How to Spend a Weekend in the Twin Cities

FRIDAY 

Experience a stellar restaurant scene 

Start your Friday evening by enjoying Minneapolis’ award-winning dining scene. Make reservations in advance for locations in the dining power corner that’s blossomed in Northeast Minneapolis.  

Start with a drink and appetizer at Vinai, a restaurant by Hmong chef Yia Vang that has been years in the making. The Twin Cities are home to the largest urban Hmong population in the country, which is why getting a taste of Chef Yia’s illuminating take on the family dishes he grew up eating is a must-try. Expect large, shareable mains, plenty of veggies, and bold accompaniments like fish sauce caramel. 

Next, scoot down the street for dinner at Oro by Nixta, an elevated Mexican spot dedicated to making masa the star of the culinary show. This James Beard-nominated spot never disappoints. The food is amazing, the staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is warm and cozy. 

Take in tunes at two iconic venues

From there, it’s time to experience Minneapolis’ unbeatable music scene. Make your way to the heart of downtown to take in some tunes. There are two excellent options to choose from, depending on the vibe you’re after. 

The Dakota jazz club on Nicollet Mall delivers exactly the moody, dimly lit, cabaret atmosphere you’d expect. It’s a long-standing gem that offers world-class music performances seven nights a week, including R&B, soul, rock, pop, and more.  

On the other hand, there’s First Avenue, one of the longest-running, independently owned and operated music venues in the entire country. Not only did Prince play there, but it was also a filming location for the "Purple Rain" movie that served as his acting debut. 

First Ave hosts a wide variety of genre-spanning acts and is actually two venues in one — the large main room and the smaller, adjacent 7th Street Entry. 

Even if you opt for a more mellow show at the Dakota instead, any Twin Cities traveler would be remiss not to at least swing by First Ave’s iconic black exterior decorated with white stars that hold the names of musicians who have played there. 

One star, however, is gold — and it is, of course, Prince’s. 

SATURDAY 

Fuel up for outdoor fun 

One of the very best, most delightful, and endearing things about Minnesotans is that no matter the temperature — even if it’s -20 degrees outside — you’ll find them enjoying the glorious outdoor scenery.  

To gear up for a day in the great outdoors, start with a good breakfast. Arrive early to snag a table at Victor’s 1959 Cafe, a Cuban gem in the heart of South Minneapolis (they don’t take reservations). The walls at Victor’s have been scribbled on from top to bottom, so be sure to bring a pen or permanent marker to add your mark.

Give the café con leche, sweetened with house-made sugar paste, and the mango pancakes a try, and shell out for the side of Cuban toast. 

Hit the trails at Theo Wirth 

North Minneapolis’ 759-acre Theodore Wirth Regional Park offers miles and miles of well-groomed trails during any season. It’s home to a series of paved and natural-surface trails that make meandering through the park a breeze for people of all abilities.   

During the chillier months, Theo Wirth offers winter equipment rentals to outfit you with all the cold-weather gear you need. When the mercury drops, Theo Wirth is packed with a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced cross-country ski trails, alpine ski options, and snowshoe routes, too. For the young ones (or just the young at heart), there’s snow tubing as well. You can hike up the hill yourself or spring for tubing with rope towing.

During the warmer months, the park transforms into a multi-use mecca. It’s home to mountain biking trails of all skill varieties as well as an 18-hole golf course and club to enjoy and plenty of picnic areas, too.  

On your way out of Theo Wirth, swing by Cuppa Java for a caffeinated pick-me-up, snack, or light lunch depending on how much energy you exerted at the park. 

Recreate at Lake Harriet 

Minneapolis is filled with lakes, but we recommend Lake Harriet to guests thanks to its central location, rental options, and additional amenities. Bring your beach gear and spend a summer afternoon relaxing at the lake’s beaches, or rent a canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or paddle boat to take to the waters. 

Don’t miss the Lyndale Park Rose Garden across the street from Lake Harriet’s north shore and the Roberts Bird Sanctuary, a 31-acre oasis not far from the rose garden. 

Get tropical in St. Paul

Now that you’ve thoroughly explored Minneapolis, it’s time to make your way across the Mighty Mississippi to the capital city of St. Paul. Start your experience with a visit to the free, tropical, kid-friendly Como Zoo Conservatory. 

Open 365 days a year and positively packed with tropical plants that create the experience of stepping into a rainforest brimming with orchids, bonsai trees, and a renowned Japanese garden.  

Slip into supper club mode 

There’s a reason everyone loves Mancini’s Char House; it’s a family-run steakhouse with strong supper club vibes that serves up charbroiled steaks, lobster, fish fries and more. Come for the food but stay for the classic yet homey, dark-wood-and-patterned-carpet-filled atmosphere, which also hosts live music and other entertainment. 

Then, swing by the very nearby Moscow on the Hill to imbibe one of the many flavored Russian vodkas they have to offer. 

Rock the night away

Just like in Minneapolis, St. Paul arguably has two premier music venues. Turf Club began as a supper club and dance hall in the ‘40s, and is now one of the best mid-sized venues booked by First Avenue. Amsterdam Bar and Hall slings European beer and is home to two performance stages. 

Either is an excellent way to end the day, depending on your musical preferences and who’s playing at each spot on a given night. (They both have live music seven days a week.)

SUNDAY 

Dine like a Mighty Duck 

Start the day back in St. Paul with breakfast at Mickey’s Diner, a local icon that shut down following the pandemic and reopened in late 2024 to the delight of the entire Twin Cities. 

The diner is known for its classics like pancakes, hash browns, and omelets, but has added some new offerings like espresso drinks and vegetarian options since reopening. Oh, and it also played a supporting role in "The Mighty Ducks." 

Stroll Summit Avenue 

Aid your digestion after breakfast by taking a stroll along tree-lined Summit Avenue. A more than four-mile stretch of the street is filled with sprawling, Victorian-style mansions that comprise two national historic districts (the Historic Hill District and the West Summit Avenue District) and two St. Paul Heritage Preservation Districts (Summit Hill and Ramsey Hill). 

The American Planning Association has named it one of the 10 Great Streets in the country! 

Spend the day immersed in art 

Next, head over to the Burl Gallery. It’s a woman-led community art gallery that features artists at all stages of their careers and offers an art experience unlike any other in the Twin Cities.  

Next, head back to Minneapolis and visit the Walker Art Center. The world-renowned, multidisciplinary contemporary art museum is across the street from its free outdoor Sculpture Garden, which showcases works by artists like Richard Serra, Sol LeWitt, and Claes Oldenburg, including his iconic "Spoonbridge and Cherry." 

Finally, head to the American Indian Center and its Two Rivers Gallery to take in work by Native artists. 

Load up on local books 

Before you head home, stop by Birchbark Books for some airplane reads. It’s locally owned by renowned Indigenous writer Louise Erdrich and offers Native American crafts alongside hand-selected titles. 

Check out more guides to Minneapolis-St. Paul and the Twin Cities' top hotels.