Museums

Weisman Art Museum

Free, on the East Bank next to Coffman Union. Everything from pop art to Native American pottery is on display.

Walker Art Center

A new sculpture garden and a modern, wide-open floor plan make you feel like you’re wandering through the Pan Am Space Plane from “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

Address: 725 Vineland Place (Minneapolis)

Bus/Train lines: 4, 6, Green

Nearby restaurants: Esker Grove, Cityview Bar

Cost for students: Free on Thursday nights

Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Mia)

From classical to contemporary, Mia is Minneapolis’ mini-Met.

Address: Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Ave S (Minneapolis)

Bus lines: 2, 3, 11

Nearby restaurants: Agra Culture Cafe (in museum)

Cost for students: Free

Bakken Museum 

A museum that will literally make your hair stand on end, the Bakken is all about electricity. Halloween is a good time to go here. Also, it’s right off Lake Calhoun, so plan your trip to include a walk around a lake.

Address: 3537 Zenith Avenue South (Minneapolis)

Bus lines: 2, 6, 123

Nearby restaurants: Wakame Sushi and Asian Bistro

Cost for students: Teens & Young Adults (13-24): $8

Music

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra 

Enjoy classical music? Want a night out — away from Dinkytown — and an excuse to wear a pretty dress or a suit jacket? Take a date (or the Scooby Gang) for a stroll around downtown St. Paul. Check out Landmark Plaza at night. Or, if it’s winter, skate around Rice Park, then defrost at Mickey’s Diner on West Seventh.

Address: 408 St Peter St. (St. Paul)

Bus/Train lines: Green

Nearby restaurants: Meritage, Ruam Mit Thai

Cost for students: Free

Cedar Cultural Center

You’ve probably heard of First Avenue, but you may not be familiar with the Cedar. It’s a nonprofit music venue on the West Bank, perfect for catching a show after dinner at Dilla’s or before late-night hashbrowns at Hard Times.

Address: 416 Cedar Ave S (Minneapolis)

Bus/Train lines: 2, 3, Green (but it’s walking distance from West Bank)

Nearby restaurants: Dilla’s Ethopian Restaurant, Hard Times Cafe

Cost for students: Typically $15–30, depending on event

Triple Rock Social Club

Coming in the next month: Downtown Boys, Rainer Maria, Self-Evident, Wild Cub, Frankie Cosmos, Japanese Breakfast

Address: 629 Cedar Ave S (Minneapolis)

Bus/Train lines: 2, 3, Green (but it’s walking distance from West Bank) 

Nearby restaurants: Same as Cedar Cultural Center.

Cost for students: Typically between $5-12, depending on the show

Guthrie

Nearby shows: Take the Stone Arch Bridge to catch Romeo and Juliet, on stage now at Father Hennepin Park.

Address: 818 S 2nd St (Minneapolis)

Bus/Train lines:

Nearby restaurants: Sea Change

Cost for students: Save $3 per ticket in Areas 1 and 1A and $6 in Areas 2-4 (18+)

Also, keep an eye out for upcoming live music at your favorite cafes — the performers are often other students at the U, or other local artists.

Movies

St. Anthony Main Theatre

So. Close. To. Campus.

Address: 115 SE Main St. (Minneapolis)

Bus/Train lines: 2, 6

Nearby restaurants: Aster Cafe, Wilde Cafe, Kramarczuk’s, New Bohemia

Cost for students: $6

Landmark Theatres (Uptown/Lagoon)

Premiering independent and avant-garde cinema that AMC avoids, these three theaters are your best bet to catching an upcoming Oscar nominee.

Address: 2906 Hennepin Ave (Minneapolis); 1320 Lagoon Ave (Minneapolis)

Bus/Train lines: 6, 21

Nearby restaurants: Chino Latino, Hoban, The Fremont

Cost for students: $9–10 (No discount, but the movies are awesome.)

Trylon

The Trylon is a true arthouse cinema that shows old films (and sometimes obscure new ones, like “The Lure”). If you’re already a film fanatic, this is the place for you.

Address: 2820 E 33rd St (Minneapolis)

Bus/Train lines: 7, 21, Blue

Nearby restaurants: Peace Coffee

Cost for students: $8/ticket, or discount cards (5 tickets/$25)

Riverview

The Riverview shows movies that have already played at AMC theaters.

Address: 3800 42nd Av. S (Minneapolis)

Bus/Train lines: 23

Nearby restaurants: Riverview Cafe

Cost for students: $2 Tuesdays. ‘Nuff said.

The Science Museum

The exhibits are mostly for kids, but the 90-foot IMAX omnitheater screen is for everybody. It’s an … EXPERIENCE. Upcoming shows — “Journey to the South Pacific,” “Rocky Mountain Express”

Address: 120 W Kellogg Blvd (St. Paul)

Bus/Train lines: 21, Green

Nearby restaurants: Cossetta, Sakura

Cost for students: Omnitheater only (Fridays after 5 p.m.) $6

Other activities

Bike the Greenways

Walk around the lakes (bring a frisbee)

Farmers’ markets — they’re everywhere

Don’t stay stuck in Dinkytown — whether you’re a native or new to the area, you’ve only got a few years to experience this town as an undergrad. Best to strike while the student discount is hot.