Winnipeg 🇨🇦 to Minneapolis 🇺🇸: A Travel, Shop, and Dine Experience

Travel by Car from Winnipeg to Minneapolis

Why Winnipeggers Love Road Trips to Minneapolis:

Convenient Distance: It’s only about an 8-hour drive, covering approximately 739.4 km (459.4 miles) via I-29 S and I-94 E, according to Google Maps.
Shopping Paradise: Minneapolis boasts several shopping centres, including the largest mall in the United States, Mall of America.
Culinary Delights: The city offers a fantastic food scene, with diverse dining options.
Pit Stops: Many travellers like to stop in Grand Forks and/or Fargo, North Dakota, along the way to shop, dine, and refuel.

Alternative Travel Option:

If you prefer to fly, the flight from Winnipeg to Minneapolis is about 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Since it had been a while since my last visit, my friends and I decided to take a road trip to Minneapolis in mid July 2024. We stopped in both Grand Forks and Fargo on our way to enjoy the journey.

Crossing the Border

The Canadian and US border is located at Emerson, MB. At the border, you must present valid travel documents such as a passport or Nexus card.

If you’re not Canadian, check with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to see if you need a visitor visa.

For more information, please visit:

Mobile Phone Roaming

We used Rogers as our mobile service provider, which offers a “Roam Like Home” plan at $12/day for travel in the US. Other providers offer similar plans:

Tip: Be sure to check with your service provider for details before you travel to the US.

Hotel Review

In the past, I’ve stayed in various hotels in downtown Minneapolis, but this time, my friend recommended Home2 Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Mall of America. It turned out to be a great choice!

Highlights:

Cleanliness: The hotel is spotless and well-maintained.
Convenient Location: Just a short walk from Mall of America, making it ideal for shopping trips.
Amenities: The hotel offers a variety of amenities, including a free hot breakfast that’s perfect for starting your day.
Comfort: I found the rooms comfortable and well-equipped, ensuring a pleasant stay.

Would I Stay Again? Absolutely, in a heartbeat!

For more details, check out the hotel link and my YouTube video below.

Shopping

One major draw for Winnipeggers heading south is that clothing sales for general use are not taxable in Minnesota. This tax exemption creates an irresistible allure for those seeking great deals.

For specific details on tax-exempt clothing items, visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue website.

The Twin Cities, comprised of Minneapolis and St. Paul, have several fantastic shopping destinations:

Mall of America

📍 60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, United States

The Mall of America is not just the biggest mall in the United States, it’s the largest in the Western Hemisphere. This iconic mall is a must-visit for shopping enthusiasts. But shopping isn’t all it offers – inside, you’ll find the Nickelodeon Universe, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and numerous dining options.

For more information, visit the Mall of America website. Check out my YouTube video below for an inside tour.

Twin Cities Premium Outlets

📍3965 Eagan Outlets Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55122, United States

With over 80 stores featuring well-known brands, Twin Cities Premium Outlets is a haven for deal hunters. Don’t forget to visit their website for the latest Deals & Steals.

For more details, visit the Twin Cities Premium Outlets website. See my YouTube video below for a quick tour.

Galleria

📍 1 W 69th St, Edina, MN 55435, United States

On previous trips, I’ve enjoyed visiting this high-end shopping mall. Galleria offers a blend of fashion, home goods, beauty products, and dining experiences. They even provide complimentary electric vehicle charging stations on the west end of the shopping centre.

For more information, visit Galleria’s website.

Albertville Premium Outlets

📍 6415 Labeaux Ave NE, Albertville, MN 55301, United States

Albertville Outlet Mall was once a regular stop on our trips to Minneapolis. However, we decided to skip it this time in favour of Twin Cities Premium Outlets. A friend who visited shortly after COVID mentioned it was partially deserted, but hopefully, it will be revitalized soon.

For more details, visit the Albertville Premium Outlets website.

These are just a few of the many shopping options available in the Twin Cities. Whether you’re looking for high-end fashion, great deals on popular brands, or unique boutiques, the Twin Cities have plenty to offer for every shopper.

Downtown Minneapolis

I really like downtown Minneapolis. It’s packed with things to do – three stadiums, river walks, theatres, live music venues, hotels, shopping, and tons of dining options. You’ll never run out of things to see and experience here.

