11 Free And Cheap Date Ideas To Try In Minneapolis MN

Minneapolis is Minnesota’s largest city and the perfect place to fall in love. Locals and visitors alike have exceptional access to outdoor recreation, cultural events, trendy restaurants and incredible art. If you’re dating on a budget, we’ve got you covered – check out our pick of the best budget date ideas in town.

Listen to live music at 331 Club

This nightspot is known for having an old-school vibe, daily live music, and simple Mexican bites. Displayed proudly in all caps on its website, there’s “NEVER A COVER” for any of its events, including musical acts, Trivia Mafia nights, bar games and more.

331 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN, USA, +1 612 331 1746

Attend popular brewery tours

If you and your date love beer, then check out Flat Earth Brewing, a microbrewery in St. Paul Minnesota – Minneapolis’ neighbor to the east. It’s located in the old Hamm’s Brewery complex and has craft beer growlers for sale. Tours here are free, but the brewery asks that you bring a nonperishable food item for the food shelf. Summit Brewing Company is also a craft beer company in St. Paul, and it offers free tasting and tours. Both make for an excellent date night!

Flat Earth Brewing – 688 Minnehaha Ave E, St Paul, MN, USA, +1 651 698 1945

Summit Brewing Company – 910 Montreal Cir, St Paul, MN, USA, +1 651 265 7800

Bottles at Summit Brewing Company in St. Paul, MN

Take a tour of the Minnesota State Capitol

The Minnesota State Capitol offers a free self-guided and guided tours where you can view the magnificent building’s restoration efforts up-close. Tour participants also get an overview of Capitol history, art, architecture, and state government. Fun fact: this building has the second largest self-supported marble dome in the world.

75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard., St Paul, MN, USA, +1 651 296 2881

Listen to Minnesota Sinfonia Concerts

Every year, this nonprofit organization puts on up to 80 concerts and performances by award-winning soloists — all provided free of charge. The entire orchestra travels throughout the Twin Cities to ADA-accessible locations, in an effort to reach people who are unable to commute. Check out their event calendar, find a performance that fits your schedule, and bring your significant other along for a romantic date night.

Minnesota Sinfonia Concerts schedule, +1 612 871 1701

The Basilica of Saint Mary is one of many venues for Minnesota Sinfonia Concerts

Shop or take classes at Midtown Global Market

This global market provides visitors an international experience, close to home. Midtown Global Market has great food, offers up unique cultural experiences and has distinct gifts for sale – and is sure to spark new conversations between you and your love. The market often hosts free events and classes, so check out its calendar.

920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN, USA, +1 612 872 4041

The produce exchange at the Midtown Global Market

Check out the fresh flowers at Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is located in the Como Park Zoo, and both experiences are free of charge. The conservatory provides year-round relief from the elements, and gives lovers the chance to cozy up and view beautiful blooms together. On some Sunday afternoons, the conservatory hosts free “Music Under Glass” concerts with live, local music.

1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN, USA, +1 651 487 8200

Experience live music at Hexagon Bar

This dive bar and longtime watering hole offers no-cover concerts to its patrons. It’s a hip spot and a great place to catch local bands that are making a buzz in the Minneapolis music scene. Music is every Thursday through Saturday.

2600 27th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, USA, +1 612 722 3454

Dan Dragich at Hexagon Bar in Minneapolis

Work up a sweat on a bicycle date

There are abundant opportunities to bike along the Mississippi River, Minnesota River, and St. Croix River – and you’ll find miles of additional paths within the limits of the Twin Cities. The bike-friendly trail systems provides paved paths for bicyclists and at times, dedicated bike lanes.

Mississippi National River and Recration Area website

Views along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis

Stroll in the Lyndale Park Rose Garden

Wander along Lyndale Park Rose Garden with your lover, and enjoy the bright blooms and calm atmosphere of the park. Experience the beauty of nature while exploring its 12 gardens and inviting spaces, where you can also relax and learn about the environment. The Lyndale Park Rose Garden features 3,000 plants in 100 different varieties.

4124 Roseway Rd, Minneapolis, MN, USA, +1 612 230 6400

Heffelfinger Fountain at Lyndale Park Rose Garden I © Joe Passe / Flickr

Play at the LEGO Store

Unleash your inner child and play at the Mall of America’s LEGO Store with your partner. The LEGO Store has larger-than-life LEGO sculptures and places to play. There’s a giant, pick-a-brick wall with 180 LEGO elements to choose from, and play tables to inspire creativity. When you’re done, stroll the halls in the Mall of America. It’s one of the country’s top tourist destinations and sees tens of millions of visitors each year – so even if you’re on a budget, you can squeeze in some playful people-watching.

164 South Avenue, Bloomington, MN, USA, +1 952 858 8949

LEGO Store at Mall of America in Minneapolis

Take a romantic walk at Minnehaha Park

Nothing says romance like listening to the roaring water of a breathtaking waterfall. Hold hands and walk through the 193-acre Minnehaha Park on the banks of the Mississippi River – while you’re there, check out the popular 53 foot (16 meter) Minnehaha Falls. The New England poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote about the falls in The Song of Hiawatha and made them famous nationwide.

4801 South Minnehaha Park Drive, Minneapolis, MN

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.