FOCI Minnesota Center for Glass Arts

Private Group Glass Art Experience

FOCI's Glass Socials are privately scheduled group Glass Discovery experiences that provide everybody with the opportunity to learn together — zero glassmaking experience is required and all materials are provided! This art experience is unlike anything else available in the Twin Cities metro area, and is a fantastic group activity. Glass making provides an excellent team-building experience and is truly a unique venture.

• Group Min/Max: 4-45 participants, varies on activity
• Pricing: Dependent on group size.

Glassblowing Demonstrations

Explore the history, principles and stories of glass, a substance used in everyday life in numerous ways. Meet the craftsmen and women of FOCI for a fun-filled experience demonstrating the properties of glass. Watch a gaffer create pieces from molten glass; discover the techniques for adding color and making unique objects. You will be amazed at the craftsmanship and skill at FOCI used to craft an array of glass items.

• Group Min/Max: 6-40 individuals
• Pricing: $40/person plus admin fees depending on group size

Textile Center

Looking for a special art-making event for your group? A team-building activity? The Textile Center's hands-on private group experiences include 90-minute activity options with live demonstration from a Textile Center Teaching Artist, and private room reservation for the duration of your gathering! Perfect for individuals of all skill levels and all age ranges.

• Group Min/Max: 6-30 participants
• Pricing: $240-$600 depending on group size

Frank Lloyd Wright House - The Willey House Signature Tour

Experience the Willey House, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed masterpiece built in 1934 for Malcolm and Nancy Willey. For the first time ever, this house has been restored and completed using the blueprints and design elements by Wright. The Willey House represents a unique architectural bridge between Wright’s styles of Prairie and Usonia.

• Group Min/Max: 10-16 people
• Pricing: See website for pricing

American Swedish Institute

The American Swedish Institute is one of Minneapolis' most popular museums for a reason. Groups can explore the historic Turnblad Mansion, learn about Swedish culture through interactive exhibits, dine at the museum's critically acclaimed restaurant, FIKA Café, and shop for Swedish and Nordic art pieces and gifts at the museum store all in one place. Book a group tour to explore ASI’s exhibitions and the Turnblad Mansion with exclusive access to content experts.

• 1 hour
• Group Min/Max: 10-50 people
• Pricing: $20/person ($25 during holiday season, Nov-Jan)

Minnesota Center for Book Arts

Guided Tour

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) is the largest center of its kind in the world. Each year it hosts over 200 workshops, 10 gallery exhibitions and hosts artist fellowships, residencies and mentorships in the 12,000+ square foot space. Guided tours are available for the MCBA artist studios. Tours make great outings for community organizations, college and homeschool groups, and corporate retreats. Or, visit MCBA's exhibition spaces and the Shop any time during regular business hours.

Private Group Workshops

Each workshop begins with a brief introduction to MCBA followed by a hands-on activity in letterpress printing or suminagashi marbling. Workshops are two-hours long. Maximum capacity depends on studio size.

• Pricing: $550 + $50 materials fee per group

Midtown Global Market

Market Tours

Excite your senses, tantalize your taste buds and explore the Midtown Global Market. This fascinating venue is a veritable melting pot of global cultures. You will meet the merchants and learn their stories of working to achieve the American dream. The Market serves as an incubator for immigrant businesses. During your visit you will sample a variety of tastes and hear tales from your global hosts. Choose from a tour, scavenger hunt, chef food demo, dance lesson, storytelling, or more than one.

Taste the Twin Cities Food Tours

Tour the diverse, delicious food spots of Minneapolis and St. Paul with Taste the Twin Cities. Experience the Twin Cities can create private customized experiences for all kinds of foodies. Bring your hunger or thirst and they'll take care of the rest!

• Group Min/Max: 2-200 people
• Email: tours@experiencethetwincities.com

O'Shaughnessy Distilling Company

Distillery Tours & Whiskey Tastings

Take a one-hour guided distillery tour that brings you inside the making of Keeper’s Heart Whiskey. Learn how O'Shaughnessy Distilling crafts American whiskey using the traditional method of triple copper pot distillation, and see their three iconic copper pot stills up close. After the tour, choose to add on an intimate whiskey tasting in the Keep, where you’ll experience the building blocks that define Keeper’s Heart’s signature style.

• Group Min/Max: 1-8 people
• Tour pricing: $20/person
• Tour + Tasting pricing: $30/person

Mall of America

Get behind-the-scenes peeks at how Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe amusement park work ⁠— plus countless details that only insiders know, anecdotes from over the decades and exciting previews of what’s to come. Tour time is approximately 90 minutes; wear comfortable shoes and be ready to move! Perfect for groups of all sizes, especially events such as business outings, team-building adventures, family reunions, weddings, shopping weekends and other special occasions.

• Group Min/Max: No minimum or maximum
• Pricing: $25/person (public tours)
• Book a private group tour at groupsales@mallofamerica.com

Sporting Events

It's hard to deny the energy and excitement that comes from being at a sporting event! With our state-of-the-art stadiums — three of which are all within 1.3 miles of each other — any type of fan is bound to enjoy a professional sports game here in Minneapolis. Depending on what time of year it is, you can catch a Minnesota Vikings football game at U.S. Bank Stadium, a Minnesota Lynx or Minnesota Timberwolves basketball game at Target Center, a Minnesota Twins baseball game at Target Field (yes, Target was founded in Minnesota and we are proud), or a Minnesota United FC soccer game at Allianz Field just on the other side of the river!

