Minneapolis: Where the Wind Bites and the Art Thrives (Seriously)
okay, so. minneapolis. i didn’t plan to be here. touring with the band, you know? one minute we’re in Des Moines, the next… this. it’s… something. i just checked and the air feels like a grumpy polar bear’s breath - hovering around zero, feels like negative one. hope you like that kind of thing. my fingers are already numb just thinking about it.
I’m a touring session drummer, so my life is basically a blur of airports, questionable hotel coffee, and trying to remember which city I’m in. Minneapolis, though… it’s got a pulse. A weird, quiet pulse, but a pulse nonetheless. It’s not flashy like New York or buzzing like LA. It’s… thoughtful. And cold. Very, very cold.
I spent most of my time wandering around the North Loop - seriously, check out the breweries there. Surly is a must, obviously. But there’s a bunch of smaller ones too. I stumbled into this tiny place called Indeed Brewing - their flagship IPA is surprisingly good. I overheard someone at the bar saying it’s the best in the state. Drunk advice, probably, but I’ll take it.
Speaking of wandering, the art scene here is wild. I ended up at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) - it’s free! - and spent way too long staring at some pretty intense abstract stuff. Then I found this incredible mural in the Warehouse District. Seriously, someone needs to put that on Instagram. I’m thinking of trying to recreate it in my sketchbook when I get back home.
I’m staying in a little Airbnb near the Mississippi River. It’s… cozy. Let’s go with cozy. The neighbors seem quiet. If you get bored, St. Paul is just a short hop across the river. Apparently, they have a really cool cathedral. I haven’t made it over there yet, but it’s on the list.
Someone told me that the Walker Art Center is worth a visit, but it’s a bit pretentious. I’m not sure I have the energy for pretentious right now. I’m more in the mood for a hot chocolate and a good book.
Here’s a quick rundown of things I’ve learned so far:
Layers are your friend. Seriously. Like, a lot of layers.
*The light rail is surprisingly efficient. It’s how I got around most of the time.
*Don’t underestimate the power of a good scarf.
*Check out the Mill City Museum. It’s built into the ruins of a flour mill and has amazing views of the river. TripAdvisor
*Find a local coffee shop. I’m obsessed with Dogwood Coffee Co. Yelp
I heard that the nightlife isn’t amazing*, but there are some decent bars in the First Avenue area. Apparently, Prince used to play there all the time. That’s pretty cool. I’m trying to find a show to catch before I leave. Maybe something at the Varsity Theater? Varsity Theater Website
Honestly, Minneapolis is… unexpected. It’s not the first place that comes to mind when you think of a cool city, but it’s got something special. It’s got grit. It’s got art. And it’s got a whole lot of cold. I’m not sure I’d move here, but I’m glad I spent some time here. I’m also glad I packed enough socks. Check out some local Minneapolis boards for more tips: Minneapolis Reddit
Okay, gotta go. My hands are freezing. Wish me luck!
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