Minneapolis Travel Guide
Our perspectives and tips for visiting Minneapolis.
“Hey, look at that, the Twin Cities…You ever been to Minneapolis?” Fargo quotes aside, you should definitely consider Minneapolis and her sister city, Saint Paul, for a vacation any time of year.
Mostly, when folks outside Minnesota say “Minneapolis,” they’re talking about the Twin Cities metro area, chiefly comprised of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. There is no real border that separates the two, save a stretch of the Mississippi, but the Twins have their distinctive flavor.
Minneapolis is the bigger of the two, while Saint Paul is the state capital city. Minneapolis is regarded as the place to go for a night out, while Saint Paul is the quiet town where you want to hang your hat. But perhaps the best analogy might be that Saint Paul is the last city in the East, while Minneapolis is the first city in the West.
Best of all, the Twin Cities have every kind of attraction and activity for any kind of traveler. And it ain’t rinky-dink either; Minneapolis-Saint Paul is the best world-class destination you’ve never heard of. Museums, landmarks, parks, sports, arts, music, shopping – it’s all in America’s best-kept secret!
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Welcome to Minneapolis
Best Time to Visit
Minneapolis and Saint Paul are located in southern Minnesota and are year-round destinations. This is largely thanks to the defined seasons this part of the Midwest typically experiences annually. Winters are normally snowy, springtime brings blooms as the world wakes up, summers are scorching, and fall explodes in autumnal glory like nowhere else.
The busiest time of year is during Minnesota’s glorious summertime from June to August. Winter comes in at a close second when the cities become a haven for winter travelers.
Other than that, prices don’t fluctuate too much, so the best time of year to visit mostly depends on what you want to get out of your experience. Here’s a rough breakdown of the year in the Twin Cities.
SUMMER, June to August: Sweltering temperatures and long, blue-sky days epitomize the Twin Cities summer. There’s typically the odd epic thunderstorm, too. These months are best for those wishing to bask in the sun, have fun on or by a lake, and enjoy some breweries and al fresco dining. However, expect larger crowds and higher prices, particularly around the Minnesota State Fair.
- Weather: Hot, humid, blue skies, occasional thunderstorms
- Crowds: Moderate/High
FALL, September to October/November: As autumn descends, Minnesota explodes in a fireworks display of red, orange, and auburn. This period strikes a balance, offering pleasant temperatures with less crowded attractions. Expect mild weather, occasional showers or short snow flurries in late fall, and fewer tourists.
- Weather: Agreeable-chilly, some rain and chances of snow
- Crowds: Low/Moderate
WINTER, November/December to March: Winter in the Twin Cities can be enjoyed inside and out. Winters normally come with thick blankets of snow and extreme cold, so wrap up! The city comes to life with winter sports enthusiasts getting out and enjoying the freeze while museums and galleries provide refuge from the frigid cold. The Skyway systems also see peak crowds and become an attraction in their own right for the savvy traveler.
- Weather: Very Cold
- Crowds: Moderate (excluding holidays)
SPRING, April to May/June: Winter can drag, sometimes, into what should be late spring! But no matter how long or short, a Minneapolis spring is gorgeous. Flowers bloom, and trees find new leaves seemingly overnight. Chilly mornings lead to warmer temperatures, and blue skies are dotted with odd showers. Spring is ideal for those seeking mild temperatures and low numbers of tourists. Remember that melting snow can produce interesting aromas, particularly around the Mississippi!
- Weather: Agreeable-chilly, blue skies, some rain, and chances of snow
- Crowds: Low
Local Customs and Etiquette
Welcome to your crash course in “Minnesota Nice!” Expect locals to be warm and welcoming. As a visitor, it’s genuinely nice to be on the receiving end of, and given some time, you’ll recognize the nuances. Minnesota Nice is polite and helpful, warm yet reserved, and just ever so slightly passive-aggressive with a wry, dry sense of humor.
It’s based around a lot of pleasant small talk, similar to British small talk about mundane things like the weather, rather than about anything truly deep. A joke with some basis in truth is that folks here will be the first to help you in an emergency, but will never give you their home address!
They’ll rarely brag about anything, except how great Minnesota is, which is well warranted. If they ever tell you about themselves, they like you. And once you get one to start talking you’ll find they’re real chatterboxes!
Here are a few terms and phrases that you’ll likely come across in the Twin Cities:
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- No, yeah – Yes, affirmative, in agreement.
- Yeah, no – No, negative, disagreement.
- Oof or Uuf – Negative exclamation, like “dang.” Scandinavian in origin. E.g. “Oof, sorry to hear about that,” or “Oof! You see how expensive this Jucy Lucy is?”
- That’s interesting – I’m bored, and I’m being polite.
- That’s unique – That’s weird, and I’m being polite.
- The Mall – Only ever refers to the Mall of America.
- Grey Duck – I know it’s “goose,” but this is the hill I will die on.
- Shorts n’ Boots Weather – A sunny, snowy winter day with temperatures between about 20-50℉.
- Ope – An exclamation of something gone awry, intended to inform surrounding parties of said awry thing, normally followed by an explanation and the word “there.” E.g. “Ope, I nearly knocked your elbow there,” or “Ope, you’re shoelace is untied there,” or “Ope, I didn’t mean to see that there.”
Plan Your Trip to Minneapolis
Embark on an unforgettable journey to Minneapolis, United States. From its rich cultural heritage to its vibrant neighborhoods, this destination offers a unique blend of experiences for every traveler.