Headed to Connect Marketplace this month and curious about its host city? Then you've come to the right place. This year's conference, taking place Aug. 22-24, will be the largest one yet, featuring a comprehensive trade show floor and exciting networking opportunities. But free time is sure to arise—an open night is even on the agenda for Wednesday—so we thought we'd share some of the best ways to fill it in the Twin Cities.
"Oftentimes, when people think of Minneapolis, they tend to think of our sports teams and our weather, but I think people will be surprised by the depth and breadth of our culinary and art scenes here," said Courtney Ries, senior vice president of destination branding and strategy for Meet Minneapolis. "People should definitely enjoy time exploring the city. It's hard to beat Minneapolis in the summer."
Below are some of Ries' recommendations for how to, well, meet Minneapolis.
The 2023 Minnesota State Fair begins Thursday, Aug. 24.Photo: Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair/Meet Minneapolis
1. Check out the legendary Minnesota State Fair.
Staying until Friday? You're in luck. The famous Minnesota State Fair begins Thursday, Aug. 24, the final day of the conference. This legendary event is always highly anticipated throughout the state and is the largest state fair in the U.S. by average daily attendance.
"The biggest and best [thing to do] during this time period is the state fair—it's legendary," Ries said. "Even though it's technically closer to St. Paul, it's an experience that brings people so much joy. If you have a picture of a state fair in your mind, you've probably never been to anything like this."
Yes, visitors can expect beautiful pavilions showcasing handcrafted goods and opportunities to interact with animals, but they'll also find busts carved out of butter and must-try foods they probably can't find anywhere else (like hot dogs fried with pancake batter and buckets overflowing with ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies). "The biggest thing to do there is to go with an empty stomach and eat and drink your way around the fair," Ries said.
The Twins will be in town at Target Field the Sunday before the conference and the last day of the conference.Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
2. Catch a Minnesota Twins or Minnesota Lynx game.
Minneapolis is very much a sports town. For those looking to check another MLB stadium off their list, head to Target Field for a Twins game, which is scheduled for the Sunday before the conference (Aug. 20 vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates) and the last day of the conference (Aug. 24 vs. the Texas Rangers).
The city is also home to a WNBA team, the Minnesota Lynx. Catch them at Target Center the Sunday before the conference (Aug. 20 vs. the Seattle Storm) and the first day of the conference (Aug. 22 vs. the Dallas Wings).
Paisley Park is located about 40 minutes outside Minneapolis in Chanhassen, Minn.Photo: Courtesy of Paisley Park/NPG Records/Meet Minneapolis
3. Learn about the life of Prince.
Prince might come to mind first when visitors think of Minneapolis. During his lifetime, the renowned singer and songwriter often embraced his Minneapolis roots, and the city helped shape his artistry. If visitors want to explore Minneapolis through his eyes, the top of the list should be Paisley Park, which is located about 40 minutes outside the city. The museum, Prince's private estate and production complex, offers guided tours where visitors can see studios where Prince recorded, Prince's private NPG Music Club, and other exhibits and displays. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Ries said it's one of the top attractions, but if you don't have the time or need to be a little more spontaneous? "We have a number of Prince murals around town, including one that is right in the heart of the downtown core, as well as a couple of other sites that we've called out on our website," she said.
First Avenue, a storied and influential music club downtown, is also close to where the conference will be. It was featured in Prince's 1984 Purple Rain. The black building's exterior is painted with stars, and every star has the name of an artist who has played at First Avenue (or its attached, smaller venue, 7th St Entry). Ries said the wall is a perfect Prince photo op for conference attendees.
With Mississippi River Paddle Share, visitors can easily hit the water for a glimpse of the downtown skyline.Photo: Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
4. Kayak (or walk alongside) the Mississippi River.
One of the best ways to take in the city is from the water. Did you know the Mississippi River starts in Minnesota? Exploring the thoroughfare is easy in Minneapolis with Mississippi River Paddle Share. Visitors can reserve a kayak on the Paddle Share website, pick up the kayak at one of the designated stations, then hit the water. There's a variety of trips to choose from that vary in length, and Paddle Share will stipulate how long it will take and what you might need along the way.
"It's very affordable, and it's something that is very tourist friendly because what you need is already provided right there," Ries said.
If you can't get on the water, Ries says a walk along the river, which is close to the downtown core, is a worthy substitute. "There's a beautiful old stone arch bridge that people really enjoy walking across," she said. "You can go from downtown into Northeast; it's a wonderful opportunity to see a couple of different neighborhoods in Minneapolis."
Surly Brewing Co. can host groups of 30 to 175.Photo: Courtesy of Surly Brewing Co./Meet Minneapolis
5. Check out some nearby event venues—and see them in action.
For planners who want to sneak a peek at some noteworthy Minneapolis event venues nearby, Ries recommends a trip to the Prospect Park neighborhood, where there are three attractions with venue space. This includes The Market at Malcolm Yards, a food hall that features nine kitchens, a bar, and a self-pour tap wall with 30 different beer and wine options. It also offers two event spaces that can accommodate 50 to 300 guests.
Prospect Park is also home to O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co., which is helmed by world-renowned master distiller Brian Nation (formerly the lead distiller at Jameson). Visitors can get a taste of Irish American whiskeys while taking in the historic space that's bookable for events. "It has a deep leather, luxe feel—wonderful for a corporate event," Ries said. The third attraction at Prospect Park is Surly Brewing Co., where you'll find some of Minnesota's best beer and an entire second floor dedicated to event space.
Other notable new venues include the Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis, which debuted last year in the north end of downtown and offers luxe ballroom space and a pool deck for events. New restaurants from established local chefs have also recently opened within Minneapolis' hotel properties, including Mara inside the Four Seasons from Gavin Kaysen. And we'd be remiss not to mention Owamni, the James Beard Award-winning Indigenous restaurant right on the riverwalk that serves pre-colonial cuisine. It offers event space downstairs.
Haven't registered yet for Connect Marketplace in Minneapolis? You can do that here.
