Where to stay: Hotel Ivy

Incorporated into a historic building, the hotel is walking distance from just about everything in downtown Minneapolis. In addition to the elegant, modern décor and the whitest of white sheets and towels, the Ivy’s above-and-beyond splurges include a full day spa and the wondrous menu at restaurant Breva. The perfect spot to treat yourselves to a special weekend stay! Insider tip: South-facing rooms have outstanding views.

Alternative: Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot - If you’d prefer to splurge on food and activities, the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, located between the Riverfront District and the downtown core, is a fabulous choice for a remarkable value.

Day One

Morning

Breakfast/Brunch: A quick 5-minute walk hand-in-hand will take you to Hell’s Kitchen, an iconic Minneapolis brunch spot! If you’re feeling thirsty, and not just for coffee or some morning orange juice, try out their famous build-your-own Bloody Mary and mimosa bar. With all the fixings to choose from, sometimes you can even make a meal of just that! But breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? So, we don’t recommend stopping there. Their menu is filled with delicious favorites, including dishes with their signature homemade peanut butter. Did we mention they also have live music?

Alternative: Known for its drag brunches, Union Bar & Grill boasts a rooftop patio with a glass cover, allowing you to enjoy the rooftop outdoor dining experience all year round.

Afternoon

Treat yourself to a well-deserved spa day; a welcome reprieve from the chilly fall weather. Mosey on over to the Four Seasons Hotel and visit the spa. Couples massage anyone? There’s really nothing better than a joint pampering experience to rejuvenate the mind and body. Take advantage of the whirlpool, saunas and steam rooms after your massage or facial.

For a different self-care experience, book a session for two at beem Light Therapy in the downtown Mill District. beem utilizes full-spectrum infrared light to promote deep detoxification, boost circulation and enhance wellness from the inside out. Sessions can be tailored to meet your individual wellness goals (like using different colors of light to address unique physical symptoms), and saunas come with built-in entertainment, so you can set the vibe with your preferred music.

Lunch: Now that you're relaxed and rested, head on down to Backstory Coffee Roasters in the North Loop, just a 12-minute walk or 3-minute drive away. This gorgeous café is perfect for an afternoon or early evening pick-me-up, whether that’s a simple cup of coffee, a unique cold brew menu, or a flaky pastry to eat. Take your beverage on a short stroll to West River Parkway for beautiful views along the scenic Mississippi River. A bit farther, venture over to the Stone Arch Bridge for a picture-perfect view of the riverfront skyline.

Evening/Night

Treat Yourself: to dinner at Bellecour, a French patisserie and restaurant from James Beard Award Winning Chef Gavin Kaysen. Named for Place Bellecour in Lyon, France, this North Loop restaurant brings Kaysen's celebration of French culinary tradition to Minneapolis. While the cafe operates as a French bakery and cafe, it transforms into a romantic, cozy neighborhood restaurant at night. Opt for the prix fixe route for three seasonal courses not featured on the regular menu, or choose your own adventure.

End your night with a cocktail and a show at the Dakota Jazz Club, one of downtown Minneapolis' top live music venues.

Day Two

Morning

Breakfast/Brunch: You’ve got to try Barbette. Located in Uptown, about a 15 minute drive from the hotel, Barbette’s French bistro breakfasts and brunches are a favorite for Minneapolitans. Dishes are lovingly enhanced with ingredients from farmers and producers in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Big draws are their vegetable hash, buckwheat crepe with scrambled eggs, and an indulgent waffle menu.

Alternative: Classy breakfast is where it’s at. Kenwood Restaurant is upscale but not pretentious, and the service is always impeccable. The restaurant fills with sunlight each morning, which will make your day that much brighter.

Afternoon

Treat Yourself: to some quality time with your boo and Mother Nature. She’s a great third wheel. You’ve spent enough time inside being pampered yesterday, it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors. A short walk from the restaurants are the Chain of Lakes, which fall turns into one of the city's most romantic backdrops. There are bike and pedestrian paths, boating, kayaking, gardens, and picnic areas. Rent wheeled or floating forms of recreation at Wheel Fun Rentals to get a closer view of the water.

Alternative: Not feeling like much physical activity? We get it. Snuggle up and catch a mid-day movie at The Riverview Theater, featuring the latest movie releases in an retro style theater setting, or Lagoon Cinema, which screens indie, foreign and avant-garde films along with new releases.

Lunch: Who can say no to comforting ramen? Moto-i has Tokyo-style ramen noodles, house-made steamed buns, house-made sake and so much more. Enjoy whatever you order in a vibey booth or at a table on the rooftop to take in skyline scene. Stop by this welcoming neighborhood spot to fuel up before finishing out your day.

Evening/Night

Treat Yourself: to some hardcore fun and games at everyone’s favorite local barcade. At Up-Down you can choose from dozens of vintage arcade games, video games and consoles, pinball, skee ball, lifesize Jenga, shuffle board, and so much more. Drinks you ask? A full bar and array of craft beers on tap await you. Oh yeah, and they have pizza – can’t forget the pizza. (That salad/sandwich from earlier will be feeling like a good idea by now).

End Your Night: at Volstead’s Emporium. But keep it on the down low. This prohibition-style speakeasy is accessible only by the dark alleyway right behind Up-Down (on the South side of Lake Street between Lyndale and Aldrich Avenues). You may think you took a wrong turn. Head down the alley and take a left at the first parking area, keep going until you see the colored light, and often times a long line of people waiting. (You can also Google Map it)! If there’s no line, you’ll have to give the door a knock or two. Once you’re in, you’ll enjoy their candle-lit and intricately decorated cocktail room, cozy booths, and a list of drinks that are, dare we say, impossible to choose from. Okay, close to impossible. The hand-crafted cocktails are naturally a big draw, including their absinthe menu, and they also serve a well-received food menu. If you're lucky, you may even catch a jazz trio. Volstead’s will make winding down your night a chill and delightfully intimate time.