The city has been the site of recent civil unrest after the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. The people of Minneapolis were protesting unnecessary uses of force from members of the police causing harm to civilians. In the last decade, the police have caused 11 separate deaths and a 2021 report outlined 200 police related deaths in the state this century. This has culminated in an increase of protests and riots in the past year.

Residents advise that the city is still ultimately safe (and- statistically compared to the rest of the US crime averages- it is) but to keep in mind that there will be trials of those officers and likely further protests in the future. Also, there is reduced police presence as many have quit or opted for early retirement in light of recent events.

Minneapolis has a lot of economic disparity between its neighbourhoods. Like any city, there are affluent parts and rougher parts. North Minneapolis and Dinkytown are both places to exercise caution as they have increased crime rates.

Try to take public transport or drive through these areas, especially at night. Stay in more populated areas and remain in a group if you can. Don’t dress to flashily and don’t carry around too much money.

Minneapolis is a upper-midwestern city and has a humid continental climate. Therefore, it has very traditional weather: with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. It rains fairly often, especially in June.

The average summer temperature is 23 °C whilst the average winter temperature is -9 °C.

For the most reasonable weather, visit in spring and summer.

Dress and plan accordingly.

Walker Art Centre

The Walker Art Centre is one of the five largest modern art museums in the US and there’s a lot to see and do. The sculpture garden features a huge range of art, including interactive sculptures. There are pieces from all kinds of disciplines and types, such as optical illusions, shadow art, industrial and modern creations. The galleries feature a range of exhibits that combine still art with performance and include detailed articles and interviews with artists. The Walker stage has been presenting and commissioning pioneering performances for over 80 years. Its Performing Arts program offers a platform for everything from contemporary dance to experimental theatre, new jazz, Avant-folk, new global and alt-classical music. The design studio facilitates new artistic endeavours through its award-winning in-house design studio and publishing programs. It’s a hub of creativity, no doubt you will see something unique when you go.

Mill City Museum

In the ruins of a burnt down Mill, see the 19th-century flour milling machines and vintage advertising. There are interactive aspects of this museum too as you can follow the journey of wheat from farm to market, design your own cereal box, and meet a history player from the city’s past. Take the Flour Tower and follow the flour as it is processed with the addition of films and interviews explaining the how it all happened. The are also baking and water labs so you will gain an intimate knowledge of how Minneapolis economy was supported through the years. You might even get some freshly baked goods on your visit.

The Theodore Wirth Regional Park

Declared the best-designed, best-financed, and best-maintained in America, it wouldn’t be amiss to give a Minneapolis park a visit whilst you’re there. The Theodore Wirth Regional Park, the largest park in the Minneapolis park system with over 740 acres of land, has lots to do in both summer and winter. This scenic park is filled with trails for you to walk, bike and dog walk across the land. Picnic by a lake or dabble in some archery-its up to you. When the snow falls is when this park really comes alive: the walking trails are turned into cross-country ski trails, so grab some gear and take on more than 20 miles of excellent ski trails. Still want to bring your furry friend along? Try skijoring—a winter sport in which your dog assists you while you cross-country ski (try at your own risk). Or simply bring your sled, snow tube, toboggan or snowboard and hit the slopes. There is plenty of equipment to rent from park officials if you don’t have your own!

St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam 

This section of the Mississippi river is what made Minneapolis the place it is today. As well as appreciating the marriage of nature and human architecture, the public can access the 178-foot cantilever (known as the “Endless Bridge”) for exceptional photo opportunities. The St. Anthony Falls Visitor Centre is open to the public, providing exhibits that tell the story of the falls and its place in Minnesota history. Rangers will lead short tours from the visitor centre twice a day out onto the lock walls and explain how the falls relate to the history and economy of the area.  This site is further surrounded my many more historical buildings for you to explore.

The Blue Door Pub

This burger joint, named simply and enigmatically after its first building, has a lot of personality. Head to one of four locations to try a celebrated Minnesotan delicacy quite unlike anything else. A juicy Lucy burger is a burger that is stuffed but The Blue Door Pub takes it further by adding multiple fillings that create spectacular (and slightly bizarre) combinations. An excellent example of this is the Jiffy Burger: featuring crunchy peanut butter, bacon, mayo, pickles and spicy pepper jack cheese. These burgers are an undertaking- delicious and filling- which is reflected in the light hearted humour in their names and descriptions. As the website says: ‘you will probably have to take a nap afterwards!’

Norseman Distillery

This is the Willy Wonka chocolate factory of distilleries (only safer for children surprisingly). Producing a range of quality Vodka, Gin, Rum and Liqueurs, Norseman Distillery knows how to manufacture an experience too. You can take tours, sample products, participate in cocktail workshops or- if you just fancy a drink- there’s The Patio bar. The Patio is a place for expertly made cocktails by specialised professional Norseman employees to showcase the best ways to use their product. But it’s also a very relaxed environment, dogs are welcome as are children (only before 9pm) and there is a small snack menu or you can even have food delivered to the bar to enjoy with your drinks- it’s all about having a good time!