11 Fun Minneapolis Date Ideas For A Romantic Getaway

Minneapolis Date Ideas

Have you ever been on a date in Minneapolis? If not, then you’re missing out! There are so many fun places to go and things to do here. The city is full of amazing attractions, beautiful scenery, and exciting activities that will make your trip unforgettable.

It has lakes, parks, and all of the bars and restaurants you could ever want. You can have a great time exploring this bustling city with your partner. Here are fun date adventures in Minneapolis that the two of you can do together.

 

1) PaddleTap Has The Best Group Date Experience Around Minneapolis

One of the best date ideas across Minneapolis is the hour and 40-minute tour of Lake Minnetonka from PaddleTap. They have several different boats that take public small group tours out onto the lake with seating for up to 14 guests.

Bring your own booze and Bluetooth music to enjoy for the ride, but keep in mind that your tour is not guaranteed to be private, so this is an opportune experience to bring friends for a multi-date night.

Meet at the Back Channel Brewery to grab craft cocktails and enjoy a lowkey experience on the lake or head to Downtown Excelsior for a more lively event. Head to Paddletap’s website to book your tour today!

PaddleTap Group Experience

 

2) Fun Date Night Ideas Start At Stone Arch Bridge

The Stone Arch Bridge provides a panoramic view of St. Anthony Falls and inspires Minneapolis date ideas with its proximity to multiple parks and exciting nearby attractions.

The bridge is known as a National Civil Engineering Landmark and is located in Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park. The park is open from 6 am to midnight, so it’s ideal for a romantic stroll any time of day.

The trail crossing the bridge is about a mile out and back again and only takes 22 minutes to complete if you’re in a rush. This is one of many locations for date ideas in Minneapolis when you’re short on time but still want to make a lasting impression on your date.

Stone Arch Bridge

 

3) Mini Golf Is One Of Many Lowkey Date Ideas In Minneapolis

Date ideas don’t have to come with a lot of pressure. In fact, some of the best date ideas don’t involve much fuss at all. Have a leisurely date that allows you and your date to get to know one another while you enjoy a nostalgic pastime.

Skyline Gold at the Walker Art Center has ten holes and features art-inspired themes from local artists. Recently, the museum decided to turn this annual event into a coveted rooftop experience with unmatched views of the Minneapolis skyline.

The event is the perfect date idea between May and September when the golf course opens. Summer date ideas are abundant in Twin Cities, but this is a coveted local favorite where tickets sell out quickly. Because purchasing tee times is also competitive, you’ll want to plan accordingly to snatch up the best timeframe for your date.

Other mini golf locations that make perfect date ideas include:

  • Betty Danger’s Country Club

  • Rock of Ages Blacklight Mini Golf

  • Moose Mountain Adventure Golf

Minneapolis Mini Golf

 

4) Fun Outdoor Date Ideas At Mill Ruins Park

Mill Ruins Park is situated on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Downtown Minneapolis alongside St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge. This area of mills, canals, tailraces, and other resources once made up the largest direct-drive, water-powered facility in the world.

Now, you can download a fun Mill Ruins Quest PDF that makes for a fun date idea for those who enjoy history and exploration. You’ll follow a series of clues that lead you all through the canals and ruins to explore the history of this place firsthand.

Mills Ruin Park

 

5) The Best Date Ideas Include Live Music

If you and your date want to enjoy drinks and catch live music on your date night in Twin Cities, there is an abundance of venues from which to choose.

Whether you want a smooth, jazzy experience that will set the scene for a slow dance or a venue with famous artists, Minneapolis will not disappoint. Here are just a few places to enjoy music for date night:

  • First Avenue

  • Dakota Jazz Club

  • The Skyway Theatre and The Loft

Minneapolis Live Music

 

6) Romantic Places To Dine In Twin Cities

For a romantic night of fine dining, The Aster Cafe offers an intimate experience in one of the most stunning areas of the Twin Cities. On a cobblestone street in St. Anthony Main, next to the river’s calm waters, you can enjoy an intimate meal on the patio during the sunset to start your date night in style.

The interior has a cozy low-lit dining room where you’ll enjoy a quiet, refined meal in one of the most romantic places in town. If you’re searching for more places for a dinner date, here are just a few favorite local hot spots:

  • Broder’s Pasta Bar

  • The Creekside Supper Club

  • Myriel

  • The Bungalow Club

Romantic Date Night

 

7) The Best Date Ideas In Minneapolis Are Nostalgic

One of the best ways to tug on your sweetie’s heartstrings is to come up with date ideas in Minneapolis that remind them of the innocence of childhood. Vintage bowling alleys are some of the best places to have fun on a first date.

Memory Lanes has a fantastic setup with beautiful vintage decor and an incredibly laid-back atmosphere that would put anyone at ease. They have a full-service menu of delicious pub foods like burgers, pizza, and salads and have plenty of lanes to choose from.

Bowling-Alley

 

8) Try Thrilling Date Ideas Like Axe Throwing

Ranked the number one bar in Minneapolis, Bad Axe Throwing offers one of the most thrilling date night experiences in the Twin Cities. This is another date idea perfect for groups of friends.

