Natalie's MPLS Guidebook
Nature
Only a 5-minute bike ride away, this beautiful lake is surrounded by a scenic walking and biking path and has a couple of fun swimming beaches.
38 locals recommend
Cedar Lake Point Beach
Cedar Lake ParkwayOnly a 5-minute bike ride away, this beautiful lake is surrounded by a scenic walking and biking path and has a couple of fun swimming beaches.
Practically in our backyard, Theo Wirth is a huge park with a lake/beach, golf course, and year-round activities like cross-country skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and more.
We love love being this close to nature.
95 locals recommend
Theodore Wirth Regional Park
1301 Theodore Wirth PkwyPractically in our backyard, Theo Wirth is a huge park with a lake/beach, golf course, and year-round activities like cross-country skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and more.
We love love being this close to nature.
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
1 Theodore Wirth PkwyFood scene
Kado no Mise
33 North 1st AvenueA super-special-occasion sushi spot. Elegant and delicious courses and lovely staff.
Amazing Vietnamese food! We've yet to dine in there, but it's got great vibes.
66 locals recommend
Hai Hai
2121 University Ave NEAmazing Vietnamese food! We've yet to dine in there, but it's got great vibes.
Young Joni back bar
165 13th Avenue NortheastBest pizza in Minneapolis (besides ours, of course :))
The restaurant is great for a special occasion (though you need to book fairly far in advance!), but the cafe is where it's at. Open Tues-Sun 8am-5pm.
Everything is delectable but do not miss their House Fresh Ricotta & Toast (sounds boring but TRUST me).
40 locals recommend
Alma
528 University Ave SEThe restaurant is great for a special occasion (though you need to book fairly far in advance!), but the cafe is where it's at. Open Tues-Sun 8am-5pm.
Everything is delectable but do not miss their House Fresh Ricotta & Toast (sounds boring but TRUST me).
I know it sounds strange to be in love with a grocery store, but that's just what The Wedge does to you. The BEST produce and the friendliest, most helpful staff.
The buttery soft spinach from Wisconsin, the locally made Baba's Hummus, and their bulk selections are a few reasons this place is what food dreams are made of.
107 locals recommend
Wedge Community Co-op
2105 Lyndale Ave SI know it sounds strange to be in love with a grocery store, but that's just what The Wedge does to you. The BEST produce and the friendliest, most helpful staff.
The buttery soft spinach from Wisconsin, the locally made Baba's Hummus, and their bulk selections are a few reasons this place is what food dreams are made of.
Haven't been yet, but if you can get a reservation here, absolutely snag it. Rated one of the NYTimes best restaurants of 2021, Owamni highlights ingredients from Native American producers.
Owamni by The Sioux Chef
420 South 1st StreetHaven't been yet, but if you can get a reservation here, absolutely snag it. Rated one of the NYTimes best restaurants of 2021, Owamni highlights ingredients from Native American producers.
A yummy fast casual fusion option with rice bowls, burritos, and more. Don't miss Milkjam Creamery next door for yummy, funky-flavored ice cream.
49 locals recommend
World Street Kitchen
2743 Lyndale Ave SA yummy fast casual fusion option with rice bowls, burritos, and more. Don't miss Milkjam Creamery next door for yummy, funky-flavored ice cream.
Super yummy food and great brunch, with almost everything made from scratch (including their ketchup!!). Also a very socially conscious and engaged-in-the-community restaurant. Always check if they're open before heading over.
65 locals recommend
Birchwood Cafe
3311 East 25th StreetSuper yummy food and great brunch, with almost everything made from scratch (including their ketchup!!). Also a very socially conscious and engaged-in-the-community restaurant. Always check if they're open before heading over.
Hola Arepa
3501 Nicollet AveYummy Latin street food. Can't go wrong with anything here.
A small Columbian restaurant with a big, delicious menu. I've only been there for brunch, but their corn pancakes are out of this world—sounds strange, but trust me.
22 locals recommend
Maria's Cafe
1113 E Franklin AveA small Columbian restaurant with a big, delicious menu. I've only been there for brunch, but their corn pancakes are out of this world—sounds strange, but trust me.
Sightseeing
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 3rd Ave STop-notch free museum. Great for kids too!
A renowned contemporary art museum. Don't miss the outdoor sculpture garden right next to it while you're there!
606 locals recommend
Walker Art Center
725 Vineland PlA renowned contemporary art museum. Don't miss the outdoor sculpture garden right next to it while you're there!
Iconic sculptures, including the Cherry and the Spoon, and other fun installations. Perfect activity for a beautiful day.
251 locals recommend
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
725 Vineland PlIconic sculptures, including the Cherry and the Spoon, and other fun installations. Perfect activity for a beautiful day.
A historic pedestrian- and biker-only bridge. Check out the Mill City Museum, then walk across the bridge and get a perfect pastry or sandwich from Cafe Alma.
138 locals recommend
Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge
100 Portland AveA historic pedestrian- and biker-only bridge. Check out the Mill City Museum, then walk across the bridge and get a perfect pastry or sandwich from Cafe Alma.
Still haven't made it here yet, but I've heard it's a hidden gem of a museum
104 locals recommend
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park AveStill haven't made it here yet, but I've heard it's a hidden gem of a museum
Family friendly
A fun and newer musical park with different chimes, pipes, drums. It's just a few blocks from our house and our toddler loves playing here.
Bassett’s Creek Park
2700 2nd Avenue NorthA fun and newer musical park with different chimes, pipes, drums. It's just a few blocks from our house and our toddler loves playing here.
Huge museum fun for kids and adults. You're welcome to use our membership card for free admission, parking, and Omnitheater tickets!
235 locals recommend
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W Kellogg BlvdHuge museum fun for kids and adults. You're welcome to use our membership card for free admission, parking, and Omnitheater tickets!
A free (pay what you can) zoo and conservatory with a few bigger animals like lions, giraffes, tigers, zebras, gorillas. Not gonna lie, it's a pretty small zoo and is a little sad because of it, but it's still a fun and affordable activity for families.
278 locals recommend
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
1225 Estabrook DrA free (pay what you can) zoo and conservatory with a few bigger animals like lions, giraffes, tigers, zebras, gorillas. Not gonna lie, it's a pretty small zoo and is a little sad because of it, but it's still a fun and affordable activity for families.
I admittedly haven't been here since I was a kid, but this zoo is much more robust than the Como Zoo.
113 locals recommend
Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo BlvdI admittedly haven't been here since I was a kid, but this zoo is much more robust than the Como Zoo.
A fun natural history museum + planetarium operated by the University of Minnesota
33 locals recommend
Bell Museum
2088 Larpenteur Ave WA fun natural history museum + planetarium operated by the University of Minnesota
Wild Rumpus Books
2720 W 43rd StAdorable, independent children's bookstore with animals!
Treats
Ice cream spot with flavors like Captain Crunch, Thai Tea, and much more
44 locals recommend
Milkjam Creamery
2743 Lyndale Ave SIce cream spot with flavors like Captain Crunch, Thai Tea, and much more
The best best best doughnuts. The brown-butter glazed is a must, but truly everything is delicious.
34 locals recommend
Bogart's Doughnut Co.
904 W 36th StThe best best best doughnuts. The brown-butter glazed is a must, but truly everything is delicious.
Stores / Shopping
Tare Market
2717 E 38th StA zero-waste store with a big bulk selection as well as lots of eco-friendly products
Patina
1009 W Franklin AveLocal chain that sells gifts and home goods.