No Super Bowl experience is complete without food, drinks, and fun to go along with it. We’ve got you covered with options spanning the Twin Cities for your Super Bowl 52 experience in Minneapolis, Minn.
The ultimate Super Bowl 52 guide to eating, drinking, and surviving in Minnesota
Where to eat, drink, and enjoy yourself in the Twin Cities during Super Bowl week.
Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Let’s get this out of the way: It’s going to be cold! Don’t expect the temperature to be above freezing if you’re heading to the Super Bowl this week. But on the bright side, Minneapolis features a Skyway system that boasts enclosed footbridges spanning 80 blocks and 11 miles in downtown Minneapolis. If you’re trying to stay warm, there are plenty of hotels, restaurants, and stores that you can access via the Skyway. And if you’re heading to the big game, even U.S. Bank Stadium can be reached through the Skyway.
Where to eat
Our friends at Eater have you covered with the 38 Essential Twin Cities restaurants. Here are some of the best spots included in that guide as well as others we’d recommend.
A hole in the wall in all the best ways, Al’s offers a classic breakfast experience to get your morning going.
If you’re looking for local food while in the Twin Cities, Birchwood Cafe partners with farmers to get fresh and local ingredients.
Seeking some grub from an award-winning chef? Check out Burch Steak & Pizza Bar, which has something for everyone.
4. Matt’s Bar
President Barack Obama is among the noteworthy names who have chowed down on the Jucy Lucy at Matt’s Bar and it comes with high recommendations from Minnesota locals. There’s some debate over who created the Jucy Lucy, but Matt’s Bar claims the burger originated in its kitchen.
5. Runyon’s
Buffalo Wild Wings may be headquartered in Minnesota, but there are many other options to get your wing fix during Super Bowl week, too. Try Runyon’s, which is nearby the stadium and is known for their messy, spicy, delicious buffalo wings.
6. Young Joni
We could surely host a debate on the best pizza place in Minneapolis, but we’re going to recommend Young Joni if you only visit one pizza spot. They have all types of unique and delicious pizzas as well as some great cocktails! (Get more pizza recommendations from Eater here!)
Located in downtown Saint Paul, this eclectic restaurant has dishes like duck popcorn, red pepper artichoke dip, and an apple bacon brat. If you’re in the mood for something out of the box, give this tavern a try.
Where to drink
To gear up for the big game, you’re going to need to find your fellow fans at a nearby watering hole. Here are some of the best options. If you’re heading to Minneapolis (or already in town) without a ticket to the game, these bars may also be a good option to watch the biggest American sporting event of the year.
Not only is Bauhaus Brew Labs a good spot if you’re looking to throw back some beers, but they’re holding the Bauhaus Brew Labs Pupper Bowl on Saturday. Dog owners are invited to bring their pups to the brewery for a day of puppy bowl activities.
Looking for a “funky neighborhood dive bar”? That’s how Liquor Lyle’s describes its establishment, which offers cheap drinks in a casual atmosphere.
Described to us as a “very Minnesotan place,” Surly serves up to 24 different beers at a time and offers daily tours of the brewery, which we recommend you book in advance.
4. Pat’s Tap
Hey Patriots fans, this one’s for you! It’s a bar called Pat’s Tap (we bet there’s no Eagles tap in town). This gastropub is open all day and serves a full menu of food until 1 a.m., including house-made “cheese its” and fried pickles.
Great food, an array of whiskeys (the current whiskey list has over 250 selections), and an even bigger rotating tap list. If you’re looking to go out in the Cathedral Hill Neighborhood of St. Paul, this is where to go.
Check out more nightlife options in the Twin Cities here.
Super Bowl events
There are tons of free concerts going on in Minneapolis during Super Bowl week. You can get a full list here but some of the bigger names include DJ Mad Mardigan, Idina Menzel, and Esera Tuaolo.
The NFL is creating an interactive theme park inside the Minneapolis Convention Center with an NFL Flag Clinic, a Play 60 Zone for kids, a photo opportunity with the Lombardi Trophy, and autograph sessions with NFL players. Tickets are $25 for kids and $35 for adults.
To kick off Super Bowl week on Monday night, fans are invited to welcome the Patriots and Eagles to Minnesota. There will be live entertainment and a lot of crazy sights and scenes.
An expensive — and tasty — experience, Taste of the NFL offers fans a chance to mix, mingle, and eat with NFL stars for a good cause. The event benefits food banks in each of the NFL’s 32 cities and Canton, Ohio, the location of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. You can get tickets here.
In the mood to laugh before the big game? Kevin Hart is in town for a live show at the Target Center. You’ll get to check out the venue where the Minnesota Timberwolves play as well as see a live comedy show. Tickets are still available for the Feb. 2 performance.
The Mini World Fair will feature food trucks, live music, beer, and family fun. It’s only $5 and is ongoing from Feb. 1-4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
If you’re ready to spend some big bucks, there are a variety of parties throughout the week that will cost you a few hundred dollars per ticket. Whether you want to party with Ron Jaworski or Gucci Mane, there’s a party for you.
What to see
1. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
This Minneapolis park and garden showcases more than 40 works from the Walker Art Center’s collections, the most famous being the Spoonbridge and Cherry. The Garden is open from 6 a.m. to midnight
Want to get artsy in Minnesota? The Minneapolis Institute of Art houses pieces by Monet and Matisse, as well as Japanese and German art. The museum is currently featuring an exhibit called Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty.
If you’re into architecture, the Stone Arch Bridge is a destination to visit. The bridge has been a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark since 1971. You can walk or bike ride (bike rentals are available in Minneapolis!) over the bridge. But in reality, you may want to run based on how cold it will be outside.
4. Paisley Park
If you’re a Prince fan, consider taking a drive to Paisley Park to see Prince’s private estate and production complex, located in Chanhassen. Make sure you buy a ticket in advance; you cannot get one once you’re there!
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival will host a few Super Bowl week events, including Fire & Ice, an art show with more than 100 works of art from local Minnesota-based artists. There’s also an ice bar, ice sculpture garden (great for a photo opp!), and more.
If you have free time while in Minneapolis, you’re likely going to be headed to the Mall of America where there are not only stores, restaurants and bars but also amusement parks. Super Bowl Radio Row will also be located at the mall, so fans can stop by for celebrity watching, autograph signings, and an overall good time. Here are some of the best things to do inside the Mall of America.
An indoor theme park, Nickelodeon Universe isn’t just for kids! It features 27 rides, bumper cars, and a nightly light show.
2. SEA LIFE
The Minnesota Aquarium is also housed in the Mall of America. There, you can swim with the sharks, watch sharks and turtles compete in the Shark Bowl, or feed the stingrays.
If you’re in the mood for a thrill, FlyOver America is a flight simulation ride that provides an aerial tour of U.S. landmarks and regions with virtual flight technology. The attraction even features wind, mist, and scents along the ride.
You can check out more Mall of America sights and scenes here.
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