Looking for some fun date ideas in Minneapolis? Whether it’s a first date or you’ve been married for a decade, it’s important to get out and spend time with your partner by going on dates.
And there are some pretty great date ideas in Minneapolis that can make dating each other pretty darn easy.
Guest Post By Kassidy Olson of Kassidy’s Journey
From romantic places to enjoy dinner to exciting and unique adventures, there is something to do for every type of couple in the Twin Cities area.
Best Date Ideas in Minneapolis, MN
Below are some of the best ideas for getting out and exploring the Minneapolis area while you get to know your partner or someone that you’re interested in.
Enjoy Brunch Together at Hen House Eatery
One of the best ways to start out the day is by enjoying brunch together. And Hen House Eatery is well-known for being one of the best places in Minneapolis to do so!
Since brunch doesn’t require either of you to be morning people, it’s perfect that Hen House Eatery serves breakfast foods all day, and their lunch menu is available later.
Choose from delicious foods like freshly made cinnamon or caramel rolls, eggs benedict, or fluffy pancakes.
After enjoying your meal, take a walk down by the Mississippi River and the Stone Arch Bridge, as they’re just a few blocks away.
This is the perfect way to pair a few of these great Minneapolis date ideas together.
Ice Skate at the Maple Grove Central Park Ice Skating Loop
Ice skating has long been a favorite amongst couples for first dates because it’s just such a romantic activity to do together.
In Maple Grove, you’ll find the Central Park Ice Skating Loop, which is an 810-foot-long small loop that is designed for skaters to get out and enjoy the winter weather.
Since this is a short loop and it’s regularly cleared by the Zamboni, it’s even great for beginner ice skaters.
The loop is totally free to use, and there are skates available to rent on-site for those who don’t have their own set.
Getting out and skating with your partner gives you both the chance to try a new activity, or get back into something that you’ve loved for years.
Visit the Best Breweries and Wineries in Minneapolis
There are a lot of fantastic breweries and wineries in the Minneapolis area that are perfect for pairing together as a date night.
If your partner and yourself are like many others who enjoy brewery hopping and trying different local brews, then consider checking out a few.
Some of the best breweries in Minneapolis include Surly Brewing, Modist Brewing, Indeed Brewing Company, and Bauhaus Brew Labs.
If you aren’t much of a beer drinker and prefer wine, the Twin Cities area is also home to some of the best wineries in the state.
Saint Croix Vineyards in Taylors Falls, Schram Vineyards in Waconia, and Alexis Bailly Vineyard in Hastings are a few great choices to add to your itinerary.
There’s just something romantic about wandering through a vineyard or clinking a locally brewed beer with the person you love.
Try Axe Throwing at Bad Axe Throwing
If both of you are more of the ‘active date’ type of people, rather than sitting and watching a movie, then trying out axe throwing may be perfect for you.
At Bad Axe Throwing, you can try something new and unique that most people have never even heard of!
Get together with your date and take a guess at who will be able to hit the target first.
If you’ve never done it before, don’t worry, as there are trained guides available who will be able to help both of you out.
Enjoy Dinner and Drinks with a View at the Rooftop at Hewing Hotel
Sitting down for a nice dinner is always one of the best date ideas in Minneapolis, but it’s even better when you can do it somewhere with such a phenomenal view.
On the rooftop of the Hewing Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, you can do just that.
The Rooftop Lounge offers a menu of small plates that are perfect for sharing as you relax and admire the skyline.
There also is an expansive drink menu to look through. Choose from different cocktails, wines, or spirits, depending on what you’re in the mood for.
If you’re up for a weekend date, consider booking a stay at the Hewing Hotel. There’s a rooftop sauna and hot tub that are perfect for relaxing in as a registered guest of the hotel.
Stroll Around Minnehaha Falls
As the home to one of the most iconic waterfalls in the state of Minnesota, Minnehaha Regional Park is a fantastic place to take a stroll around and chat.
Wander through the trails of one of Minneapolis’ oldest parks, which hug the shores of Minnehaha Creek.
The main attraction in the park is Minnehaha Falls, a 53-foot waterfall that drops over limestone bluffs and continues its journey along the creek.
Snap a photo together in front of the waterfall, or relax on one of the benches that line the trails.
Whether this is a first date or you’ve been married for years, this is the perfect opportunity to get to know your partner better, as you talk about each other’s day.
View the Skyline From the Stone Arch Bridge
The Stone Arch Bridge crosses over the Mississippi River and connects Minneapolis to St. Paul and was built in 1883.
