Minneapolis and St. Paul, also known as the Twin Cities, offer world-class options for any kind of traveller. Whether you’re interested in diverse food, history, shopping, or the great outdoors, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Here are the best things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Hmongtown Marketplace
The Twin cities are incredibly diverse, and St. Paul’s Hmongtown Marketplace is proof. Named after the Hmong people, this marketplace offers South-East Asian food, produce, and exotic staples. You can pick up plants and vegetables of all kinds, including many that are difficult to find in typical Western supermarkets, like bitter melon. And if you’ve got a green thumb, be sure to get a couple of starter plants to grow at home.
Don’t forget to get a bite to eat from one of the food stands to try some delicious dishes from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, or Thailand, like pho, black rice, stir-frys, and Bubble Tea. Then browse the crafts market to pick up some authentic Asian goods.
Wabasha Street Caves
The Twin Cities have a unique connection with the heyday of Prohibition-era gangsters, and you won’t get a closer look at the Mob’s history than the Wabasha Street Caves. Formally a mine, these man-made chambers were cut from the rock in St. Paul, and eventually fell into mobster’s hands. Once a restaurant casino and gangster hotspot, these cave networks are renovated and make for a unique tourist destination.
A tour guide will take you through the underground hideout, walking you through its unique history. The caves even offer a swing night, although you’ll have to remember the password to get into the speakeasy. You can also take a two-hour bus tour through St. Paul, visiting places where notorious gangsters carried out gun battles, robberies, or kidnappings. It’s a piece of St. Paul’s history that’s not to be missed.
Rock Walls and Axes
If you’re looking to physically test yourself, or try out a new skill, Minneapolis has you covered. But what if you’re not feeling like doing a typical exercise? What if you just really feel like throwing an axe? Bad Axe Throwing has two locations in Minneapolis, and is affiliated with the World Axe Throwing League. Bookings are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted too. What could make for a more unique and exhilarating night out than learning to throw an axe? It’s absolutely worth a try.
If throwing hardware doesn’t appeal to you, somehow, then maybe the Minneapolis Bouldering Project has what you’re looking for. This 40,000 square foot facility houses climbs and circuits, ranging in difficulty from beginner to pro. Shoes and chalk are included in your first visit, and these climbs will test you physically and mentally. If you’re a climbing expert or beginner, be sure to check out the Minneapolis Bouldering Project while you’re in the city.
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Mall of America
If shopping and entertainment is your idea of a good time, the Mall of America is not to be missed. This record-breaking shopping destination is the largest mall in the USA, and the 7th largest in the world. Covering millions of square feet, it’s big enough to easily fit 7 Yankees stadiums inside! With so much space, there’s something for everyone.
There’s over 520 shops, close to 90 restaurants, bars and eateries, and entertainment galore, so the Mall of America is a world of destinations in one massive package. Inside the Mall is also the Sea Life Aquarium, the largest of its kind in Minnesota, and the world’s biggest indoor theme park, Nickelodeon Universe. With this, and so much more, the Mall of America is definitely worth a visit or two.
Mill City Museum
During the 1800s, Minneapolis was a powerhouse of flour milling, grinding out the flour for millions of loaves of bread daily. Visitors to the Mill City Museum can learn all about this vital and fascinating part of the city’s history. Located along the Mississippi riverfront, Mill City Museum takes visitors on a journey through the city’s industrial heyday.
Built out of a decommissioned grain mill, the museum offers tours, interactive water and baking exhibits, short films detailing the history of Minneapolis, and an awesome grain elevator ride through the eight storey Flour Tower. From the Observation Deck, you can take some of the best photos where you’ll get unbeatable views of the river and historic Stone Arch Bridge. Flour power built Minneapolis, and Mill City Museum is a must see for all ages.
St. Paul Architecture
Any residents of the Twin Cities will tell you that Minneapolis is more modern, but St. Paul is classier. And with a variety of spectacular architectural attractions, there’s plenty to see here. Starting with Summit Avenue, the greatest collection of Victorian Architecture in the US. Summit Avenue is worth a slow drive or a walk, to soak in the regal and pristine mansions and homes. The highlight is the James J. Hill House, a mansion open for visitors and tours, giving you a glimpse of the lifestyle of the ultra-rich from another era.
