Lifestyle in Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a quiet and peaceful city that is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, thriving arts and theatre scene, and abundant outdoor parks and lakes.

If you’re moving to Minneapolis, you might be concerned about enduring the city’s harsh winters that bring below-freezing temperatures and several feet of snow, but this has not stopped residents from enjoying life in the Twin Cities to the full. The city’s excellent public transport system, including light rail connections to the airport and neighbouring St Paul, makes getting around straightforward year-round.

Getting Around in Minneapolis

Shopping in Minneapolis

Minneapolis is famous for its shopping options as the birthplace of Target and home to the largest mall in the US, the Mall of America. This mall is located in the suburb of Bloomington and houses more than 520 shops, 60 restaurants, an indoor theme park, and the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, so there is plenty to keep the whole family occupied.

For a unique experience, you can head for the independent boutiques and international fashion brands at Nicollet Mall, a pedestrian shopping avenue in downtown Minneapolis. Edina is another popular shopping neighbourhood, home to the 50th & France shopping district, which is packed with independent shops.

Eating out, nightlife and entertainment in Minneapolis

When it comes to eating out in Minneapolis, you’ll find cuisine to suit every taste and budget. The city is multicultural, and this is reflected in its dining options. From traditional and ethnic to international cuisine, including Mexican, Italian, African, and Asian, you’ll find a restaurant to satisfy your palate. The most diverse cuisine in Minneapolis can be found in the aptly named Eat Street, an area with a wide array of restaurants.

Minneapolis has a thriving nightlife, along with exciting performing arts and live music scenes. The Warehouse District is the heart of Minneapolis’ nightlife scene. Trendy nightclubs, eateries and bars offer you a range of entertainment options here. The Downtown area also has plenty of options if you’re looking for a night out.

If you’re a theatre lover, you’re in for a treat in Minneapolis. The city is renowned for having one of the best theatre scenes in the US outside of New York, and a number of touring Broadway shows and major musical acts have graced stages in Minneapolis.

Sports and outdoor activities in Minneapolis

Sports and outdoor activities in Minneapolis provide year-round entertainment despite the harsh winters. Minneapolis residents are known to enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. Straddling the Mississippi River and home to many lakes, the city provides active residents with abundant opportunities for water sports in the summer, and in winter, opportunities for skiing and ice skating.

With Minneapolis and St Paul rated among the top US cities for their park systems, you’ll have plenty of room to enjoy walking, hiking, jogging, and cycling. If you’re less active, you can indulge in a picnic or just relax in the shade of the trees during the summer.

Sports fans can catch the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Downtown Minneapolis or head to US Bank Stadium for Minnesota Vikings games. The Minnesota Timberwolves play basketball at Target Center, also located downtown, and all three venues are easily accessible via public transport.

See and do in Minneapolis

If you’re moving to Minneapolis, you’ll find plenty to see and do in the Twin Cities area. Whether hiking or biking in the great outdoors or indulging in a bit of culture at an art gallery or theatre, the wide range of attractions in Minneapolis will suit new arrivals of all backgrounds. Parents will be pleased to know that there are many child-friendly activities on offer in the city too.

Below is a list of some of the most popular attractions in Minneapolis.

Fort Snelling State Park

Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, this well-loved park combines history with outdoor recreation. The park gets its name from the fort on its grounds, which dates back to the 1820s. You can tour the fort and learn about the area’s fascinating history.

Minnehaha Regional Park

This sprawling park full of limestone bluffs and rivers lies halfway between the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. It is particularly popular during the summer months when you can catch a concert by the bandstand, enjoy a picnic while watching the 53-foot (16m) waterfall or simply take a relaxing walk along one of the trails.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Minneapolis Institute of Art has around 90,000 works that span over 5,000 years of history. Popular exhibits include the contemporary gallery and the Asian art collection. Works by renowned artists such as Édouard Manet, Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin are also on display.

Minneapolis Theatre District

Three of the city’s most prominent theatres – the Pantages, State, and Orpheum Theatres – are all located within a block of each other in downtown Minneapolis. All three have a variety of offerings sure to delight any theatre buff, from plays and musical theatre to comedians and internationally famous musicians.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

A visit to this free art park in downtown Minneapolis is a must for anyone new to the city. The garden is home to more than 40 outdoor works of art, including the Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture that has become a Minneapolis icon.

Minnesota Children’s Museum

This is a great place to take kids in Minnesota. Each of the museum’s varied exhibits, spread out over three floors, is geared towards allowing young people to have an interactive experience. Highlights include the laser maze, giant slide, pretend town and makerspace.

Meeting people and making friends in Minneapolis

Meeting people and making friends in Minneapolis is straightforward, thanks to the city’s welcoming community and active social scene. The city’s numerous volunteer opportunities through local organisations provide excellent ways to meet like-minded people while contributing to the community. Minneapolis residents are known for their civic engagement, making volunteering a natural pathway to friendships.

The Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts regular business mixers, luncheons, and workshops for professional networking. Young Professionals of Minneapolis offers regular networking events, panel discussions, and social mixers for career development and connections. For newcomers specifically, the Newcomers Club of the Southwest Suburbs provides monthly meetings and special interest groups designed to help you settle into the community.

Useful links

• Young Professionals of Minneapolis
• Newcomers Club of the Southwest Suburbs
• Mini Meetup Minneapolis
• Minneapolis Meetup Groups