Minneapolis (July 23, 2018) – Summer time in Minneapolis is festivals, concerts, biking, dining on patios, the X Games, riverfront fireworks and so much more. It’s also a booming time for new museums, water taxis and even axe throwing in this six-time #1 Park System in the U.S. winner. With this Meet Minneapolis leisure travel round-up, here are highlights of what’s new in Minneapolis and the surrounding area this summer:

Bell Museum
The Bell Museum, Minnesota’s official natural history museum, opened a new $79.2 million facility this month that features a brand-new planetarium, “Touch & See Lab,” and a wooly mammoth that’s sure to be an Insta hit. www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/

‘Somalis + Minnesota’ Exhibit at Minnesota History Center
Minnesota is home to the largest population of Somalis in the United States. Created in partnership with the Somali Museum of Minnesota (the only museum of its kind) and told through immersive settings, artifacts, photos and first-hand accounts, the exhibit includes the story of Somali immigrants, their arrival in their newly adopted home of Minnesota, and the successes and struggles they have faced. www.mnhs.org/media/kits/somalis-minnesota

Minnesota Vikings Museum and State-of-the-Art Training Facility
The Minnesota Vikings recently moved into their new headquarters and performance center. Included as part of their new home is the Minnesota Vikings Museum, which showcases rarely seen Vikings memorabilia and artifacts celebrating the team’s history. It will open to the general public on Aug. 17; tickets are available for $20 ($5 for children 14 and under) and can be purchased here. Fans hoping for an early look can gain access with their reserved training camp tickets.

Minneapolis Water Taxi
Minneapolis Water Taxi, which exclusively operates in Northeast Minneapolis on the Mississippi River north of Saint Anthony Falls from Boom Island, began taking passengers for rides on the scenic route this summer. The solar-powered vessel takes two to six passengers on one-hour rides and is, despite the name, a pleasure cruise charter open to all ages. Reservations are required. https://mplswatertaxi.com/

Flanneljax Axe Throwing
Explore your inner lumberjack at the newest entertainment option in the area. Urban axe throwing, cross-cut sawing, log rolling and “thump the stump” games will test your skill and give you a reason to wear plaid in the summer. Walk-ins are welcome but subject to availability. https://flanneljaxs.com/

Trapeze Champagne Bar
From classic to artisanal and cult to natural producers, enjoy bubbles (some of which have been sourced directly from sparkling and Champagne houses) in a bar focused on a collection of sparkling wines. Open Thursdays – Saturdays from 5 p.m. to midnight, the new bar and event space is located next to Barbette in Uptown. www.barbette.com/trapeze/

Finnegan’s Market
Finnegan’s Brewery opened its first taproom in March, after 18 years of brewing and donating all proceeds to feed the hungry. Now, the Finnegan’s Market is open on Fridays through Sept. 28 in their East Town facility next to the soon-to-open Elliot Park Hotel. Games, food, drinks and locally made wares and produce are available for sale. https://finnegans.org/market/

New Foods at the 2018 Minnesota State Fair
Annually, nearly two million people pack themselves into the Minnesota State fairgrounds – one of the largest fairs of its kind – looking for baby animals, yardsticks and new foods – mostly the latter. Several of this year’s new selections include: the BBQ Split, Earth Wings, Zesty PB&J Sausage and a Messy Giuseppe. Check out this year’s tasty options Aug. 23 – Sept. 3. www.mnstatefair.org/new-this-year/food/

New Nonstop Delta Flight from MSP to Seoul, South Korea, Coming in 2019
In a joint venture with Korean Air, Delta Air Lines announced that its customers will have access to more than 80 Asian destinations and a world-class customer experience at Seoul-Incheon’s new Terminal 2 when the flight commences in the summer of 2019. Delta currently operates a nonstop between MSP and Tokyo-Haneda airport.

Events and happenings
As if all of this was not enough reason to check out the scene in Minneapolis, here are more festivals and things-to-do to shake your food-on-a-stick at coming up this summer:

• Loring Park Art Festival – For the nineteenth year, festival goers can view and take home art pieces from 140 local and national artists working in jewelry, printmaking, glass, fiber, photography, clay, painting, drawing, sculpture, wood working and mixed media. July 28 -29. www.loringparkartfestival.com/
• WNBA All-Star Game – Watch the best in women’s basketball play head-to-head at the refurbished Target Center, home of the World Champion Minnesota Lynx, on July 28 at 2:30 p.m. http://lynx.wnba.com/allstar/
• Uptown Art Fair – In its 55th year, shop 350 artisans’ wares, eat and be entertained at this award-winning, juried fair lining the streets of the Uptown neighborhood in Minneapolis. Aug. 3-5. www.uptownminneapolis.com/
• Powderhorn Art Fair – More art fair weekend fun happens in this picture-perfect South Minneapolis neighborhood, now in its third decade. Aug. 4-5. www.ppna.org/powderhorn-art-fair
• Minnesota Fringe Festival – The 25th annual performing arts festival happens in multiple theatres in the Cedar-Riverside and Northeast Minneapolis neighborhoods. Aug. 2-12. www.minnesotafringe.org/event-calendar/2018-minnesota-fringe-festival
• Minnesota Renaissance Festival – Themed weekends, 16 stages of live entertainment, food and 250 artisan booths to stop, plus armored jousting at this 48th annual festival. Weekends Aug. 18 – Sept. 30. www.renaissancefest.com
• Hamilton at the Orpheum Theatre – While the hit Tony Award-winning show is sold out, lottery tickets will be available. Download the official Hamilton app and watch for chances to win an opportunity to buy tickets. Aug. 29 – Oct. 7. More details can be found here.

For more information about what to see and do in Minneapolis, visit www.minneapolis.org.

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