Nicollet, the heart of downtown, is a mile-long pedestrian-friendly strip lined with bars, restaurants, art, and greenery. It’s perfect for a leisurely stroll, people-watching, or grabbing a bite to eat. Make sure to drop by the Visitor Center at 5th Street and Nicollet for local tips and directions.

The Central Business District offers great dining spots, a vibrant nightlife, and the unique skyway system that makes getting around a breeze, even in winter. Some of the best hotels are right in the thick of it, so you can plan your days without needing a car.

Nearby, Downtown East has been transformed from a quiet business area into an exciting neighborhood with new restaurants, entertainment options, and a local farmers market. It’s a great spot to explore on weekends.

And don’t forget to check out the North Loop, where old warehouses have been converted into trendy shops and innovative eateries. The nightlife is buzzing, and there are endless places to eat, shop, and enjoy yourself after a concert or a game.

Whether you’re just visiting or staying for a while, downtown Minneapolis has so much to offer!

🌐 Website: https://www.minneapolis.org/neighborhoods/downtown/

Restaurants

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Minneapolis. Here are the restaurants we tried on this trip.

Kyuramen

After exploring the Twin Cities Premium Outlet, we searched for a nearby restaurant for a quick dinner and discovered Kyuramen. At first, I didn’t have high expectations for a chain Japanese ramen restaurant in a strip mall 😅, but since it was mealtime and the Google ratings were good, we decided to give it a try.

To our surprise, the restaurant’s decor was appealing, and the service was excellent. We ordered three different ramen bowls, and they arrived quickly. Our waiter was friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu.

The ramen broth was incredibly flavourful, and we savoured every bite 🤤. The noodles were perfectly chewy and springy, while the toppings were fresh and well-balanced. If we hadn’t been so full, we would have definitely ordered another bowl!

Kyuramen has over 30 locations across the U.S., with two in Minnesota. We visited the one in Eagan, a suburb of Minneapolis.

📍 Address: 1278 Town Centre Dr #175, Eagan, MN 55123, United States

🌐 Website: https://www.kyuramen.com/

Hen House Eatery

During our visit to downtown Minneapolis, we chose to have brunch at Hen House Eatery.

The place was exceptionally busy on a Saturday, partly due to a large event happening downtown.

We waited 20 minutes, but it was worth it. The food was delicious, and the portions were generous – gotta love those American serving sizes! 😊

Hen House Eatery focuses on local food and drinks, using the freshest locally-sourced ingredients. They serve breakfast all day and feature a bar with a variety of craft beers and specialty Bloody Marys.

Don’t miss out on their assortment of desserts and unique merchandise!

📍 Address: 114 S 8th St., Minneapolis, MN 55402, United States

🌐 Website: https://www.henhouseeatery.com/

Gai Noi

While researching where to eat in Minneapolis, Gai Noi caught our eye. It was widely featured in the local news as it was the only restaurant in Minneapolis to make The New York Times’ list of the 50 best restaurants in the U.S. 2023, “The Restaurant List,” curated by NYT reporters, editors, and food critics.

Gai Noi is a Laotian restaurant that opened in May 2023. It doesn’t accept reservations and is a non-tipping establishment; an 18% service fee is automatically added to the bill. The entire party must be present to be seated.

We arrived around 7 pm and waited for about 15 minutes outside, but it was a beautiful evening, so we didn’t mind.

The dishes were rich in taste, with each ingredient perfectly complementing the others. We couldn’t pick a favourite – we loved them all!

📍 Address: 1610 Harmon Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403, United States

🌐 Website: https://www.gainoimpls.com/

Sickies Garage Burgers and Brews

On our drive back from Minneapolis to Winnipeg, we stopped at Sickies Garage Burgers and Brews in Fargo.

Known for its extensive menu, Sickies offers 50 types of burgers and 50 brews, making it a popular choice any day of the week. The burgers were deliciously juicy, and the prices were very reasonable.

Founded in Fargo in 2012, this award-winning burger joint has since expanded to 14 locations across the U.S., including in Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas.

📍 Address: 2551 45th St S, Suite 101, Fargo, ND 58104, United States

🌐 Website: https://sickiesburgers.com/locations/fargo-45th/