Minneapolis is a thriving, modern, and diverse host city for this year’s annual conference. Visitors will find upscale dining and award-winning theater, all in an area with dozens of parks, trails, and green space. Explore Minneapolis online -- and plan some fun activities and delicious dinners outside the conference sessions.
You can also visit https://www.minneapolis.org/ to get more ideas. Sign up for the e-newsletter and get updates on events, attractions, and the latest deals.
A special thank you to Sara Gross Methner and Shelley Carthen Watson for providing this content.
What to see downtown Minneapolis:
Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden
Artist-designed mini-golf course is usually set up during the summer months
https://walkerart.org/
Mill City Museum and mill ruins
Very cool museum and very popular with both adult and children visitors to Minnesota
http://www.millcitymuseum.org/
Segway Magical History Tour of the Minneapolis RiverFront
High praise from those who have taken this tour
http://www.magicalhistorytour.com/
Guthrie Theater
Open to the public, including cantilevered “bridge to nowhere” overlooking the Mississippi River; also offers architectural tours. West Side Story will be onstage in June.
https://www.guthrietheater.org/
Dakota Jazz Club
Within two blocks of the conference hotels; dinner, bar, and/or live jazz acts
http://www.dakotacooks.com/
Brit’s Pub
Outdoor lawn bowling on the rooftop, restaurant, and bar
http://britspub.com/
First Avenue/Seventh Street Entry
Where Prince got his start; live music from big names to small
http://first-avenue.com/
Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park
Bike, walk or drive around several lakes within blocks of each other and downtown; sunbathing and swimming, watercraft rentals (kayaks, canoes, paddleboats)
www.minneapolisparks.org
Nice Ride Bike Rentals
Explore the Chain of Lakes or see the Twin Cities by biking along the Midtown Greenway
https://www.niceridemn.org/
Basilica of St. Mary
https://www.mary.org/
USBank Stadium
https://www.minneapolis.org/things-to-do/tours/u.s.-bank-stadium/
Where to shop
Check out where to shop in Minneapolis
https://static.startribune.com/guide/groups/shopping.html
Within 10 minute drive of downtown Minneapolis
Midtown Greenway
http://midtowngreenway.org/about-the-greenway/
Midtown Global Market
Easy drive from downtown Minneapolis
https://midtownglobalmarket.org/
Minnehaha Park and Minnehaha Falls
Easy drive from downtown Minneapolis, or biking from the Chain of Lakes
https://www.minneapolisparks.org
https://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/minnehah.htm
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Easy drive or bike ride from downtown Minneapolis
https://new.artsmia.org/
Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota
Frank Gehry-designed
http://wam.umn.edu/
Within 15-20 minute drive from downtown Minneapolis
Twin Cities Jazz Festival
www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com/
Jonathan Padelford Riverboat Cruises on the Mississippi River (downtown St. Paul)
http://www.riverrides.com/pages/misc/fleet/padelford.html
Wabasha Street Caves Tours (St. Paul)
http://www.wabashastreetcaves.com/tours.html
Minnesota Children’s Museum (downtown St. Paul)
https://mcm.org/
Science Museum of Minnesota (downtown St. Paul)
https://www.smm.org/
Minnesota History Center (downtown St. Paul)
http://www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/
Cathedral of St. Paul (downtown St. Paul)
https://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/
Minnesota State Capitol (downtown St. Paul)
http://www.mnhs.org/capitol
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory (St. Paul)
http://www.comozooconservatory.org/
Historic Fort Snelling & Fort Snelling State Park (adjacent to the airport)
http://www.mnhs.org/fortsnelling
Mall of America (near the airport)
https://www.mallofamerica.com/home
Within 40 minutes of downtown Minneapolis
Paisley Park
Prince’s home and studio, now offering tours
https://officialpaisleypark.com/pages/paisley-park-tours
Minnesota Zoo
http://mnzoo.org/