Minneapolis is one of the most popular cities in the state of Minnesota and needs no introduction as it is well-known for its rivers, lakes, and art culture. In this city, you will also find famous places, not only in Minneapolis but also throughout the whole of America.
And because of there are countless well-known tourist attractions, there is a big part of the city that remains unheard of despite being a quality tourist spot. That’s why, in this article, I will share the best hidden gems in Minneapolis that can improve your experience of visiting Minneapolis. At the same time, you will also get to know about lesser-known restaurants to try in Minneapolis.
Table of Contents
1. Purple Rain House
Address: 3420 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
The first hidden gem destination that you should visit in Minneapolis is Purple Rain House, especially If you are a fan of Prince. Prince was one of the most influential musician, songwriter, and actor of the 20th century, and this is the house he purchased approximately eight months before he passed away.
One thing that you must keep in mind is that it’s not a museum or a visitor center. It’s under private ownership, and you cannot go inside unless you book a stay via Airbnb, which also depends on its availability. Not to forget that this house was also featured in one of Prince’s movie “Purple Rain,” which was released in 1984.
People still come to this place and take pictures from the outside as this is the best they can do to connect with one of the things that was once in use of Prince.
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2. House of Balls
Address: 1504 7th St. S, Minneapolis, MN 55454
House of Balls is a very unique and off-the-beaten gallery. Unlike other galleries filled with paintings and pictures, this place is different, with one-of-a-kind sculptures and metal pieces with interactive experiences.
As you go inside the gallery, you’ll be stunned by the range of metal art pieces and sculptures you’ll see. All of these materials are made of special materials, found objects, and recycled materials.
The same is true with the sculptures you’ll see here, which are made up of clay, bowling balls, doll parts, vintage items, and metal scraps that transform every sculpture into a very unique item.
You will also find Mr. Allen, the man behind this place, in the gallery as well, who is a friendly person and will also be ready to answer any question if you have.
3. Como-Harriet Streetcar Line
Address: 2330 W 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
If you want to explore Minneapolis in a unique way, then the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line is an experience that you shouldn’t miss. Once used as a normal transportation option, this streetcar line is now used for tourists to explore the city. The ride is 15 minutes long, will cover approximately 2 miles, and will only cost around $3 per person.
The line runs along a picturesque route between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun), two of Minneapolis’s most scenic lakes. Along the ride, you’ll see beautiful land that makes this ride more special.
So whether you are an adult or have kids with you, this ride is a perfect spot to explore the city. Not to forget, it is also one of the most budget-friendly things you can do in Minneapolis.
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4. Northrup King Building
Address: 1500 Jackson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Housed in a former industrial building, the Northrup King Building is a special place for art lovers. This building is home to the largest art community in the Midwest, and here you will find the work of over 350 artists, sculptors, designers, craftspeople, etc.
As you went inside the gallery, you’ll witness hundreds and thousands of art pieces around. Some are hanging on the wall, while some are on tables and pedestals. Here, you will find almost every type of art piece known to mankind, which includes:
Clay & ceramics, drawing & illustration, fashion & apparel, fiber art, glass art, jewelry, metal art, mixed media art, multimedia, photography, paintings, sculpture, woodwork, digital art, and many others which make this place one of the most unique in Minneapolis and deserve a visit.
5. Bob Dylan Mural
Address: 1, S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Located on the side of a building at 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue, this 60-foot-tall mural of legendary singer Bob Dylan is also an underappreciated part of Minneapolis. Bob Dylan has been raised in Minneapolis and is Minnesota’s native son.
This mural is in downtown, so whenever you are in downtown Minneapolis, don’t forget to see this place and click some worthy pictures. The artwork depicts three different stages of Bob Dylan’s life and tells about his journey to become one of the most well-known signers of his era.
6. Music Wall
Address: 94 S 10th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Not far away from the Bob Dylan Mural exists the Musical Wall, which is also a mural and deserves a visit as it pays a gentle tribute to the legendary singers of America.
It is a large-scale mural painted on the exterior of a building that features musical notes. If possible, try to visit this mural early in the morning because, after that, a lot of cars get parked in front, which can be annoying sometimes.
Pro Tip: It’s a place you should see while visiting other locations, as these two murals are simple and don’t have anything super special for you to arrange a special trip to view them.
7. Norway House
Address: 913 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Norway House is a non-profit organization whose main purpose is to connect the US and Norway through arts and culture. To visit this center, you don’t need to be a Norwegian, you can be from anywhere, it doesn’t matter.
The best part of this place is its art gallery, The Mondale Gallery, where you can see rotating exhibits and art installations related to Norwegian culture. There is also a cafe where you can have some snacks and coffee while you are here.
Another thing is the Gingerbread Wonderland, which takes place every winter, and you’ll see countless gingerbread wonderlands made by local bakers and community members. To see this, many locals visit this center, and that time is the most active here. You can see the schedule and timing of these events from their website and social media pages.
8. Lock and Dam Number One
Address: Lock and Dam Number One, St Paul, MN 55116
Not far away from Minneapolis, Lock and Dam Number One is also a very underrated spot that you should try to visit. It is situated close to the Ford Bridge and is also known as the Ford Dam.
