All college students run into one weekend where they don’t really have any plans and, if you’re like me, you just want to get off of campus for a day. The Twin Cities has so much to offer, so here are a few day trips that are accessible and fun for college students.
1. Uptown
If you hop on the Metro bus 6 going southbound and get off near Hennepin and Lake Street, you’ll end up right in the heart of Uptown, one of my favorite spots. Uptown has its own cool vibe with a lake, countless stores and plenty of things to do. Not to mention, it lends itself well to some great people-watching! Even just walking around the few blocks near the bus stop provides you with anything and everything you may need. When you want a spot of nature in your life, you can walk right to Lake Calhoun and take a stroll around the lake enjoying the boats and multitude of cute dogs. Some highlights of Uptown include Dogwood Coffee, Mager+Quinn Booksellers and Roat Osha, a fantastic Thai restaurant.
2. Downtown
Take just a short ride on the Green Line train and you'll end up in downtown Minneapolis. You can get off at any of the Green Line stops and see many different areas of downtown. I really like the brick buildings of the Warehouse District and my favorite coffee shop (that also serves crepes!) is Penny’s Coffee. In Nicollet Mall, you can get some great Mediterranean food from my favorite stop, Roti. There are TONS of things to see downtown that it's just fun to walk around and explore.
3. Downtown St. Paul
Looking for a different downtown vibe? Good thing you're in the Twin Cities! St. Paul is just another short Green Line ride away. St. Paul provides for a cozy adventure and the Farmer’s Market is one of the best!
4. Minneapolis Institute of Art
If you’re feeling artsy, head to the MIA! Taking the Metro bus 2 will drop you right off near the museum for some free culture! The collection is the "real deal" and exhibitions are constantly changing.
5. Walker Art Center
If you’re feeling especially artsy, you can ride the Metro bus 6 to the Walker Art Center and sculpture gardens and enjoy some contemporary art. Be sure to eat some of their good food inside and pick up some artsy merchandise at the museum shop.
6. Como Park
If you want to go to a park and watch dogs run around, head to Como Park. The Metro bus 3 takes you to the park as well as the Como Zoo and Conservatory, where you can look at cool plants and animals (for free!) This past September, the park also hosted VegFest, a Twin Cities festival devoted to food, cooking and environment and agriculture-related presentations.
7. The Raymond Ave. Green Line Stop/University Ave.
I don't actually know in which neighborhood this lays, but if you get off the Green Line heading toward St. Paul at the Raymond Ave. stop and then walk towards the Westgate stop on University Ave., you will pass tons of cool coffee shops and stores including Agartha Records, which has a really great selection of music.
8. Palace Theatre
This is more of a night trip, but any concert at the Palace Theatre (also just a ride away on the Green Line) is sure to top any boring old night on campus.
