes, accessories and home furnishings. Also swing by Queen Anna's House of Fashion, a lifestyle boutique that focuses on offering socially conscious brands from small designers and independent fashion houses.
• Activity: Treat yourself to a little spa day at Taylor'd Skin & Esthetic Bar. With a friendly environment and wonderful service, all you have to do is relax and enjoy yourself.
• Dinner Suggestion: Cobble Social House, which is a trendy lounge located in the North Loop neighborhood. Here, you can consume their inventive cuisine and culturally inspired provisions.

Day Two

• Breakfast Suggestion: Start your morning off with breakfast at the Breakfast Bar of Minnesota. This Southern-inspired comfort food provides customers with a ‘soulful’ experience, from the food to the dining experience.
• Activity: Next, reserve your spot to tour the estate of iconic Minnesota superstar Prince, and peek into how he worked and lived at Paisley Park. This museum located southwest of Minneapolis, is a must for any Prince–or music–fan. Book one of their three tours, starting with The Paisley Experience, followed by their VIP Experience, and lastly their Ultimate Experience, which includes the most access to the estate. Check out Paisley's calendar for other events.
• Lunch Suggestion: Once you make it back to the city, stop by Pimento Jamaican Kitchen, an authentic Jamaican Street food restaurant on Eat Street. Owner, Tomme Beevas, received a 2021 James Beard Award and won Food Court Wars on the Food Network.
• Activity: The Twin Cities has a vibrant arts scene, especially when it comes to performing arts. Check out a show at Capri Theater a place full of rich history. Alternatively, check out the Penumbra Theatre. Penumbra is dedicated to producing thought provoking and relevant art through the lens of the African American experience.
• Dinner Suggestion: End the night with some dinner at STEPCHLD, Ethiopian-inspired cuisine, with inspiration from all over the world. Not only is their food tasty, but their drink selection is also impressive.

BIPOC-Owned Minneapolis Itinerary

Minneapolis is home to people from around the globe and you can experience their diverse taste and products throughout the city in this two-day itinerary.

Day One

• Start your morning off by getting your daily cup of coffee at MAPPS Coffee and Tea. They sell globally sourced ingredients with tastes from around the world, from Brazil to Ethiopia! Located in the Midtown Global Market.
• Activity: Stay and explore the Midtown Global Market, a place where culture and shopping intersect. The Global Market is home to 45 businesses, ranging from restaurants, clothing and accessories from all around the world. Stroll around the market and experience a vibrant world of music, arts and craft and food from places like Morocco, East Africa, Venezuela and many more.
• Lunch Suggestion: Once you’re done shopping, grab lunch from any of the vendors or shops you pass by!
• Dessert Suggestion: Right down the street is a quaint ice cream shop called La Michoacán Purepecha. They offer authentic Michoacán delicacies, from a large selection of popsicles, exclusive yogurts and ice creams, as well as a unique experience.
• Activity: Don't miss the Somali Museum of Minnesota. Minnesota has the largest Somali population outside of Somalia. This is the first and only Somali museum in the world. The Somali Museum showcases almost 700 pieces of traditional art and artifacts collected from Somalia. Make sure to check online or call ahead.
• Dinner Suggestion: A short walk from the museum is an authentic Mexican restaurant called Taqueria Los Ocampo. This family restaurant has served in the community since 2003. It’s equipped with a bar, great food and wonderful vibes!
• Activity: End the night with a show at the Theater Mu, the second largest Asian American theater company in the United States. Theater Mu is committed to uplifting Asian Americans in the productions they put on, showcasing talented actors and writers.

Day Two

• Breakfast Suggestion: Start your day with breakfast at Sammy’s Avenue Eatery, where the welcoming community and smiling faces only adds to the delicious food. Get a tasty breakfast sandwich at a place that values community and good deeds.
• Activity: Travel across the bridge to reach Roseline’s Place, which promotes sustainable business practices with a large selection of creative candles (which comes in a recycled candle holders), candle accessories and home goods. Roseline created this brand to mesh her passions, community and candles, and she offers candle making classes as well.
• Lunch Suggestion: Right down the street is Holy Land, a bakery, restaurant and grocery store rolled into one. With a large selection of Middle Eastern and American foods, like their kebabs, cheeseburgers and gyro wraps, it’s almost impossible not to love the mixture of tasteful flavors.
• Activity: Also in Northeast Minneapolis is the NE Sculpture Gallery, a collection of artworks from various artists of different backgrounds. Founded by 21 people, their goal is to support local artists and strengthen their community.
• Dinner Suggestion: A couple of blocks over is Hai Hai, an award-winning Southeast Asian Street food restaurant and bar. The owner, Christina Nguyen, a 2023 James Beard Best Chef Midwest nominee, was inspired by her favorite foods she grew up eating.
• Dinner Suggestion: Alternatively, get a reservation at Young Joni, an award-winning restaurant owned by Chef Ann Kim, the 2019 James Beard Best Chef Midwest winner and has appeared on the Netflix show Chef's Table: Pizza. The menu includes a diverse array of dishes as well as traditional woodfire pizzas try out their Korean BBQ pizza (beef short ribs, mozzarella, scallion, arugula, sesame soy chili vinaigrette) or their Perfect Pickle Pie (fermented pickles, mozzarella, fontina, smoked onions, chili, ranch, potato chips and dill). Make sure to stop by their speakeasy located down the alley alongside the restaurant. Keep an eye out for the red light in the alley, when it's on, the bar is open.
• Activity: Lastly, stop by the Cedar Cultural Center, a place where you can hear music from all over the world. The Cedar promotes intercultural appreciation through the use of art and music of all genres.

