You don’t necessarily have to go far, far away to have a fantastic vacation: there are plenty of American cities worth checking out. One option is Minneapolis, which was named one of 2018's top travel destinations by Conde Nast.
With an impressive list of restaurants, theaters and natural attributes, including the Trust for Public Land's best parks system in the U.S., Minneapolis is one Midwest city you'll want to add to your bucket list.
It’s more doable than you think. According to travel site Skyscanner, there are plenty of flights from Seattle to Minneapolis in the next few months, and the prices aren't too shabby.
So if you're looking for a change of scenery, here are some deals to put on your to-do list.
(Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.)
Flight deals to Minneapolis
Currently, the cheapest flights between Seattle and Minneapolis are if you leave on January 9 and return from Minnesota on January 13. Frontier Airlines currently has tickets for $164, roundtrip.
Frontier Airlines also has tickets at that price point in February. If you fly out of Seattle on February 2 and return from Minneapolis on February 6, Frontier Airlines can get you there and back for $164 roundtrip.
Top Minneapolis hotels
Regarding where to stay, here are two of Minneapolis’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.
The Westin Minneapolis (88 S. Sixth St.)
One option is the 4.6-star The Westin Minneapolis, which has rooms for $129/night. The Minneapolis Public Library Central Branch, the Minneapolis City Hall, the Target Center and Mill Ruins Park are area attractions.
The Renaissance Minneapolis (225 S. Third Ave.)
A second option is The Renaissance Minneapolis. The 4.3-star hotel has rooms for $99/night. Set in the heart of Minneapolis, this hotel is close to the Minneapolis City Hall, Mill Ruins Park, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and the Target Center.
Local restaurant picks
If you're looking for a popular spot to grab a bite, Minneapolis has plenty of excellent eateries to choose from. Here are two from Skyscanner's listings to help you get started.
Restaurant Alma (528 University Ave. SE)
One of Minneapolis's most popular restaurants is Restaurant Alma, which has an average of five stars out of eight reviews on Skyscanner.
Opened in 1999, Restaurant Alma is a casual fine dining restaurant, offering eclectic American cuisine and warm hospitality in a historically preserved building.
The Grand Ole Creamery & Grand Pizza (750 Grand Ave.)
If you're looking for a solid place to grab dessert, plan to visit The Grand Ole Creamery & Grand Pizza.
Now celebrating 27 years in business, The Grand Ole Creamery (est. 1984) was the first retail ice cream parlor in St. Paul to manufacture and serve super-premium ice cream and other delicious treats.
"Super good ice cream," wrote Andi. "I especially love the Cookie Monster flavor. The pizza place that is adjoined is also a great spot to grab a slice!"
What to see and do in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here is a popular attraction to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (2400 Third Ave. South)
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is a popular destination.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts promotes the wonder of art by making it accessible to the world and you! Explore exhibits that celebrate everything from Babe Ruth to mushrooms.
"The best part about the Art Institute (is that) the admission is free," wrote visitor Austin. "This is a perfect place to take your family for an afternoon without spending a dollar."
