"Best of Breakfast at Al's This James Beard America’s Classics winner hangs its medal modestly behind the bar with just about everything else: currency and postcards from around the world, cups, hot sauce, a pile of plastic dinosaurs, and yellow booklet records of regulars who pre-paid for their breakfasts (a tradition stemming from railroad workers who would deposit a portion of their monthly paychecks to guarantee getting fed even when their funds started to run low). Only 14 stools fit counter-side in this 10-foot-wide diner, the narrowest in the city. Those waiting for a seat will hover jealously behind those being served breakfast favorites like buttermilk blueberry pancakes, jelly omelets, the Jose (poached egg, salsa, and hash browns), corned beef hash, and bacon waffles."

"St. Anthony Main's Historic Charm This riverfront Main St. strip is scattered with historic buildings from the 1850s and while a bit sleepy has points of interest like the movie theater and the beginning of the Stone Arch Bridge. Start your crossing from here to get the full effect of walking from the quaint past into the modernized Minneapolis skyline."

"Stroll Stone Arch Bridge This former railroad bridge, built across the Mississippi River in the 1880s, is now a pedestrian and bike path perfect for strolling between parks. With panoramic views of the downtown skyline, river, and St. Anthony Falls, Stone Arch Bridge is a favorite trail for locals."

"Located along the Mississippi riverfront, the Mill City Museum rises eight stories from the limestone ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill. Today, this National Historic Landmark houses antique milling equipment, vintage advertising, and exhibitions on the wheat farms, and visitors can ride the grain elevator, watch a movie about Minneapolis’s humble beginnings, learn how the Mississippi River powered all the local mills, and sample freshly made treats in the Baking Lab. There’s also an observation deck with panoramic views over the city, and the Ruin Courtyard, which hosts events and live music throughout the year. When hunger strikes, head to the on-site restaurant, Bushel & Peck, for lunch fare like burgers, sandwiches, and salads."

"Performances and Panoramic Views at Guthrie Theater Although the new Guthrie Theater was only completed in 2006, it has a rich history in the resident-theater movement of the 1960s. Architect Jean Nouvel created this stunning masterpiece that is worth visiting even if not attending a show, although attending one would be ideal. The space has three, differently sized theaters, and the “Endless Bridge” lobby extension leads to panoramic views of the Mississippi River, Stone Arch Bridge, and St. Anthony Falls."

"Weather-Proof Downtowns The Twin Cities are known for their extensive downtown Skyway systems, blocks of climate-controlled covered footbridges that connect buildings and allow residents (and visitors) to comfortably navigate the area anytime of year. Hubs of indoor shopping, dining and business are connected to major museums and sport stadiums, making foul weather a fool’s excuse."

"Nicollet Ave's Never-Ending Sites and Surprises Nicollet Ave. is one of the major arteries of Minneapolis. From the dining and shopping of the downtown pedestrian mall to the international flavors of Eat Street’s restaurants further out, you could spend an entire day wandering (and eating) along this street alone. Highlights include the IDS Center Crystal Court's light-filled atrium, national brands ranging from Target’s headquarters to Saks Fifth Avenue, and restaurants like Quang’s Vietnamese pho, Hola Arepa’s Latin American delights, and Wild Acre Eatery’s straight-from-their-own-farm food."

"Warehouse Wandering Once a hub for shipping, Minneapolis’s Warehouse District is now a buzzing up-and-coming neighborhood that’s been designated by the media as one of “America’s Best Hipster Neighborhoods.” Take that distinction as you will, but it’s undeniable that this compact cluster of warehouse-converted galleries, cafes, restaurants, bars, and breweries is on the cutting edge of the arts and dining scene. Explore coffee shops like Spyhouse, restaurants like the Bachelor Farmer, and art collectives like Traffic Zone."

"Whether reclaimed barn wood from Amish families in Wisconsin, antique accents from the owner's 20-year old collection, or the farmers behind the single-origin coffee beans themselves, there is a story behind everything at Spyhouse Coffee. Their attention to design detail complements their curation of beans from around the world, and ensures their new foray into on-site roasting will be top notch. The best part? The atmosphere is welcoming to those on the move as well as those looking to stay the day. More unusual, if you want a fusion of flavor, you won’t get a judgmental glare for ordering favorites like the Spygirl (a honey-lavendar latte) or Mata Hari (a cinnamon-honey-almond latte)."

"Community Curated Art at Traffic Zone Gallery From farm equipment to bread to appliances, the historic warehouse of the current Traffic Zone Art Center has had a diverse past. It is now home to 23 studios and an art gallery to help foster a community of mid-career artists. Stop by while wandering the Warehouse District of historic buildings, many of which have been transformed into creative spaces for dining, drinking, and shopping."

"Taste of the Heartland at Spoon and Stable James Beard Award–winning chef Gavin Kayson returned to his Midwest roots in 2014 to open Spoon and Stable. Here, he uses techniques learned from around the globe to transform the Heartland food that he grew up eating into an upscale experience, all inside an actual old stable."