Worth visiting is the Landmark Center, nicknamed “Downtown Castle” for obvious reasons. This magnificent and unique structure was built to reflect European castles, and houses St. Paul’s Visitor Information Center. The building served as an important legal facility, and guided tours can give you insight into its past. Overall, it’s a unique building with stunning architecture, and not a sight to be passed up on.
And we have to mention St. Paul’s cathedral. While Minneapolis has the similarly impressive Basilica of St. Mary, no tour of the city’s architecture would be complete without visiting this cathedral. With a huge dome, stained glass windows, and intricate statues and decorations, it’s a beautiful landmark and a must-see in St. Paul.
Take in the art scene
An artistic spirit is alive and well in Minneapolis, and the city has numerous opportunities to explore its community. For a free look at the creativity on offer, head to the Walker Sculpture Garden. The Garden hosts hundreds of installations big and small, and can be freely explored all day. Be sure to snap a selfie in front of the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry, and take your time exploring the beauty of the sculptures and the park setting.
If some more traditional displays appeal more to you, then your destination is the Minneapolis Institute of Art, or Mia for short. Over 90,000 artworks are housed at Mia, from every continent, except Antarctica! You’ll find paintings, textiles, sculpture, political art, and so much more. Mia also hosts exhibitions year-round, so it’s always a good time to visit.
Minnesota History
With thousands of years of human habitation, there’s a lot about the state you can learn in St. Paul. Built in 1819, Historic Fort Snelling offers a fascinating insight to life in the past. Tours of this site will let visitors learn not only about the military history, but also the history of the Native people who first inhabited the land, and the enslaved people forced to work on its grounds. It’s a fascinating and sobering look at the past, and also a pretty cool way to get closer to history.
Also in St. Paul is the Minnesota History Center, a museum offering loads to learn, and plenty of interactive exhibitions. The museum contains collections and exhibitions from different walks of life, and the building itself is a work of art. It’s a great place for children and adults.
Chain of Lakes
Minnesota is known as “The Land of 10 000 Lakes” for good reason, even if the number is actually higher than that. Located in Minneapolis is the so-called Chain of Lakes, connecting Lake Calhourn, Lake of the Isles, and Lake Harriet into a beautiful and unique park setting.
While the state offers plenty of water destinations, the Chain of Lakes provides it all within the convenience of the city. Walk or cycle on the trails around them, rent a canoe and take to the water, stand-up-paddle through shaded rivers, or get your rod and permit and try some fishing.
Minnehaha Park
One of the best things to do in Minneapolis is explore Minnehaha Park. Historically the second state park in the US, it features the most photographed location in the city, Minnehaha Falls. The Falls have fascinated and delighted people since pioneering days, and remain an immensely popular attraction.
The park itself is a popular area for walking, running, or cycling, and features numerous trails. Visitors will also find several historic sites and sculptures, and will get to learn plenty about the history of the park and the city. It’s worth a visit in the winter, as the waterfall sometimes freezes!
Music Past and Present
Did you know Minneapolis is the birthplace of the legendary musician Prince? It was here that he developed his signature “Minneapolis Sound”, a funk and synth-pop mix. The legacy lives on, and the city offers unique experiences to music aficionados.
It’s almost harder to find a night that doesn’t have live music playing. The city is packed with venues ranging from intimate to extraordinary, and they’ve hosted local and world-class acts. Of particular note is First Avenue, which offers more than 550 concerts per year, and hosts Prince’s star on its iconic Star Wall.
While there’s more to Minneapolis and St. Paul than just Prince, his impact on the world and music should be explored while in the Twin Cities. Alphabet Streets offers an intimate tour through Minneapolis and Prince’s past, exploring sites and locations and revealing stories about how the artist’s unique sound was shaped by an equally unique city.
George Floyd Square
For many, it wasn’t lakes, museums, or music that put Minneapolis on the map, it was the 2020 death of George Floyd Jr. His death reignited racial debate, and caused people around the world to consider the inequalities at play for centuries. Dominated by a statue of a triumphant metal fist, George Floyd Square shouldn’t be treated as a typical tourist destination. This is a place where the world changed, and a trip to the Twin Cities wouldn’t be complete without visiting to pay respects.
Now it’s your turn. If you were visiting Minneapolis and St. Paul, where would you go? What’s your recommendation for a Twin Cities visit, or what are you most excited to do there? Let us know by leaving it in the comments. And don’t forget to like the video, then subscribe and hit the bell for more ViewCation content. Thanks for watching!