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Favorite Twin Cities places to go and things to do
14
items I have lived in the Twin Cities for 25 years and am raising my children here. These are our favorite places to visit across the metro area.
Sections
4
Culture
Nature
Snacks
Art
Culture
Minnesotans celebrate local artists and the strong Scandinavian influence here in the Twin Cities. These landmarks give you a taste of the local scene and a peek into our history.
As a descendant of Swedish immigrants from the late 1800s, I’ve had a fascination with Swedish culture. My discovery of the American Swedish Institute housed in a castle just outside of downtown Minneapolis was love at first sight. Swan Turnblad and ...
American Swedish Institute
It’s pricey but Prince is worth the cost. Learn more about his life and music while you walk around his recording studio and home. Don’t miss it.
Paisley Park | Prince's Home and Studio
The Twin Cities is home to an impressive collection of Russian art exhibitions and events to broaden our understanding of Russia's history and culture. They are independent of political involvement and has consistently expressed its support of Ukrain...
The Museum of Russian Art
Nature
There are some amazing spaces in the great outdoors across the Twin Cities to explore and play. Here are some of the best of the best.
This beautiful conservatory is a must in the cold Minnesota winter. The sunken garden is redesigned every season with beautiful plants.
Como Conservatory
My kids love this place. There's a water play area called Discovery Hollow that they could enjoy for hours and hours in the summer sunshine.
Tamarack Nature Center
This neighborhood lake has walking and biking paths, sailing, a bandshell for summer concerts, playground, picnic area, and a tree elf's home if you know where to look.
Lake Harriet Park - Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Minnehaha Falls is a gem in the heart of Minneapolis - great for hiking, biking, gathering with friends and family, and taking in the sight of the waterfall sourced from Lake Minnetonka, traveling through Minnehaha Creek across the west metro. It's a...
Minnehaha Falls
Snacks
You don't always need a meal; sometimes just a snack will do. Here are some of our favorite destinations for something light and tasty.
Lake Harriet is a summertime hangout and the watering hole there, Bread and Pickle, serves up a great beer or wine plus some ice cream while you listen to the music of the night at the bandshell next door. Or come for a coffee and snack in the mornin...
Bread & Pickle
This local ice cream place gets high marks from my choosey kids. The raspberry chocolate chip is a favorite. Hang out in the backyard patio in the summer, and the cozy indoor space during the cold months.
Linden Hills - Sebastian Joe's
This boba chain, with stores across the Twin Cities and beyond, has some of the most innovative drinks and fun K-Pop collabs around. Try their Thai Milk tea - YUM!
Sip, Slurp, Chew, & Chat Boba Tea in MN & CO | Niko Niko Boba
This bakery is a favorite for their Happy Birthday doughnuts (spelled out!) and rainbow pride cupcakes and doughnuts. Not in the Twin Cities? No worries, they ship nationwide!
Angel Food
This little neighborhood gem recently got an upgrade with a fabulous rooftop patio and expanded dining area to enjoy a glass of wine and a cheese plate. Pick up a couple bottles of wine in the shop on your way out and support a vibrant family-owned b...
France 44: Minneapolis Liquor Store, Cheese Shop, and Private Event Venue
Art
Art is all around us, in museums and murals and even sometimes in someone's front yard! Check out some of these spaces to view and enjoy art in our community.
The Lake of the Isles is one of the Minneapolis chain of lakes. Walk around the lake to view some of the most beautiful homes in Minneapolis. One of those homes has a giant pencil on the front yard. Check it out!
loti pencil
A kid-friendly museum with a play area next to the coffee shop, free admission, and regular family days with activities for the kids. Great for the winter doldrums.
Minneapolis Institute of Art