Cheap flights to Minneapolis
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Quick summary
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Airport
MSP
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-6
Opportunities already detected to Minneapolis
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Identity
The City of Lakes, built on flour
Founded in 1856 on the Mississippi, Minneapolis grew on the water power of St. Anthony Falls, which made it the flour-milling capital of the world by the turn of the 20th century. Nicknamed the City of Lakes and the Mill City, it forms the Twin Cities of Minnesota with Saint Paul on the opposite bank, linked by the METRO Green Line yet distinct in character: Minneapolis feels younger and more outdoorsy, Saint Paul more historic and government-minded, as the state capital.
A mid-sized city. About 430,000 people at the 2020 census (Wikipedia EN), inside a much larger metro area. Downtown is easy on foot or through the enclosed skyways, and the lakes are a few minutes away.
Where to stay. Downtown and the areas near the light-rail stations make car-free trips simple; the Mall of America and its hotels in Bloomington are on the Blue Line.
Getting to Minneapolis
MSP airport and distances
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International
The airport is within 16 km (10 miles) of both downtowns, Minneapolis and Saint Paul (Wikipedia EN). It has two terminals, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey), and is Delta Air Lines' big hub. From Europe, nonstop flights serve Amsterdam, Paris, London, Rome, Dublin or Reykjavik depending on the season (Delta, KLM, Air France, Icelandair; some are seasonal).
From the terminal to downtown. The METRO Blue Line light rail serves the airport, downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America, with a station at Terminal 1; trains run between the two terminals at any hour (Wikipedia EN, Wikivoyage EN). The fare is a flat few dollars, so check Metro Transit for the current price. Bus route 54 goes to Saint Paul. Taxis and rental cars are also available.
| Landmark | Distance or indicative time |
|---|---|
| Airport to the two downtowns | within 16 km (10 miles) |
| Airport to the Mall of America | one Blue Line stop, about 15 minutes by car |
| Minneapolis to Saint Paul | Green Line light rail, centre to centre |
| Minneapolis and Chicago | about 650 km apart, Minneapolis lying to the north-west (Wikipedia FR) |
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Where it began
St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge
St. Anthony Falls is the only true waterfall along the whole Mississippi, and its drop first powered sawmills and then flour mills. The Washburn "A" Mill, rebuilt after the 1878 explosion that destroyed the original building, was among the largest in the world; its ruins now house the Mill City Museum. Beside it, the Stone Arch Bridge, a former railroad crossing now open only to walkers and cyclists, gives the best view of the falls.
The Mill City Museum. A freight elevator and original machinery tell the story of the milling industry that built the city (Wikivoyage EN). Hours and prices change with the season, so check before you go.
Nature
The Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Falls
Few big American cities offer this much water: Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake make up the Chain of Lakes, laced with paths that belong to the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. Kayaking, sailing, cycling or just strolling are a few minutes from downtown. South of the city, Minnehaha Falls, about 15 metres high, turns into a curtain of ice in winter.
Museums
Six places to understand Minneapolis
Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia). Founded in the late 19th century and housed since 1915 in a McKim, Mead & White building, it covers some 5,000 years of art, with 90,000 to 100,000 works depending on the source and a fine Asian collection. General admission is free (Wikipedia EN and ES).
Walker Art Center. One of the big five modern and contemporary art museums in the country (Wikivoyage EN, Wikipedia ES). Next door is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, where the Spoonbridge and Cherry fountain by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen has become an unofficial symbol of the city.
Weisman Art Museum. A Frank Gehry building on the University of Minnesota campus, opened in 1993 and expanded in 2011 (Wikipedia ES).
Mill City Museum. Housed in the ruins of the Washburn "A" Mill, it tells the rise of flour milling (Wikivoyage EN).
Guthrie Theater. Founded in 1963, it has occupied a Jean Nouvel building by the Mississippi since 2006, among old mills (Wikipedia FR and DE): a theatre rather than a museum, but an architectural stop.
More to see. Wikivoyage EN also lists the Museum of Russian Art and the Hennepin History Museum for local history fans.
Landmarks and districts
From the river to the Twin Cities
Mills and riverbanks. The mill district on both sides of St. Anthony Falls holds the traces of the 19th century: converted mills, quays and bridges, among them the Stone Arch Bridge.
The skyways. Downtown towers are linked by glass walkways that shelter you from winter cold and summer heat (Wikipedia FR and DE). They cover an area of roughly seven blocks by seven, usually open from about 6:30 am to 9 or 10 pm on weekdays and shorter at weekends (Wikivoyage EN).
Saint Paul. The state capital grew around brewing and river trade; the Green Line takes you to Union Depot, the intercity rail station, and it feels more historic than its neighbour.
The Mall of America. In Bloomington, near the airport, it opened in 1992 on the site of the old Metropolitan Stadium, where the Twins and Vikings played. It has more than 500 stores and an indoor amusement park, Nickelodeon Universe, and is one of the largest shopping malls in the United States.