It’s a pedestrian-only bridge and offers beautiful panoramic views of both cities’ skylines.
Especially at sunset, the Stone Arch Bridge can be a beautiful spot to admire the beauty of Minneapolis and the city reflecting in the river.
Park near Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis and spend a bit of time crossing the bridge, hand in hand, as you take in the views surrounding you.
See a Show at a Theater
There are many theaters in the Twin Cities area that have productions of popular Broadway shoes throughout the year.
Seeing a show is the perfect way to share your love of Broadway, or get to know a new hobby, all while spending time together.
The Orpheum Theater is found right in downtown Minneapolis and is home to some of the best touring Broadway shows. Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and Les Misérables have all graced the stage at The Orpheum.
If you’re up for a short drive, head to Chanhassen Dinner Theater in Chanhassen, about 25 minutes outside of Minneapolis.
Here, you can enjoy a nice dinner together at the theater, and then sit back and relax as the show takes place right in front of you.
Other theaters to attend are the Guthrie Theater and the Ordway Theater.
Paint Together at Wine & Canvas
Another great date idea in Minneapolis and a great way to spend some time with your partner is to attend a ‘paint and sip’ class together.
Put each other’s artistic skills to the test while painting different canvases together!
Wine & Canvas hosts several events each month around the Twin Cities area at different restaurants, wineries, and other locations.
During these events, your partner and yourself will spend time painting the same design while being taught by an instructor.
The themes of the painting typically correlate with the season, so in winter you may paint a snowman, while in the summer the painting may be a flower.
As you paint, you’ll get to enjoy sipping on a glass of wine.
Wander Through the Como Park Gardens
Como Park is home to a zoo, an amusement park, and several gardens.
The Centennial Garden, previously the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, and the Sunken Garden are two indoor exhibits that are home to seasonal flowers and greenery.
Wandering through these two gardens is the perfect way to spend time together, and almost feel like it’s summer, even in the middle of winter.
During the summer months, you can also visit some of Como Park’s outdoor gardens, each of which has its own unique theme and variety of plants to admire.
From the Enchanted Garden which draws in beautiful butterflies to the Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden which represents the sister city relationship between St. Paul and Nagasaki, Japan, there is something unique everywhere you look.
Just a short stroll through the gardens is a great way to spend the day together.
Share Dessert at MN Nice Cream
At the end of the day, it’s nice to enjoy some dessert to cure that sweet tooth before heading home for the night.
Minnesota Nice Cream in Northeast Minneapolis makes for the perfect location to grab an ice cream cone to share (or not!) with your date.
With unique flavor creations like Cookie Monster, Gone Bananas, and Bourbon Caramel Brownie, you’ll definitely be able to decide on your favorite.
There are also options for creating your own masterpiece and adding fun toppings like edible glitter!
After you’ve ordered your treats, head outside and relax together on the patio under the warm summer sun.
Visit a Painting Studio Together
Similar to the ‘paint and sip’ classes, visiting a painting studio together allows you and your partner to try out a new hobby together.
There are Color Me Mine locations in Eagan, Maple Grove, and Woodbury, which is the perfect place to go for this date idea.
Once you get there, you’ll choose a ceramic piece that you want to paint. They have everything from plates to cups to knick-knacks.
Then, you’ll choose your paint colors and paint away! This is the fun part, where you can each help paint each other’s piece, or paint one for each other! Leave your piece for 7-10 days and Color Me Mine will finish it off, and then you can pick it up.
See a Movie at the Vali-Hi Drive-In
Open only in the summer, Vali-Hi Drive-In in Lake Elmo is the perfect place for those who are looking for a bit of nostalgia.
Pull up your car, enjoy a bag of fresh popcorn, and cuddle up together to watch the film that’s playing that night.
There aren’t many drive-ins left, so it’s nice to see that you can find one not too far from the center of Minneapolis.
Wrap-Up For: Minneapolis Date Ideas
If you’re looking for something fun to do with your partner or someone that you’re getting to know in the Minneapolis area, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy!
These Minneapolis date ideas allow you to have fun, get to know each other, and spend time together while exploring the big city.
Sara, a seasoned expert in wedding planning and date ideas, brings a wealth of experience to our couples blog. With a background in the television industry and hands-on involvement in a dozen weddings, including working as a wedding assistant on "My Fair Wedding with David Tutera," Sara has an innate understanding of the magic that makes weddings truly special. Growing up with four sisters has given her unique insights into the dating world, making her a go-to source for practical and heartfelt dating advice. Her knowledge and enthusiasm make her the perfect guide for couples seeking to infuse their relationships with creativity and love.