I’ve mentioned this time and time again, travel destinations are limited from Toronto, or are they? I have a new goal which I’m laying out right here and now, which you as my reader can hold me to it. My goal is to travel to as many destinations as possible near Toronto. Obviously we are limited in terms of new countries to discover but what’s wrong with a weekend away to upstate New York? Northern Ontario? Or perhaps … Minneapolis. This may seem like a random destination but as I look to discover new territory that’s close enough to Toronto, that can sometimes mean lesser known destinations.
Having done some work for a client recently surrounding Minneapolis it got me thinking about a blog post that would be a fun to create. I’m always planning for new vacations so why not plan something out here so when I’m ready to book a trip I can go ahead and use my own post as a resource for myself! Genius? perhaps.
How to Get there:
Minneapolis, Minnesota is quite a ways from Toronto, about a 14-hour drive (ouch!), but flight prices aren’t too unreasonable.
Driving: While it would be a long trip, I would tick off five states on the trip there. While I don’t necessarily have the time to spend doing this right now, you never know what the future would bring. Could be an interesting road trip!
Flying: Flights range in price from $300 – $500. That’s not too crazy. I recently booked a trip to Florida where I paid $330 for a roundtrip flight with Air Canada. Plus this flight would only be two hours, easily done for a quick weekend jaunt.
Top Attractions:
Nicollett Mall: a large pedestrian area with shops, restaurants and various other attractions spanning along Nicollett Avenue.
Walker Art Center: This large museum features contemporary art. Performing arts shows are popular as are film screening – this would be a great thing to do on a rainy day. I’ve mentioned this before, I’m very particular about the museums I go to.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: This actually looks pretty cool. The most famous sculpture is a giant spoon with a cherry perching right on the top of it. Bit bizarre but isn’t most art? Plus I love gardens and being outside.
Image by Bradley Hanson via Trover.com
Minnehaha Park: The name makes me giggle a little bit. The park has a 55ft tall waterfall, which actually looks quite beautiful. Beautiful nature scenes in the heart of a city are one of my favourite things.
Target Field: Of course if I’m going to Minneapolis, why wouldn’t I watch a baseball game, especially in the summer. It’s one of my favourite things to do for a weekend evening or afternoon, grab a beer, a hot dog and watch a game!
Lake Harriet: This cute lake located just south of the city looks pristine and like a great place to spend a day or even just an afternoon.
Dakota Jazz Club: Apparently this is listed as one of the top things to do in Minneapolis, interesting. I really don’t think I’ve ever been to a jazz club but it’s most certainly on my list of things to do, so why not!
Image by Traci Murphy via Trover.com
Where to Stay
Budget: There are quite a few options if I’m looking to spend a limited amount of money when travelling: Snelling Motel or Metro Inn Motel. While I’m not likely to choose these options, it’s always good to know what else is out there.
Mid-Range: This is the category I usually go for. Mid-range hotels offer the budget-friendly options I look for but can sometimes be surprisingly luxurious. My choice for a mid-range hotel is the University Inn. It looks really interesting — like an up-and-coming location.
Luxury: Okay, I’ll admit it, like anyone I sometimes enjoy treating myself a bit and will go with a hotel that’s a bit more luxurious. My choices for a luxury stay would be the W Minnesota – The Foshay or The Commons Hotel – A Noble House Hotel. Having stayed at the W Chicago Lakeshore hotel when I was in Chicago, I can honestly say I’m a big fan of the chain.
So there you have it, my ideas for a trip to Minneapolis. Have you been? Let me know if you have something to add!
**This post is a sponsored post but like always I keep my opinion real and my own. **
Well researched Madi! Looking forward for your trip to Minneapolis:)
My husband and I live in Saint Paul, MN and drive through Minneapolis in order to get to work on a daily basis. I’m so thrilled to see someone writing about MN as a destination; we aren’t usually considered as a great place to visit (maybe it’s the cold, haha). You have some great places on your list! I’d add the Minneapolis Institute of Art (just as cool as the Walker and also free!) and the Mall of America. Minnehaha Falls is a definite place everyone should visit no matter the time of year. It’s a beautiful park! 🙂 Have fun visiting our wonderful state!
I love the Sculpture Garden, it’s like a green oasis in the middle of the concrete and steel jungle!
http://www.booksandtrips.com/
Like you, I am also based in Toronto and always thinking of unique weekend getaway destinations when neither time nor money are on my side for an extended trip. Coincidentally, I was also looking into a weekend getaway to Minneapolis. Airbnb seems to have quite a few reasonably priced options near the downtown core. I am also surprised that you did not include Mall of America as a potential thing to do there. It may be considered part of St. Paul, but I think it would be interesting to see the United States’ largest shopping mall.