Take a Staycation: Things To Do in Minneapolis’ North Loop
Ready for a vacation? Aren’t we all! But sometimes traveling just isn’t in the realm of possibility. If you’re constrained by your budget, work or other responsibilities, a traditional vacation might be out of the question but a staycation could be just what the doctor ordered.
What Does “Staycation” Mean?
A staycation is essentially a vacation without the travel. While vacations allow you to see new cities, states and countries, staycations allow you to see familiar places in a brand new light. You’ll be able to explore your hometown or home state with a new perspective — without the routine of everyday life altering your perception.
The Best Staycation in Minneapolis
What makes for a great staycation in Minneapolis? Going where you can relax, enjoy yourself and unwind. If you’re searching for fun things to do on a staycation, look no further than the vibrant North Loop neighborhood in Minneapolis. It’s home to plenty of great restaurants, professional baseball and basketball, a comedy club and lots of exciting shopping.
Check out these fun staycation ideas in the North Loop:
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry at Graze
It’s easy to fall in love with Minneapolis’ North Loop restaurants, but even easier when they’re all lumped together!
Graze Provisions + Libations is an exciting food collective housing some of the best food in the city, from award-winning Hmong food to southern-inspired, low-country barbeque, Mexican-Vietnamese fusion, fast-casual soul food, classic American food and flavor-packed wraps with handmade tortillas.
Start your day with a seasonally rotating coffee flight at The Last Drop Cafe + Wine Bar, or spend your evening enjoying specialty cocktails or hyper-local beer at the Libation Lounge. There’s even handmade ice cream from Dream Creamery.
Need more convincing? Graze has exciting events happening all the time, and happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. every weekday. Cheers to that!
Catch a Twins or Timberwolves Game
Are you a sports fan? Head to Target Field or Target Center to get in on the action. Target Field features one of the best skylines in baseball, with beautiful views of Minneapolis just over the right field stands. So enjoy the view, grab a hot dog and cheer on the hometown team. Go Twins!
Few events in the city can match the thrill of Timberwolves games, with tons of energy and excitement packed into the Target Center every game night! There’s a lot of promotions and giveaways during stoppages, and endless high-flying action during gametime. What’s not to like?
Snap Selfies Near the Bob Dylan Mural
Relatively new to Minneapolis, the Bob Dylan Mural, entitled “The Times They Are A-Changin',” has already become a local attraction. Created in 2015, it’s the largest public work that world-renowned street artist Eduardo Kobra has ever created in the United States.
This beautiful mural features three images of Bob Dylan — each during different stages of his life — with an awe-inspiring mix of photorealism and robust geometric patterns.
Have a Laugh at Acme Comedy Company
Dinner and a show, anyone? The Acme Comedy Company features headliners, a bar and restaurant, with show packages.
They say laughter is the best medicine, so if you’re staycationing to decompress and lower your blood pressure, this comedy club might just be the perfect remedy for you — especially when you add a delicious meal to the equation.
The Acme Comedy Company is frequently voted as the best comedy club in Minneapolis, and that’s quite an honor. Minneapolis has an excellent comedy scene, producing stars like Mitch Hedberg, Maria Bamford and Nick Swardson, among others.
If you’re feeling inspired, they even have an open mic night, if you’re bold enough to give it a whirl.
Destination Shopping & Stays
The North Loop is home to some great lodging, as well as some exciting shopping destinations — from boutiques to books and records, home goods and more. Consider giving these fun spots a visit:
The Hewing Hotel opened in November 2016, but the building has a colorful history dating all the way back to 1897. Since its construction, it’s served many different purposes, including as a practice space for The Replacements, The Suburbs and Soul Asylum.
Today, the hotel pays homage to this rich musical history by continuing to host live music on the Rooftop Lounge. Whether enjoying a show or the unique exposed-wood architecture, the Hewing Hotel is the perfect place to enjoy a Minneapolis getaway.
James & Mary Laurie Booksellers is practically a little sanctuary right in the North Loop, especially if you’re a fan of books or records. It offers a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, along with more than 120,000 volumes of books and 30,000 classical and jazz vinyl records.
D.NOLO is one of Minneapolis’ most popular co-op destinations. Head into D.NOLO and you’ll find three cutting-edge retailers: bumbershute, Jaxon Grey and kindred. Each offers a unique shopping experience, so you can browse anything from fashion-forward womenswear to stylish home furnishings.
MartinPatrick3 is a renowned boutique with meticulously curated clothing, accessories, contemporary furnishings and jewelry. It’s the perfect place to find luxurious items for yourself or a loved one. Even better, they offer award-winning interior design expertise from MartinPatrick3 Studio.
Umei specializes in beautiful, high-quality home goods and stationary items. Inspired by cultures around the world — from Japan to France to Minneapolis’ North Loop — Umei offers a wide selection of extraordinary and unexpected items — many of which you’ve probably never seen before.
Cooks | Bellecour may be known for its bakery and a state-of-the-art cooking school, but it also offers a retail culinary shop that’s second to none. Shop around for high-end cookware, bakeware and kitchen accessories, or sign up for one of their cooking classes for a little extra adventure!
Get Staycationing!
Feeling inspired? Start planning your staycation today! Whether you’re interested in visiting a mouth-watering food collective, seeing a game, mural, comedy show, or visiting some of the best shopping destinations in the city, the North Loop is the place to be. It’s like a little vacation right in your backyard.
If you need a little reassurance before committing to a North Loop staycation, start with a trip to Graze! It’s sure to be a delicious and entertaining experience, and might just inspire you to finally take that PTO.