Let me paint you a picture. The girls haven’t gotten together in a while, no one has any ideas and suddenly (except we all saw this coming) the planning falls to you. You scroll through every event calendar. Facebook, Eventbrite, brewery websites, and even the library! But all you can find is obscure country singers and bar trivia nights. How, in the age of the internet, is it so hard to figure out what to do?
Minneapolis girlies, I’ve got your back! With a Choose Your Own Adventure set of itineraries, I’m sure you will find the perfect day out with your friends, a date, or just by yourself! It’s time to choose: are you The Adventurer, The Creative, The Rebel, or The Healer? Scroll to decide.
Choose Your Own Adventure
The Adventurer: Bold & Curious
You look at the day more as a quest. Each place on this itinerary offers experiences to excite. Take a sip of outer space at Cosmic Coffee; with a shelf of nostalgic DVDs, you’ll either get a blast from the past or take off on a space odyssey. Next, let your tastebuds travel the globe with the Spam Nori Croissant at Diane’s Place. If the weather is nice, simply walk up and enjoy the patio. For those colder Minneapolis days, enjoy the upscale but cozy dining room.
Then, follow your ears by booking a Brewery Tour of Indeed (winter or summer!). Bonus points if you make it a hot girl walk from Diane’s place to Indeed. Follow 13th ave to window shop and peruse the other restaurants in the area. For a filling dinner, find a hidden gem (featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives) with lobster mac and cheese at The 1029 Bar. Lastly, end your adventure with a libation at Side Bar. It’s a bar within Surdyk’s, a wine and cheese grocery store, and a staple of NE Minneapolis.
Cafe: Cosmic Coffee
Brunch/Lunch: Diane’s Place
Activity: Brewery tour @ Indeed ($20)
Dinner: The 1029 Bar
Drinks: Side Bar
The Creative: Artsy & Unique
It’s time to unleash your inner artist. Today is a time to spark your imagination and appreciate the arts. Get cozy surrounded by artwork in either Mojo Coffee or Yellow Bird Coffee. I love the patio at Mojo and the rest of the building is artist studios! Try a carefully crafted meal surrounded by vintage decor at The Briar. Something about that place makes me feel like I could become a playwright or maybe a poet.
Next, explore NE studios with Open Saturdays at Northrup. This is a great way to get a taste of what Art-A-Whirl is like. The signature event of NE is only available 1 weekend of the year but the studios open for tours monthly. Once you’ve fed your mind with some culture, eat artful sushi rolls at Momo Sushi. Finally, round out the day with sparkly disco drinks at Earl Giles.
Cafe: Mojo Coffee/Yellow Bird Coffee NE
Brunch/Lunch: The Briar
Activity: Open Saturdays at Northrup King (Other days and locations available too)
Dinner: Momo Sushi
Drinks: Earl Giles
The Rebel: Underground & Alternative
It’s time to take the road less traveled by. You seek counter-culture experiences and thrill in finding the subversive and new. Start your day with Matchbox Coffee, a small collectively owned coffee shop. Then head over to Alt Burger. Now definitely save this place to come back for dinner but brunch is delightful with plenty of vegetarian options.
Next shop vintage at the Vintage Market (sometimes held at Quincy Hall) or some staple NE thrift stores like Moth Oddities and Olio. I’ve found some of my favorite vintage pieces from these places! Just a block over from those two shops, Saturday Dumpling Co. is making headlines for their scallion-tortilla dumpling-inspired burritos or their dumpling of the moment. End your day with Small Hours Wine Bar, a cozy and curated wine list. And if you’re a tin fish girly the food menu will not disappoint.
Cafe: Matchbox Coffee
Brunch/Lunch: Alt Burger
Activity: Vintage Market (Sometimes at Quincy Hall)
Bonus: Thrifting at Moth Oddities/Olio (Basically the same block as Saturday Dumpling Co!)
Dinner: Saturday Dumpling Co.
Drinks: Small Hours Wine Bar
The Healer: Reflective & Mindful
You are the type to prioritize your self-care. Today is about relaxation and restoration. Start your day with a quality Mexican brunch at Vivir. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to get out of bed, they do all day breakfast, and it’s good. Then head to the NE Farmer’s Market to gather fresh produce for the rest of the week. And by the way, the NE Farmer’s Market has a night and winter market for year-round fun.
Next, enjoy some quiet zen at the NE Tea House with a traditional gongfu tea service. I can tell you, fresh back from Tokyo, this is as close as you can get to Japan without leaving Minneapolis. Don’t be afraid of their no-screen policy, it helps you focus on your conversation, read a book, or appreciate the tea. Start to wind down with what feels like a home-cooked meal from Chimborazo. My go-to order is the Lomo Saltado, marinated tenderloin stir-fried with peppers, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes. With a side of rice and avocado. End the day at Būch with some hard kombucha: fermentation with health benefits and fun. Alternatively, you could start your day at Būch to catch their New Frequency Yoga sessions, on Sundays @ 10, BYO mat!
Cafe: NE Tea House
Brunch/Lunch: Vivir (Same street as Būch)
Activity: NE Farmer’s Market
Dinner: Chimborazo
Drinks: Būch
Explore Via Zine
If that was not adventure enough, try playing my board game zine. Explore the neighborhood candyland style with many fun stops along the way.
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