Exploring the city of Minneapolis in 24 hours is absolutely a fun thing to do, and with our quick one-day Minneapolis itinerary, you will be able to plan a memorable trip. This is a rapidly developing city in the state of Minnesota, but travelers love it because of its heavenly scenery, luxuriant vegetation, and bountiful adventure activities. A small but magnificent city, Minneapolis experiences a hot-summer humid continental climate. Winters are predominantly cold and snowy. Thus, one day in Minneapolis has something to offer to everyone – landscapes, beaches, museums, art galleries, and thrilling nightlife, you name it! It is also an ideal destination for a honeymoon couple with luxurious hotels and resorts.
Plan your trip to Minneapolis
1. What is the best time to visit Minneapolis?
2. A Few Facts about Minneapolis
3. One Day in Minneapolis Itinerary
3.1. Enjoy the street life of the picturesque city
3.2. Explore the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
3.3. Go for a wonderful boat ride at Chain of Lakes Regional Park
3.4. Admire the work of artists at Walker Art Center
3.5. Glide along the Mississippi River
4. Where to stay in Minneapolis?
5. Day trips from Minneapolis
6. Extra tips for visiting Minneapolis
What is the best time to visit Minneapolis?
Well, Minneapolis is a place where you can have fun whenever you want because it’s accessible throughout the year. But generally, the winter months are the best time to experience the huge snow. During Christmas and New Year, you will see the different colors and vibes around the town. Minneapolis also has the best Thanksgiving and Halloween festivals!
During the Thanksgiving festival, local and international visitors come together to celebrate the festival with pomp and show. From November to February, Minneapolis experiences great snow, and it is the best time to explore the streets of the city. Obviously, your experience depends upon your choice of the month – you are free to choose any month or season that suits you. You’ll have plenty to see.
A Few Facts about Minneapolis
You should know that Minneapolis is also known as the city of lakes. You know the LA Lakers? They were originally founded as the Minneapolis Lakers, and the name “Lakers” comes from these very lakes.
The city is also divided into eleven communities, each with its own neighborhood. The Dakota tribe is native to this part of the US, and they are permanent settlers near St. Anthony Fall.
Minneapolis is also a paradise for book lovers. It is home to the three nonprofit literary presses namely; Graywolf Press, Milkweed Editions, and Coffee House Press.
During the month of September, Minneapolis host the Monarch Butterfly Festival, an event that celebrates the incredible 2300-mile journey this butterfly makes every year.
One Day in Minneapolis Itinerary
During your one day in Minneapolis, you can enjoy a lot of what the city has to offer because this itinerary will prepare you thoroughly and help you plan ahead. There are several must-visit sights here, but visiting a significant number of Minneapolis attractions in just one day can be tricky. Therefore, follow this guide to utilize your one day in an appropriate manner so that you can cover all the most iconic landmarks of the town.
Enjoy the street life of the picturesque city
Midtown Global Market is a perfect place to have fun with friends and family. The place offers you various options to shop, eat, and relax. From vibrant cafes to classic restaurants, Midtown Global Market is a paradise for food lovers. It has multiple outlets of authentic and international restaurants that serve finger-licking cuisines.
Parking is free here for one hour, so you can park your car or bike on 10th Street for one hour. All the marketplaces and spots are beautifully designed by the local artists. You will find various wall paintings and graffiti that will make your Instagram feed more colorful and eye-catching.
Address: 920E. Lake Street Minneapolis, MN 55407
Operational hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 08pm; Sunday 11am to 06pm.
Explore the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
For nature lovers, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden is a heavenly place. During a one-day trip to Minneapolis, this is definitely a must. The garden is spread over 12 acres of land and is home to 500 plants and 130 species of birds.
Enter at the garden gate, and you’ll be greeted by the exotic wildflowers, herbs, and chirping of birds. It has also a center where you can see the cultural program and gift shops, all inspired by the nature surrounding them.
Address: 1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405, USA
Operational hours: 10am to 06pm(Tue-Sun) *Monday Closed
Go for a wonderful boat ride at Chain of Lakes Regional Park
No trip to the land of the lakes is complete visiting these fascinating bodies of water. Each of the five that form the Chains of Lake has something unique to offer; Lake Harriet observes Live Music in summer, not to mention a rose garden, bird sanctuary, and two family-friendly beaches.
Additionally, Lake Calhoun attracts the more active crowd with plenty of bikes and boat rentals. The Chain of Lakes is open all year round and is located only about five miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis. So, make sure you come here if at all possible.
Address: 400 South 4th St
Operational hours: 6 am to midnight in developed areas, and 6 am to 10 pm in undeveloped areas.
Admire the work of artists at Walker Art Center
If you are fond of art, historical facts, or figures, then you must add Walker Art Center to your one-day Minneapolis itinerary. It will be two hours very well spent, and during this time, you will see gorgeous art of the local and globally renowned artists. Walker Art Center is well known for its great collections of modern and contemporary art comprising photographs, sculptures, and paintings of both European and American artists.
This art museum hosts several special events, including the annual Rock the Garden summer music festival. It’s good to know that this place is suited for kids, too. Not only will they enjoy the interior but everyone up to the age of 18 also gets in free!
Address: 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403, America
Operational hours: 11am-06pm
Glide along the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is a natural feature of Minneapolis that stretches for 9 miles through the city. The best way to experience the grand Mississippi is along the West River Parkway.
