Guidebook for Minneapolis
Drinks & Nightlife
Because... awesome. If you go looking, you'll think Google has made a mistake, but it's back there, tucked behind the warehouses. Trust. Or just follow the streams of people flowing in and out of the formerly secret currently hippest watering hole in MPLS. Great spot. Great cocktails. Food trucks if you want to try another drink but need to balance it out.
93 residents recomanen
Tattersall Distilling
1620 Central Ave NEBecause... awesome. If you go looking, you'll think Google has made a mistake, but it's back there, tucked behind the warehouses. Trust. Or just follow the streams of people flowing in and out of the formerly secret currently hippest watering hole in MPLS. Great spot. Great cocktails. Food trucks if you want to try another drink but need to balance it out.
Bang is Ian's favorite local brewery. They make a top notch product. A tiny operation, Bang occupies just one converted grain silo in an industrial neighborhood of St Paul. Their outdoor seating is cozy and ample, and they always have a food truck or two pulled up outside. This place is a stark contrast to the larger, more commercialized local breweries like Surly. And that is the best part about it.
12 residents recomanen
Bang Brewing
2320 Capp RdBang is Ian's favorite local brewery. They make a top notch product. A tiny operation, Bang occupies just one converted grain silo in an industrial neighborhood of St Paul. Their outdoor seating is cozy and ample, and they always have a food truck or two pulled up outside. This place is a stark contrast to the larger, more commercialized local breweries like Surly. And that is the best part about it.
The Cedar Cultural Center
416 Cedar AveSmaller venue, close to home.
This is both a restaurant and a music venue. It is a pretty cool place to catch a last minute show.
99 residents recomanen
Icehouse
2528 Nicollet AveThis is both a restaurant and a music venue. It is a pretty cool place to catch a last minute show.
Minneapolis is all about the brewery and distillery scene right now. Lawless is a nice distillery that is walking distance from home. Check it out!
26 residents recomanen
Lawless Distilling Company
2619 28th Ave SMinneapolis is all about the brewery and distillery scene right now. Lawless is a nice distillery that is walking distance from home. Check it out!
Arts & Culture
Modern Art. With a capital M. In addition to the indoor museum space, they have a sculpture garden for some nice meanderings.
606 residents recomanen
Centre d'Art Walker
725 Vineland PlModern Art. With a capital M. In addition to the indoor museum space, they have a sculpture garden for some nice meanderings.
MPLS history, built on the ruins of what was the largest flour mill of its time. A trip here can be part of an afternoon in the Mill District. Be sure to walk across the Stone Arch Bridge, wander the Guthrie Theater, try some ice cream at Izzy's, and hang out in Gold Medal Park.
217 residents recomanen
Museu de la Ciutat del Molí
704 S 2nd StMPLS history, built on the ruins of what was the largest flour mill of its time. A trip here can be part of an afternoon in the Mill District. Be sure to walk across the Stone Arch Bridge, wander the Guthrie Theater, try some ice cream at Izzy's, and hang out in Gold Medal Park.
The Guthrie puts on world class shows. It is also open to the public, and can be fun to wander around as an architectural interest. They have a couple of great viewing spots for skyline, river and city views. A trip here can be part of an afternoon in the Mill District. Be sure to walk across the Stone Arch Bridge, try some ice cream at Izzy's, check out the Mill City Museum, and hang out in Gold Medal Park.
376 residents recomanen
Teatre Guthrie
818 S 2nd StThe Guthrie puts on world class shows. It is also open to the public, and can be fun to wander around as an architectural interest. They have a couple of great viewing spots for skyline, river and city views. A trip here can be part of an afternoon in the Mill District. Be sure to walk across the Stone Arch Bridge, try some ice cream at Izzy's, check out the Mill City Museum, and hang out in Gold Medal Park.
The MIA is free admission. I love to wander around its permanent collection. This is a well-curated and lovely museum. Museum lovers will not be disappointed by the work presented here.
524 residents recomanen
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 3rd Ave SThe MIA is free admission. I love to wander around its permanent collection. This is a well-curated and lovely museum. Museum lovers will not be disappointed by the work presented here.
Food Scene
This is an indoor market with many stalls selling all sorts of ethnic foods, gifts and trinkets, clothing, food and everything else you could think of! Fun to explore and great for lunch. My favorite is Holy Land, best falafel sandwiches in the world and a MPLS icon.
179 residents recomanen
Midtown Global Market
920 E Lake StThis is an indoor market with many stalls selling all sorts of ethnic foods, gifts and trinkets, clothing, food and everything else you could think of! Fun to explore and great for lunch. My favorite is Holy Land, best falafel sandwiches in the world and a MPLS icon.
If you time your trip to the Mill District for a Saturday or a Tuesday (see the website for exact timing, which is seasonal), you can walk around this iconic farmer's market. A trip here can be part of an afternoon in the Mill District. Be sure to walk across the Stone Arch Bridge, wander the Guthrie Theater, try some ice cream at Izzy's, and hang out in Gold Medal Park.