Great Big Game Show

A fun time is guaranteed at the Great Big Game Show in the Mall of America. Think of your classic favorites, like Family Feud and The Price is Right, but you get to be the contestant! Pick a theme: The Original or Trivia Showdown. The Original features rounds of different, interactive game play where you'll rack up points with a collection of fun mini-games. Trivia Showdown gives your team the chance to buzz in with the correct answer in a highly competitive game show battle.

• Group Min/Max: 2-14 people (groups larger than 14 may be split into two studios)
• Pricing: $41.99/person

Escape Rooms

Bring the group to a Minneapolis escape room — you'll have no choice but to work as a team in order to get out! Venture into the North Loop neighborhood to try Trapped Puzzle Rooms, or head to Mission Manor in Northeast Minneapolis. Hang out as a group at HeadFlyer Brewing afterwards, which is in the same building.

Minneapolis Trolley Tours

Explore Minneapolis' vibrant history, art, and architecture through the lens of Minneapolis Trolley Tours. Go on a murder mystery tour, a gilded age mansion tour, a narrated scenic tour, or create a custom private group tour. Minneapolis Trolley Tours run all year long, rain, snow or shine!

• Group Min/Max: Up to 25 people
• Pricing: Public tours start at $45, private tours start at $1,250

Axe Throwing at Brühaven Brewing

Yes, axe throwing is all the rage in group outings now. From first-time throwers to seasoned pros, everyone leaves with unforgettable stories — and maybe a new obsession. Minneapolis Axe Throwing offers a thrilling urban experience where you can learn, compete, and perfect your axe-throwing skills in a fun, safe environment. Enjoy Brühaven's craft beer while you throw.

• Group axe throwing inquiry form

Frogtown Curling Club

Enjoy a three-hour social curling and teambuilding experience at Frogtown Curling Club in the heart of Saint Paul. Their learn-to-curl program is available for private groups of 8 to 50 people on the ice and can be tailored to fit your group’s experience level. They teach you the basics of curling, including the form and techniques of throwing stones and sweeping, and help with game strategy. The remaining time is yours to scrimmage or practice!

Lawn Bowling at Brit's Pub

Take a vacation without the hassle of flying all the way across the pond. Brit's Pub is Downtown Minneapolis' own little corner of the UK. Opt for a relaxed group outing - watch the game (soccer or rugby anyone?), grab a beer by the fireplace, or try your hand at lawn bowling on the rooftop patio in sunny weather! The pub also houses several private event spaces with their own bar and fireplace if you're hoping for something a little more secluded.

• Group Min/Max: 8-32
• Pricing: $100/hour for half the Green, $175/hour for the whole green

Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours

Embark on a tour with Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours. It's more than a river shuttle service. Their guides take care of the details from start to finish to provide you with a context-rich, memorable paddling experience. Tour the Mississippi River Gorge, learn about local bird species that live around Minneapolis' urban lakes, paddle between Minneapolis and St. Paul, and more.

• Sign up for a public tour, or contact info@paddlebridge.com to set up a customized outing.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Visit the iconic Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, one of the largest urban sculpture parks in the country. Explore more than 60 sculptures, including the Spoonbridge and Cherry, from the Walker Art Center's collection in the heart of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is free and open to the public from 6am to midnight every day.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) offers free general admission daily, showcasing over 100,000 works of art from six continents. Located in the Whittier neighborhood, Mia is one of the largest art museums in the U.S. that remains free to the public. Guided tours are available for all student and adult groups.

Weisman Art Museum

Housed in a striking stainless steel and brick building designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Weisman Art Museum is both educational and approachable. The museum’s collection features early twentieth-century American artists, such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Marsden Hartley, as well as a diverse selection of ceramics and contemporary art. They always have a great selection of events, so be sure to check their calendar to see what’s in town. Admission is free every day of the week. Guided tours are available and offer a closer look at artwork on view.

• Any group of nine or more people should inform the museum about your planned visit at least two weeks in advance via email at wamtour@umn.edu.
• Pricing: Free

Lakewood Cemetery

Take a tour through the rich local history and famous memorials of Lakewood Cemetery, founded in 1871. You'll explore the historic Lakewood Memorial Chapel, the Pool of Reflections, the Flour Mill Explosion Memorial, the Chinese Community Memorial, and many gravesites of Minneapolis luminaries. The cemetery also offers guided tours for visitors for free for groups of five or more, and requests should be made a week in advance.

Como Zoo & Conservatory

The Como Zoo & Conservatory is open year-round and admission is free to the public! See the animals you want to see — like the Arctic Fox, a Galapagos Tortoise, lions, tigers, and bears — all in habitats that allow you to get up close. The Conservatory's Sunken Garden is also an eye-catching treat! Como Zoo has various group education programs and experiences to suit plant and animal lovers.

Minnehaha Falls & Park

Minnehaha Falls is a 53-foot waterfall in Minnehaha Regional Park, one of Minneapolis' oldest and most popular parks. The park is free to enter and includes hiking trails, picnic areas, and river views — perfect for a day outdoors in any season.