Popular Shopping Districts in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is just the place for a little retail therapy. Whether you're looking for reading material, an outfit for date night, or some new pieces to spruce up your living room wall, here are a few spots to help you cross everything off your wish list. (And, no tax on clothing or shoes in Minnesota means you can take a little more home.)
New or vintage, retro or modern, Minneapolis has an abundance of shopping districts — each with plenty of stores for everything on your list. Whether you're shopping for clothes, plants, books, antiques, art, or furniture, you'll find what you're looking for in Minneapolis. (And while you're at it, you might as well fill up and re-energize with a pit stop at local eateries nearby!)
North Loop
North Loop is known for its hip and modern shopping scene. Located in the Warehouse District, these historic buildings feature many upscale boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. For women’s clothing, D. NOLO (Destination North Loop), PARC, Requisite, and Madewell offer upscale, stylish apparel, footwear, and accessories. Statement Boutique has both designer and local brands and carries clothing, accessories and jewelry — and is dog-friendly, too. Pacifier offers kids clothes, gear, and toys, MartinPatrick3 features high-end menswear and personalized service to help you look your best. Lululemon has athletic menswear and womenswear. Outdoor Voices stocks countless colorful essentials and fleece layers for those cold Minneapolis days.
For a caffeine pick-me-up, there are plenty of coffee shops in the area — FRGMNT Coffee, Fairgrounds, In the Loop, and Backstory Coffee Roasters to name a few. In need of a quick bite to eat? Rise Bagel makes artisanal bagels daily using fresh ingredients. If you've worked up a larger appetite after a full day of shopping, give your feet a break and enjoy one of the many restaurants in North Loop.
Downtown
Downtown is a fast-paced, lively spot with department stores, boutiques, and restaurants everywhere you look. With 9.5 miles of skyways connecting 80 city blocks, shopping here is a breeze. The number of shopping options can be overwhelming, so we’ll keep the descriptions short. For clothing, head to Target and Marshalls. Hubert White offers upscale menswear.
B'YOUtique, a woman-owned business founded by Shalawn Randall, offers a variety of jewelry, handbags, shirts, sunglasses, and other accessories. Find it on the skyway level of the Baker Center, located on Marquette Avenue.
Sistah Co-op is a collaborative shop in the IDS Center building that celebrates local BIPOC brands and business owners. It's perfect for finding some one of a kind souvenirs. Within Sistah Co-op is the Strive Bookstore, which carries Black narratives and culturally relevant children's books.
There are numerous restaurants located in the skyways and many outside of the skyways as well, such as The Local, The News Room, Barrio, and Brit's Pub, which can be found on Nicollet.
Uptown
No matter your taste in clothing or goods, you're bound to find something you like shopping around Uptown. Covered features designer brands for women and has a group of "lifestylists" to help you find the perfect outfit if you schedule an appointment. Les Sól is owned by a pair of sisters and carries unique styles inspired by good summer vibes. They consider themselves part of the "slow fashion" movement. Similarly, Combine stocks European-esque clothes and goods made by independent designers or small, family-owned businesses.
Urban Jungle provides customers hand-selected vintage from Minneapolis and cities across the country. And if you're into skateboarding or streetwear, pop into Cal Surf to find clothes for all, shoes, skateboards and other accessories. Sneakerheads should also visit HPYE (Help Your People Eat) — a sneaker shop that has a mix of options. High-end styles like rare Air Jordans and Nike AirMax's and apparel from local designers fill the shelves.
Along with clothing stores, there's Penzey's Spices and The Eye Mpls — your gateway store to all things metaphysical.
A neighborhood institution, Magers & Quinn Booksellers has been Uptown’s independent, new and used bookstore and literary events space for over 20 years and among the best bookstores in the state. They also sell cards, maps and other gifts.
In addition to a hipster-haven, Uptown is also a foodie-haven, with most of its restaurants doubling as ideal spots for nightlife. Barbette and Darbar are local favorites. For plant-based cuisine, check out Trio and Vegan East. And if you need something quick, Peoples Organic and Agra Culture are your go-tos.
