Please note, because of the warming weather, a lot of Minnesotans are taking to the outdoors for a breath of fresh air and a break from their homes. This means walkways and popular outdoor locations are likely to be busier than usual. Please continue to practice social distancing in these settings, remaining at least 6 feet away from passersby and others near you.

1. Get active: Hiking, biking and running

The snow has melted and the greenery is returning. In spring, our city is filled with people exploring on two wheels, gearing up for their daily run, and hitting the trails to take advantage of the beautiful spring weather.

Our bike-share program, Nice Ride, makes it easy to get outside and take a spin around town. Grab a bike at one of hundreds of stations across Minneapolis, or use the app to figure out where you can pick up one of their dockless bikes. In an effort to maintain safe and clean bikes for all riders, Nice Ride is disinfecting high contact surfaces on bikes each time they arrive in the depot.

Try some of our favorite scenic biking routes and the best running and hiking trails around Minneapolis.

2. Enjoy our city by nature

If you're not feeling much like heart-pumping physical exercise (we understand), try taking a stroll through any one of the city's best parks and public gardens. Best enjoyed on those bright, sunny spring days, we're not called the City by Nature for nothing. There's some things only Mother Nature can truly help!

3. Instagram your favorite Minneapolis landmarks & street art

Fill up your friends' Instagram feed, with some of the most Instagrammable places in Minneapolis. From waterfalls, murals and sculptures to skylines, check out some of the city's best locations for the perfect Instagram photo. Minneapolis is also proud to be the home of talented artists leaving their mark on the city with beautiful public art. Walk through any neighborhood and you're bound to see a breathtaking masterpiece on electrical boxes, building walls and more. Lucky for you, we've curated a list of some of the best murals in the city, just to make it that much easier.

4. Try out a meal or cocktail kit

Looking to learn from the best? Some of our greatest chefs and mixologists have started offering at home meal and cocktail kits. With all of the ingredients you need, instructions, and a few simple easy-to-follow steps, you'll have restaurant quality meals and beverages at home. Bring Minneapolis into the comfort of your home with these meal and cocktail kits.

5. Grab coffee at one of our favorite coffee shops

Rainy days are inevitable in spring. But we secretly love them. We are kind of the experts when it comes to all things cozy, and our coffee shops really take it to the next level. From steaming hot lattes to gooey cinnamon rolls the size of your face, our coffee shops will keep you full and caffeinated. Grab some coffee and a pastry or two and watch the rain while your coffee keeps you warm.

6. Pick up a new book

Many local bookstores are offering curbside and delivery options for their inventory and some are letting small groups of customers browse in-store. So start looking for that next great read that can be put to use as the perfect activity for lounging in the park on a sunny day.

7. Do some online shopping at our local boutiques and stores

Support our local businesses while you shop for gifts, get organized, or get your wardrobe ready for spring. Pick out a new planner to help you kickstart your goals, grab some local spices to get yourself back in the kitchen, or experiment with some trendy local apparel if the same sweatpants just aren't cutting it anymore. Check out where to shop online.

8. Sit on a heated patio

In Minneapolis, our patio-going is year-round. Even on those chillier spring nights, you'll still find us outside with a drink in hand. Get cozy under a heat lamp, by a fire pit, or in a heated tent. Our restaurants with heated patios and fireplaces are able to offer limited patio seating, but reservations are often required and all places are taking precautions on cleaning procedures and to properly social distance tables.

9. Grab takeout and have a picnic

Take out and then take it all in. As the weather gets warmer, we can't wait to take our meals outdoors. From pizza to tacos to ice cream, there's really no food we won't eat in a park. Here are 7 Minneapolis parks perfect for a picnic.

10. Catch a virtual show, explore a museum from home, or try a new science experiment in your pajamas

Instead of searching for another show to binge, why not try something a little more interactive? Minneapolis has plenty of activities and online resources to keep you entertained. Many of our museums, theaters, music venues, comedy clubs, and escape rooms are offering virtual ways to keep you and your mind busy without having to leave your couch! Check out these virtual Minneapolis experiences.

11. Take a tour

Tours are a great way to learn about the city's history and impress your friends with some interesting facts. Whether you prefer to take a self-guided tour, or you want someone to show you the ropes, we'll show you need to know about Minneapolis.

For a self-guided tour, Ranger On Call provides a free program giving you the opportunity to hear the unique stories of our national park on the Mississippi River, using your phone.

For something a little different, check out Real Ghost Tours. You'll be led on a 90-minute walking tour of the St. Anthony Main neighborhood, just northeast of downtown Minneapolis. On each tour, you'll have your own audio equipment so you can hear the guide and learn about the history of Minneapolis. You'll also learn about real ghost sightings, hear about true-life stories, and maybe even experience some re-creations.