A Guide to Downtown Minneapolis' Loring Park Neighborhood
Loring Park is the southernmost downtown neighborhood, named for its eponymous green space. Perhaps most famous for hosting the Twin Cities Pride Festival each June, Loring Park has a rich history as a queer neighborhood, and once held the bohemian Loring Playhouse, epicenter of Minneapolis' independent theater scene.
Loring is perhaps the quietest and most picturesque of the downtown neighborhoods, but that doesn't mean there's a lack of things to do. You could spend an entire day and night exploring Loring, and still not see it all. Or while away a weekend at a special event like its popular winter celebration, Holidazzle.
Relax in Downtown's
Largest Park
Anchored by a bucolic pond, Loring Park is an immaculately maintained green space with all the amenities: tennis courts, walking paths, shuffleboard, community gardens, biking trails, a dog park and more. With a view of the grand Basilica of St. Mary and a half-dozen restaurants mere steps away, Loring Park is the kind of vibrant city haven that makes Minneapolis, Minneapolis.
Choose Your Own
Pedestrian Adventure
Two roads diverge from Loring Park. One, the distinctive yellow-covered Hixton-Whitney Footbridge, leads to the Walker Art Center. The other, the Loring Greenway, bills itself as an “urban garden” and connects to Nicollet Mall and the central business district.
On a nice summer day, make a trip of it: start at the Walker, cross the bridge, enjoy your time in Loring Park, then continue on to snap a photo with the Mary Tyler Moore statue.
Snap a Selfie With
an Iconic Sculpture
The Walker is one of the nation’s most-visited contemporary art museums, housing more than 13,000 works. Recent exhibits have included Sophie Calle’s Overshare and Keith Haring’s Art Is for Everyone, alongside works by Chuck Close, Andy Warhol, Yves Klein, Edward Hopper, Cindy Sherman, Jasper Johns and Yoko Ono.
The Walker also hosts film screenings and live performances, including avant-garde productions rarely seen outside cities like New York and London.
Its on-site restaurant, Cardamom, serves an accessible Aegean- and Mediterranean-inspired menu in a greenery-filled, sun-soaked space, with a patio that opens into the famed sculpture garden.
Speaking of the garden, that’s where you’ll find the iconic “Spoonbridge and Cherry,” along with more than 60 sculptures spread across 11 acres.
Admission is free every first Thursday of the month, and the sculpture garden is always free and open to the public.
Feast on Flavor-Packed
Laotian Food at Gai Noi
Two-time James Beard nominee Ann Ahmed opened Gai Noi in May 2023, and it’s been packed ever since. The no-reservations restaurant serves vibrant takes on laab, mok paa, curry peanut noodles and Ahmed’s signature basil chicken wings — exactly the kind of beautiful but unfussy spot you’re always in the mood for.
Their passion fruit punch and pomelo spritzes shine year-round, but the space is especially magical in summer, when rooftop doors open and the energy spills into Loring Park.
Breathe Deeply at the
Basilica of St. Mary
Looking for a quiet indoor moment? The Basilica of St. Mary, a minor Roman Catholic basilica dating to 1871, was designed by Emmanuel Louis Masqueray in Beaux-Arts style using Rockville granite. It’s open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with self-guided and docent-led tours.
Steak Frites in Style
510 Groveland is one of the city’s most storied addresses. Built in the late 1920s, it houses some of the nation’s first luxury condos — but anyone can enjoy its architecture at P.S. Steak, an elegant, quietly luxurious restaurant on the ground floor.
The dining room features expertly prepared meats, classic steakhouse sides and a few surprises like bison tataki and silky butternut squash soup.
Visit in winter for peak atmosphere — it’s especially magical when snow is falling outside.
Bring Your Dog
to Brühaven
Brühaven is an all-day, dog-friendly coffee shop and brewery hosting everything from trivia and live music to bingo and game nights. Expect a creative tap list alongside nonalcoholic adaptogen drinks from their BrüWell line.
Bonus: free parking in the Emerson Elementary lot after 2:30 p.m.
Support Youth Soccer
at Fawkes Alley Coffee
Tucked along Harmon Place, Fawkes Alley Coffee feels like a hidden European mews. It’s also a nonprofit supporting youth soccer access through the Futsal Society.
See a Pride Cultural
Arts Center Show
Loring Park is a historically queer neighborhood and home to Twin Cities Pride. You can celebrate Minnesota’s LGBTQIA+ community year-round at the Pride Cultural Arts Center, which hosts performances, workshops and rotating gallery exhibitions.
The space also includes an artist-in-residence program and a free, gender-affirming clothing shop.
Drink a Milkshake
and Tip a Queen
See a drag show and grab a Denver omelet at Roxy’s, a lively cabaret connected to the 24-hour Nicollet Diner. Named for drag legend Roxy Marquis, it hosts drag shows, comedy, movie nights and more.
Everyone is welcome — including guests under 18 and anyone craving pancakes at midnight.
