Stay

Hewing Hotel  – The hippest boutique hotel in the hottest neighborhood with a Nordic chic vibe. Rooms are small and minimalist, and the bar and restaurant attract locals for a buzzy feel.

Hotel Ivy – An upscale hotel, recently updated, with spa and fitness center. It’s also connected to the above-ground downtown Skyway system.

Loews Minneapolis – Convenient downtown location, across the street from Target Center and Target Field, the specialty suites are some of the best in the city.

Le Meridien Chambers Minneapolis – An art-inspired boutique hotel, guests can visit Walker Art Center complimentary by presenting their hotel key card.

Dine

James Beard award-winning Chef/Owner Gavin Caysen returned to his native Minneapolis and opened Spoon & Stable in the burgeoning North Loop neighborhood a few years ago. He is as close as one can come to “celebrity” chef in this town, but it is still the food that keeps it a hard-to-get reservation. If you strike out for dinner, don’t be afraid to get your fix for Sunday brunch. Or, venture 30 minutes west of downtown to Wayzata and his newest venture, Bellecour, a French bistro and bakery in downtown Wayzata.

Martina – The Argentinian-inspired restaurant in Minneapolis’ Linden Hills neighborhood became an instant hit since opening in November. Chef/ Owner Daniel del Prado is running things on his own for the first time after working at several of the best in town.

Come hungry or bring friends who will share plates. The pizza, dumplings and sides are so good, but save room for the steak. While it might seem counterintuitive to want ice cream during a Minnesota winter, you’ll understand when you try Milkjam Creamery. At least you’ll be avoiding the typical line down the block during warmer months. Go big with the Jam Bun, ice cream sandwiched between a Glam Doll donut, or try a flight of 4 flavors since it’ll be impossible for you to choose just one. Flavors are always changing but, favorites include Cereal Killer (with Fruity Pebbles) and Poppin Bottles (champagne with sprinkles).

Drink

Marvel Bar – Located under The Bachelor Farmer (add it to your list, too), this cozy speakeasy will warm you up with a killer cocktail list.  Just as good in other seasons, too. Note: closed Feb. 1-4 for private Super Bowl events.

Young Joni – Star Tribune’s 2017 Restaurant of the Year winner, Young Joni is the latest of Chef Ann Kim’s successes. Following Pizzeria Lola in South Minneapolis and Hello Pizza in Edina, Young Joni does fine dining food in a laid back way.  And the wood-fire pizzas are still on the menu. But beyond the restaurant, check the unmarked rusted door in the side alley and if you’re lucky and the red light is on, the Back Bar is open for business.

Betty Danger’s Country Club – This place does not take itself too seriously. Retro-inspired, Mexican-American food, mini golf and a ferris wheel for the “other 99%.” Need we say more? Limited hours Fri-Sun in off season (winter).

Craft breweries and distilleries – The Twin Cities craft beer and spirits scene is booming. Tasting rooms are plentiful, so if it’s craft beer that is your jam, try a tour (public and private available) with Bitter Minnesota or Hoppy Trolley.

Shop

North Loop – This neighborhood should be stop No. 1. It’s home to Martin Patrick 3, quite possibly the best men’s clothing, home decor and design store anywhere. Dreaming of women’s getting added to the mix (what’s taking so long, MP3?). However, women can still get their fix within a two-block radius at D.Nolo, Grethen House, Russel + Hazel, Pacifier and Queen Anna.

The best souvenir of your visit is a “North” stocking hat or gear at Askov Finlayson or at hometown retailer Target, where they just launched a limited-edition collection. Described as “a clothing company for people who explore the outdoors in all seasons,” Askov’s owners (brothers Andrew Dayton and Eric Dayton) are behind the entire North movement.

Mall of America – With the distinction as the largest mall in the U.S., Mall of America is usually on any visitor’s must-see list. With more than 500 stores, bars restaurants, an aquarium, mini golf, and indoor amusement park, Nickelodeon Universe, there’s a little something for everyone. Bonus: there’s no state sales tax on clothing.

Edina – The 50th & France neighborhood has several locally owned women’s boutiques, including Bluebird Boutique, Grethen House (the original), Bumbershute, Room No. 3 and Equation. Stop for lunch at Agra Culture or Coalition nearby.  Just a few blocks north at France and 44th Street is Bean + Ro, a fabulous gift shop where you can get just about anything personalized. And then if you head a few miles south, you’ll find Galleria, a high-end mall with everything from Louis Vuitton to North Face.

