What is the Best Time To Visit Minneapolis?

Visiting Minneapolis can be a great experience. Every city has its best time of the year and Minneapolis is no different. With a diverse range of activities, attractions, and a unique culture, Minneapolis has plenty to offer whether it’s summer, winter, spring, or fall. To help you decide what is the best time to visit Minneapolis, let’s take a look at the activities and seasonal events of each season.

Summer in Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a great place to visit during the summer. The city comes alive in the warmer months with a plethora of activities, both inside and outdoors. From music festivals to outdoor concerts and free summer movies, there’s something for everyone all summer long. One of the most popular attractions in Minneapolis during the summer is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Located in Walker Art Center, the garden features more than 40 works of art from numerous artists. For the outdoor enthusiasts, there’s also biking paths and shorelines all over Minneapolis. The Chain of Lakes Regional Park features trails that span over 25 miles around the city’s five lakes. Perhaps the best part about visiting Minneapolis in the summer is that there are plenty of festivals to check out. The Minnesota State Fair is one of the biggest summer events and draws in more than 1.8 million visitors each year. There’s also Rock the Garden, Basilica Block Party and Loring Park Music Festival to name a few.

Autumn in Minneapolis

When summer turns to autumn, Minneapolis transforms into an Instagrammer’s paradise. Beautiful foliage, crisp air and plenty of fall activities add to the charm of this city as temperatures start to cool down. The nearby parks and trails also become popular destinations for visitors. With bright yellow and red leaves, it’s easy to see why they’re draws to the city year after year. Family-friendly activities such as pumpkin carving and corn mazes can be experienced at the nearby Uff Da! Farms. For theater lovers, the Guthrie Theater hosts numerous performances from classic plays to independent work. Finally, visitors can enjoy an array of festivals in late autumn like Oktoberfest and Trick or Treating on Halloween in downtown Minneapolis.

Winter in Minneapolis

Don’t let the cold weather discourage you from visiting Minneapolis in winter. Plenty of activities can be experienced with local heavy snowfalls adding to atmosphere of the season. Perhaps one of the most popular winter activities is ice-skating in the city’s parks and public rinks. The Lake Calhoun Rink is one of the city’s most popular destinations and home to both recreational and competitive teams. For those looking for something less environment-friendly, snow sport rinks such as St.Paul’s Holidazzle offer tubing, skiing, snowboarding. The end of the year is usually very festive for many reasons in Minneapolis, with numerous holiday events to choose from including Christmas markets, Christmas lights tours and holiday theater performances throughout the city.

Spring in Minneapolis

Though often delayed by longer winter cold temperatures, springtime brings renewed vitality to Minneapolis. With average temperatures reaching highs of 61°F (16°C), visitors can plenty of activities both indoors and outdoors. Festivals like May Day in Powderhorn Park bring people together to dance around the maypole while blooming trees and flowers add color to the city’s streets. Don’t forget to try some unique local restaurants during this time either. Those who visit between April and May are sure to get a great start to their Minneapolis experience with a glimpse of the beautiful spring flowers such as tulips, daffodils and pansies as well as migrating birds that come through town as part of their migration paths every year.

Conclusion – Best Time To Visit Minneapolis

Each season in Minneapolis has something special to offer for its visitors and depending on what type of activities you’re interested in, you may decide that one period of the year is better than another. If you are looking for outdoor activities such as walking through parks, biking through shorelines or attending festivals, then summer would be your best bet. Autumn has beautiful foliage and numerous fall celebrations for those looking for more seasonal feels. Finally, spring may be ideal if you wish to experience all that Minneapolis has to offer during an intermediate season that is not too hot or too cold. Ultimately it comes down to your personal preference as each season can provide a memorable experience if done right. For more information please visit: Minneapolis Official Tourism Site.