Two-Day Winter Itinerary

Minneapolis is known for its winters but perhaps not for the right reasons. The beauty of winter – the snow-covered trees, frozen lakes and festive look of a world covered in fresh fallen snow—and the cozy atmosphere of fires, warm beverages and hearty meals make for a unique storytelling opportunity when you embrace all a Minneapolis winter offers.

Day One

• Breakfast Suggestion: Start your morning off by getting breakfast at Hen House Eatery, a restaurant that specializes in breakfast food, serving countless options like omelets, pancakes, avocado toast and many more. Hen House Eatery is a place where you can enjoy a homemade meal cooked with heart and soul and served with a splash of creativity in the heart of downtown.
• Activity: Next, head to Theodore Wirth Regional Park, the largest park in the Minneapolis Park system with 975 total acres. Here, you can see the skyline of Minneapolis while also being immersed in nature. Start at the Trailhead, a four-season adventure hub where you can eat, relax and rent necessary equipment. The park offers countless activities to participate in, such as snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sledding/tubing. "Theo Wirth" also has cross-country skiing with almost 14 miles of groomed trails for beginners, intermediate and advanced skillsets.
  
• Lunch Suggestion: Once you build up an appetite, swing by the Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza, a cozy and welcoming restaurant in the North Loop whose pizzas come from coal-fired ovens, giving them a crispy crust and smoky flavor.
  
• Lunch Suggestion: Or alternatively, stop by the Red Rabbit, an authentic Italian restaurant, which features a large range of delicious dishes including fresh pasta, salads and wood-fired pizza made with locally sourced ingredients.
  
• Activity: Stokeyard Outfitters sauna experience provides a warm and intimate warm-up from the chilly weather. The wood-fired heat creates a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. They offer guided sessions at Hewing Hotel’s rooftop, where you can also catch a view of the Minneapolis skyline.
  
• Dinner Suggestion: An active day demands a meal at the Butcher’s Tale, a premium steakhouse that specializes in house-smoked meats, hand-crafted sausages and fresh seafood. The intimate and eclectic space features warm lighting and comfortable seating.
• Activity: Known for world-class productions and stunning architecture, the Guthrie Theater has three stages of entertainment, a couple of restaurants and a fun gift shop! This Pritzker Prize-winning designed building by Jean Nouvel sits on the bank of the Mississippi River with views of the riverfront and downtown, and is open to the public, with or without a ticket.

Day Two

• Breakfast Suggestion: Berry Sweet Kitchen is known for their delectable desserts and baked goods, but they also offer a variety of breakfast options that are worth trying like their sweet French toast and pancakes to savory breakfast tacos and sandwiches. They also serve gluten-free and vegan options.
  
• Activity: During the winter, the waterfall at Minnehaha Falls often freezes, creating a stunning natural ice sculpture. This is a unique sight that you won’t often see in the middle of a city. After viewing the waterfall, take a winter hike and admire the beautiful scenery.
  
• Lunch Suggestion: Cardamom is known for its exceptional cuisine that blends traditional Mediterranean flavors with modern techniques. The menu is extensive, featuring a range of vegetarian, vegan and meat dishes like lamb burger, fried eggplant schnitzel and Greek salad.
  
• Lunch Suggestion: The Lotus offers authentic Vietnamese cuisine that is both flavorful and healthy. From classic noodle dishes like pho, which is great for a winter day, to fresh spring rolls and banh mi sandwiches.
  
• Activity: There’s no shortage of ice-skating rinks in “the state of hockey.” Parade Ice Garden offers an indoor skating rink, equipped with skate rentals. There are designated free skating times, so make sure to check ahead of time! (Family movie buffs may recall it from the original "Mighty Ducks" films.)
  
• Activity: The Walker Art Center provides a perfect indoor destination to explore contemporary art, attend exhibits and participate in cultural programs. Check their calendar for performances and changing exhibitions. Score a selfie at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden across the street before you go.
  
• Dinner Suggestion: The cozy Aster Café is known for its beautiful views on the bank of the Mississippi River and its live music, which takes place most nights of the week. Their menu is filled with seasonal, locally sourced food like flatbread pizzas, soups and pastas.
• Activity: Sociable Cider Werks offers countless fun activities that pair well with their beverages. Go ice skating on their outdoor ice rink and, after, warm up by their firepits while eating some delicious food from the Sammy’s Avenue Eatery food truck, weather permitting.
  
• Activity: Or end your night off at Earl Giles, a distillery that is known for its high-quality spirits and elixirs. This refurbished warehouse is equipped with large windows, comfortable seating and countless living plants that surround you with a lush, green environment to contrast to the cool outdoors. They also serve THC-cocktails, low proof beverages and non-alcoholic drinks for the designated drivers.