The Most Romantic Spots in Minneapolis - Including 2 Hidden Gems!
Hello Readers,
So you want to take a “special someone” to a “special somewhere” in Minneapolis? Well you’ve come to the right place. This post is about great romantic places to take a date in Minneapolis. All of the places on this list are free and GLBT friendly. I will also offer suggestions for ways to make your date at each of these spots especially magical and memorable (including listing some romantic restaurants near each spot). I have created a map showing all of the romantic spots and nearby restaurants. It is available here or by clicking on the name of each of the spots on the list. A few of the restaurants are in St. Paul, but are close to a romantic spot in Minneapolis. There will be another post on romantic spots in St. Paul (suggestions would be welcome). All of these spots are also accessible by public transportation and bike.
AND… A FEW SECRETS - I am going to tell you about two romantic spots that are hidden gems you probably don’t know about. Now on the list you’ve all been waiting for with baited (but hopefully minty fresh) breath.
Here they are: the 5 most romantic spots in Minneapolis:
Spot #1 - The Stone Arch Bridge -
Beautiful river and skyline views, coupled with the soothing sound of nearby St. Anthony Falls have earned this landmark the reputation as “The Most Romantic Spot in Minneapolis.” Check out this previous post for more info.
The Stone Arch Bridge - ”The Most Romantic Spot in Minneapolis”. (Photo courtesy of Scott)
Try this for a great date: Enjoy dinner at Nicollet Island Inn, Vic’s or Pracna at St. Anthony Main, or Cue at the Guthrie Theater, then stroll arm in arm across the Stone Arch Bridge. You could cap the night by enjoying dessert while gazing at the stars from the observation deck on the “Endless Bridge” at the nearby Guthrie Theater on the west bank of the river.
Spot #2 - The Observation Deck on the “Endless Bridge” at the Guthrie Theater -
Enjoy stunning river and downtown views from four and a half stories up on the very end of one of the longest cantilevered structures is in the world. The “bridge” is attached to the new Guthrie Theater, an amazing building with an award winning design.
The stunning view from the Guthrie Theater’s “Endless Bridge”. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Landry)
One recipe for a wonderful date at this spot is to enjoy dinner at Cue, located on the first floor of the Guthrie, and then head up to the fourth floor where you can enjoy a delicious dessert with your sweetheart under the stars on the observation deck of the “Endless Bridge”. There is even a cart that sells a few beverages and some delicious sweet treats just steps from the observation deck. Top the night off with a walk across the nearby Stone Arch Bridge. If you can, see a show at the Guthrie as part of your date night.
Spot #3 - The “Grassy Knoll” at the Walker Art Center -
I think this often overlooked spot provides some stiff competition to the Stone Arch Bridge and the Guthrie Theater’s “Endless Bridge”. The demolition of the old Guthrie Theater adjacent to the Walker Art Center has revealed what is in my opinion, one of the best views of downtown Minneapolis. Imagine lying on the thick, soft grass of the hill on a clear night, stars twinkling above you, and the beautiful downtown skyline, Loring Park, and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden spread before, you along with two beautiful churches and the striking Basilica of St. Mary. It really doesn’t get much more romantic than that. It’s also a fantastic spot for a picnic on a sunny day, when you may be lucky enough to hear the beautiful basilica bells ring.
The hill at the Walker Art Center offers dramatic skyline views. (Photo courtesy of Daryl Sawatzky)
AND NOW, “HIDDEN GEM” #1 - Within the Walker’s grassy hill is a “buried treasure” - a very romantic spot that very few people seem to have discovered. Towards the top of the grassy hill, near the Walker’s “Theater Tower” (the big shiny silver cube structure), a path slopes gently through an angled concrete opening and into the hillside. The path leads to an underground room that is actually an art installation called Sky Pesher. There is a large square opening in the ceiling of the room that creates the illusion that the sky is only a few feet above the viewer’s head (especially during dawn and dusk).
My photo of the striking view through the opening in the roof of James Turrell’s Sky Pesher.
The walls of the room are lined with built in concrete benches that are surprisingly comfortable to lie on. I find the room to have a peaceful, almost zen-like feel, and the fact that you can enjoy a great view of the sky from the seclusion of this underground room makes this hidden gem one my favorite romantic spots in Minneapolis. The one downside is that the room is brightly lit on the inside, even at night, so you may not be able to make out the stars against the light. But fortunately, the grassy hill in which it is buried, offers better stargazing.
