Let the party favors fly as you celebrate an unforgettable birthday party with great experiences, entertainment, and adventures! Minneapolis is an amazing place to blow out some birthday candles. Minneapolis birthday ideas range from fun and adventurous to refined and cosmopolitan. You can even bring your birthday party to the lake if you plan things the right way!
What makes Minneapolis such a magical place to create lasting memories with friends on a special day? Along with Saint Paul, Minneapolis makes up one portion of the Twin Cities of Minnesota. The Twin Cities are unique because they combine all of the trappings of city life with endless opportunities for recreation covering dozens of lakes, miles of trails, and acres of lush public parks. That means that a celebration can blend dinner and shopping with long hikes and fun on the water. Check out all of the fun things waiting for you on this list of birthday ideas in Minneapolis!
A tour we think you'll love
1) Plan A Unique Birthday Party Experience On Lake Minnetonka
Stunning and sparkling Lake Minnetonka is located just minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Spanning more than 14,000 acres, Lake Minnetonka is a favorite spot for vacation homes among celebrities because it’s a great place to relax in nature without leaving a major metro area very far behind.
As they enjoy glimpses of the historic mansions that line the shore here, visitors discover a wonderland consisting of 30 lake bays. Of course, the best way to see every nook and cranny is to board a lake cruise!
Paddle Tap is the premier cruise operator serving Lake Minnetonka. If you’re looking for birthday party ideas Minneapolis visitors can enjoy, you’ll be excited to discover that our tour company offers a mix of private party boats and public cruises. Just imagine a beautiful day on the water with one of these excursion options:
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Private party boat for 10 to 18 guests
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Tiki-themed cruise boat
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LazyTap Party Pontoon with 300 square feet of space to party that includes a 100-square-foot upper deck
After boarding at Back Channel Brewing or Excelsior Bay, guests can party down on the water while enjoying their own food and beverages. Guests always enjoy the best views of Lake Minnetonka on our vessels as we explore bays and channels that larger boats can’t access.
Don’t miss the chance to book one of the best Minneapolis birthday ideas for your group. From selecting your music to bringing your own party favors, we know how to help you plan every last detail to make this day 100% your own!
Join us at PaddleTap as we embark on a journey to create unforgettable memories on your special day!
2) Make Time For A Little Birthday Shopping At Mall Of America
Located just 10 miles away from Minneapolis in Bloomington, Mall of America is a four-level mall that is home to hundreds of stores, restaurants, and attractions. Nearly 40 million people visit the mall annually to shop and play.
In addition to browsing among more than 500 retailers, add these attractions to your Minneapolis birthday ideas itinerary:
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Amazing Mirror Maze: 353 North Garden
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5D Extreme Attraction by Matrix Technology: 5130 Center Court
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Museum of Illusions: 281 Central Parkway
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SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium: 120 East Broadway
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Tactical Urban Combat: 340 West Market
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The Escape Game: 300 East Broadway
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The LEGO Store: 164 South Avenue
Mall of America also has tons of great food to choose from when planning a birthday dinner or sweet treat:
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Shake Shack
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Wahlburgers
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DeLeo Brothers Pizza
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Buffalo Wild Wings
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Piada Italian Street Food
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Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Of course, the best part about coming to Mall of America while visiting Minneapolis is that you can go on a shopping spree that ensures you can enjoy the presents you picked for yourself!
3) Make A Splash At Bunker Beach Water Park In Coon Rapids
Bunker Beach Water Park in nearby Coon Rapids is Minnesota’s largest outdoor water park! If you’d like your own private room at the park, consider renting a cabana to enjoy shade and privacy.
Extra Fun: While visiting the water park, take the opportunity to see the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park in all its glory! This stunning year-round scenic attraction offers bike trails, picnic areas, cross-country skiing, and birding.
4) See A Show At The Guthrie Theater
One of the best birthday ideas in Minneapolis is booking a show at the iconic Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis. Situated in Mill District, the Guthrie is an award-winning building that was designed by Jean Nouvel.
The theater is architecturally notable because its design incorporates a 175-foot cantilever bridge overlooking the gorgeous Mississippi River that’s known as the Endless Bridge.
5) Bring The Group To A Thermal Spa
If you’re all about unique birthday party ideas Minneapolis visitors can enjoy, bring your birthday party to the sauna! A Scandinavian-style sauna and oasis called Nordic Nook in nearby Golden Valley offers a wood-fired barrel sauna and cooling pond for your rejuvenation!
If some of your friends don’t want to take the plunge, they can simply enjoy lounging by the fire or resting on a hammock at this luxurious and relaxing spot for one-of-a-kind birthday parties.
6) Enjoy Some Live Music
If live entertainment is on your wish list for a birthday party celebration in Minneapolis, you’ll be happy to know that it’s easy to find a great place to vibe out to some tunes with your party group! Some of the top bars and restaurants with live music include:
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The Local
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Icehouse
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Underground Music Venue
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First Avenue
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Cowboy Jack’s
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Bunker’s Music Bar & Grill
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Copperwing Distillery
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Flying Dutchman Spirits
Pro tip: After you find a great place to celebrate the special day with your group, you might be wondering about the best drink to order for the birthday girl or boy. Everyone around here knows that you celebrate with the Bootleg Cocktail. Considered the official drink of Minnesota, the Bootleg Cocktail is a citrus-infused drink made with mint, lemonade, and limeade. Cheers!
7) Add A “Bookish” Activity To Your Birthday Party At Mill City Museum
When planning to celebrate with a getaway party that spans more than a day, it’s good to know that the best birthday parties often combine fun things with educational and enriching experiences. That’s why Mill City Museum makes the list of amazing places to add to your “rolling” birthday party in Minneapolis!
This fascinating museum was built on the Washburn “A” Mill along the banks of the Mississippi River. Travel back in time to the days when Minneapolis was the Flour Milling Capital of the World. The highlight of the museum is the Koch Rooftop Observation Deck which offers panoramic views of the Mississippi River, St. Anthony Falls, Stone Arch Bridge, and Mill Ruins Park.
The Midwest Knows How To Party: Start Planning An Amazing Birthday Party In Minneapolis
It’s so easy to plan a memorable birthday party that combines the fun of one of America’s major cities with the raw beauty of nature when you decide to turn one year older in Minneapolis! There’s no doubt that you’ll want to enjoy museums, great dining, and entertainment while checking out everything from historic districts to modern malls.
However, there’s nothing like reflecting on another year lived while gliding along the glassy tides of Lake Minnetonka with your favorite people. Booking a private charter for your party feels like having your own private party room that just happens to be located in the middle of Lake Minnetonka!
Paddle Tap is ready to provide you with the experience of a lifetime with our easy-to-book excursions for a variety of party sizes and budgets. Start planning your birthday adventure with us today!