38 residents recomanen
Mill City Farmers Market
750 S 2nd StIf you time your trip to the Mill District for a Saturday or a Tuesday (see the website for exact timing, which is seasonal), you can walk around this iconic farmer's market. A trip here can be part of an afternoon in the Mill District. Be sure to walk across the Stone Arch Bridge, wander the Guthrie Theater, try some ice cream at Izzy's, and hang out in Gold Medal Park.
This place is iconic. A 24 hour coffee shop and home to the grunge/hippie scene, it's a long-standing Minneapolis gem. Their food menu caters to the vegans among us, with options for everyone. Come here on a rainy day to play board games and hang out.
23 residents recomanen
HardTimes Cafe
1821 Riverside AveThis place is iconic. A 24 hour coffee shop and home to the grunge/hippie scene, it's a long-standing Minneapolis gem. Their food menu caters to the vegans among us, with options for everyone. Come here on a rainy day to play board games and hang out.
One of Minneapolis' best restaurants with a long-standing history and reputation in the Seward neighborhood. Walking distance, about 15 minutes from home.
65 residents recomanen
Birchwood Cafe
3311 East 25th StreetOne of Minneapolis' best restaurants with a long-standing history and reputation in the Seward neighborhood. Walking distance, about 15 minutes from home.
Walking distance from home, this restaurant started as a famous food truck and specializes in Latin American street food. Their menu has plenty of small plates, and sharing items.
17 residents recomanen
Cafe Racer Kitchen
2929 East 25th StreetWalking distance from home, this restaurant started as a famous food truck and specializes in Latin American street food. Their menu has plenty of small plates, and sharing items.
This is the hottest new restaurant in town. Their cocktail menu is unique and out of this world. The ambiance is great, and makes you genuinely feel like you're not in Minnesota anymore. Their menu features Southeast Asian street food, and encourages sharing.
66 residents recomanen
Hai Hai
2121 University Ave NEThis is the hottest new restaurant in town. Their cocktail menu is unique and out of this world. The ambiance is great, and makes you genuinely feel like you're not in Minnesota anymore. Their menu features Southeast Asian street food, and encourages sharing.
Young Joni is one of the hottest restaurants in town. They do wood-fired pizza, and small plates. Fantastic wine, beer and drink menu, excellent ambiance, this is a place you'll want to hang out in for awhile. The wait times can be long, so plan accordingly. Reservations are encouraged. They also have a back bar that is first-come, first-served.
91 residents recomanen
Young Joni
165 13th Avenue NortheastYoung Joni is one of the hottest restaurants in town. They do wood-fired pizza, and small plates. Fantastic wine, beer and drink menu, excellent ambiance, this is a place you'll want to hang out in for awhile. The wait times can be long, so plan accordingly. Reservations are encouraged. They also have a back bar that is first-come, first-served.
Mercado Central is an indoor market with food vendors and small shops. You'll hear mostly Spanish spoken here, and this is THE PLACE to get authentic Mexican food or groceries.
16 residents recomanen
Mercado Central
1515 E Lake StMercado Central is an indoor market with food vendors and small shops. You'll hear mostly Spanish spoken here, and this is THE PLACE to get authentic Mexican food or groceries.
Dogwood is one of the best coffee shops in town. This is a good location for working, as well.
33 residents recomanen
Dogwood Coffee Bar - East Lake
4021 E Lake StDogwood is one of the best coffee shops in town. This is a good location for working, as well.
Kopplin's is the best coffee, arguably in the Midwest region. Their prices are higher than average, due to the quality of their product and because they pay their employees a living wage and offer benefits like paid sick time. It is WORTH IT!! If you are a coffee aficionado, do not miss this place.
11 residents recomanen
Kopplin's
2038 Marshall AveKopplin's is the best coffee, arguably in the Midwest region. Their prices are higher than average, due to the quality of their product and because they pay their employees a living wage and offer benefits like paid sick time. It is WORTH IT!! If you are a coffee aficionado, do not miss this place.
Izzy's is a local ice cream shop that has truly phenomenal ice cream. They also do gluten-free and vegan flavors that will rock your socks off. They have two locations, one in the Mill District of downtown Mpls, and the other right next door to Kopplin's Coffee Shop in St. Paul. Both are within a couple miles of our home. See their flavors online, they update the flavor list every 3 minutes so you always know what is in the dipping cabinet.
19 residents recomanen
Izzy's Ice Cream
1100 S 2nd StIzzy's is a local ice cream shop that has truly phenomenal ice cream. They also do gluten-free and vegan flavors that will rock your socks off. They have two locations, one in the Mill District of downtown Mpls, and the other right next door to Kopplin's Coffee Shop in St. Paul. Both are within a couple miles of our home. See their flavors online, they update the flavor list every 3 minutes so you always know what is in the dipping cabinet.
The local joint of local joints- established...before time. Bar food ++, good taps and Minneapolitans.
25 residents recomanen
Tracy's Saloon & Eatery
2207 E Franklin AveThe local joint of local joints- established...before time. Bar food ++, good taps and Minneapolitans.