Lake Street
Lake Street is known for its culture, history, and shopping—it’s also commonly known as the place to find some of the best international cuisine in Minneapolis. Midtown Global Market is home to over 50 vendors including specialty produce and grocery items, and locally made jewelry and crafts. It also has a wide array of restaurants featuring gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and kid-friendly options. Be sure to check out Eastlake Craft Brewery while you’re there too.
Mercado Central is the place for great authentic tacos, burritos, pupusas, tortas, juices, and Hispanic grocery/bakery options. With 35 Latinx businesses featuring apparel, jewelry, art, groceries, books, drinks, and a wide variety of home goods, it’s easy to spend the entire day here.
Hymie’s Vintage Records has been operating on Lake Street since 1988. Here you’ll find a selection of affordable records from every genre. Nostalgia Zone Comic Books has a wide collection of comic books, toys, and pop culture items.
Mall of America
Any list of shopping hotspots in Minneapolis wouldn't be complete without the Mall of America. With over 520 stores, visitors should dedicate a full day for your shopping excursion here.
The Mall of America, commonly referred to as the MOA, consists of four floors. Levels one and two are primarily stores and Nickelodeon Universe; level three has two food courts, plenty of restaurants, and stores; and lastly level four features a few restaurants and a movie theatre.
Feeling overwhelmed? There are virtual directories around the mall, an MOA app, and always friendly Minnesotans more than happy to answer your questions if you ever get lost.
The fun doesn’t stop here, with attractions such as Crayola Experience, FlyOver America, Sea Life, and the Amazing Mirror Maze. We suggest buying your tickets for these experiences ahead of time online.
Minnehaha Mile
The Minnehaha Mile is located in the Longfellow neighborhood in Minneapolis. Commonly referred to as the MinneMile, this strip is composed of locally owned retail stores perfect for finding unique gifts, vintage clothing, and one-of-a-kind antiques. There are more than a dozen shops and organizations, and from north to south they are Better Futures Minnesota, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Restore, The Hub Bike Coop, Moon Palace Books, Paris Antiques and Gifts, Turquoise Vintage, E’s Emporium, Heroic Goods & Games, and Junket: Tossed and Found. Hours for these stores may vary so be sure to plan ahead!
Linden Hills
Linden Hills is a small, walkable neighborhood located near Lake Harriet. With plenty of street parking, this is the ideal location to park your car and browse the various charming, historic shops. Bean + Ro specializes in chic women’s apparel, along with a wide selection of stationery, gifts, and paper goods. Heartfelt is a cozy, unique shop offering not only crafts but also craft lessons. For antiques, be sure to visit Victory Vintage. Vintage lovers will also have a blast searching for hidden treasure at Hunt & Gather, where antiques and oddities of all kinds unfold across two floors of space. The well-known bookstore Wild Rumpus doubles as a home to books and also to multiple furry friends such Caldecott the chinchilla and Dave the cockatiel.
For a quick bite and a crafted cup of coffee, check out Café Cerés or Coffee & Tea Limited. Located in the Lake Harriet Bandshell, Bread & Pickle features locally farmed and sustainable picnic foods, local craft beer and wine, and ice cream. Want to complete with your meal with a crafted cocktail? Martina, Tilia, and Lake Harriett Brasserie offer delicious meals and impressive drink menus.
48th & Chicago
The 48th and Chicago area is a charming district featuring historic shops and restaurants. 14 Hill is the ideal gift shop for unique, personalized gifts.
In between stores, make a stop at Sovereign Grounds for a fresh cup of coffee. They even offer an indoor playground for kids! If you’re looking for a meal, head to Pepito’s or Pizza Biga.
Central Ave & Lowry
Central Ave & Lowry is a hodgepodge of bookstores, shops, and markets. Magus Books & Herbs is more than a bookstore, it also has a healing center that offers a variety of complementary healing treatments. Modern Age District sells antique furniture, home decor, art, and glassware. Be sure to check their hours ahead of time, they tend to vary. The Thorp Building for Local Artists features art galleries, coffee shops, photographers, and Tattersall Distillery. Little India International Market is one of the oldest and most established Indian grocery stores in the Twin Cities. This grocer offers everything from frozen meals to an in-store butcher shop. Holy Land is the other popular grocery/restaurant in the area. Browse through the aisles of authentic Middle Eastern foods and home décor, then grab a shawarma sandwich topped with some Holy Land brand hummus.