We are very proud of our Minneapolis-roots here at Kipsu and want to share all the experiences this city has to offer so you can make the most of your trip to town for HITEC. Since there is no shortage of fun things to do around the Twin Cities (especially in June when we FINALLY soak up the sun), we compiled a list of our top picks—KipsPicks, if you will.

The Great Outdoors

We wouldn't be doing the Land of 10,000 Lakes (11,842 to be exact) justice if we didn’t recommend hitting up one of our many lakes near downtown Minneapolis. The Chain of Lakes consists of five lakes—Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, and Lake Harriet. Each of the lakes has its own character and unique things to do, from large beaches to tasty lakeside restaurants like Bread & Pickle. Lounge around to soak in the sunshine, bike or walk around all of the lakes on the paved pathway, or simply master the skill of people-watching. If biking is more your jam, Nice Ride stations are parked across Minneapolis for you to rent.

If you can’t get enough of the lakes, take your love for the water to the Mississippi River and walk along the river road or Stone Arch Bridge. The Stone Arch is a popular tourist attraction that overlooks St. Anthony Falls. We would recommend getting some ice cream at Izzy’s before walking the bridge and see if there is a movie in the park showing at Father Hennepin Bluff Park! Continue your journey by heading south to Minnehaha Falls, where you can admire the stunning scenery and get a quick hike in before stopping at Sea Salt, a seasonal restaurant located in Minnehaha Park.

#Artsy

Minneapolis also has a rich arts scene, from theaters to galleries to large, renowned museums. The Minneapolis Institute of Art, or MIA, is a city favorite and boasts almost 90,000 pieces in their collection spanning 5,000 years (and is free admission!). The Walker Art Center hosts some of the city’s best modern art and has an expansive sculpture garden outside its grounds. Don’t forget to stop by Spoonbridge and Cherry in the sculpture garden—an iconic Minneapolis symbol.

Shop 'til You Drop

Of course, we would be remiss to mention one of the biggest tourist attractions near the Twin Cities, the Mall of America. MOA (as the locals call it), is the largest mall in the United States and is a brief light rail ride away from the convention center. You can certainly get your shopping fix here with its 520 stores (tax-free shopping might we add), numerous restaurants, and even an in-house theme park called Nickelodeon Universe.

1st Ave Downtown

Minnesotans, for better or for worse, are dedicated to their many sporting teams. Since you are stopping by in June, we would recommend catching a Twins Game at Target Field downtown. If the game gets out early, First Avenue is just a few blocks from the stadium. First Ave is a renowned music venue and Minneapolis stronghold that has hosted music legends since 1970. Check out if First Ave or its counterpart, 7th Street Entry, is hosting one of your favorite bands to enjoy a night filled with good tunes!

We hope you get to enjoy a few of our most popular attractions in Minneapolis. Don’t forget to check out Kipsuvians’ recommendations for the best restaurants in town or place to grab a drink on our other HITEC city guides.