1. Who Needs The Beach Here?
Minneapolis is one of the wettest cities in the country with 20 different lakes and wetlands surrounding the area perfect for swimming, hiking, fishing and more.
2. You Might Mistake It For New York’s Younger Sibling
Minneapolis has earned the nickname the “Mini Apple” with all its high culture and interesting attractions, especially when it comes to theater. You’ll never sit around with nothing to do in this city. Plus, the skyline does actually look a little bit like NYC.
3. Minneapolis Has Its Very Own “Prince”
Born and raised in Minneapolis, the famous musician still lives in the area today. He’s still pretty active in his hometown, and you might just catch him at a local concert or show.
4. The Timberwolves Are Seriously Fierce
The Minnesota Timberwolves are Minneapolis heroes—especially Ricky Rubio. In fact, they recently set a franchise-record score over the Los Angeles Lakers, which the good people of Minneapolis are more than just a little proud of.
5. Ice Fishing Is Practically Mandatory
With such long icy winters, ice fishing is almost a required sport in Minneapolis. The winter days are long and cold, but you won’t be disappointed. Just don’t venture out too early or too late, when it might actually be too cold even by Minneapolis standards. Lake Harriet is one of the favorite local spots for casting your line.
6. The Burgers Are Extra Juicy
At the popular 5-8 Club, the Juicy Lucy is the undisputed must-have menu item whether you’re a local going to the club for the millionth time or a newcomer looking for their first Minneapolis meal. You’ll thank me later.
7. Why Drive When You Can Ride?
Even in the dead of winter, people in Minneapolis will still use their bikes to get around whenever they can. The city’s been ranked the best in the country for biking, with more than 100 miles of paths and trails for beginners to the most hardcore.
8. Tease A Skunk, Get Arrested
Believe it or not, Minneapolis still has some crazy laws in effect from way back when. Women can’t get their haircut without permission from their husbands, it’s illegal to tease skunks and don’t even try crossing state lines with a chicken on your head.
9. The Hometown Of Charlie Brown
Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip, was born in Minneapolis and created his famous characters while living in the city. In fact, the characters were actually based on his own family and pets.
10. Have Your Cake And Eat It Too
Charles Schultz isn’t the only household name born in Minneapolis. Scotch tape and Bisquick also got their start here, and perhaps most surprisingly the Bundt cake pan, invented at Nordic Ware in the 1940s. You’re welcome, world.
11. You’ll Get Your Art Super-Sized
Home to the infamous Spoonbridge and Cherry (pictured above), the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center holds more than 40 giant works of art to explore. Take a day and try not to hurt your neck with all that looking up.
12. Minneapolis Is Home To A Queen, Too
Prince isn’t the only royalty in town. Take a leisurely ride on the mighty Minneapolis Queen down the Mississippi River from Bohemian Flats. Or if you’ve got a brave stomach you can even have your wedding on board.
13. Everyone In Minneapolis Is Desperate For Caffeine
Source: Instagram
Seattle has some stiff competition in Minneapolis when it comes to the question of “who loves coffee more.” Case in point: The Hard Times Café has more than lived up to its name, having nearly closed about 10 years ago. But the people of Minneapolis fought back and kept the coffeeshop open, and it’s still just as beloved today.
14. Minnehaha Park Is Nothing To Laugh At
The name does translate to Laughing Water, but this 53-foot waterfall will probably make you gape in awe rather than laugh. And you might think you’d have to travel out of the city to see it, right? Wrong. It’s right at the intersection of Hiawatha and Minnehaha Parkway.
15. Broders’: It’s Where Everybody Knows Your Name
Walk through the door at Broders’ and you’ll feel right at home. Offering authentic Italian food (that was was even featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”) with only the freshest ingredients and an ever-changing menu, Broders’ is a can’t-miss for any true Minneapolitan.
