Where is Minneapolis Located? (On the Map + Local’s Answers)
Have you ever thought to yourself, where is Minneapolis? I’ve heard of the city, but just can’t put my finger on where it is!
You aren’t alone! Many people wonder where this city is, and some are even surprised to learn what state it’s found in (and that it isn’t the capital city!).
I grew up just 3 hours from Minneapolis and spent a lot of time there. In fact, I now live just a short drive away!
In this post, I’ll dive into where exactly you can find the city of Minneapolis and some other facts about the state and city that you may not know!
So buckle up and get ready to learn all about this Midwestern gem, because we’re about to take a trip to the land of 10,000 lakes.
Where is Minneapolis?
Minneapolis is located in the state of Minnesota, in the Midwestern region of the United States.
It is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River and is the largest city in the state, found within Hennepin County.
Minneapolis is part of a larger metropolitan area known as the Twin Cities, which includes the neighboring city of St. Paul, which is Minnesota’s capital.
The city is located approximately 400 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois, and 300 miles southeast of Fargo, North Dakota.
Location of Minneapolis on a Map
If you’re a visual person and want to see exactly where is Minneapolis on a map, here’s a map to help you see where it’s at.
This map of Minneapolis shows where the city is, plus the cities in its immediate proximity.
As you can see, there are many, many cities within just a short distance of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which together make up the Twin Cities Metro.
The major interstates that run through Minneapolis are I-35W(North & South), I-35E (North and South), I-494 (East and West), I-94 (East and West), and I-694 (East and West).
What State is Minneapolis Located In?
If you’re wondering what state is Minneapolis in, it’s a pretty easy one to remember, as they sound pretty similar!
Minneapolis is located in the upper Midwest state of Minnesota, which is well known for its vast landscapes and shimmering lakes.
It’s located in the southern half of the state, just over the Mississippi River from the state’s capital city, St. Paul.
Being from Minnesota, I personally may have a bit of a bias, but I think that it’s one of the best states in the country!
From our booming cities to our relaxing lakeside campgrounds, it’s a beautiful state that is vastly underrated!
Which Country is Minneapolis In?
Minneapolis is located in Minnesota, which means that it is found within the United States of America.
Some may say that Minnesota is in Canada, but that’s actually false.
Although we are pretty darn close, with some cities being literally just steps from the US-Canada border!
Is Minneapolis the Capital of Minnesota?
While this may come as a surprise to some, Minneapolis is actually not the capital of Minnesota!
Just like how Los Angeles isn’t the capital of California, and Seattle isn’t the capital of Washington, it doesn’t always have to be the largest city that is named the capital!
The capital of Minnesota is St. Paul, which is actually just right across the Mississippi River from Minneapolis.
The two together are known as the Twin Cities, since they are so close and interconnected.
Where are the Twin Cities Metro?
If you’re wondering where are the Twin Cities, otherwise known as Minneapolis and St. Paul, they are located in southern Minnesota.
They are the 3rd largest metropolitan area in the Midwest, just behind Chicago and Detroit.
When put together with the dozens of suburbs around the cities, including Bloomington, Apple Valley, Eagan, Edina, and more, it’s a very large area!
There are over 3 million people living in this metro area, and plenty of visitors are constantly visiting the state of Minnesota.
Where is the Minneapolis Airport?
if you’re flying in, you may also be wondering where is Minneapolis’s airport located.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is located in the southwestern corner of St. Paul, just south of Minneapolis.
The address for Terminal 1, where most major airlines fly out of, is 4300 Glumack Drive in St. Paul, Minnesota.
If you’re searching flights and wondering what the airport code is, it is MSP.
The airport serves most major airlines and is the second largest hub for one of the most popular, Delta.
According to Forbes, MSP Airport has been ranked as the number one mega airport, serving over 33 million passengers per year.
Is Minneapolis in the Midwest?
Yes, the large city of Minneapolis is located in the Midwest region of the United States.
It is the largest city in the state of Minnesota, which is also part of the upper Midwestern region of the country.
The Midwest is made up of 12 states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.
The Midwest is known for its beautiful lakes, large grassy plains, and of course, for being the starting point of the Great Mississippi River.
Other major cities in the Midwest include Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Kansas City.
What is the Minneapolis Weather Like?
I think most people know that Minnesota’s weather (in the winter) can be less than ideal, but our summer truly do make up for that!
Winters come with lots of snow, cold temperatures, and short days. It isn’t the best time to visit, but it’s great for winter sports!
Our summers are the best time of year, with warm temperatures, sunny days, and plenty of lakes to get out and recreate on!
Spring and fall are the shoulder seasons, with chilly temperatures and sometimes, either slowly falling or lingering snow.
Minnesota is beautiful in all seasons, you just have to be prepared for the weather!
What is Minneapolis Known For?
Minneapolis is most well known for being the largest city in the state of Minnesota, but there are plenty of other great things that we’re famous for!
From Minnesota’s glistening lakes to our juicy cheeseburgers and our giant mall, Minneapolis is a popular place.
Here are some of the top things that Minneapolis is famous for.
- Chain of Lakes: There are over 20 lakes in the Twin Cities alone. Some of the best are known as the ‘Chain of Lakes,’ which includes Lake Harriet, Bde Maka Ska, and Lake of the Isles.