The trail offers a magnificent view and is near the old mill district. Also, St. Anthony Falls attract many visitors every year. Once you watch explore the Mississippi here, you will understand why this is such an iconic river for the US. The crystal-clear water of the river will enchant you and provide an incredible experience.
Address: Minneapolis, MN 55414, United States
Operational hours: Open 24/7
Where to stay in Minneapolis?
Royal Sonesta Minneapolis
35 South 7th Street, Downtown Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55402
If you want a five-star place to stay, Royal Sonesta is the place to go to in Minneapolis. Every room comes with a flat-screen TV, coffee machine, safe for your laptop, and many other features that help you enjoy your stay to the fullest. Furthermore, the restaurant here operates on the farm-to-table principle, so you can expect exceptionally tasty meals. Or you can pick up a meal and take it with you as you explore the city.
Loews Minneapolis Hotel
601 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Loews Minneapolis Hotel is a great place to stay because it’s close to the city center and offers exceptional comfort. Pets are allowed, and limestone counters in the bathrooms give the whole place a wonderful dash of elegance. The hotel also has a great bar that lets you create your own drink, and there are many other features here that will make sure you love every second of your stay here.
Hampton Inn and Suites
19 North 8th Street, Downtown Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Another hotel with a great central location, Hampton Inn and Suites will provide you with some great value for your money. Spacious and comfortable rooms, a 24-hour fitness center, and a garden are just some of the features you can expect here. The guests praise the breakfast here, and you can even get complimentary coffee. No doubt, you will feel very welcome in this hotel.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
6051 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416
If you’re looking for a budget option, Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites are definitely where you should head. The place even has its own pool! Then there’s also a 24-hour fitness center, the rooms have their own coffeemakers, and there’s even a place where you can make your own barbecue. A great place to stay, no doubt about that!
Day trips from Minneapolis
If you have time for a little detour, Hopkins, Stillwater, Plymouth are some of the nearest towns that can easily be explored in a minimum time. But that’s not all! Allow us to suggest a few great day trips from Minneapolis you could enjoy without too much effort.
Saint Paul
Minneapolis is actually just one half of the region known as the Twin Cities, the other being Saint Paul. So, if you have the time, go and check out Minneapolis’ brother – it has an incredible zoo, Minnesota Children’s Museum is a great place to visit if you have kids along, the cathedral of St. Paul is quite beautiful, and there’s a generally great vibe all over the place. Don’t miss it!
Plymouth
Just 15 miles from Minneapolis city center is the town of Plymouth. It is full of incredible nature, and places such as the Millennium Garden or one of the amazing parks are a nature lover’s dream come true. If you want to just take a moment to take in a breath of fresh air, come here!
Taylors Falls
Now this is something really special. The incredible Taylors Falls are less than an hour away from Minneapolis, and you won’t regret heading there. The scenery looks very much like it was painted by a master painter. The rolling mountains and the mighty river will make you forget about everything else.
Red Wing
Red Wing is an incredibly charming town less than an hour away from Minneapolis. It’s a perfect destination if you’re interested in hiking or great views, but if you just want to take it easy and check out the famous shoe museum there, you can easily do so and have a great day out.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is a picturesque zoo and botanical garden. It is one of the most visited places in Saint Paul. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory receives around 1.9 million visitors annually. It has major attractions of points like an amusement park, zoo, cafeteria, a golf course, pool, and carousel lake Como.
Bell Museum, Saint Paul
In the entire town of Saint Paul, Bell Museum is one of the most attractive architectural pieces. It is formerly called the James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History. Bell Museum is located in the heart of Minnesota University. It is part of the university’s college of food and agriculture and natural Science.
Minnehaha Falls
Saint Paul is blessed with natural resources. Apart from the lakes and rivers, it has countless waterfalls. Minnehaha falls is a prime example of its natural beauty. This amazing waterfall is part of Minnehaha regional park. It offers a magnificent view to the eyes.
How to reach Minneapolis?
Minneapolis is a metropolitan city which makes it widely connected to the rest of the country and other countries. Air mode is the fastest mode of transportation to reach Minneapolis. Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain Airport is the nearest airport to Minneapolis. All major airlines that provide countless flights to America or other countries also give quick air service in Minneapolis city.
Extra tips for visiting Minneapolis
Once you plan a one-day or short trip to Minneapolis, try to start your day in the early morning so that you can get sufficient time to explore the city. If possible, use a rental taxi or cab as it allows you to cover maximum places within 24 hours. It also helps you to reach your destination at the right time. We hope this short one-day Minneapolis itinerary will help you in the perfect execution of your plan.
John Steifert
John Steifert, a final year student of California University and passionate Content Creator who works as an intern in the travel-based industry. He has been working in this field for so many years. Being a brilliant content writer, Mr.John delivered top-notch quality work on time and with zero plagiarism. His passion for traveling and exploring new things enlarges his knowledge and similarly, he pours all his experience into his work.
Thank you for sharing your content. I really like it. It was useful information for me.
Minnehaha Falls is not in St. Paul. It’s in Minnehaha Park in South Minneapolis, south of 46th Street near the Ford Bridge. Also, it’s Taylors Falls, and not “Taylor Falls.”
Thanks for the feedback!