When people think of major US cities they would want to spend a long weekend in, they typically don’t think of Minneapolis, Minnesota, but I would say to put it on your list ASAP! My daughter Liz and I recently spent a fun-filled weekend, sponsored by Explore Minnesota, in the larger of the Twin Cities (with a quick stop in St. Paul).
We enjoyed a great stay in the conveniently located Rand Tower Hotel, less than ten minute walk from both the Schmitt Mural and the Mary Tyler Moore Statue.
My daughter and I agreed Minneapolis is a must-see! Check out our suggestions on what to do during your weekend in Minneapolis.
1. Walk in Prince’s Footsteps
What trip to Minneapolis would be complete without walking in the footsteps of the crowned prince of the city? You don’t need to be a fan of Prince to see Minneapolis through his eyes. First, stop by the Schmitt Music mural. Prince took a photo here as a teen in 1977, foreshadowing his success as a musician. Today, the side of the building is painted to look like a giant’s sheet music!
There are three more stunning murals dedicated to Prince in the city. The North Loop hosts a mural of Prince during the Purple Rain era. Downtown, The “Baby I’m a Star” mural by Greg Gossel features a vibrant comic book style. Finally, the Crown Our Prince Initiative mural offers a stunning look at the various stages of Prince’s career. The pinks and purples are dazzling–it’s one of the most exceptional murals I’ve ever seen! Next, venture a few blocks from “Baby I’m a Star” to First Avenue. This popular club hosted musicians of all genres, Prince included.
On your quest for fun places to go in Minneapolis, be sure to do the Prince tour starting at the house from Purple Rain. I recommend downloading the audio tour as you retrace Prince’s life through Minneapolis. Stop at the Electric Fetus record shop and get another glimpse of those gorgeous murals! Head out to Chanhassen for yet another mural, and visit Paisley Park, Prince’s studio. Legends like Madonna, REM, and Ice Cube also recorded there!
2. Enjoy a Lakeside Retreat
Minnesota isn’t called the Land of 10,000 Lakes for no reason! Driving around, we saw countless lakes and took time to stop at Minnehaha Falls. This large city park boasts a beautiful waterfall, perfect for photos! After that, we headed over to Excelsior where, in the words of Prince, you can “purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka” and take a dip! It was a brisk 44 degrees during our stop, so we stuck with just rinsing our hands—but the cold didn’t stop us from enjoying frozen custard at local spot Adele’s.
3. Explore Landmarks and the Sculpture Garden
Minneapolis is home to several statues and sculptures. We saw the Mary Tyler Moore statue and then made our way over to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to check out the Spoonbridge and Cherry! This darling sculpture depicts a large red cherry balancing on a spoon and is a highlight of the garden. Thanks to a recommendation from our host, we then took a quick jaunt to Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul for a look at the lovely cherry blossoms.
4. Grab a Bite to Eat in Minneapolis
No blog about Minneapolis would be complete without mentioning food, glorious food! You’ve got to try the Jucy Lucy—a burger stuffed with delicious, gooey cheese! It’s served at Matt’s Bar, which is thought to be the originator of the burger and the unique spelling. But, if you want to size the burger up, stop at 5-8 Club, which is said to have improved on the original. Try them both, and let me know your favorite! My daughter and I could not agree.
If you like desserts or drinks (or both!) make sure you stop at Edward’s Dessert Kitchen. In the words of my daughter “this is what every city is missing.” This isn’t your run-of-the-mill bakery—the restaurant features curated desserts (passionfruit pie, anyone?), craft ice creams, and indulgent wine.
5. See a Musical
The Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is a great place to spend an evening! Liz and I saw “Beautiful,” a musical about the life of Carole King. My daughter and I were surprised to learn so many popular Motown hits (particularly from my youth) had been penned by Ms. King. We ended up listening to her music on the ride back to the hotel! In addition to a beautiful show, the theater served great food and refreshing drinks.
6. Explore the Mall of America
Of course, you can’t finish your Minneapolis vacation without a stop at the Mall of America in nearby Bloomington. This attraction could be a weekend trip in itself! As the largest mall in the Western Hemisphere, it contains all kinds of stores and restaurants (including the FireLake Grill House where we had locally-caught walleye).
But at the end of the day, it’s the attractions that set the mall apart! From the putt-putt course and the roller coasters, to the Crayola experience, mirror maze, and aquarium, the Mall of America is the perfect family or mother/daughter trip. One highlight was taking part in the Kendra Scott color bar experience, where Liz and I customized our own jewelry!
If the Mall of America is poised to be the focus of your trip, stay at the nearby Hyatt Regency. This hotel features modern designs, luxe amenities, and even pet-friendly policies!
Start Planning Your Next Mother Daughter Trip
Are you ready for a US vacation destination to remember? Put a long weekend in Minneapolis on your travel list! Get ready for an action packed getaway and leave with a full belly, a new appreciation for Prince, and possibly an empty wallet from Mall of America! Explore Minneapolis and check out my recent solo travels on Instagram!
This wonderful weekend was hosted by Explore Minnesota and its partners Meet Minneapolis and Bloomington, Minnesota Travel & Tourism. To plan your next Minnesota adventure, visit www.exploreminnesota.com.