Food and drink
The Juicy Lucy, Scandinavian roots and world cuisines
The Juicy Lucy. A burger with the cheese sealed inside the patty, so the first bite comes out molten, hence the usual warning. Two south Minneapolis bars, Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club, have argued for decades over who invented it (Wikivoyage EN).
Scandinavian heritage and newer communities. Hotdish and lutefisk, Scandinavian heritage dishes, are rarely found in restaurants according to Wikivoyage EN. The Twin Cities table draws mostly on Somali and Hmong cooking, two of the city's largest immigrant communities, and on very affordable Vietnamese restaurants in the Eat Street area.
Markets and food trucks. Farmers markets and food trucks generally run from May to October (Wikivoyage EN); neighbourhood grocery stores sell Mexican, Somali and Hmong products.
Good to know. Opening hours and addresses change quickly, so check before you go.
Climate
Minneapolis climate, season by season
Spring
The snow melts, the weather is unsettled and temperatures climb gradually, so pack layers.
Summer
Warm and often humid: highs of about 28 °C and lows of 18 °C in July, with more than 15 hours of daylight. The season for the lakes and open-air festivals.
Autumn
Crisp air and autumn colours around the lakes; the first frosts arrive quickly.
Winter
Severe: highs of about -5 °C and lows of -13 °C in January, around 130 cm of snow a year and very short days (sunlight roughly 7:45 am to 4:45 pm). Enclosed skyways and proper gear make a difference.
Minneapolis has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) with about 800 mm of precipitation a year (Wikipedia EN, airport figures for 1991-2020). The best window is June to early September for the lakes, and late September to October for the colours. Winter suits those who enjoy dry cold and snow activities.
Getting around
Getting around Minneapolis
Light rail and buses. The Blue Line links the airport, downtown and the Mall of America; the Green Line links Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Metro Transit buses fill in the gaps, with day and weekly passes (Wikivoyage EN); check the official site for current fares.
Bikes and walking. A bike-share system operates downtown (Wikivoyage EN), and most sights in the centre and along the river are walkable or cyclable, much less so in winter.
By car. Useful for outlying parks, farther lakes and trips beyond the metro area, but you can see downtown without one.
Budget
A mid-range budget, and two or three days for the essentials
Minneapolis sits in the mid-range among big American cities. The Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Sculpture Garden are free; Vietnamese restaurants and markets let you eat well on a modest budget, while downtown hotels cost more on weekdays and during major events. The currency is the US dollar; we do not publish exact prices because they change.
How many days?. Two days cover the museums and the river; three let you add the lakes and Saint Paul.
By length of stay
What to do in Minneapolis depending on your stay
The essentials
The Mill City Museum, a walk on the Stone Arch Bridge, then the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Walker Art Center.
Go deeper
A day around the Chain of Lakes: kayaking, cycling or simply strolling, with Minnehaha Falls.
Twin Cities
Saint Paul and its historic districts, with a stop at the Mall of America on the way to the airport.
In pictures
Minneapolis, the river and the lakes in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Minneapolis
What is Minneapolis's airport and how do I get downtown?
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International (MSP), within 16 km of the downtowns. The Blue Line light rail links the airport to downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America; buses and taxis complete the offer.
How much does a flight to Minneapolis usually cost?
The price mainly depends on your departure city, the period and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real price examples already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How long is a flight to Minneapolis from Europe?
Typically 8 to 10 hours nonstop depending on your departure city; with a connection, expect more.
When is the best time to visit Minneapolis?
June to early September for the lakes and festivals, and late September to October for autumn colours. Winter is severe (lows of about -13 °C in January), but the enclosed downtown skyways let you move around in the warm.
Which museums should I visit in Minneapolis?
The Minneapolis Institute of Art (free general admission), the Walker Art Center and its sculpture garden, the Weisman Art Museum, the Mill City Museum and the Guthrie Theater for its architecture.
What should I eat in Minneapolis?
The Juicy Lucy, a burger with cheese inside, at Matt's Bar or the 5-8 Club; Somali, Hmong and Vietnamese cooking; farmers markets from May to October.
How do I get around Minneapolis?
By light rail (Blue and Green Lines), Metro Transit buses, the downtown skyways, by bike or on foot. A car is mostly useful for excursions.
Is the Mall of America worth a visit?
It is one of the largest shopping malls in the United States, with more than 500 stores and an indoor amusement park, one light-rail stop from the airport: a useful stop on a long layover.
What is the difference between Minneapolis and Saint Paul?
They are Minnesota's Twin Cities, on opposite banks of the Mississippi and linked by the Green Line. Minneapolis is younger and more lake-oriented; Saint Paul, the state capital, is more historic.
Is Minneapolis an expensive destination?
It is mid-range among big American cities. Several sights are free, but downtown hotels cost more on weekdays and during events. Prices change, so check official sites.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Minneapolis drops below my budget?
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