Everyone’s idea of a good time is different. This is why different people enjoy different types of attractions and go to different locations for a vacation.
Some people are interested in sports, while others prefer visiting cultural venues. There are those who enjoy hiking next to a creek, while others would like nothing more than spending their entire day in a gigantic mall. The thing about Minnesota is that it can really offer you all of these things. The amount of variety of options is simply unparalleled. This can also become a problem, seeing as how it could become difficult to make up their mind with so many choices.
So, in order to try and stay both objective and open-minded during this guide, we’ll focus on those ideas that the majority of reviewers give the highest rating to.
1. Mall of America
The United States is renowned for its massive shopping malls, which is why missing an opportunity to visit the largest one of them all would be such a waste. The place itself has over 2,779,242 million feet of retail space (even when you take the amusement park out of the equation). That means that 7 Yankee Stadiums could fit inside the mall.
The place is home to more than 520 stores. This means that if you decided to visit every store and spend just 10 minutes of your time, it would take you roughly 86 hours to do it all. In other words, even after so many visits, there’s always something new to see and discover there.
While it is popular amongst the locals, as many as 4 out of 10 visitors are tourists.
2. Minneapolis Nightlife
Those who want to experience something a bit more relaxing, wild, and unhinged at the same time should probably take a moment to consider all that Minneapolis nightlife has to offer. The best-rated clubs in the city are Kitty Cat Klub, Ground Zero Nightclub, and The Pourhouse.
Here, it really comes down to what you’re looking for. For instance, those looking for dance, hip hop, or private parties can find all of it in Ground Zero. On the other hand, those who are more interested in the lounge ambiance, food, and live music are better off with Kitty Cat Klub. Then, there are places like The Pourhouse, the sports bar, nightclub, and live music venue all in one, giving you a more holistic Minneapolis nightlife experience.
Speaking of live music venues, what’s so unique about the city’s nightlife is its live music scene which is amongst the best nationwide. Blues and jazz clubs here are also as popular as it gets.
3. Minneapolis Institute of Art
Previously, we’ve covered a shopping (commercial) and nightlife (entertainment) experience. So, the next in line is a bit of culture. In Minnesota, the Minneapolis Institute of Art is the first thing that pops to mind whenever this topic is brought up.
First of all, the general admission is completely free of charge. Sure, there might be a ticket if there are special events, workshops, classes, or something similar. Also, the institute is open all-year-round, the only exceptions being the largest national and religious holidays like July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
The entire experience will take up to 3 hours, however, you can leave at any point. The immersion in the art exposed, however, will make this kind of a break highly unlikely.
Art and artifacts exhibited here can sometimes date back as much as 40,000 years. Also, this is a place where you can find art from all eras and from all continents. There are permanent exhibits and rotating exhibits to keep things dynamic.
4. Minnehaha Falls
When speaking about the top rating, it’s impossible to skip the fact that Minneapolis is the best-rated city park system in the entire USA. This is primarily due to the amazing Minnehaha Falls, which is definitely one of the most beautiful falls in the entire country.
The place itself gets 850,000 visitors every year, all of which come from across the country to admire one of the best views that Minnesota has to offer. If you’re inclined to spend some time in nature by throwing a family picnic, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll find a more ideal spot for this amazing activity.
The confluence of Minnehaha Creek and the Mississippi River is a fantastic fishing spot, which is also something that you should keep in mind. Moreover, for those looking to improve their cardiovascular fitness, a hike in nature might be a great alternative to indoor exercises.
Lastly, disc golf is a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity. However, there are still not a lot of courses out there for you to enjoy. For all those interested, Minnehaha Falls is home to one of the best disc golf courses in the country.
5. Target Field
Target Field is unique as a ballpark for a series of well-known reasons to the locals. While they have probably already heard about its fame, tourists might also have to be reminded of some of its strongest features.
Other than sports-related events, this is one of the places where you can get the best ice cream (Izzy’s Ice Cream) in the States. Hedonists might also appreciate the helmet nachos and a chance to enjoy Killebrew root beer in the stadium.
The stadium itself is quite impressive (after all, it’s the home of the Twins). From here, you get one of the best views of the Minneapolis skyline. Also, a big part of the structure is made from limestone, giving the place unique aesthetics.
In Conclusion
In the end, the list of things to do, see, and experience in Minnesota is virtually endless. You can go on a shopping spree, hike or make a picnic in nature, visit a sports event, or enjoy some of Minneapolis’s famous nightlife. The best of it all is the fact that this list (just like any other similar list) is far from complete.
Minnesota is really one of the most unique places in the whole of the US, and some people spend their entire lives without experiencing all that it has to offer. In other words, not one trip will do, and you need to plan for, at least, several voyages.