"One of the unique things about the Twin Cities is just how much nature is part of the urban landscape. Few places exemplify this better than Minnehaha, one of Minneapolis’s oldest and most popular parks. Here, visitors will find everything from limestone bluffs and river overlooks to a majestic 53-foot waterfall that freezes in winter. Explore the area via various walking and biking paths, or bring your furry friend to the epic dog park. There’s also a disc golf course, picnic area, playground, volleyball court, and wading pool, making the park perfect for family outings."

"Summit Ave's Historic Victorian Homes Scattered with Victorian mansions, St. Paul's tree-lined Summit Ave. is one of the most beautiful residential streets in the Midwest, with famous former residents including author F. Scott Fitzgerald and early railroad entrepreneur James J. Hill. Guided tours are offered from the James J. Hill House Wed–Sun, but it is also a worthwhile independent stroll. Make sure to start or end at the gorgeous St. Paul Cathedral, overlooking downtown St. Paul."

"Sites of St. Paul's Native Origin Six out of what was once at least 16 Native American burial mounds remain preserved atop the bluffs overlooking St. Paul and the Mississippi River. These sites, 1,500–2,000 years old, are thought to have been built by the Hopewellians and then added to by the Dakotas. Upon excavation, archaeologists discovered a variety of offerings, such as mussel shells, arrowheads, copper ornaments, and bear teeth, as well as an unprecedented clay death mask with the imprint of the original face fully intact in the mold."

"A new sweet place in town! This all day breakfast/brunch and sweet things place is worth the visit to downtown Saint Paul. They serve fresh squeezed orange juice, and have many mouthwatering dishes. I enjoyed the Huevos Rancheros Eggs Benedict with corn bread, avocado, poached eggs, black beans, and ranchero sauce. By Alessandra Chiareli"

"Midtown Global Market's Cultural Melting Pot The Twin Cities' diversity is displayed with full fanfare at this vibrant, internationally focused market of food, grocery, and craft vendors from around the world. Favorites include East African dishes like the camel burger and sambusas at Safari Express, Middle Eastern gyros at Holy Land, Korean staples like the kimchi fried rice and bibimbap bowls at Rabbit Hole, and Mexican tortas at Manny’s."

"Cruise the City with Nice Ride Bike Share The Nice Ride bike rental service makes getting around Minneapolis easy and cheap. Bike stations are scattered throughout town, so you can hop on and off shared bikes as you travel, using bike lanes, boulevards, and dedicated paths and bridges."

"The Water City's Scenic Sites With over 20 lakes, Minneapolis is truly a water city—which is roughly what its name means in the Dakota language of the area's original American Indian inhabitants. The 1555-acre Chain of Lakes district highlights the best of this water-filled landscape. From the active water and ice sports of expansive Lake Calhoun to the more leisurely picturesque shoreline of Lake Harriet, each lake glistens with its own unique personality."

"Artisan Bread & Sweets at Rustica Neighborhood bakery, Rustica, bakes classic and unique varieties of breads with daily specials including brioche (Tuesdays), currant rye (Fridays), and egg braid with raisins (Fridays). Their hands-on approach brings out the best in taste and texture in their breads as well as their pastries, cookies (try the bittersweet chocolate), and desserts."

"A trip to the Land of 10,000 Lakes wouldn’t be complete without spending some time on, well, a lake—even if you’re only visiting the cities. In Minneapolis, everyone heads to Bde Maka Ska, the largest of five in the city’s Chain of Lakes. Located in the Uptown neighborhood, the 401-acre lake is surrounded by parkland and trails, making it a favorite of locals for everything from ice fishing in the winter to swimming, biking, and volleyball games in the summer. Along the shore are rental options for nearly every water sport, from sailing and kayaking to paddleboarding, plus lockers for stashing your stuff when you’re out on the water. For those who prefer dry land, there are also several Nice Ride stations where you can access the city’s bike-share program, and a seasonal restaurant serving sandwiches, wings, and tacos."

"Honeyshine and Shimmer At Honeyshine, every carefully selected and cleverly presented item delights. The owners take design seriously but steer clear of stuffy by curating a unique collection of gifts and home accents that nod to their quirky, often humorous outlook on life. Need help arranging all that you buy? Their interior design consulting services are also for sale."

"Wander Minneapolis's Uptown District The main thoroughfares and side streets of Hennepin and Lyndale avenues in the Uptown District are packed with boutiques, cafes, galleries, indie theaters, restaurants, and bars. The area is great for a day of urban wandering and is right near the lakes for taking in some nature as well."

"Time To Tiki At Torpedo Room Eat Street Social’s new bar-within-a-bar, the Torpedo Room, serves artisanal tiki cocktails with tasteful kitsch and Midwest flair. Flavors like sweet corn cream (instead of coconut cream) and apple cider (instead of pineapple and orange juice) are termed “ Minnesota exotic” for their twist on the classic Painkiller. There are 45 rums to be turned into cocktails and topped with an umbrella or finished with fire, as well as an alcoholic sno cone menu for some added fun."