Hewing Hotel

Scandinavia meets the North Woods at this uber-chic boutique hotel in the North Loop. Each cozy room features Swedish-inspired patterned wallpaper with deer, loons and flora, and you’ll be cuddling up with down duvets and Faribault Woolen Mills throws. Before you crash, head to the rooftop for the hotel’s star attractions: a Nordic sauna, heated-year-round outdoor pool and cocktail bar.

Alternative: Hotel Ivy

Spacious rooms and suites (including airy limestone bathrooms) allow plenty of space to hang at this Luxury Collection Hotel downtown. Head downstairs to speakeasy Constantine for stellar drinks, sorbets and one of the best Happy Hours in town.

Day One

MORNING

Breakfast: Although more commonly known as a brewpub, The Freehouse takes breakfast seriously as well. Here you'll find plenty of healthy options, American breakfast classics and homemade English muffins to help get your girls weekend started. And if you're looking to be a little more adventurous in the morning, try their gnocchi breakfast special—basil pesto, cream bacon, arugula.

Shop: The North Loop area presents a multitude of boutiques and local shops. Find a few statement pieces and unique accessories to upgrade your closet. Or pick-up some luxury finds from some of your favorite brands and designers at Southdale Center, just outside Minneapolis.

AFTERNOON

Lunch: A trio of food-loving girlfriends launched Hen House Eatery in 2014 to serve farm-fresh fabulousness among downtown’s skyscrapers. Their Avocado Tuna Melt with pickles, bacon, tomatoes and mozzarella is a hit, and if you love breakfast food for lunch, it’s hard to go wrong here, with build-your-own omelet ingredients including chorizo, quinoa, feta cheese and hollandaise sauce.

Shop: Head to Kobi Co. for hand-poured, luxury candles that are paired with curated playlists for the ultimate vibes. All have elegant fragrance combinations and will look great on your shelf — they're embellished with crystals and charms. Kobi Co. also has a selection of body sprays, bath bombs, bath salts, and gift sets.

Treat yourself: Hotel Ivy's spa is one of the most sought-after places to escape in the cities. Anda Spa features an unmatched menu of services, including crystal-based healing practices and hydrotherapy in addition to more traditional scrubs and massages. Once you’re left feeling as relaxed as a wet noodle, head to Emerald City Day Spa for mani-pedis and some polish to prep for a snazzy night out.

Alternative: Book a session with the girls at beem Light Therapy, where full-spectrum infrared light is utilized to promote deep detoxification, boost circulation, support calorie burn and enhance wellness from the inside out. Sessions can be tailored to meet your individual wellness goals by using the vibrations of different colors of light to target unique physical symptoms. Saunas are even outfitted with entertainment systems so you can catch up on your favorite shows or listen to your own music to set the vibe.

EVENING

Dinner: James Beard award-winning chef Isaac Becker has crafted so many magical Italian dishes at North Loop’s Bar La Grassa, it’s hard to know where to start. Our tip: share as many plates as you can. The soft egg and lobster bruschetta and gnocchi with cauliflower and orange are best-sellers for good reason.

End your night: Located in the basement of Argentine steakhouse Porzana, Flora Room is giving us all the vibes with dim lighting, deep emerald accents, and tons of greenery throughout the space. The servers are friendly and the drinks are incredible - we suggest the Alsace and Old Fox.

Alternative: Nearby, you'll find Public Domain - a cocktail bar without menus. Tell the bartender what kind of drink you typically order, your favorite liquors, flavor profiles or sweetness preferences and they'll come back with a tasty concoction.

Day Two

MORNING

Brunch: Weekends are a drag (the fun kind) at Union Rooftop. Themed Flip Phone drag brunches run the gamut from Grease and The Greatest Showman to Lizzo and Taylor Swift. Even when sassy queens aren’t sashaying among the tables, the glass-enclosed space is the perfect spot to sip mimosas, dive into eggs benedict and savor the Minneapolis skyline.

Explore: For a quieter cultural experience, stroll through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Pose for an iconic shot in front of the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry, then head for the newest favorite: a towering blue rooster called Hahn/Cock. The adjacent Walker Art Center showcases an eclectic mix of contemporary works, plus an artist-designed miniature golf course during the summer months.

AFTERNOON

Treat yourself: Theater is a big deal in Minneapolis, with dozens of companies based in the region. Even longtime locals often find themselves stumbling upon a venue they’ve never heard of before. If you’re looking for a longtime legend, check out a matinee at the Guthrie Theater, home to the best intermissions thanks to its Endless Bridge overlooking the Mississippi and the stunning Stone Arch Bridge.

Alternatives: Another renowned company in town is Theater Latté Da, staging creative new works each season at the intimate Ritz Theater.

Play: Create your own floating Happy Hour with Minneapolis Water Taxi. Up to six passengers are allowed on cushy, covered boats helmed by Captains Greg Hoseth and Cory Parkos, who navigate past Mississippi River landmarks while you enjoy BYO snacks and drinks (alcohol is allowed) on this 1-hour cruise.

Alternative: You’re never too old for the artist-designed indoor miniature golf course at Can Can Wonderland. Each of the 18 holes is delightfully unconventional (on the 17th, you wear a helmet, place your ball on top of a tee and swing at it with a bat). This underground playground also stars vintage arcade games, cocktails and way more fun than should be legal.

Shop: Hunt for books at Magers & Quinn Booksellers - the bookstore you spend hours in without even realizing it. Walk up and down their stocked aisles and you’ll find the latest and greatest, the tried and true, that one that caught your eye. Fair warning – you’re sure to leave with more than you expected!

EVENING

Dinner: Rooftop dining at places like Moto-i are warm-weather musts. No matter the season, the Japanese eatery's menu features Tokyo straight style noodle ramen, house-made steamed buns, Asian-inspired small plates and rotating chef specials.

End your night: Don’t be intimated by the occasional line out the door at Milkjam Creamery; the small-batch ice cream treats are worth the wait. Get a flight of four flavors to maximize your sampling, or go big with the Jam Bun: your flavor of choice sandwiched between two halves of a Glam Doll doughnut.