Here’s a date suggestion that I think is truly a masterpiece - Enjoy dinner and gorgeous city views from the restaurant 20.21 in the Walker Art Center. Then head out on to the hill, lie in the soft thick grass, and take in the stars and the beautiful city views, before retreating to the peaceful serenity of the Sky Pesher. Lie on the benches in the underground room, look up at the night sky, and let the calmness of the room overtake you.
Spot #4 - Minnehaha Falls -
The natural scenic beauty of Minnehaha Falls and Minnehaha park is what makes this an especially romantic spot. At the falls, Minnehaha Creek drops 53 feet into a beautiful natural gorge. It is quite an impressive sight, especially when you remember that you are in the middle of a huge urban area. There are observation areas on both sides of the falls at the top of the gorge and a lovely trellised walkway on the south side. The falls are just a short walk from the roads and parking lots on paved trails which line the top of the gorge. This spot is best experienced during the day, as the beauty of the area is obviously less visible at night.
The falls is by popular opinion the best scenic nature spot in Minneapolis (Photo courtesy of Jimbo)
Here’s one suggestion for a smoothly flowing date at Minnehaha Falls - Come in the late morning hours. Walk around the top of the gorge, then descend the winding stone steps down to the creek below. Follow the path along the creek. Stop for a picnic lunch at one of the grassy fields along the way. Keep following the creek path all the way until you reach the secluded beach at the scenic junction of the creek and the Mississippi River. Relax on the quiet beach then slowly make your way back along the creek to the falls. Then enjoy a romantic dinner across the river in St. Paul at Ristorante Luce or Luce Ancora (they have the same owner). Or if you’re feeling more quirky you could dine at Chatterbox Pub. and play old-school nintendo, sega, or even atari games such as Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog, or Frogger while you eat.
Spot #5 - Secluded Cedar Lake Beaches -
Cedar Lake is located just west of Lake of the Isles. What makes the beaches of Cedar Lake a good romantic spot are the sights and sounds and seclusion. Cedar lake has an odd shape, and there are a couple of peninsulas that stick out into the lake. One beach is located on the northern peninsula. That beach seems to almost be in the middle of the lake, and offers great panoramic views (including the downtown skyline) and a feeling of seclusion and privacy.
HIDDEN GEM #2: There is another, lesser known beach on the northeastern shore that is only accessible from Upton Ave. near Lake of the Isles (map). Known as “Hidden Beach”, this was, until about the last decade, a nude beach (though as far as I know not officially sanctioned). The northeast edge of Cedar Lake is inaccessible to road traffic, and can only be reached via gravel and dirt trails. Cars can get as close as Upton Avenue, and the Cedar Lake bike trail is only about a block from the path to the beach. This is one of the most secluded spots that I have found in Minneapolis. Swimming is allowed, though only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays when a lifeguard is on duty.
A beautiful sunset over Cedar Lake. There’s an extra charge for the fog and duck. (Photo courtesy of Matt)
Here’s a potential romantic evening at Cedar Lake that will leave you floating on air:
Watch the sunset from Hidden Beach. Drive or ride bikes on scenic Lake of the Isles Parkway on your way to a romantic dinner at a nearby uptown restaurant such as Namaste Cafe (”voted best place for a first date in Minneapolis”), or a nice restaurant near Lake Calhoun such as Barbette, Amore Victoria, or Tryg’s. 20.21 at theWalker Art Center is another great option. Finish the evening by stargazing on the grassy hill next to the Walker Art Center, and spending a few minutes enjoying the calm peace inside the Sky Pesher.
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April 20th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Thank you! I needed to get some more ideas to bring couples for engagement photographs. I also love The Lake Harriett Peace and Rose Garden, The Chinese Garden at The Como Zoo and this may seem odd…but the cemetery right by Lake Harriett.
Sincerely,
Kristi
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
Thanks for the good suggestions Kristi. The cemetery by Lake Harriet is called Lakewood Cemetery. Other spots you could go for great engagement photos are numerous spots around Lake Minnetonka (especially in and around downtown Wayzata), Wirth Park, Any of the beaches at Cedar Lake, spots around Lake of the Isles, the lagoon between Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun, and Hidden Falls in St. Paul. Hidden falls is found via the north entrance to Crosby Park on Mississippi River Blvd. 1/2 mile south of Ford Pky. There is a path behind the pavilion that leads to the falls. The pavilion can also be reserved.
July 6th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I think I will try to recommend this post to my friends and family, cuz it’s really helpful.