Pizza. Close. Other things. Pizza. Close. They'll say 40 minutes for delivery and then show up in 20 after realizing that we're only a few blocks away.
99 residents recomanen
Pizza Luce
2200 E Franklin AvePizza. Close. Other things. Pizza. Close. They'll say 40 minutes for delivery and then show up in 20 after realizing that we're only a few blocks away.
Parks & Nature
Bde Maka Ska is one of our many city lakes, all of which are connected by bike path or creek. Bde Maka Ska (formerly known as Lake Calhoun) is our largest city lake, and is right on the edge of Uptown. If you rent a kayak or paddle board, you can paddle the chain through Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake.
375 residents recomanen
Bde Maka Ska
West Bde Maka Ska ParkwayBde Maka Ska is one of our many city lakes, all of which are connected by bike path or creek. Bde Maka Ska (formerly known as Lake Calhoun) is our largest city lake, and is right on the edge of Uptown. If you rent a kayak or paddle board, you can paddle the chain through Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake.
Cedar Lake is our favorite lake here in town. Cedar Lake Point Beach is tucked away and tends to be less crowded. Ride your bike here along the Greenway bike path!
38 residents recomanen
Platja de Cedar Lake Point
Cedar Lake ParkwayCedar Lake is our favorite lake here in town. Cedar Lake Point Beach is tucked away and tends to be less crowded. Ride your bike here along the Greenway bike path!
Theo Wirth Park is extensive, and gorgeous. It has plenty of walking and biking paths, picnic spots, the Eloise Butler Flower Garden and mountain biking trails.
95 residents recomanen
Theodore Wirth Regional Park
1301 Theodore Wirth PkwyTheo Wirth Park is extensive, and gorgeous. It has plenty of walking and biking paths, picnic spots, the Eloise Butler Flower Garden and mountain biking trails.
Shopping
Awesome locally-owned outdoor retail store. Highly recommended for those of you who engage in outdoor activities and need gear or just want to browse what our local shop has to offer (it's a big selection and the staff is amazing).
10 residents recomanen
Midwest Mountaineering
309 Cedar AveAwesome locally-owned outdoor retail store. Highly recommended for those of you who engage in outdoor activities and need gear or just want to browse what our local shop has to offer (it's a big selection and the staff is amazing).
Hazel & Rose is a small boutique that features ethical, sustainable fashion. We have a handful of notable small design houses here in Minneapolis (Hackwith Design House and Winsome Goods, to name a couple), and Hazel & Rose is a good place to check out their work in one place.
Hazel & Rose
201 6th St SEHazel & Rose is a small boutique that features ethical, sustainable fashion. We have a handful of notable small design houses here in Minneapolis (Hackwith Design House and Winsome Goods, to name a couple), and Hazel & Rose is a good place to check out their work in one place.
Askov Finlayson is a menswear store complete with a full Warby Parker showroom in the back. Check out their website for a better idea of their offerings. A trip here can be combined with an exploration of the North Loop, which has plenty of small high-end boutiques, coffee shops, and cool scenery.
16 residents recomanen
Askov Finlayson
Askov Finlayson is a menswear store complete with a full Warby Parker showroom in the back. Check out their website for a better idea of their offerings. A trip here can be combined with an exploration of the North Loop, which has plenty of small high-end boutiques, coffee shops, and cool scenery.
This Target is about a half mile from the house, and is a good place to get the essentials, including groceries.
131 residents recomanen
Target
1329 5th St SEThis Target is about a half mile from the house, and is a good place to get the essentials, including groceries.
Essentials
The Seward Co-op is our neighborhood food co-op and is just a 4 block walk from the house.
80 residents recomanen
Seward Community Co-op
2823 E Franklin AveThe Seward Co-op is our neighborhood food co-op and is just a 4 block walk from the house.
Cub Foods is our closest conventional grocery store, and is budget-friendly. It is about a half mile away.
118 residents recomanen
Cub Foods
1104 Lagoon AveCub Foods is our closest conventional grocery store, and is budget-friendly. It is about a half mile away.
Getting Around
One of two Light Rail stations closest to the house. This one is about a 20 minute walk.
9 residents recomanen
Lake Street Station
2220 E Lake StOne of two Light Rail stations closest to the house. This one is about a 20 minute walk.
I note the light rail station at the Mall of America because if you are considering going shopping, I highly recommend taking public transportation rather than driving. The parking can be crazy, especially on the weekends. The light rail station is about a 20 minute walk from our house, and as long as you aren't planning to buy an entire vehicle's worth of stuff, it can be worth it to avoid the traffic headache of driving out there!
MOA Transit Station
I note the light rail station at the Mall of America because if you are considering going shopping, I highly recommend taking public transportation rather than driving. The parking can be crazy, especially on the weekends. The light rail station is about a 20 minute walk from our house, and as long as you aren't planning to buy an entire vehicle's worth of stuff, it can be worth it to avoid the traffic headache of driving out there!