2017 NARA Seminar: Meet Minneapolis!

Minneapolis - home to the 2017 Silver Seminar, and Super Bowl LII, is the perfect blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication.Minneapolis is a city that offers something for everyone. It is a place where critically-acclaimed shows, restaurants and museums mesh with the natural beauty of lakes, trails and parks. No more than a three hour flight from anywhere in the nation - Minneapolis is the perfect middle ground. On top of an excellent line up of presenters, exhibitors and networking opportunities, you'll want to allow time to explore this fabulous city while you're in town.

Locals work and play in downtown Minneapolis. They live there, too – 35,000 people call downtown home. That’s because this glittering metropolis is easy to get to, easy to get around and easily one of the most vibrant, engaging cities in America. Trendy restaurants, eclectic shops and diverse entertainment ranging from professional sports to Broadway shows keep downtown constantly buzzing. Safe, friendly and compact, downtown Minneapolis is a destination and a community in one. In fact, Minneapolis is ranked nationally time and time again for cleanliness, safety, health and all sorts of other bests, tops, mosts and more – check out the ever-growing list of Minneapolis accolades.

Minneapolis Dining Guide offers a variety of dining options with a guide to locating them in downtown Minneapolis.

What to Do in Minneapolis

Prince

Get out and explore Prince's Minneapolis - a self-guided tour.

Sports Fanatics

Minneapolis is the home of the 2018 Super Bowl! Tour the new, state-of-the-art US Bank Stadium, home to the Minnesota Vikings, or the greenest ballpark in America: Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins.

Foodies

Minneapolis offers an eclectic food scene and pop-up breweries for those who leave no plate untasted. The North Loop and “Nordeast” areas bookend downtown and offer bites and sips to please any pallet. 

Minneapolis Dining Guide offers a variety of dining options with a guide to locating them in downtown Minneapolis.

Historians

The historic Minneapolis Riverfront houses St. Anthony Main, Father Hennepin Park, Pillsbury Mill, Stone Arch Bridge, Mill Ruins Park, Gold Medal Park, and more. Museum lovers can enjoy free admission to the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the newly renovated Walker Sculpture Garden with its iconic spoon and cherry sculpture.

Shoppers

All your shopping dreams come true at the Mall of America – and there is no sales tax! The mall is a quick light rail ride away to a day’s worth of window shopping, people watching and amusement park fun! 

Adventurer

Steps outside of our host venue, hop on the Greenway to take you to the Midtown Global Market, home to a variety of independently owned restaurants, cafes and specialty grocers. Hike Minnehaha Falls, a large city park on the shores of the Mississippi, walk or bike either the riverfront, Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet or Lake of the Isles, and/or rent a Nice Ride bike at one of nearly 200 Nice Ride stations and cruise down Minneapolis’ 226 miles of bike paths. 

Art & Entertainment Lovers

Minneapolis-St. Paul has more theater seats per capita than any other U.S. city outside of New York. See world-class theatrical production at the Guthrie Theater  with it's cantilever bridge. First Avenue: Marked by 531 start on its exterior wall commemorating past venue performers, including Prince. The Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant is one of few establishments to serve a full, chef-driven menu paired with world-class music performances seven nights a week, the Dakota is more than a restaurant and more than a music. Restaurants with live music: Republic MPLS, Icehouse, See a full list of Minneapolis's arts & entertainment options here.

Unique to Minnesota

Prince

Get out and explore Prince's Minneapolis - a self guided tour.

Mary Tyler Moore

This 1970s sitcom followed the triumphs and tribulations of a 30-year-old woman as she adjusted to life on her own in Minneapolis. Visit the Mary Tyler Moore statue on Nicollet Avenue, marking where Moore throws her hat during the show’s iconic opening sequence. 

Coffee Fanatics

Caribou Coffee and Dunn Brothers are two Minnesota-based specialty coffee and espresso retailers specializing in espresso beverages, their own blends of coffee, tea, sandwiches and bakery goods. 

Juicy Lucy

Essentially a cheese-stuffed burger, some say Matt’s Bar was the originator, others argue that it was the 5-8 Club. Regardless, both Minneapolis restaurants’ versions are delicious.

Prince

Prince was born and raised in Minneapolis and remained a proud local until he died in 2016. In the late 1970s he pioneered what music magazines would soon dub the “Minneapolis sound” – a hybrid of R&B, funk, rock, pop and new wave. Paisley Park, Prince’s 65,000 square-foot estate, studio and rehearsal space is open for public tours. 

Peanuts

Peanuts creator Charles Shulz was born in Minneapolis. As a teenager in Minnesota, Schulz drew his first published illustration – a picture of his dog, Spike, which he submitted to Ripley’s Believe it or Not! 

Exclusive Minneapolis Deals

Arts & Entertainment