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Things To Do in Minneapolis and Bloomington, MN in 2024

Great Wolf Lodge resort in Arizona
 

When you book your stay at Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park & Resort Minneapolis / Bloomington, MN, discover some of the attractions the area has to offer.

The Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie Theater is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training, known for its dynamic productions of classic and contemporary plays. Open to the public year-round, this award-winning cultural destination houses three theaters on site.


Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area
Located within the 1,000-acre Hyland Park Reserve, this recreational area attracts downhill and snowboard ski enthusiasts.


Mall of America
Mall of America® is located in Bloomington, Minnesota—only 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. As one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, Mall of America features over 500 stores. Some attractions at the Mall of America include: SEA LIFE® Minnesota Aquarium; The LEGO Store; American Girl Minneapolis and more.


Minneapolis Institute of Art
Travel through 4,000 years of world history as you view more than 80,000 works of sculpture, photography, paintings, drawings and prints.


Minnehaha Regional Park
One of Minneapolis' oldest and most popular parks features a majestic 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and river overlooks, attracting more than 850,000 visitors annually.


Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge is part of a corridor of land and water stretching nearly 70 miles along the Minnesota River, from Bloomington to Henderson, Minnesota. Comprised of more than 14,000 acres, the refuge offers a variety of free outdoor recreational experiences for individuals and families.


Normandale Japanese Garden
Normandale Community College's Japanese Garden is a two-acre oasis on its campus in Bloomington, Minnesota. The garden is open year-round at no charge, except when reserved for special events.


Target Field
Tour Target Field and experience the magnificence of the Minnesota Twins’ home. During guided tours, you'll see areas of the ballpark many guests normally don't see. These spaces may include the Herb Carneal Press Box, clubhouse, dugout, suite level, Metropolitan Club, Delta SKY360 Club, Budweiser Roof Deck, and Thompson Reuters Champions Club. Guests will be exposed to the art work, displays of memorabilia, environmental and sustainability features of Target Field, as well as Twins history. All public and private tours are wheelchair accessible, with complimentary wheelchairs available upon request.


U.S. Bank Stadium
U.S. Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose facility and home to the Minnesota Vikings. This state-of-the-art facility hosts prominent national and international programming including the Minnesota Vikings, concerts, family shows, college and high school sporting events, conventions, trade/consumer shows, and corporate or private meetings and other community events. U.S. Bank Stadium has been chosen as the site of the Summer X Games (2017 and 2018), Super Bowl LII (2018) and the NCAA Men’s Final Four (2019).

FAQ's

What is Minneapolis best known for?

There are so many things to do in Minneapolis, but the city is most famous for its abundance of beautiful lakes throughout the city and its edges. Along with this rich outdoors scenery, there is a vibrant arts and culture scene that makes Minnesota’s largest city a cultural hub across the Midwest. There’s so much more to discover: From iconic art institutions and architecture to its diverse regional culinary scene (be sure to try a “Juicy Lucy” burger), there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Minneapolis.

What do people do for fun in Minneapolis?

Along with being rich in scenic lakes and rivers, Minneapolis has an unexpected bounty of cultural landmarks, from the Walker Art Center to the sculpture garden. It’s the largest city in Minnesota, and thanks to the presence right next door of the Mall of America, there’s no shortage of things to do in Bloomington, MN, either. Take in a sporting event at Target Field or take a tour of historic downtown—those looking for things to do in Minnesota will always find something.

Is Minneapolis a good place for tourists?

Whether you’re simply looking for things to do in Minneapolis this weekend or you’re planning a longer getaway, the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and adjoining state capitol St. Paul) have fun for the whole family. If you’re only staying for a day or two, be sure to stay at Great Wolf Lodge—click here to learn more. But if you have more time on your hands, please see our list of “Things To Do In Minneapolis” to discover some of the best things to see and do in the Twin Cities.

Is Minneapolis a good place for families?

There are many things to do in Minneapolis with kids after visiting Great Wolf Lodge. These include popular attractions, historical landmarks, famous tourist stops, and more. See our list of the “Things To Do In Minneapolis” for a longer list of options.

What are the top attractions and things to do in Minnesota?

The great thing about discovering the best things to do in Minneapolis and its surrounding regions is that you’ll never run out of options. From a visit to the many national parks and lakes, to the beauty of the Boundary Waters in the northern part of the state, to the numerous museums, parks, and other travel destinations, Minnesota contains many popular attractions.