Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting? (Reasons to Visit in 2024)
Are you planning your next vacation and wondering is Minneapolis worth visiting or not?
I’ve lived in Minnesota for my entire life and have spent so much time in Minneapolis, that I have plenty of opinions and thoughts to offer you!
Whether you love the city vibe or being outdoors, Minneapolis has a bustling downtown area and serene lakes and parks, so you can have it all!
This vibrant city has plenty to do day and night and is bound to give you a newfound love for the grand ole’ Midwest.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the top reasons why Minneapolis is worth visiting and what you can expect to experience during your stay.
Planning Your Trip to Minnesota? Use My Favorite Resources!
🛌 Accommodations: I love using Booking.com for any hotels or short-term rentals.
🏡Vacation Rentals: If you want your own house, VRBO is the best platform.
✈️ Flights: For flights to get here, check out Expedia to save some money!
🚘 Car Rentals: To get around, I use Discover Cars!
📍Tours: I recommend Viator for fun experiences.
Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting?
In short, Minneapolis is so worth visiting, and for so many great reasons that I’m going to tell you all about.
A lot of people really question whether or not they should visit Minneapolis, and I think that a lot of the skepticism comes from our weather.
Yes, it’s true that we have very cold, long winters. But they really shouldn’t stop you from experiencing this great state.
Even during cold spells, there are plenty of things to do from relaxing indoors at a coffee shop to hitting the slopes at a ski resort.
And during the summer months, you can wander around Downtown, take advantage of our beautiful lakes, and soak up the sun.
There are so many great ways to spend time in Minneapolis, so the answer here, is yes, it is worth paying a visit to this Midwestern city!
What is So Great About Visiting Minneapolis?
Minneapolis has a whole lot to offer to both locals and visitors, from our natural beauty, urban vibrancy, and endless activities.
The city is home to more than 20 lakes and boasts an extensive park system, including the famous Chain of Lakes, where you can kayak or paddleboard. With over 10,000 lakes in the state, seeing the beautiful waterways is a must.
Minneapolis also has a thriving arts scene, with numerous museums, galleries, theaters, and music venues to explore, including the famous First Avenue where Prince performed as he was a growing musician.
It has an impressive craft beer scene, and you’ll find breweries and wineries scattered all over. Along with the drinks, Minneapolis has tons of restaurants, so you’ll never go hungry.
Additionally, Minneapolis has a reputation for being one of the most bike-friendly cities in the United States, with over 200 miles of bike lanes, including protected on-street lanes, off-street trails, and more. This makes it easy to get around.
My favorite part of Minneapolis is that you’ll get to experience everything you could want, without having to go far. Whether you’re a nature lover, you love to shop, or you’re a foodie, you can do it all here.
Reasons to Visit Minneapolis
There are so many reasons to visit Minneapolis, that I could go on for hours and hours, but I’ll spare you from that, and just give you some of my top reasons!
- Expansive parks system
- Endless shopping
- Delicious food and restaurants
- Dog-friendly spaces (outdoor patios, off-leash dog parks, etc.)
- Large brewery scene
- Exploding arts scene
- Lakes everywhere
- Many major sports teams
- All four seasons
- The Mississippi River
- Mall of America (largest mall)
- Minnesota State Fair
- Large skyway system
- Minnesota Nice
- So. Much. More!
Best Things to Do in Minneapolis
There are so many great activities in Minneapolis that it can be really hard to break it down into just a few of the top choices.
But if you had to choose only a few, these are the top things that I would add into your itinerary!
Mill City Museum
Minneapolis used to be known at the Flour Milling Capital of the World, and today you can explore that time period at the Mill City Museum.
Built inside an old flour mill, you can enjoy views from along the Mississippi riverfront, learn about the making of flour, and take part in hands-on labs.
A visit here is the best way to learn about the history of the Twin Cities and really appreciate how they came to be.
Mall of America
If you love to shop until you drop, then the Mall of America can’t be missed on your Minneapolis visit!
With over 500 stores and 50 restaurants to choose from, you’ll find everything that you could imagine at the mall.
Plus, there’s an indoor theme park, a movie theater, LEGOLand, Crayola Experience, and way more to be explored!
Stone Arch Bridge
The Stone Arch Bridges is a stone pedestrian bridge that crosses over the Mississippi River and connects Minneapolis and St. Paul.
It’s a beautiful spot to watch the sunset or sunrise and enjoy the lights of the city’s skyline.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden & Walker Art Center
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Center are kind of like a package deal, as they’re right next to each other.
At the free Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, you can wander through outdoor giant sculptures, such as the famous Spoon Bridge and Cherry.
Next door, head into Walker Art Center to admire walls or artwork, created by local and national artists.
Downtown Minneapolis
There is so much to be said about downtown Minneapolis, as there is just so much to do!
From catching a concert at First Avenue to watching a sports game at US Bank Stadium or staying in a luxury hotel with a rooftop pool, you’ll never be bored.
You can find endless options for food, from ice cream to all-you-can-eat to dive bars and Italian or Thai.
Just wandering the streets of Downtown Minneapolis will give you a great feel for the city, and you’ll wish you could stay forever!
Pros of Visiting Minneapolis
There are of course, always pros and cons of visiting any city, so let’s go over a few of the best parts of experiencing Minneapolis.
Experience All Four Seasons
One thing is for sure in Minnesota- you won’t miss out on any of the seasons!
With our long, cold winters, beautiful summers, colorful falls, and sunny springs, you’ll get to experience every single season.
Now, there’s no promise that any of them (except winter) will be long, but hey, at least you’ll get to know all four.
