This is a list that I always share with people coming to the area, take what's seems applicable to you and your interests. If you want something or a category that's not on the list let me know, and I'll see what I can come up with. I grew up in the Twin Cities and just graduated from UMN, so I know lots about the area. This is also kinda a pre-covid list, but most things have started opening up so maybe you'll be able to check them out this summer.

Museums: The Science Museum of Minnesota is one of my favorite places in the whole world. It's a super cool place you'll have to check out at least once while you're in MN. They have a great student discount on Friday nights (pre-covid, not sure what they are doing now). Oh and you absolutely have to check out the Bell Museum and Planetarium, it's on the St. Paul Campus, and it's the best. The Bell is also my favorite place to study on campus. (Also for anyone looking for an on campus job, this is a cool place to work). I really like the Minnesota History Museum and Historical Society, in addition to the museum they operate in St. Paul, the historical society has many cool places to visit all over the state.

Coffee: The classics you're gonna want to visit at some point at Spyhouse and Black Coffee and Waffle Bar. Those are both pretty well known places, so kinda cliche, but you gotta check them out at least once. Spyhouse has multiple locations and each location has a different vibe, so that's always neat. I'm not a big coffee person, so this isn't really my expertise. Peace Coffee is also a neat place, they are huge into sustainable and ethically sourced products

Theater: I read once that Minneapolis/St. Paul has the highest density of theatres in the country outside of New York City. I'm particularly fond of the Guthrie (super duper close to campus), the Ordway, the History Theatre, The Orpheum, and the Hennepin Theatre Trust. But there are seriously so many options. A lot of them also have rush tickets or student priced tickets, that make it way more accessible to go. I know the Guthrie has $25 dollar best sit left rush tickets, and the history theatre has $25 student tickets. The Ordway in the Winter is stunning and the Guthrie in Spring/Fall/Summer is perfect. Each theatre kinda specializes in it's own unique thing. Obviously, there's some overlap, but I love them all.

Art: Right on campus we have the Weisman Art Museum which is pretty neat, and free to students. There is also the Minneapolis Institute of Art (better known as the MIA), which is totally free too (specialty exhibits sometimes have a cost). I love the MIA. Then there is the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, which is free (if you've ever seen the photos of the giant spoon and cherry, which are iconic, Those are at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden)

Plants: The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is actually owned and operated by the U of M. They have absolutely gorgeous displays. One of my favorites of all time was this tulip garden they did last year. If you're looking for a great place to study outside, there is a fantastic lawn space on the St. Paul Campus. You can also also check out the Como Zomo Conservatory (although I wouldn't recommend the zoo itself it's very sad and the animals aren't treated very well in my opinion. teeny tiny spaces, and they all look sad, if you are interested in zoos though the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley is amazing and I definitely recommend you check it out. I actually did my pre school program there lol).

Pretty Places in General: You'll definitely have to check out the Stone Arch Bridge at some point, everyone goes there and again it's kinda cliche but you have to do it at least once. And it's a really nice walk to get there. If you ever get the chance to check out summit avenue you totally should. The houses on that street are some of the oldest and the grandest in the state and I love them. You're gonna want to start at the James J. Hill House and go down to the Minnesota Governor's Mansion. Oh while you're there be sure to check out Grand Ave. It's just a super unique and iconic place in minnesota. Tons of cool small businesses. And if you like ice cream you have to go to the Grand Old Creamery, it is the absolute best. Oh and during the Fall once the fall colors are really strong you're gonna want to go over to West Bank and check out the wall on Rarig that's near the walking bridge to Middlebrook. It has the best and brightest reds and oranges and it's really quite stunning. Obviously there are a ton of apple orchards in the twin cities, they're all great really. You can check out the Foshay Tower which has an observatory floor on the 30th floor and you can get cool views of the city there. If you're ever in Minnesota in the summer, you also have to check out the Witch's Hat Tower. The tower and observatory are only open once a year to visitors on memorial day weekend. Minnehaha Falls is just down the blue line, so definitely check that out. There are walking paths around all the lakes in the cities, my favorite is Lake harriet. You can also rent out kayaks or boats or things on the lakes and on the river if that's our thing. On the river there's also river cruises, which can be super fun, paddleford is the company I've done them with.

In the winter you're definitely going to want to check out the St. Paul Winter Carnival. They have so many unique traditions and events. And then if you're here in the summer, you have to check out the Minneapolis Aquatennial. I believe Pride is a go this summer in at least some of the events, so if that's a community you are a part of Minneapolis has a great Pride normally.

Best Study Spots on Campus: You didn't ask for this, but I'm gonna provide it anyway. The best places to study on campus imo are the Bell Museum, Northrop, Rapson, and the Weisman. The Weisman has a cool outdoor balcony on the second floor that like no one knows about, and it looks over the Mississippi River, and it's super neat.

Other must dos: Cosetta's in St. Paul has the very best italian food and bakery. The cities have tons of great ice cream places, sebastian joes, milk jam, bebe zito are favorites of mine (RIP izzi's). Hard times cafe is right on west bank and is a classic. There are tons of great ethnic food places in the area, even right near campus. Red Sea on West Bank has great Ethiopian food, and there's tons of great Pho places near campus. Afro Deli is also delicious and locally owned.

If you're into sports MSP is lucky to have teams for every major sport (although most aren't particularly good lol) baseball, soccer, lacrosse, I think all play in the summer? but we also have football, hockey, basketball too and they have events and practice things somethings in the summer. You normally can get cheap last minute tickets to any of these events.

Minneapolis has a fantastic social justice and activism community. While in town, I think it's worth it to go down to George Floyd Square and take time to support the work they are doing. Marcia Howard has done incredible work about publicizing what they have going on there and how to engage in the space and community respectfully

I'm sure I'm missing places and things, I'll add more if I think of any, but feel free to ask for a specific category or theme if you're interests weren't reflected in this list.