Whether you’re coming to visit for a week or you’ve lived here for years, Minneapolis is full of great places to see and tons of things to do. Most people don’t realize how truly wonderful and unique our fair city is. Nature and city converge in this beautiful place and you’ll see that it really has a lot to offer. Just in case you aren’t quite convinced, I’ve compiled a list of the top ten things to do in this great city.

1. Check out the lakes. Minneapolis is full of lakes. 22 to be exact and you can literally spend the entire day just walking around them and staring at all of the beautiful homes. If you’re really adventurous, you can even canoe or bike around them.

2. Go to the Walker Art Center. You’ll be able to walk through the sculpture garden and see the famous ‘Cherry on a Spoon’ sculpture up close and personal. Even better, bring a picnic lunch with you.

3. Check out one of the farmers markets. You’ll be able to pick up some cool trinkets and eat some deliciously fresh food.

4. Shop and walk at Nicollet mall. You can even see the famous spot where Mary Tyler Moore throws her hat up into the air and do the same.

5. Watch a great classic movie in the historic Uptown Theater at midnight on Saturdays.

6. See a play at the Gutherie Theater, then venture out during intermission and have a look at the beautiful Mississippi riverfront. Also consider taking a backstage tour.

7. Check out Midwest Mountaineering on the West Bank and do some free indoor rock climbing.

8. Split drinks and appetizers with friends at Kieran’s Irish Pub and maybe even recite some poetry at one of their poetry slams.

9. Spend the day at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. With around 100,000 pieces of art on display, you won’t have trouble finding something you like.

10. Walk down to St. Anthony Main and grab some lunch. Then go for a stroll or bike across the Stone Arch Bridge and take in the beautiful view.

This list doesn’t tell the whole story. Minneapolis has oodles of more things to do, so you’ll never get bored. It’s a great place to visit and an even better place to live.