A first-time guide to Minneapolis

11.09.2024 - 22:57 / lonelyplanet.com

Sep 11, 2024 • 7 min read

Upon mention of Minneapolis, most non-Minnesotans don't have too much to say. "Prince is from there", they might remark, or perhaps "I heard they have a lot of lakes". Both of these things are true, but there's a lot more to Minneapolis beyond the legendary purple-loving artist and glorious lakes. This city has a reputation for its subzero temperature winters, but every season in Minneapolis brings distinct seasonal experiences with plenty of things to do.

Each neighborhood offers something different from the next, with an impressive dining and arts scene throughout the city – plus a whole lot of that "Minnesota nice" that remains a point of pride for locals. Here's a guide for first-time visitors to Minneapolis.

An ever-debated topic, discussing the seasons in Minneapolis can be a joyful exchange or a shared gripe when winter decides to run into the end of April. The obvious answer is summer: patio season is in full swing, Minneapolitans flock to glistening lakes throughout the Twin Cities, and the streets teem with activity whether due to some big-name concert or just because it's a randomly beautiful Tuesday where everyone said "let's go get a beer". Summer is easily, and understandably, the busiest season.

But I'd be remiss to neglect how downright gorgeous fall can be, too. The fresh crunch of autumn leaves on a quiet lakeside path, cozy restaurants adorned with candlelight, and a break from the summer heat – there's so much to love about fall in Minneapolis. With the holiday season approaching fast, it can be busy like summer with equally as blissful weather before the cold arrives.

Things quieten down dramatically after New Year's, with January through March being the quietest. There's still plenty to do in the winter though, between winter sports and a thriving arts and culture scene that spans 365 days of the year. 

A weekend in Minneapolis will give you enough time to check out some of the most frequented areas, sampling the city's restaurant scene while taking in some of the top scenic spots. With four to five days, you can spend more time exploring the city's fabulous lakes and waterways – and with a week or more, you can really get a feel for the entire city and surrounding nature.

Minneapolis has a wonderful network of bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly areas to hang out in, but you'll want to hop in a car or on public transit to get between areas that are further apart from each other. After arriving at Minneapolis-St Paul International airport, you can easily rent a car or hop in a rideshare like Uber or Lyft – but also the Blue Line on the light rail (Minneapolis' metro system) can bring you right to downtown in about 20 minutes. It depends where you're staying; in