Minneapolis
    City Guide

    Minneapolis

    Minneapolis is a central U.S. city that works well for teams traveling from across the country. Compared to larger metropolitan cities, Minneapolis offers more balanced pricing and a straightforward planning experience for offsites, trainings, and leadership meetings.

    Downtown Minneapolis is walkable for meetings, but if attendees go beyond those few blocks, a car is the best way to get around.

     

    Seasonal forecast

    spring

    Spring

    Cool temperatures, but unpredictable

    Weather can shift quickly. Prioritize flexible indoor spaces and allow buffer time for travel.
    summer

    Summer

    Warm, busy, peak season

    High demand increases hotel rates and limits availability. Book early and plan around major events.
    fall

    Fall

    Best window

    Cool, scenic, moderate demand

    A great window for meetings with stable weather and more balanced pricing.
    winter

    Winter

    Cold, snowy, potential disruptions

    Allow extra travel time and focus on venues close to hotels to reduce exposure to weather.

    Transportation options

    plane

    MSP (Minneapolis–Saint Paul International)

    Primary airport with extensive domestic and international connections.
    plane

    STC (St. Cloud Regional)

    Small regional airport about an hour northwest with limited service.
    plane

    RST (Rochester International)

    Regional airport about 90 minutes south.
    Metro

    METRO Light Rail

    Reliable and cost-effective, with direct service between MSP Airport, downtown Minneapolis, and St. Paul.
    Rideshare & taxis

    Rideshare & taxis

    Widely available and generally efficient, although weather can impact reliability in winter.
    Amtrak

    Rental cars

    Common for attendees staying outside downtown where venues are more spread out.
    Walkability

    Walkability

    Downtown and the North Loop are walkable, but most locations require short drives between hotels, offices, and venues.
    quote

    People are always surprised by how connected downtown Minneapolis actually is. The skyway system means your team can move between the hotel, venue, and dinner without ever putting on a coat — which matters in January. We always try to keep everything within the same few blocks.

    TROOP city expert

    Accommodations

    Four Seasons_
    star-01 4.7
    Hotel

    Four Seasons

    A newer luxury property in downtown Minneapolis with modern rooms and views of the Mississippi River. Its central location makes it easy for attendees to access nearby dining, offices, and activities, while offering a more elevated stay for leadership groups.
    Best for executive stays and centrally located
    InterContinental Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport
    star-01 4.6
    Airport hotel

    InterContinental Minneapolis–St. Paul

    Located directly at MSP Airport, this is ideal for attendees flying in from multiple locations or managing tight schedules. It minimizes transfer time and provides a straightforward, convenient stay for shorter meetings or multi-city teams.
    Best for efficient arrivals and departures
    TROOP PICK
    The Hewing Hotel
    star-01 4.6
    Boutique hotel

    The Hewing Hotel

    Located in the North Loop, The Hewing Hotel offers a more intimate, design-forward stay with easy access to some of the city’s best restaurants and walkable areas. It works well for teams that want a neighborhood feel with everything close by.
    Best for smaller groups

    Meeting spaces

    Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
    star-01 4.4
    Hotel

    Hyatt Regency Minneapolis

    Hyatt Regency Minneapolis offers a wide range of meeting rooms and breakout spaces suited for trainings, workshops, and multi-day sessions. Its downtown location makes it easy to keep meetings centralized and accessible in all seasons.
    Best for structured meetings with breakout flexibility
    TROOP PICK
    The Coven (North Loop)
    star-01 4.7
    Co-working space

    The Coven (North Loop)

    The Coven provides flexible meeting rooms and collaborative spaces in the North Loop. It’s commonly used for team workshops and offsites, offering a more relaxed and creative setting while still supporting structured agendas.
    Best for workshops and team sessions
    Machine Shop
    star-01 4.7
    Unique venue

    Machine Shop

    The Machine Shop is an industrial-style venue in the St. Anthony Main area. Its open layout supports flexible formats, while its location near downtown keeps it convenient for those staying nearby.
    Best for offsite sessions and team gatherings

    Restaurants

    Runyon’s (1)

    Runyon’s

    $ - $$
    A Minneapolis staple known for its wings and no-frills atmosphere. It’s easy to coordinate and works well for informal dinners where the focus is on conversation rather than a structured dining experience.
    Best for casual team dinners and low-lift planning
    Bar La Grassa

    Bar La Grassa

    $$–$$$
    Located in the North Loop, Bar La Grassa is one of the city’s most popular group-friendly restaurants. Its shareable menu and energetic atmosphere make it well suited for team dinners, with enough structure to plan ahead without feeling overly formal.
    Best for team dinners with a polished setting
    demi

    Demi

    $$$ - $$$$
    Demi provides an intimate, high-end dining experience with a tasting menu format that works well for smaller groups. The setting is more structured and time-bound, making it ideal for focused, high-touch dinners.
    Best for executive dinners and smaller groups

    Activities

    Seasonal
    Minnesota State Fair

    Minnesota State Fair

    One of the largest and most iconic state fairs in the U.S., this late-summer event offers a uniquely Minnesota experience. It’s ideal for larger groups looking for a casual, high-energy outing with plenty of built-in food, entertainment, and local culture.
    Live music at First Avenue

    Live music at First Avenue

    An iconic venue at the heart of Minneapolis’ music scene — famously associated with Prince — First Avenue offers a distinctly local evening experience. It’s an easy, group-friendly option that combines history and a lively atmosphere.
    Minneapolis sports game

    Minneapolis sports game

    With teams across every professional league (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA, MLS), Minneapolis offers a sports option in any season. Games provide a structured, easy-to-plan group activity with broad appeal for team outings or client entertainment.