Visit the “Mini Apple” for music, art and global cuisine.
Minneapolis, Minnesota — known for its Scandinavian roots — sits at a much more global table these days, thanks to its diverse population of West Africans, Hmong Americans and Mexicans, to name just a few of the nationalities (and cuisines) you’ll find in this “Twin” City. It’s also called the “Mini Apple” (you have to say it out loud to hear the pun), a nickname that refers to its sophisticated, skyscraper-spiked downtown and commitment to supporting the arts, including the Walker Art Center, one of the country’s best contemporary art museums.
Explore Minneapolis
- Downtown
- Uptown
- Dinkytown
- St. Paul
- Bloomington
Downtown
Overview
Downtown Minneapolis is where you’ll find music venues, theaters, sports arenas, restaurants and cafés. Be sure to stroll down Nicollet Mall, a 12-block, partially pedestrian-only thoroughfare flanked by shops and restaurants.
Known For
Dining, Nightlife, Museums
Uptown
Overview
In 1980, local celeb Prince crooned that “Everybody’s going Uptown. That’s where I want to be.” It’s still cool, particularly around Calhoun Square, which is flanked by trendy restaurants and bars and funky shops.
Known For
Dining, Bars, Nightlife
Dinkytown
Overview
Home to the University of Minnesota, Dinkytown has a youthful energy, along with affordable bars, bistros and coffee shops.
Known For
Students, Dining, Bars
St. Paul
Overview
While Minneapolis’ “twin” has the grand and formal governmental buildings you’d expect in a state capital, it has a fun side, too. The city embraces its cold climate with a massive winter festival and a pro hockey team. There are also impressive food trucks and a craft-beer scene.
Known For
Museums, Festivals, Sports
Bloomington
Overview
This is where you’ll find America’s largest shopping center, the Mall of America. So much more than a massive collection of retailers, the venue houses a movie theater, a flight-simulation ride and, for children, an aquarium, amusement park and other kid-friendly fun.
Known For
Shopping, Dining, Airport
Stay in The Center of it All
Immerse yourself in your destination at these centrally located hotels.
Discover Food, Art and Culture in Minneapolis, Minnesota’s “Mini Apple”
Head Uptown
Grab breakfast at the quirkiest diner in the city before heading Uptown for window-shopping and a stroll around Lake of the Isles. Grab an artisanal pizza at Young Joni for dinner, then wind down with live jazz.
Enjoy a Purple Saturday
Take a tour of Prince’s palace, Paisley Park, and learn everything you ever wanted to know about the self-proclaimed “Purple Yoda.” Then visit the Mill City Museum to explore the city’s history as a flour-making hub. Close out the evening with a concert at legendary music venue First Avenue.
Browse the Galleries and Boutiques
Visit the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis’ great contemporary art museum, and spend some time in the expansive sculpture garden. Then do some shopping at the Mall of America or the Midtown Global Market and finish your day with a stop at the American Swedish Institute or the Minneapolis Institute of Art.