Enjoy a beautiful morning or afternoon stroll in one of the largest urban sculpture gardens in the country! This is one of the first places Jared took Assata to when she visited Minneapolis in the summer of 2018, it is a great place to view the skyline of Downtown Minneapolis and enjoy the amazing Minnesota summer weather.

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is located in the beautiful bustling neighborhood of Loring Park, just next to Downtown Minneapolis. Explore more than 60 sculptures from the Walker’s collection on 11 scenic acres in the heart of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is free, open to the public, and is open from 6 am to 12 midnight every day.

While you are in the neighborhood, check out some of our favorite restaurants in the area: Gai Noi or Café Lucrat.

A striking, wilderness waterfall in an urban setting. Overlooking the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Park is one of Minneapolis’ oldest and most popular parks, attracting over 850,000 visitors annually.

Located at the intersection of Hiawatha Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway, the 193-acre park features a 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs and river overlooks. The park contains oak, elm, silver maple, basswood, hackberry and cottonwood trees, as well as native and prairie woodland wildflowers.

While you are in the area, checkout Sea Salt Eatery located in the park!

The Chain of Lakes—comprised of Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Brownie Lake, and Cedar Lake—features over 1555 acres of public land within Minneapolis city limits.

While the Chain of Lakes is notably the most popular destination within the Minneapolis park system, the staggering amount of shoreline in the regional park means you’ll always be able to find a spot of waterfront nature to call your own.

Fun Fact: Our reception is located just across the street from Lake Bde Maka Ska and there will be some amazing photo opps from the balcony of The Beach Club overlooking the lake!

Mill Ruins Park is a park in downtown Minneapolis, standing on the west side of Saint Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River and running from 3rd Ave. S. to about 9th Ave. S. The park interprets the history of flour milling in Minneapolis and shows the ruins of several flour mills that were abandoned.

You can also visit the Mill City Museum which offers guided tours of the old "A" flour mill for $12 per person, open from 10am-5pm Saturday & Sunday.

Where my Prince fans at????

Have a little more time to kill and access to transportation? Check out the home and recording studio of the most famous Minneapolis artist!

You can get tickets to tour the property directly from the website, plan ahead as the tickets usually sell out days in advance!

One of Assata and Jared's favorite things about living in Minneapolis is the vibrant, affordable and diverse food scene! Below are a few of our favorites but you can find some more exhaustive lists on Eater Twin Cities or Mpls St. Paul Magazine's websites.

Breakfast/Brunch Spots:

- Victor's 1959 Cafe: Delicious cuban food in a quaint, no frills breakfast restaurant tucked away in quiet South Minneapolis neighborhood.

- Buttered Tin: Two locations, one in NE Minneapolis, one in St. Paul. Both have some great breakfast options and stellar baked goods. Try their cinnamon rolls, you won't be disappointed.

- Khaluna: Arguably one of the best meals we have shared while living in Minneapolis. Great for brunch but also have an awesome dinner service. You will feel like you have been transported to a tropical resort when you enter and your stomach and tastebuds will thank you on your way out. It is on the pricier side and we would recommend family style!

Outdoors/patios

- Gai Noi: Owned by the same chef who operates Khaluna, this Laotian spot has an awesome balcony and second floor sunroom and food that will leave you satisfied! They don't take reservations but the food is worth the wait!

- Hola Arepa: One of Assata's favorites! This South Minneapolis staple has great outdoor space with luscious plants and lively decor that compliments their food and drinks nicely!

- Brit's Pub: Enjoy lawn bowling and a basket of fish & chips in this Downtown Minneapolis staple.

- Graze | Provisions & Libations: This food hall located in the North Loop has plenty of food and drink options that will appease everyone, as well as a great balcony and lawn to drink and enjoy the summer in Minneapolis!

- Nolo's Bar & Kitchen: Really solid American fare with a sweet rooftop and good happy hour!

Can't go wrong:

- Bole Ethiopian Cuisine: If you haven't had Ethiopian food yet, you are missing out! They have two locations but we recommend the one in Como neighborhood. Stop in for some delicious and unique cuisine that is best enjoyed with a group and over good conversation!

- Boludo: Argentinian pizza and empanadas. You heard me right. One of Jared's favorite pizza spots in the cities and if you know Jared, you know he loves his pizza. Also a great takeout option!

- Cafe Lurcat: Located in Loring Park. This is a more upscale option for folks who are able to splurge. In the top tier of places Assata and Jared have shared a meal over a romantic date night.

- The Camden Social: Some of the best, most unique soul food the Twin Cities has to offer! Located near Jared & Assata's stomping grounds and has a great vibe, affordable drinks and food, and an awesome staff!

- Monte Carlo: North Loop staple with a cool vibe inside and a nice patio. The wings are some of the best in the city!

- Barbette: Cute french spot in South Minneapolis. Jared & Assata have shared a number of date night meals here. Cannot go wrong with the steak frites.

Bars/Breweries:

- Cobble Social House: Jared's favorite spot for a drink in the Twin Cities. Small cocktail bar that has good drinks, great atmosphere, 90's Hip Hop, cool art on the walls, delicious sushi. What more can a person ask for?

- Graze Provisions & Libations: This is the second time it's on the list but deserves to be in both categories. Do with that what you will.

- METEOR: The dive bar of all dive bars. Seriously. If the tamales vendor comes when you are there, do yourself a favor and get some!

- Bauhaus Brew Labs: Very solid brewery in artsy North East.

- Brother Justus Whiskey Company: Where my whiskey fans at? Laid back and mature spot for a good drink and conversation.

- Parlour Bar: Known for their craft cocktails and burger (seriously the burger is fire), this is a great spot for a drink in a classy, lowkey environment.

- Minneapolis Cider Company: Cider bar with indoor pickleball courts!

- Modist Brewing Co: Another solid brewery, located in the North Loop.

- 56 Brewing: Brewery, really tasty and unique beers.

- Nightingale: Good spot in South Minneapolis to belly up to the bar and enjoy some drinks and a meal!

- Bar Brava: Natural wine bar with a rotating menu located in North Loop.

- Hewing Hotel: Another solid spot in North Loop (noticing a trend?). Head up to their rooftop and enjoy some great views of the city!