Get the Most Out of Minnesota Spring

1) Visit Art-a-Whirl

Get your culture fix at the largest open studio tour in the country! Coming up this weekend, Northeast Minneapolis becomes one giant open studio, showcasing the work of nearly 800 artists. Spreading over 60 locations, ranging from studio buildings to local businesses and even a couple home studios to meet the artists, Art-a-Whirl is your chance to get immersed in the Twin Cities art scene. Be prepared to meet the artists, watch demonstrations, participate in mini-workshops, and build your personal art collection! We will be opening up our studio at Northrup King Building alongside studio mate Ashley Mary and weekend guests Dinosaur Hampton and Tandem Vintage.

Image Courtesy of The Current

2) Sea Salt Eatery

Image Courtesy of Momentum Mag

Nestled next to the Minnehaha falls, Sea Salt is the perfect place to get your seafood and fresh air fix! This is the place to be on warm spring evenings, so expect a long line and take advantage of the separate beverage counter to tide you over. If it’s your first time, you can’t go wrong with the steamed shrimp tacos or crab stuffed avocados. Finish off your evening with Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream and a visit to the falls. Opens April 12.

3) Get Outside and Explore the Lakes

Celebrate the longer days and warmer air by getting out in nature. Perhaps there’s no better indicator of spring in Minneapolis than the thousands of lime green bikes that seem to appear overnight every April. With over 3000 bikes and 400 stations, NiceRides are the quickest (and maybe the most fun) way to explore the city. If hiking is more your speed, head over to the Winchell Trail, a 5-mile hiking-only loop on the west bank of the Mississippi River. The trailhead is a short drive from Sea Salt if you’re in need of a post-hike ice cream cone or beer. We won’t judge!

In the land of 10,000 lakes, Spring is best spent by the water. We love hanging out in the Lake Nokomis neighborhood. Walk the 2.5-mile loop around the water and finish at Sandcastle, a beachside food concession stand that pairs updated American classics with sweeping water views. Another neighborhood favorites is Italian Eatery, a warm neighborhood joint known for their fresh pasta and cozy patio. Finish off your day by heading across the street to Grand Ole Creamery, the made-from-scratch neighborhood ice cream shop that’s been in business for 33 years.

Image Courtesy of Twin Cities Mom Blog

4) Leslie Barlow: A Familiar Portrait of Labor and Love

Image Courtesy of MPLSART

Support the Twin Cities art scene by visiting Minneapolis local Leslie Barlow’s new show, “A Family Portrait of Labor and Love” at The Gallery at Le Meridien Chambers. “This new series of paintings feels like I’m working at the edge of myself-- painting into the future what knowledge I wish I had in the past, barely able to keep up with the churning of my mind and the layers of stories I increasingly hold. I hope to find home in visual explorations that challenge superficially-simple narratives and change our perceptions of family normalcy.” - Leslie Barlow Runs April 17-June 14th

5) Somalis + Minnesota

Plan a visit to the Minnesota History Center and learn about Somali culture in their newest exhibit, Somalis + Minnesota. Developed in partnership with the Somali Museum of Minnesota, the exhibit celebrates Somali traditional culture and highlights the story of Somali immigrants settling in Minnesota. Visitors can expect an immersive experience including interactive photo panels, objects, and stories. Runs till June 9.