This place is an engineering marvel and also offers stunning river views. Not to forget the observation deck, which provides the best view of the river. In addition to that, you will see various information signs that will be very informative regarding the lock system of this dam.
Overall, this is a very peaceful place, whether you want to walk around the river or want to view from the bridge.
9. MN Firefighters Museum
Address: 664 22nd Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
MN Firefighters Museums is a unique and rare museum that is often underappreciated by visitors but offers quality visit. The artifacts of this hidden gem museum are appreciated by people of all ages.
Here, you will see a rare and unique collection of firefighter equipment like fire hoses, antique helmets, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, gears, and other firefighting tools. Not only that, you will also see vintage fire trucks that were used on a day-to-day basis, like in the 1800s and 1900s, etc., which is the best part of this museum.
And along with all the equipment and trucks, don’t forget the photographs hanging on the wall. There are countless photographs of firefighters in action that give us a message of how brave these guys are.
10. Lyndale Park Peace Garden
Address: 4124 Roseway Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55408
For a peaceful time among flowers and greenery, visit Lyndale Park Peace Garden. This is a very beautiful and well-maintained garden that is ideal for families.
The walking trails of this garden are well maintained. After that, you can either sit on the bench or on the lush green grasses; the choice is yours. Inside the garden, you’ll find a wide variety of flowers that make this place even more beautiful.
In addition to that, you will also see the fountain, a small waterfall, and a bird sanctuary, which make this garden an ideal place for bird watching as well.
Hidden Gem Restaurants in Minneapolis
11. 801 Chophouse
Address: 801 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Starting the hidden gem restaurant in the Minneapolis section with 801 Chophouse, which should definitely be on your list if you ever feel like eating steak from an authentic steak house.
This place has that traditional steakhouse feeling, which you’ll feel as you go inside. Different paintings on the wall, wooden chairs, and white sheets on the table gave this place a warm feel. Not to forget the bull statue in the middle, which also looks fantastic.
If we talk about the extensive menu list, you’ll find almost everything a steakhouse should offer, starting with beef and tuna tartare, crab cakes, roasted bone marrow, Oysters, Shrimp, and soups.
While in the main course, they offer prime rib, wagyu, wet and dry-aged steak, a wide variety of chops, and shellfish options, which are also accompanied by sides and desserts.
12. Dario
Address: 323 N Washington Ave Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Dario is a hidden gem Italian restaurant, which is tucked in a business office and can be a bit tricky to find. This place offers great Italian cuisine that definitely deserves a shot.
It’s a very modern and clean space that you’d definitely feel as you enter the restaurant. A very modern, full of lighting, and a cozy environment that’s definitely worth appreciating.
Now, as we talk about the menu, which could’ve been a bit extensive, but it is still a bit okay. Here, you are going to have items like beef tartare, bluefin tuna, and a wide variety of vegetable options with fish, wagyu, chicken, and duck meat options.
Their main specialty is their pasta, where they have almost 7 to 10 different varieties and is really amazing and a small dessert option with cakes, ice cream, semifreddo, and affogato.
13. TERZO
Address: 2221 W 50th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55419
TERZO is another restaurant that specializes in regional Italian cuisines, and it can be a nice place to eat if you ever crave Italian food.
The interior of the restaurant is very simple, like a typical regional restaurant. They also have a patio area, so it’s up to you to decide where you want to dine.
If we talk about the menu, you are going to have options like beef tartare, chips and aioli, carrot glassate, faro salad—a variety of pasta and risotto options, different bowls, sandwiches, and lamb.
14. Bûcheron
Address: 4257 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Bûcheron is a place that you should visit whenever you crave to eat French cuisine. Not only that, but the interior of this restaurant also gave vibes of an authentic French restaurant, which makes eating in this restaurant even better and also lifts the mood up. Here, you can either choose a family table or a solo table if you are alone.
On the menu, you’ll see a lot of French options. At the same time, they offer an extensive menu. They offer beef tartare, bonemarrow, roasted baguette, different salads and soups, a wide variety of pasta and cheese options, fish, steaks, spaghetti, and many more.
15. Kado no Mise
Address: 33 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
The last restaurant on this list is Kado no Mise, which is a Japanese restaurant that offers almost all well-known and underrated Japanese food options. This restaurant has a very modern theme, which genuinely looks excellent.
If we talk about the menu, their specialty is omakase. Apart from that, they also offer a lot of other Japanese food, like sakizuke, mushimono, sushi, various soups, and dessert options.
FAQ’s
1. What is unique about Minneapolis?
The natural beauty of Minneapolis is what make this city beautiful. This city has over 20 lakes and the Mississippi River.
2. Is Minneapolis a tourist spot?
Yes, no doubt about it. Minneapolis is one of the cities that always remain in demand for tourism.
3. Is Minneapolis budget-friendly for tourists?
Quite frankly, yes, maybe not too budget-friendly, but it is good enough to be called an affordable city for tourists.
4. What’s an ideal time to tour Minneapolis?
June to September is ideally the best time to visit Minneapolis.