Play

Paisley Park –  Prince fans (who isn’t?) shouldn’t miss the chance to visit his private home and recording studio in Chanhassen.  Public and private tours available. Select Saturday nights, they host Paisley Park After Dark with a live DJ.

When you live in the North, winter is reason to celebrate. St. Paul Winter Carnival is 17 days of fanfare. Head to Rice Park to check out a 70-foot tall Ice Palace, live music and other activities. In Minneapolis, Luminary Loppet is one of the best outdoor events of the season. Happening Feb. 3 during Super Bowl weekend, walk, ski or snowshoe on the frozen Lake of the Isles among hundreds of illuminated ice lanterns and ice sculptures with hot cocoa stops along the way.

Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) – During museum hours Feb. 1-4, check out the ice maze that will feature images featured in the new exhibition, “Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty: Concept and Design by Robert Wilson.”

Walker Art Center – Herzog & de Meuron designed the modern addition to this contemporary art museum. Later in February, it’s creating a little hygge haven with a Little Box Sauna outside the museum and a snowshoe tour through the Sculpture Garden.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden – See and snap a photo with the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen.

Stay

Hewing Hotel, 300 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | +1 (866) 831-7121
Hotel Ivy, 201 South Eleventh Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403 | +1 (888) 627-7152
Loews Minneapolis, 601 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403 | +1 (877) 408-2768
Le Meridien Chambers Minneapolis, 901 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403 | +1 (866) 961-2861

Dine

Spoon & Stable, 211 North First Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | +1 (612) 224-9850
Martina, 4312 South Upton Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55410 | +1 (612) 922-9913
Burch Steak & Pizza, 1933 Colfax Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55403 | +1 (612) 843-1500
Milkjam Creamery, 2743 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 | +1 (612) 424-4668
Agra Culture, 3717 W 50th St, Minneapolis, MN 55410 | +1 (612) 345-5442
Coalition, 3808 W 50th St, Minneapolis, MN 55410 | +1 (952) 456-8979

Drink

Marvel Bar, 50 N 2nd Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | +1 (612) 206-3929
The Bachelor Farmer, 50 N 2nd Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | +1 (612) 206-3920
Young joni, 165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 | +1 (612) 345-5719
Betty Danger’s Country Club, 2501 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 | +1 (612) 315-4997
Bitter Minnesota, 345 N 6th Ave #204, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | +1 (612) 568-2404
Hoppy Trolley, 949 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414 | +1 (612) 607-3681

Shop

Martin Patrick 3, 212 Third Ave N Suite #106, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | +1 (612) 746-5329
D. Nolo, 219 N 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | +1 (612) 584-3244
Grethen House, 212 3rd Ave N, Suite #109, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | +1 (612) 339-5702
Russel & Hazel, 219 2nd St N, Suite #106, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | +1 (612) 353-4149
Queen Anna, 109 N 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | +1 (612) 354-7581
Askov Finlayson, 204 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | +1 (612) 206-3925
Mall of America, 60 East Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425 | +1 (952) 883-8800
Bluebird Boutique, 3909 W 50th St, Edina, MN 55424 | +1 (952) 746-8675
Grethen House, 4930 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55410 | +1 (952) 926-8725
Bumbershute, 5014 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55410 | +1 (952) 475-2684
Room No. 3, 4948 France Ave S, Edina MN 55424 | +1 (952) 746-3003
Equation, 5045 France Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410 | +1 (952) 567-7399
Bean + Ro, 4528 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55410 | +1 (952) 303-3411

Play

Paisley Park, 7801 Audubon Rd, Chanhassen, MN 55317 | officialpaisleypark.com | info@officalpaisleypark.com
St. Paul Winter Carnival, 429 Landmark Center, 75 W 5th St, Saint Paul, MN 55102 | +1 (651) 223-7400
Luminary Loppet, 1301 Theodore Wirth Pkway, Minneapolis, MN 55422 | +1 (612) 604-5330
Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404 | +1 (612) 870-3000
Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403 | +1 (612) 375-7600
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403 | +1 (612) 375-7600