As you may or may not know, I grew up in Minnesota. However, sometimes it isn’t until after you leave that you start to appreciate all the cool things your hometown area had to offer. I’ve been out of Minnesota for over 6 years now (man, time flies) but during a recent trip back, I decided to explore all the amazing sights I had neglected before. Here are the can’t miss things to do in the Twin Cities.
Things to Do In Minneapolis
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If you’re looking for things to do in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis has many wonderful indoor and outdoor attractions. In no particular order, here are some of my favs!
Minneapolis Institute of Art
No trip to the Twin Cities is complete without a visit to the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA). General admission to the museum is free and you can view hundreds of pieces of artwork. Whether you like pottery, textiles, or paintings, MIA has it all. The museum also features a gallery of rotating art which you can enjoy with a paid entrance fee.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
If you want to take in the artwork while staying outside, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is the place to go. If you ask me, it is one of the coolest things to do in the Twin Cities. It is part of the Walker Art Center, which features contemporary art, but everything is outdoors. These sculptures are larger than life, literally. I mean, just check out the giant spoon below! It won’t take long to walk around the sculpture garden, but it is 100% worth making the effort to visit.
The Basilica of St. Mary
The Basilica is another thing to do in the Twin Cities. The building itself is lovely. Depending on when you plan your trip, you also might be in for a surprise. The Basilica Block Party is an annual two-day music festival hosted each year by the Basilica of St. Mary. Don’t be fooled though, this “church concert” features many top and up-and-coming artists from around the country. The year I went Imagine Dragons were featured. It is an experience worth having!
Minnehaha Falls
Minnehaha Falls is a gorgeous urban waterfall right near the city. It seems a bit out of place to have this beautiful waterfall and trails so close to the downtown. The trails are easy for hiking, although there are some serious stairs to get to the base of the falls.
Stone Arch Bridge/St. Anthony Falls
The Stone Arch Bridge is an architectural and historical monument and a must on your list of things to do in the Twin Cities. It overlooks St. Anthony Falls and offers a lovely place to walk around. If you’re there on a warm day, grab a lemon ice and go for a stroll taking in the mix of urban and natural beauty together in one place.
Mill Ruins Park
Not far from the Stone Arch Bridge, you can also walk to Mill Ruins Park. The ruins of the old mill (hence the name) stand near the park for visitors. Placards provide some additional history. At certain times of the year, you may be able to catch some live music as well.
Things to Do in St. Paul
No trip to the Twin Cities is complete without St. Paul! Here are some of the best things to do in St. Paul on your Minnesota vacation.
Cathedral of St. Paul
The Cathedral of St. Paul is beautiful. Its stunning architecture, artwork, and stain glass windows will take your breath away. You can walk around for free but be mindful of the time as regular services are still held. You won’t need to spend a lot of time here, but a quick visit is definitely worth the time if you’re looking for things to do in the Twin Cities.
Summit Avenue
Summit Avenue proudly declares itself to be St. Paul’s famous street. It came by its fame for good reason. In fact, Summit Avenue has the longest stretch of Victoria-Era homes in the entire United States. Taking a walk down the 4.5-mile street is one of the best things to do in the Twin Cities. These lovely homes will take your breath away. You can also stroll by or take a tour of the James J. Hill House, which is one of the largest and most well-known on the street.
Landmark Center
The Landmark Center has a bit of everything. Art, music, history, and even a few gangsters thrown in. It used to be the site for nearly all governmental operations in the city. You can visit the Landmark Center for free and take in all the sites. The exterior architecture makes it look like a castle. Around the holidays, you can also enjoy events like the Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar.
Rice Park
Just outside the Landmark Center is Rice Park. This open green space offers a pleasant place to relax amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. You will also find several Charlie Brown statues gathered here since Charles Schulz, Charlie Brown’s creator was a St. Paul native. Rice Park is also home to many outdoor festivals and music events. At Christmastime, the trees are decked out in lights and there is a free outdoor ice rink.
Mickey’s Diner
Eventually, you’re probably going to be a bit hungry from all your adventures. That makes it a perfect time to stop at a St. Paul classic; Mickey’s Diner. The diner which is inside a vintage train car has played host to many famous people over the years. Although the diner is temporarily closed as of this writing due to Covid-induced hardships, the owners plan to reopen in the spring. They even raised over $70,000 through a Go Fund Me to ensure Mickey’s can continue serving the people of St. Paul and tourists alike. Keep your eyes out to see if you can grab a burger and one of their famous milkshakes soon.
The Science Museum of Minnesota
If you love all things science, the Science Museum of Minnesota is something you absolutely need to do in the Twin Cities. I remember visiting here often as a kid, and it is a truly magical place. It is also worth planning your day around a visit to the Omnitheater for some larger-than-life scientific viewing.
Minnesota State Capitol
Another thing to do in St. Paul is to visit the state capitol building. When I was there, everything was sadly blocked off due to the recent Capitol events. However, in normal times, you can take a guided tour or just enjoy the stunning architecture of this over 100-year-old building.
Fort Snelling
Fort Snelling State Park brings together nature and history. There is a trail through the open spaces where you can see many types of birds. (Joel and I saw an owl and a golden eagle when we visited!) If you’re feeling ambitious you can also walk all the way to historic Fort Snelling. The fort is quite a sight and has been well-preserved for the public to continue to enjoy.
Looking for more travel guides? Don’t miss Things to Do in Kansas City or Things to do in Northern Michigan.
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