- Juicy Lucys: A burger stuffed with oozing cheese. What could be better? Find the original at Matt’s Bar in Minneapolis.
- Mall of America: The largest mall in the entire country, with over 500 stores, can be found in the town of Bloomington, just outside of Minneapolis.
- Minnesota State Fair: One of the best state fairs in the country! With 12 days of food-on-a-stick, carnival games, cheese curds, farm animals, Sweet Martha’s cookies, education booths, and more food, you can’t miss it.
- University of Minnesota: The largest university in the state is found in Minneapolis. It’s great for a variety of majors but some of the top ones include nursing, engineering, and psychology.
- First Avenue and Prince: Born and raised in Minnesota, the pop star Prince made a name for himself at the popular concert venue, First Avenue.
- Breweries: Minnesota has a large brewery scene with some of the best right in the city. Surly Brewing, Modist Brewing Co., and Fulton Brewing Taproom are some favorites.
- The Cold: Of course, this couldn’t be a list about Minnesota without mentioning our brutal winters. It gets pretty darn cold here!
Best Things to Do in Minneapolis
There is a whole lot of fun to be had during a visit to Minneapolis, no matter the season that you’re visiting. Whether you’re coming alone or with friends, there’s something for everyone!
Here are just a few of the absolute best activities that are must-dos when in Minneapolis.
See Minnehaha Falls
Whether it’s winter in the Twin Cities or summer, you can make a stop by this beautiful waterfall and regional park.
Minnehaha Falls is found right within the city limits and is a fantastic place to get out and go for a walk.
Boasting one of the most beautiful waterfalls, you can wander around the park, bring your dog to the dog park, or just admire the falls.
Walk Over the Stone Arch Bridge
What once carried trains over the Mississippi is now a pedestrian bridge with beautiful views of the Twin Cities skyline.
It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset and admire the beautiful views.
See a Concert at First Avenue
Seeing a concert is one of the best ways to spend an evening in Minneapolis, and why not do it at First Avenue?
This fun concert venue has concerts all the time, and has been the stage where many great artists have played, including the Minnesota-born pop star Prince.
Enjoy the Art Scene
Minneapolis is home to quite a few museums where you can admire the beautiful art from local and worldwide artists.
From the outdoor Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to the Walker Art Center, there are plenty of chances to enjoy the city’s art scene.
Recreate on the Chain of Lakes
Even if you still wonder where is Minneapolis, you may already know that Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
With actually over 14,000 lakes in the state, there are at least 20 in the Twin Cities alone, with the most popular being the Chain of Lakes.
Including Lake Harriet, Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, and Brownie Lake, these beautiful lakes are perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, swimming, and everything in between.
Shop at the Mall of America
With over 500 stores and multiple restaurants, you could spend an entire day or a few hours wandering around the Mall of America.
Plus, there’s an indoor theme park, escape rooms, a movie theater, LEGOLAND, Crayola Experience, and more.
Whether you like to shop or not, it’s quite the experience at the MOA!
Eat a Jucy Lucy
This classic Minnesota staple is something that shouldn’t be missed during a visit.
The original can be found at Matt’s Bar, which is a small dive bar in Minneapolis.
You’ll find yourself drooling over the Jucy Lucy’s, which are juicy burgers, stuffed with cheese, which melts and oozes out as you bite into it. To. Die. For.
Where to Stay in Minneapolis
If you’re visiting Minneapolis and are looking for a place to stay at the end of the day, check out these fantastic places.
Whether you’re looking for somewhere with a waterslide for the kiddos or somewhere with airport transportation, there’s something for everyone!
Best Hotel for Families: Great Wolf Lodge
Best Affordable Hotel in Minneapolis: Moxy Minneapolis Downtown
Best Luxury Hotel: Hotel Ivy Minneapolis
Best Hotel Close to the Airport: Cambria Hotel Bloomington
FAQs
Yes, Minneapolis is a great place to live. It features lower costs of living, lots of opportunities for employment, a beautiful park system, and easy public transportation. Of course, there are other cons to it, but overall, it’s a great city!
Minneapolis is fairly inexpensive, compared to other large cities. You can most definitely still expect to find high prices in certain neighborhoods, but the cost of living is cheaper than in some other Midwestern cities.
Yes, Minneapolis is a pretty large city and is one of the largest in the Midwest. It comes in just behind Omaha, Nebraska, and Kansas City, Missouri in population.
Because the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis are so close and interconnected, they have gained the nickname of the ‘Twin Cities.’
The capital of Minnesota is St. Paul.
Brooklyn Center isn’t actually located within Minneapolis. It is a suburb of the Twin Cities Metro, located about 15 minutes north of Minneapolis.
Wrap-Up: Where is Minneapolis?
So the next time you find someone asking the question, where is Minneapolis on a map, now you can answer it with full confidence!
The state of Minnesota isn’t only blowing wind and cold snow; it’s also home to one of the Midwest’s largest metro areas!
It’s a vibrant city in southern Minnesota and has plenty to offer to both its visitors and those who call the Twin Cities home.
From its beautiful lakes and thriving arts scene to its diverse culture and friendly people, Minneapolis has something for everyone.