Lots of Shopping
From the Mall of America (the country’s largest mall) to small local shops, there are plenty of places to shop in Minneapolis during your visit!
So if one of the main draws for you to large cities is the shopping, you won’t miss out on that in Minneapolis.
Beautiful Park System
One of the top things that I talk about when asked is Minneapolis worth visiting, is the fantastic park system.
Most large cities that you visit are just skyscraper after skyscraper, but in the Twin Cities, you’ll find tons of parks, waterways, and green spaces.
From the fantastic Minnehaha Falls to hiking trails around Theodore Wirth Regional Park, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Large Skyway System
If you’re going to be walking around Minneapolis, one of the best ways to do it is by using the expansive skyway system.
There are nearly 10 miles of skyway connected between 80 city blocks, which are perfect for helping you get around.
Especially during those cold winter days, you can use the skyways to stay out of the cold!
Year-Round Activities
A favorite of many people for visiting Minneapolis is that no matter the time of year you visit, there will be something for you to do.
During the summer, wander around and find the hiking trails which let you escape into nature and see things like waterfalls, the Mississippi River, and more.
And when winter falls upon us, try snowshoeing on those same trails, or maybe cross-country skiing or ice fishing.
You can do things year-round, no matter the weather!
Cons of Visiting Minneapolis
Since we’ve covered all of the best parts of visiting Minneapolis, let’s get into some of the things that aren’t so great about this city.
Parking is Tough
Because Minneapolis is a large city, you can expect parking to be difficult, and sometimes, seemingly impossible.
Most parking within the city, especially in downtown, is either metered along the streets, or done in parking ramps.
It can be really hard to find free parking, even when you’re just doing something as simple as going out for dinner.
So always be sure to leave extra time, bring some cash or your card along for parking, and have patience.
Crime Rates
Just like any big city, Minneapolis does have some crime that takes place, and it can sometimes be hard to feel safe.
Minneapolis has a crime rate of about 58 per 1,000 residents, according to Neighborhood Scout, which is quite high.
The best way to combat this is to never walk along, stay on lit streets at night, carry personal protection devices (pepper spray, personal safety alarm, etc.), and always be vigilant.
Unpredictable Weather
One of the main reasons that people avoid Minnesota is because of our weather which is extremely unpredictable.
During the winter, it can be sunny one day and blizzarding the next. It’s hard to really know when it’ll be safe to go outside, and whether or not you should drive.
Plus, the cold weather can be really off-putting for people who’d rather be soaking up the sun on a beach. (I get it…)
On the bright side, there are things to do around the city in winter, so you can still enjoy yourself.
Best Time to Visit Minneapolis
While I personally find Minneapolis beautiful year-round, there are of course better times to visit than others.
The best time to see that Minneapolis is worth visiting is by planning your trip during the summer, between June and August.
These months are the warmest, don’t have any snow, and you’ll get to really enjoy the summer.
But fall is also beautiful, around the first few weeks of October when the leaves start to change colors.
Tips for Visiting Minneapolis
If you’re now convinced after questioning is Minneapolis worth visiting, it’s time to start planning!
Here are some tips to make your travels easier and more enjoyable!
- Don’t underestimate winter: Pack warm clothes and lots of layers. Also be sure to check the roads, as they can become dangerous very quickly.
- Wear comfortable shoes: You might be walking around the city, so pack some comfortable shoes (preferably boots during winter) to keep your feet comfy.
- No sales tax: Minnesota doesn’t have sales tax on clothes, so be sure to bring your wallet to splurge at the Mall of America!
- Visit the lakes: Being home to over 10,000 lakes, it’s a must that you visit at least one or two lakes during your visit to Minneapolis.
- Take advantage of public transport: Parking can be tough in the city, so use the Light Rail, bikeways, or Uber while visiting!
- Use the skyway system: Another way of getting around is the skyway system to stay out of the cold in the winter.
- Don’t walk alone: This is a large city, so stick with friends or family, try not to walk alone at night, and always be aware of your surroundings.
FAQs
Both Minneapolis and St. Paul are great cities to visit. St. Paul is home to tons of restaurants, the state capital, and tends to have fewer visitors. Minneapolis is larger, has lots of shopping and restaurants, museums, and is where most visitors flock. I personally prefer Minneapolis, but it depends what you’re visiting for!
Yes, Minneapolis is a nice place for tourists. In fact, lots of tourists visit! It is safe to visit and has plenty to do, from shopping to eating to nightlife to parks.
Whether you’re traveling alone or in a group, there is plenty to do.
The best months to visit Minneapolis are between June and October when the temperatures are warmer and the sun is out.
Minneapolis and St. Paul are only a few miles apart from each other, and actually tend to comingle quite a bit.
Minneapolis is known for several things such as music artist Prince, having a great parks system, lakes, Jucy Lucy burgers, and the Mall of America.
No, there are not currently any travel restrictions in Minneapolis, as of the time of writing.
North Loop, Loring Park, and Linden Hills, and Whittier are a few of the safest and best neighborhoods to visit in Minneapolis.
Yes, Minneapolis is safe for travelers. Like any other big city, you’ll want to take safety precautions such as not walking alone and staying on lit paths, but all in all, it’s a safe city.
Wrap-Up: Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting?
If you’re wondering if you should visit Minneapolis or not, the obvious answer here is yes!
With its beautiful lakes, expansive park system, thriving arts scene, plentiful shopping, and great food, Minneapolis offers a great experience for all visitors.
The friendly locals, bike-friendly streets, and year-round activities make Minneapolis a great destination for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups of friends alike.
No matter the season you’re coming, the question, is Minneapolis worth visiting, is an easy one to answer.