Guide for Campus Visitors

Curious about the Twin Cities? Make your campus visit into a vacation by exploring museums, theaters, sports, and more. U of M students don’t spend all of their time on campus, and visitors shouldn’t either.

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Museums

Goldstein Museum of Design at the University of Minnesota logo

Goldstein Museum

The Goldstein Museum of Design is operated by the U of M College of Design. It’s a great place to get inspired or learn some history.

Mill City Museum, Minnesota Historical Society logo

Mill City Museum

Dubbed “The Most Explosive Museum in the World” the Mill City Museum is located on the historic Mississippi Riverfront.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts logo

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Art in the heart of Minneapolis—the MIA has one of the finest art collections in the country.

Science Museum of Minnesota logo

Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota is known worldwide for its interactive exhibits and large format films.

Walker Art Center logo

Walker Art Center

The Walker Art Center hosts the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, performances, lectures, events, and contemporary exhibits.

Weisman Art Museum logo

Weisman Art Museum

The Weisman Art Museum offers free admission and rotating exhibits right on the East Bank campus of the U of M.


Sports

Professional Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves logo

Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota has the largest population of timberwolves in the lower 48 states, so this NBA team is right where it belongs. Learn more

Minnesota Lynx logo

Minnesota Lynx

Minneapolis is home to the four-time champion WNBA team, the Minnesota Lynx! Learn more

St. Paul Saints logo

Minnesota Saints

Baseball in Minnesota hits a new level of fun with Saint Paul Saints professional baseball. Learn more

Minnesota Twins logo

Minnesota Twins

Spend an afternoon or evening watching the Twins play at Target Field in downtown Minneapolis! Learn more

Minnesota Vikings logo

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings play at U.S. Bank Stadium which is just quick light rail ride from campus! While the stadium was being built, the Vikings played on the University of Minnesota campus at Huntington Bank Stadium. Learn more

Minnesota Wild logo

Minnesota Wild

Find out why Minnesota is called "The State of Hockey" and catch a Minnesota Wild game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, which is also just a quick light rail ride from campus! Learn more

Gopher Sports

With 22 Division I teams, there’s always a top-notch game on campus. 

Check out Gopher Sports


Festivals

Minnesota State Fair logo

Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair gives visitors 12 days of fun leading up to Labor Day! Learn more

Northern Spark Festival logo

Northern Spark

Each summer, Northern Spark brings artists, performers, and thousands of Twin Cities residents together for a weekend of fun. Learn more

Minnesota Renaissance Festival logo

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival—the largest Renaissance festival in the U.S.—provides a great getaway in the late summer. Learn more

Twin Cities Pride logo

Twin Cities Pride

Every summer, Twin Cities Pride hosts a weekend of speakers, live music, a parade in downtown Minneapolis! Learn more

Stone Arch Bridge Festival logo

Stone Arch Bridge Festival

The Stone Arch Bridge Festival gives Twin Cities residents a full weekend of art fairs, live music, and other performances. Learn more

Minnesota Food Truck Festival

With multiple locations and weekends all summer long, Food Truck Festivals are one of the Twin Cities most popular and delicious events! Learn more


Performances

Guthrie Theater logo

Guthrie Theater

The famous Guthrie Theater hosts shows from across the world. It’s also part of the U of M’s B.F.A theater program! Learn more

Varsity Theater logo

Varsity Theater

The Varsity Theater is just blocks away from the U of M campus in the Dinkytown neighborhood - so you don’t have to travel far to see a great show. Learn more

First Avenue logo

First Avenue

Anyone who knows anything about music will tell you that First Avenue is, quite simply, what a music club should be. Learn more

Fitzgerald Theater logo

Fitzgerald Theater

Since 1910, the Fitzgerald has played host to Broadway musicals, vaudeville shows, film festivals, and concerts of all sorts. Learn more


Shopping

Mall of America logo

Mall of America

With 500+ stores and 42 million visitors a year, the Mall of America is the second-largest shopping mall in the nation. A movie theater, restaurants, and specialty stores ensure you can always find whatever you’re looking for. Learn more

Twin Cities Premium Outlets logo

Twin Cities Premium Outlets

Located south of the U of M in Eagan, and a short drive from the Mall of America, the Twin Cities Premium Outlet offers deep discounts on all the best stores and brands! Learn more


Zoos

Como Zoo and Conservatory logo

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

At the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, every exhibit and class inspires visitors to value living things of all kinds. Learn more

Minnesota Zoo logo

Minnesota Zoo

Since opening in 1978, the Minnesota Zoo has introduced guests to species from across the globe. Learn more


This page mentions just a sampling of what the Twin Cities have to offer. If you’re looking for more activities and attractions in the area, check out Meet Minneapolis and the St. Paul Convention & Visitors Authority.

Want to explore like a local? NiceRide is a bike sharing program with dozens of locations near the U of M, or use the Light Rail to travel between campus and the cities!