Book a lane for up to 45 minutes at a time and enjoy the fun and thrill of axe throwing with up to five people a lane for an exciting date idea. Having a group of friends along for fun takes the pressure off of your date and gives you a cheering section if things are going well!

Axe Throwing Date

 

9) Stroll One Of The Most Romantic Locations In Minneapolis

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden features inspiring pieces from the Walker Art Center’s infamous collections. There are no admission fees or tickets needed for a romantic walk through the gardens, so you won’t have to worry about budgeting for these date ideas.

You can arrive as early as six for a sunrise stroll or stop by after dinner and linger until midnight for intimate date ideas under the stars.

Walker-Art-Center

 

10) Get To Know Each Other At One Of Minneapolis’ Most Popular Rooftop Bars

One of the most picturesque views of the Twin Cities is at the Louis Ristorante rooftop bar. The view of the downtown skyline, St. Paul Cathedral, and stunning bluffs along the adjacent river will surely dazzle your date.

Louis Ristorante has an elegant, romantic atmosphere with a menu full of old-school Italian favorites like carpaccio alla Cipriani or linguine alla vongole with Manila clams.

If you want to keep it simple, you can also order pizza and craft cocktails to keep it casual at the largest rooftop lounge in the area. You can also try these rooftop locations for a similar romantic experience:

  • Hewing Hotel

  • Seven Sushi Ultralounge and Skybar

  • Union Restaurant and Rooftop

Romantic Experience At Rooftop Bar

 

11) Enjoy Ice Skating For A Playful Date Night Idea

Are you a seasoned skater who wants to stun your partner with their skills on the ice? The Twin Cities is the perfect place for date ideas in Minneapolis to ice skate with your partner.

What better way to get close to your sweetheart than holding them tightly on the ice? Here are some of the top indoor and outdoor rinks in Minneapolis for unique date ideas:

  • Parade Ice Garden

  • Billy Lindsay Dinomights Ice Rink

  • Bryant Square Park Ice Skating and Hockey Rink

Ice Skating

 

Romantic Date Ideas In Minneapolis

For the most exciting date ideas in Minneapolis, be sure to choose an experience that both you and your date will find entertaining. PaddleTap’s Small Group Tour is a wonderful tour that takes you out on the waters of Lake Minnetonka, where you can listen to your favorite music and sip on cocktails or craft beer you bring with your significant other.

Contact PaddleTap to discover all the most exciting date ideas they have available for your upcoming date.

Duration
1 hour 40 minutes
Group Size
Up to 14

Paddle Pub 1 and 2-Downtown Excelsior-2 Boats (20% Promo)

PaddleTap is proud to offer private tours on our only downtown Excelsior powered party boat! These one of a kind Pedal Taverns can be rented out on Excelsior Bay! Remember the "peddling" is 100% optional. You do not have to pedal if you don't want too!

Our Paddle Pub Party Boats, holds a maximum of 14 people! By combing both you have have up to 28 people. This is great for private cruises who want to depart out of the award winning downtown Excelsior which is only 20 minutes from Minneapolis! Our PaddlePub 1 and 2 boats both have gas motors, which makes peddling 100% optional! Only difference between the boats is PaddlePub 2 has a bathroom (recently added). If a bathroom is a must make sure to reserve that boat online!

Plenty of local bars and restaurant’s such as:
-Maynards
-Excelsior Brewing
-Haskells (also a liquor store for any last minute items)
-Lago Tacos or The Suburban that are walking distance from our pickup location!

This is definitely the spot on the lake with the most action. You can even see the famous “Big Island” on your cruise if you ask your captain!
What to know:

100 minutes long
Bluetooth music
BYOB
Bathroom on PaddlePub 2 only (no bathroom on PaddlePub 1)
Departs out of Downtown Excelsior
250 square feet of usable room
Holds up to 14 guests
Pricing: $35-$49/person Private Cruise (10 or more required tickets to make it private)
25 HSP Gas Motor
Peddling (optional)
**20% OFF Promo on Private Paddle Pub Tours** (Code: Pub20)
**Discounted price gets private tours down to $30/person Sunday-Thursday and $39/person Friday/Saturday)

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from
$35
Duration
1 hour 40 minutes
Group Size
Up to 18

TikiTap-Back Channel Brewing

Our 100 minute cruise our Tiki Pub (yes, its a Tiki Themed Party Pontoon Boat and has ZERO pedals) boat offer the perfect scenic escape! It's our #1 Boat Tour for Bachelorette Parties!

This is our newest boat on Lake Minnetonka for the season. This adventure is perfect for any corporate event, private birthday party or just for fun on a bachelorette or bachelor parties!

This is the newest and largest single boat we offer and is 26 feet long and almost 12 feet wide! This party boat includes comfortable bar stool seating around the custom tiki bar, and seating for maximum of 18 total guests with plenty of walking room around the almost 300 square foot deck.

Enjoy our one of a kind Tiki Themed bar to rest your beer, wine, or cocktails.

