Guidebook for Minneapolis

Ian & Grace
Ian & Grace
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 locals raden deze aan
Tattersall Distilling
1620 Central Ave NE
93 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Bang Brewing
2320 Capp Rd
12 locals raden deze aan
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.
Smaller venue, close to home.
26 locals raden deze aan
The Cedar Cultural Center
416 Cedar Ave
26 locals raden deze aan
Smaller 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 locals raden deze aan
Icehouse
2528 Nicollet Ave
99 locals raden deze aan
This 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 locals raden deze aan
Lawless Distilling Company
2619 28th Ave S
26 locals raden deze aan
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!

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 locals raden deze aan
Walker Art Center
725 Vineland Pl
606 locals raden deze aan
Modern 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 locals raden deze aan
Mill City Museum
704 S 2nd St
217 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Guthrie Theater
818 S 2nd St
376 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 3rd Ave S
524 locals raden deze aan
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.

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 locals raden deze aan
Midtown Global Market
920 E Lake St
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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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Mill City Farmers Market
750 S 2nd St
38 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
HardTimes Cafe
1821 Riverside Ave
23 locals raden deze aan
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.
One of Minneapolis' best restaurants with a long-standing history and reputation in the Seward neighborhood. Walking distance, about 15 minutes from home.
65 locals raden deze aan
Birchwood Cafe
3311 East 25th Street
65 locals raden deze aan
One 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 locals raden deze aan
Cafe Racer Kitchen
2929 East 25th Street
17 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Hai Hai
2121 University Ave NE
66 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Young Joni
165 13th Avenue Northeast
91 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Mercado Central
1515 E Lake St
16 locals raden deze aan
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.
Dogwood is one of the best coffee shops in town. This is a good location for working, as well.
33 locals raden deze aan
Dogwood Coffee Bar - East Lake
4021 E Lake St
33 locals raden deze aan
Dogwood 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 locals raden deze aan
Kopplin's
2038 Marshall Ave
11 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Izzy's Ice Cream
1100 S 2nd St
19 locals raden deze aan
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.
The local joint of local joints- established...before time. Bar food ++, good taps and Minneapolitans.
25 locals raden deze aan
Tracy's Saloon & Eatery
2207 E Franklin Ave
25 locals raden deze aan
The 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 locals raden deze aan
Pizza Luce
2200 E Franklin Ave
99 locals raden deze aan
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.

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 locals raden deze aan
Bde Maka Ska
West Bde Maka Ska Parkway
375 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Cedar Lake Point Strand
Cedar Lake Parkway
38 locals raden deze aan
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!
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 locals raden deze aan
Theodore Wirth Regional Park
1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy
95 locals raden deze aan
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.

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 locals raden deze aan
Midwest Mountaineering
309 Cedar Ave
10 locals raden deze aan
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).
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 SE
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Askov Finlayson
16 locals raden deze aan
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 locals raden deze aan
Target
1329 5th St SE
131 locals raden deze aan
This 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 locals raden deze aan
Seward Community Co-op
2823 E Franklin Ave
80 locals raden deze aan
The 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 locals raden deze aan
Cub Foods
1104 Lagoon Ave
118 locals raden deze aan
Cub 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 locals raden deze aan
Lake Street Station
2220 E Lake St
9 locals raden deze aan
One 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!