Beyond the Coasts: My Awesome Minnesota Twin Cities Adventure! πΊοΈ
Hey travel buddies! π Ready to talk about a US spot that might not be top-of-mind but totally blew me away? Forget the crowded coasts for a sec, because my friends and I recently explored Minnesota's "Twin Cities" β Minneapolis and St. Paul β and seriously, it's a hidden gem! β¨ If you're looking for something different, packed with cool history, art, nature, AND shopping, stick around for my trip highlights!
βοΈ Morning in Minneapolis: History & River Views
Our day kicked off the Minnesotan way β with a caffeine boost from local fave π Caribou Coffee βοΈ. Gotta fuel up for adventure, right?
First stop: the π Mill City Museum. Housed in the ruins of what was once the world's largest flour mill, this place is SO cool. The industrial vibe is strong, and you get a real sense of Minneapolis's "Flour Milling Capital" past, including the dramatic explosion story π. The rooftop view overlooking the Mississippi River and the Stone Arch Bridge is pretty epic too!
Right next door is π Mill Ruins Park. We took a chill stroll through the remnants, with the sun hitting the old stone walls just right. Itβs history lesson meets scenic walk. β¨
A short walk away is the architecturally striking π Guthrie Theater. Even if you're not catching a show, you HAVE to check out their "Endless Bridge". It's a cantilevered viewing platform with amazing city and river views. Perfect spot for those essential tourist snaps! πΈ
Then, we actually walked across the π Stone Arch Bridge. This historic railroad bridge is now just for pedestrians and bikes. Walking across, soaking in the views of the Minneapolis skyline on one side and the river flowing below? Chef's kiss π So pretty!
You HAVE to get a photo with the giant spoon and cherry! π₯π
ε Afternoon Adventures: Art, Lakes & Fun!
Lunchtime called for something special, so we hit up π Khaluna π½οΈ. It's a Thai spot with gorgeous, exotic decor and seriously delicious, beautifully presented food πΆοΈ. Totally recommend for a treat-yourself meal!
Next up, culture time at the π Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) πΌοΈ. Best part? It's FREE! π€― We spent hours wandering through galleries filled with art from all over the world, including a surprisingly large collection of Chinese artifacts. Plus, the AC was a lifesaver on a warm afternoon. βοΈ (Parking tip: Street parking is available, or nearby lots are around $10).
Right next to the MIA is the π Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, famous for the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture π₯π. Itβs even bigger and cooler in person! The surrounding park is huge, green, and perfect for relaxing or even having a picnic. π Such a vibe.
Being in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," we had to get out on the water! π Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) is awesome for renting kayaks or paddleboards π£. We opted for a stroll around π Lake Harriet, which has a lovely path. Super relaxing! While at Lake Harriet, we couldn't resist hopping on the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line π. This vintage trolley ride was pure nostalgic fun and made us feel like kids again! π₯°
ποΈ Exploring St. Paul: Grandeur & Government
A quick drive took us to the other Twin City, St. Paul. First stop: the stunning π Cathedral of Saint Paul. Wow! This place is massive and absolutely beautiful inside, with intricate details and a huge dome. Itβs free to enter, and we happened to catch the end of a wedding mass β the organ music was incredibly powerful. π
Nearby is the π Minnesota State Capitol building. It looks super impressive, especially with the big lawn out front (great for photos!). We were unlucky as it was closed due to a power issue when we visited π, but definitely worth seeing the exterior, and hopefully, you can tour the inside!
ποΈ Evening Fun: Mega Malls & Good Food
You can't go to the Twin Cities area without visiting the π Mall of America (MOA)! Seriously, this place is HUGE. It's the largest mall in the US, and yes, it has an entire amusement park (Nickelodeon Universe π’) and an aquarium inside. We spent hours just wandering, checking out stores (remember: no sales tax on clothes and shoes in MN! π), and grabbing dinner at one of the million food options. Itβs close to the airport, making it a great last stop.
For dinner one night, we were craving some comforting Chinese food and found π Northern Taste. Their stir-fried shredded potatoes were amazing β simple but so good! π²
And if you're visiting in the fall, look out for the π Jack O'Lantern Spectacular (usually at the MN Zoo nearby). We caught it, and the creativity of the carved pumpkins and the whole glowing atmosphere was pure magic! πβ¨
ποΈ Bonus Tip: Charming Wayzata
If you have extra time and want a break from the city, take a drive (about an hour) to the charming town of π Wayzata on Lake Minnetonka. We spent an afternoon just walking along the lake, watching boats go by, and soaking up the relaxed, almost resort-like atmosphere. Grabbing a drink at a lakeside spot like COV felt like the perfect end to our trip. βοΈ
π€ Final Thoughts & When to Go
Honestly, the Twin Cities totally exceeded my expectations. There's such a great mix of things to do, from history and art to nature and pure fun.
Quick heads-up though: Minnesota winters are NO JOKE. π₯ΆβοΈ Unless you're super into snow and freezing temps, I'd recommend visiting in the late spring, summer, or early fall (May-October) when the weather is lovely and you can really enjoy the lakes and parks.
So, if you're looking for an underrated US destination that packs a punch, definitely consider Minneapolis and St. Paul! Let me know if you've been or if you end up going! Happy travels! π