With over 10,000 lakes and so many bucket-list things to do and see, Minneapolis is well worth the trip time and again. A wide range of entertainment along with unbeatable fish fries means the perfect trip for everyone, no matter their age or interests. All that Minneapolis (MSP) has to offer is one nonstop flight out of South Bend International Airport (SBN) on Delta.
Is it actually true that Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”, the “Gopher State”, and also the “Bread and Butter State”? You betcha! From college sports to the major leagues, celebrity chefs to local fish markets, and roller coasters to the Mall of America, Minneapolis is unparalleled in numerous ways. Hop on a flight out of South Bend so you can see just how amazing life at the lake really is.
Food
Being the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”, you can’t have a full Minnesota experience without a fish fry. Tavern on Grand serves up some of the best walleye dishes in Minneapolis and fries up more walleye than any other U.S. restaurant (though you can also get it grilled or blackened as well). Plus, for those who need an Insta-worthy picture, the giant neon walleye sign in front is hard to miss. If you are craving some Irish charm, try out Casper’s & Runyon’s Shamrocks Irish Nook for burgers, a bowling alley and drink specials every night of the week. For the sports-oriented folks, this restaurant even offers free shuttle rides on the Paddywagon to and from all Wild and Vikings home games.
Entertainment
If amusement parks are up your alley, you cannot miss Valley Fair. Located just outside of the city, Valley Fair boasts 13 thrill rides, 14 family rides, 16 kids rides, Soak City with slides and a waterpark, along with various events and shows for every age. You could spend an entire day at Valley Fair and still have things on your list to check off.
Sports
For all those who divide their seasons into sports seasons, the Twin Cities cannot be beat. The Twins of the MLB, Vikings of the NFL, Wild of the NHL, and Timberwolves of the NBA all call the city of Minneapolis home. Not only are there professional teams, but you can also check out the University of Minnesota which has campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Here you can watch the Golden Gophers hockey, football, swimming and diving, baseball or any other number of Division 1 sports.
Explore Outdoors
Not from the area but still want to get out to explore Minneapolis’ lakes and rivers on kayaks, bikes, Segway’s, pedal boats, or paddleboards? Minneapolis is more than prepared for that with rentals for almost any piece of equipment you can think of. Plus, if you work up an appetite exploring the Mississippi River, just past the Stone Arch Bridge you’ll find restaurants like Spoonriver, Nicollet Island Inn and Aster Café. You can even relax on a boat tour with dinner and a drink to take in the views of the city for public or private cruises.
Shopping
Visiting the Mall of America is a must have for every amusement park enthusiast, foodie and shopper alike. With over 400 stores, a theme park, over 50 restaurants, an aquarium and flight simulator, there is certainly no shortage of entertainment. With only a 5 mile trip to the airport, there is no reason to skip out on this once-in-a-lifetime-destination. You can also make a trip to the 50th and France shopping district that boasts restaurants, upscale independent stores as well as bars on a quaint strip outside.