16. Go Around The World In A Day On Eat Street
With more than two dozen restaurants, Eat Street is literally a street you can eat your way through, without eating the same cuisine more than once in the same day. Spyhouse Coffee is just one of many restaurants gracing the area, which has everything from pho to Italian to Mexican, and everything in between.
17. A New Kind Of Air Travel
With Minneapolis’ brutally cold winters, people avoid going outside whenever possible. But they still have to get to work, school, whatever. But never fear: the Minneapolis Skyway system of enclosed walkways will keep you warm on your way. Plus there are shops and restaurants actually inside the Skyway, so you really can stay inside all winter long.
18. Everyone Reads Better Than You
Folks in Minneapolis can’t get enough of the written word. It’s been named the third most literate city in the country for the fifth year running, and bookstores abound around every corner.
19. Minneapolis Is The Black Sheep Of Pizza
Source: Instagram
When it comes to pizza, Minneapolis is willing to do battle with New York and Chicago. At Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza, they have the distinction of being the first coal-burning pizza joint in the state. They also use clean-burning, emission free coal. You also can’t go wrong with the super reasonable prices.
20. Move Over DC, Minneapolis Has Its Own National Mall
With more than 40 million visitors per year, the Mall of America boasts shopping, dining, an amusement park, a Lego Imagination Center and more. Regardless of what you're shopping for or what kind of cuisine you're craving, the Mall of America is bound to have it.
21. Forget Bicentennials, Minneapolis Has Aquatennials
The Aquatennial celebration of Minneapolis celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. The highly anticipated 10-day event has fun for every member of the family including a milk carton boat race, a parade and fireworks.
22. Skiing Is So Important It Has Its Own Party Too
Obviously Minnesotans take skiing seriously, but the people in Minneapolis especially. It's most obvious duing the Loppet Cross Country Ski Festival, where fanatics of all ages can compete and show their stuff.
23. Jonesing For Fruit In January? No Problem
In Minneapolis folks like their food local and fresh, no matter what time of year, so the farmers’ markets are a huge part of daily life. Especially since they happen year-round. That’s right, even in winter!
24. Have Beer, Will Travel
Billed as a “bar on wheels,” the Traveling Tap is, no joke, a 16 passenger party bike. All you have to do is supply the alcohol; the company provides the bartender and a driver. Perfect for bachelor/bachelorette parties, weddings, anniversaries or birthdays, the Traveling Tap is the only way to celebrate in style.
25. Go Bowling On The Roof. It’s Safer Than It Sounds
Beer and bowling tend to go hand in hand, but Brit’s Pub takes it to a whole new level. The English watering hole has a lawn bowling area on the roof where patrons can play while enjoying their brews, and you can even join a leagues and play in the annual tournament.
26. Conquer The Mighty Mississippi
When the snow finally melts, it’s time to get back outside, and Above the Falls Sports is a great place to start. Take a kayaking tour down the Mississippi with options for dinner tours, evening tours and even fireworks tours!
27. A Million-Dollar View, For Free
Recognized as a National Civil Engineering Landmark, the Stone Arch Bridge is a Minneapolis icon. The views of St. Anthony Falls are incredible, and it’s worth walking or biking between Father Hennepin Bluffs Park and Mill Ruins Park or West River Parkway to get a glimpse.
28. Let The Bike Path Be Your Guide
The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway is perfect for a Minneapolis newcomer—you’ll get a pretty well-rounded tour of the city with all the highlights including the Downtown Waterfront, Minnehaha and Victory Memorial. It’s beautiful all year round, but spring and summer take the Bundt cake.
29. The Real Elf On The Shelf Is At Lake Harriet
It might sound made up, but at Lake Harriet where Queen Avenue turns into the perimeter drive around the lake, there’s an elf house carved into of the trees. During the spring and summer visitors can leave notes for the elf, but in the winter the elf moves to his castle in the east. It’s kind of a Minneapolis tradition to stop by and see if he’s home.