Do you have any worry about a bathroom? Don’t! this boat does come equipped with a full bathroom for you to use.

Worried about rain? Don’t! We have a large canopy that covers 70% of the TikiTap! If this boat is open, book it soon as this is for sure the first one to be reserved.

Things to Know:
What to know:

100 minutes long
Bluetooth music
BYOB
Bathroom on board
Departs out of Back Channel Brewing in Spring Park
300 square feet of usable room
Holds up to 18 guests
Pricing: $35-$49/person Private Cruise (10 or more required tickets to make it private)
135 HSP Gas Motor

8 Reviews verify
from
$35
Duration
1 hour 40 minutes
Group Size
Up to 18

LazyTap Double Deck-Back Channel Brewing (18 person boat)

PaddleTap’s #1 boat tour! For the people who like to take it easy on the lake! Our LazyTap Party Boat ride has your name written all over it. This is our only double deck party boat that is massive! PaddleTap offers one boat for 2024. This boat can hold up to 18 guests!

Both boats offers two levels and covers at least 300 of deck space on the main level with an additional 100 square feet on the upper deck! This boat has zero pedals and is the true lazy experience that can hold up to 18 total guests!

These boats offer a private party bar down the middle for you to load up with your own drinks and bench seating all the way down on both sides.

We have a large wide open space in the front where people can move around and take in the views, or sit in our comfy seating all around.

This is our only boat that can allow swimming (on requests) which has a ZERO alcohol policy. If you want to swim no alcohol is allowed. but it still does only last 100 minutes. If you do choose to swim, we limit it to four people at one time and must wear a life jacket (provided) BUT ZERO ALCOHOL. Swimming on our LazyTap is only allowed out of Back Channel. We do not allow it out of Downtown Excelsior.

The LazyTap has a large 150 HSP motor, we can cover a fair amount of lake to enjoy everything that Lake Minnetonka offers! Our pickups are out of Back Channel Brewing, Lord Fletchers, Downtown Excelsior or Wayzata.
What to know:

Private boat captain
100 minutes long
Bluetooth music
BYOB
Bathroom on board
Departs out of Back Channel Brewing in Spring Park
400 square feet of usable room (two levels)
Holds up to 14-18 guests (depending on the boat you select)
Pricing: $39-$45/person Private Cruise (10 or more required tickets to make it private)
*$4/more a person from July 12th-August 4th 2024*
150 HSP Gas Motor
Zero Pedals (not even an option here)

22 Reviews verify
from
$35
Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
10 to 18

2.5 hour Private Tour-Private Tour Back Channel Brewing (18 max)

PaddleTaps longest tour of the season-2 hours and 30 minutes! This tour is new for 2024, and only being offered starting in June of 2024.

Explore Lake Minnetonka in the fall where the leaves start changing. Explore the channels and bays that the larger charter boats cannot offer. Bring your own beverages, some snacks and let us drive you around West Arm/Seaton Channel/Cooks Bay for 2.5 hour on the water, our longest cruises of the year! We will get up and close to some of the best fall colors Lake Minnetonka offers. This tour will have a bathroom on board as well with bluetooth music.

This tour will either be on our largest 30 foot LazyTap double deck boat, or the 25 foot TikiTap boat. Depending on boat availability with other tours being offered"

Pricing is $70/person for the 2.5 hours, and private bookings require 8 tickets to be purchased as a down-payments are utlizied before the season starts to reserve your boat. But you are more than welcome to book as many seats as you need up to the boat maximum of 18 guests.

Duration
1 hour 40 minutes
Group Size
Up to 14

Small Group/Public Tour (All Boats)

Do you have a smaller group? Or just don't want to rent the entire boat? Book our per seat boating option! Perfect for those smaller groups who still want to go out and celebrate that Birthday/Bachelorette or even just a night out! This option does have a requirement of of 6 guests to guarantee it will go out. But you only pay for as many seats as you want. This option is not guaranteed private, and it is very likely you will be paired with other people! (we offer private cruises that start with 8 ppl-18 ppl)

This public option is only available out of our Back Channel Brewing Location (LazyTap or TikiPubs) and downtown Excelsior on our original Pedal Tavern Boat Cruise.

Duration
1 hour 40 minutes
Group Size
Up to 18

Private Tours (All Boats) *20% off Sale for PaddlePub Boats Only*

PaddleTap is proud to offer private tours on all of our party boats! These one-of-a-kind Tiki Boats, Pedal Taverns, or Party Pontoons can be rented out on Excelsior Bay or Seaton Channel! Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka!

Take a peek at all our boating options and which locations they start from. You will truly love this experience for any Bachelorette, Birthday or Corporate outing!

All private tours are charged on a per person fee. Prices range from $35-$39/person Monday-Wednesday and $35-$45/person Thursday-Sunday with a $4/increase for prime summer on all tickets in July. 10 Tickets or more are required to reserve a private boat. We have a public option that is $55/person if you have less than 10.

Our Lowest cost boat is our Original PaddlePub out of downtown Excelsior ($35/person) the rest of our boats are closer to $39-45 most days