24 Hours in the Cities: Uptown

Whether it’s a group of bicyclists zipping past, vibrant art, the reflection of the sun off Lake Calhoun or the taste of local produce, Uptown Minneapolis is a buzzing area of movement and culture. Rich in style and creativity, this area is frequented by hipsters and fashionistas alike. Depending on the season, you can shop, dine, watch a show, bike, or even canoe while you experience the beauty of Uptown.

Morning: Start with ciabatta French toast or shirred eggs with truffle cream at The Lowry Uptown, or get classic but large pancakes and dynamite hashbrowns at the Uptown Diner. Work off your meal by renting a Nice Ride bike (April through October) and pedaling down the Midtown Greenway, which has been named the best urban bike trail in the nation. You can also take a relaxing stroll along Lake Calhoun, part of the Chain of Lakes.

Mid-day: For lunch, visit French Meadow Bakery & Café for a selection of health and diet-conscious dishes made with local ingredients. If you want to eat on the go, you can call in your order or stop by Caffrey’s Deli for a sub. Then explore the thrift and vintage stores that line Hennepin Avenue and take up residence in Calhoun Square, home to clothing and accessory boutiques and national retail shops. For a slice of the Twin Cities’ independent music scene, visit Treehouse Records where you can browse tons of vinyl. Take a break during your shopping venture for some homemade ice cream at Sebastian Joe’s (visit in the winter and you can get discounts on your purchase based on the temp!).

Evening: Before your evening out, eat a meal at Stella’s Fish Cafe & Prestige Oyster Bar, a casual seafood restaurant serving everything from oysters and jambalaya to blackened rib-eye steak. For something close to home, the Paul Bunyan pizza at Galactic Pizza tastes local because every ingredient is native to the Minnesota ecosystem. For something lighter, nibble from an artisan cheese plate and sip on a glass of wine at Lucia’s, voted by City Pages as the Best Wine Bar in 2012. For a different kind of drink, Lyndale Tap House has a selection of more than 20 beers on tap. After dinner, catch an indie flick at the Uptown or Lagoon movie theaters, or enjoy an intimate production in the 150-seat Jungle Theater.

You might also consider these other 24 Hours in the Cities options:
Lowertown, St. Paul
50th & France, Edina
Mill District, Minneapolis
North Loop, Minneapolis
Northeast Minneapolis