Downtown Minneapolis - where you find all the entertainment

Why visit Downtown?

Minneapolis is a beautiful city that combines sparkling skyscrapers with with wonderful lakes. The zone in the northern end of the city is referred to as Downtown. I bet you will like Downtown Minneapolis as it offers a lot of different outdoor and indoor activities. As a tourist this is where you find most of the places you have to visit and which are suitable for all ages and interests.

In downtown you will find many glass-enclosed skyways that are home to lots of different shops and also restaurants. Downtown is the heart of the city and very lively. You will find a lot of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities there for every member of the family. If you are an art lover you should not miss places like the Walker Art Center, the Frederick Weisman Art Museum and of course the Mineapolis Art Institute. For those who are more into music the live jazz and broadways are sources of entertainment. You can easily reach downtown with the help of public transport like the metro transit bus or the light rail route.

Places to Visit in Downtown Minneapolis

If you are interested in architecture you should have a look at Nicollet Island which is the place that where you will find many Victorian homes. The area is really nice with fast green parks. Here you can really enjoy the countryside and get away from the busy business life you will experience in Mineapolis. If you want to relax a bit this is the place to go.

You should also stop at Nye's Polonaise Room which is said to be the best bar in this region. I agree. Steak and drinks there are really good. Also pay a visit to Nicollet Mall which is a thoroughfare lined with different restaurants, departmental stores and other shop.

Entertainment outlets, pawn article shops and antiques can be found around Warehouse District. You also shouldn't miss Minneapolis Riverfront District. Many of the most popular theatres and art centers located in downtown Minneapolis are the Walker Art Center, the Guthrie Theater and Hennepin Avenue Theatre.

Entertainment in Downtown Minneapolis

Downtown Minneapoli is probably the best place to grab some food in one of the fine restaurants, bars and pubs. There is 20.21 by Wolfgang Puck at Walker Art Center and also Chambers Kitchen by Jeans-Georges. Chambers Hotel is another great place to eat. But downtown is lined with popular hangouts. I can also recommend Applebee's, Capital Grille, Café North Star , Hard Rock Café and Bellanotte.

As mentioned before jazz and music can be found everyhwere in the downtown area. Places that are often visited are Dakota which is popular for jazz and First Avenue where everything from rock to hip-hop is played. The Guthrie is also recommendable although a bit expensive. I is located towards the Mississippi River and plays are held regularly there. It always attracts a large number of people.

More Fun at Downtown Minneapolis

The Mill City Museum is also a must-visit-place in Downtown Minneapolis. In summer the Mill City Courtyard and the River park are the places to go as summer concerts are held there. A farmer's market also tells of the importance of this place and of its history. If you want to see a mix of old and new Minneapolis you should walk accross Hennepin Bridge to arrive in St. Anthony Main It holds a large number of clubs and is popular for its nightlife. This area really present the cultural and historical picture of Downtown Minneapolis.  

Getting Info on Downtown Minneapolis

If you need more information on Downtown Minneapolis there are several things you can do. First, the Official Minneapolis site gives all the details and contact information for the major places of interest in the downtown area. More information can be found on the YWCA Minneapolis website. Another site to visit is the Downtown Minneapolis Council that informs about shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and services. Maps of downtown Minneapolis are also available ther. owntown. Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) has information on the neighborhood of downtown Minneapolis and the Downtown Neigbborhood Revitalization Program (NRP).

However, if you in need of detailed information or real time help, the Central Library in the Downtown area is the place to go. The collection of the library extends to about 25000 books and resources that can be quite helpful for visitors and researchers as well. You can also find the Minneapolis Photo Collection that can give you more insight into the city's history.

I am sure if you use one of these sources you will find all the information you need to explore the city!


The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author.
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota.