A&E’s go-to sites around Minneapolis (and St. Paul) for students
Get acquainted with the Twin Cities! Bike or take the bus for bonus city-slicker points.
Courtney Deutz
People view James Rosenquist’s mural “World’s Fair Mural” at Weisman Art Museum on April 12, 2017.
September 15, 2017
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.