City of Lakes and Parks: Your Minneapolis Guide

By Bill Malcolm*

Minneapolis features a great park system (with a chain of lakes), lots of museums and attractions, and a unique regional feel. It's one of the largest metros in the country and is very welcoming to all. Known as the Twin Cities, nearby St. Paul is another option.

Do

I walked with the Frontrunners on Saturday along the Mississippi River. They meet at 9:30 a.m. on Nicollet Island just north of downtown and walk along the river. Bruch followed. Nearby is the Falls of St. Anthony and Lock House and other river front attractions.

Bde Maka Ska Park (formerly Lake Calhoun Park) is just three miles southwest of town and features walking and biking trails, two beaches, boat rentals and more. Do not miss Thomas Beach.

Loring Park is on a lake and is just southwest of downtown. Be sure and walk or jog over.

Indeed, both parks are part of a Chain of Lakes which is what makes the city so nice. Other nearby lakes include Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, and Lake Harriett. All feature bike and hike trails and some have canoe rentals. Lots of parks and green spaces. They even have a midtown greenway bike and hike trail in nearby Uptown just south of downtown.

Minnesota Orchestra Hall has lots of shows. Last minute seats are just $25, and they have a food truck party in the lobby on certain weekends before the concert complete with games and an $8 happy hour. I was there for a Triple Beethoven.

Nicollet is downtown's most walkable street and features art, self-guided tours, historical markers, great restaurants, and shopping. Pose for a picture in front of the Mary Tyler Moore statute on the corner of 7th and Nicollet.

Eat

Britts Pub has lawn bowling on the roof. The fish and chips were exceptionally good.

The Red Cow has great brunches and healthy drinks. You can sit outside on the patio in the summer. Try the Thai salad.

The Dakota Jazz Club on Nicollet Mall downtown is also excellent.

Barrio also on the mall is great for innovative Mexican dishes. Try the shrimp tacos.

Hell's Kitchen is a basement dive bar and restaurant. I liked salmon. Do not miss the photo booth. The salmon was cooked to perfection.

The Living Room in the W Hotel in Foshay Tower is a lot of fun. The building itself is an art deco treasure.

Getting There

Delta has a hub at MSP with convenient flights from all over. They have the best service and snacks. Even Fresca! My flights were affordable and on time. The free internet for SkyMiles members was a plus as was the in seat (seat back) entertainment system. Plus you can go nonstop from virtually anywhere.

Amtrak fans can take one of two trains daily to and from Chicago (The Empire Builder and the Borealis) which go to nearby St. Paul. You can then take the light rail to Minneapolis. The ride is through Wisconsin and then over to Winona along the Mississippi River and very scenic.

Take the Hiawatha Light Rail Green line downtown from MSP. Metro also has rapid and regular buses to take you anywhere you need to go. Rental car not needed.

Nightlife

The Gay 90s-night club is still going strong. It's a night club on several levels that has been a Minneapolis staple for decades.

The Saloon has events every night of the week. They had dancers Sunday night and Karaoke Monday. They also serve food and feature an outdoor patio. It is my favorite bar in the Twin Cities. The Sunday night crowd was very friendly and they also have a dance floor. It's my favorite.

Other fun bars include the Eagle as well as a few in nearby St. Paul.

Stay

I stayed at the Hilton near the convention center downtown. Service was top notch. The rooms were cleaned daily without asking. The bar was fun. They have a coffee shop and convenience store open until 10 if you need anything. Plus, no annoying resort or destination junk fees. It was one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in, and the staff are professional and helpful (and the rooms are spotless).

The W Hotel in the art deco Foshay Tower is another gem and has a fun bar.

The Hyatt Centric nearby is another option.

Know Before You Go

They have a huge Target on Nicollet Mall if you need anything including groceries. Minneapolis is the home of Target as well as twenty-two other Fortune 500 companies.

An amazing skyway system connects all the buildings so you can get around downtown without ever going outside which is great during sizzling summer days or during the long, frigid winter.

Take the light rail to the airport. Rental car/UBER not needed. And there are no annoying airport surcharges on the bus and light rail fares.

Haskell's Wine and Spirits is nearby on 9th Street.

Pick up some new duds while in Minnesota which has no sales tax on clothes.

The city's LGBTQ publication, Lavender Magazine, just ceased publication and there is no competing website to find events or happenings unfortunately.

Pride is every June in Loring Park and is a must.

Put Minneapolis on your list of cities to visit. It is full of parks, theatres, a fun bar scene and more. And very welcoming to all.

*Bill Malcolm is a syndicated LBGTQ travel columnist who focuses on value. He lives in Indianapolis.

About the Author

Bill Malcolm Bill Malcolm is North America's only syndicated travel columnist. He focuses on value and pays his own way. He takes local transit and seeks to go where the locals go. He has appeared 100 times in LGBTQ publications and on websites including the IGLTA travel blog. You can find his work in GRAB Chicago, Erie Gay News, Seattle Gay News, and other places. He does this as a volunteer and does not charge for his work. He boycotts hotels and hotel chains with resort fees, amenity fees, destination fees, and other made up junk charges. He resides in Indianapolis. Follow him on Facebook.