Your guide to a weekend trip to Minneapolis!

All out-of-state pageant girls & families, this is for you! We’ve updated Brittany’s travel guide to assist you in planning a Minneapolis trip that’s fun, hassle-free, and worth the trip out to see Brittany for a photoshoot. Set aside one day of your weekend for your photoshoot with Brittany, and make the most out of your other weekend travel days. The home studio technically has a Minneapolis address, but is located in Blaine, Minnesota which is about 20 min from core Minneapolis downtown. Blaine is a quiet, safe suburb and its proximity to Minneapolis offers a great variety of offerings to make any weekend memory-filled. This blog will unlock the best of Minneapolis so you can optimize your time exploring a new city, enjoy the beauty of Minnesota & tap into the local culture.

Airport & Transportation 411

Fly into: Minneapolis (MSP) Airport. MSP has won the “Best Airport in North America” in 2021 and 2022. Terminal 1 (Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Denver Air, KLM, Spirit & United) is absolutely gorgeous! Terminal 2 is smaller with more limited options for food/entertainment (Allegiant, Condor, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun County).

NEW in 2023! Delta opened a new Delta Sky Club Lounge: G Concourse, near gates 17 and 18 that is worth checking out if you have Delta status. This new club features two open bars, a premium buffet, gelato, indoor/outdoor seating options, and three soundproof booths for productive work time.

Early flight the next morning? Some clients prefer to stay at the connected InterContinental Hotel for convenient morning flights.

Transportation: The home studio is about 40 minutes from MSP, so plan an hour of travel time, especially during rush hour traffic (4pm-6pm).

Ubers are easy to order from the airport. They are located on Level 2 of the Green Parking Ramp, above the Ground Transport Center. Directional stanchion signs labeled "app-based ride services" will help you find your way to the pick-up area. Ubers are also readily available from the home studio, typically taking between 5-15 minutes to come. Non-surge pricing is ~$45 one way.

Rental cars are a great idea if you’re here for the weekend. Even downtown is car & parking-friendly in most locations. MSP car rental companies include Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, Thrifty, & Turbo (ACE is offsite).

Terminal 1: On-airport rental car counters at Terminal 1 are located on the ground level of the Silver Parking Ramp. Passengers can take the underground tram to the ramp and follow the wayfinding signs to the rental area. The entrance to the Silver Ramp is located under the Prince mural. 

Terminal 2: At Terminal 2, on-airport rental car counters are located in the Ground Transportation Center on the ground level of the Purple Ramp directly across from the terminal building.

Rooftop view from The Hewing hotel

Choose a hotel easily with Brittany’s Google Maps List

I’ve done the searching to find the most convenient & unique hotel options for you. Also included in this list are times to & from the studio and airport from each of the hotels.

If you’re looking for an experience, stay in the trendy North Loop area at The Hewing

If you’re looking for the most convenient stay at a good price, look at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Blaine (12 min from the studio)

MOA is very family friendly

Visit all 520 stores at the Mall of America

The largest mall in America, the MOA has something for everyone and is a big draw for Brittany’s pageant clients. An amusement park, LEGO land, an aquarium, movie theater, dining, luxury brand flagship stores, and even an indoor ferris wheel.

Notable restaurants include Sugar Factory, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Margaritaville, Cedar + Stone by JW Mariott, FireLake Grill House in the Radison Blu.

Stores include:

• Nike, Patagonia, Athleta, Columbia, Fabletics, Lululemon experience store

• Anthropologie, Zara, Free People, Altar’d State, Aerie, Lush

• Morphe, Sephora, MAC, Ulta

• Armani, Burberry, Tory Sport, Hammer Made, Kate Spade, Peleton

• H&M, Forever 21, Ragstock, Urban Outfitters, Vera Bradley

• Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack

• Amazon 4 star, Crayola Experience, Croc store, Disney Store, Carlo’s Bakery

Experience Minneapolis cuisine

Spoon & Stable: Located in trendy North Loop area, Spoon & Stable is one of Minneapolis’s top rated restaurants. The menu nods to Midwest cuisine with a unique French flair. Reservations highly recommended.

ALMA: Whether you’re looking for an inviting cafe atmosphere, boutique hotel, or a 10 plate seasonal tasting menu dinner, Alma is one of Minneapolis’s most charming must-stop destinations. Dinner reservations required.

Marc Heu Pâtisserie: Craving something decadent? Slip into a Parisian inspired St. Paul patisserie whose chef brings years of French and New York training back to Minnesota

Baldamar: Located between Brittany’s studio & downtown/the airport, this steakhouse has a fantastic dinner and brunch menu, Must get the “Bread is life” appetizer.

Young Joni: Award winning woodier pizza like you’ve never experienced before. You can always dine at the regular restaurant, but I recommend stepping into the alley to see if there’s a red light on which signals their speakeasy inspired lounge, bar back, is open

The Market at Malcolm Yards is a diverse food hall, so there is something for everyone.

All Saints: Woodfired cuisine & an amazing cocktail menu in an intimate setting. Veggie forward, meat friendly. Reservations recommended.

French Meadow Cafe: Relaxed, organic, delicious. Locations in Minneapolis & St. Paul

Backstory: A trendy North Loop coffee shop that is instagram-ready. A great place to be productive with library-style tables for work. Fair warning—the coffee is strong!

The North Loop Gallery: A unique testing ground for up & coming chefs in trendy North Loop.

Honorable mentions: NOLO Kitchen in North Loop, Zelo on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, FireLake Grill at the Raison Blu in the Mall of America

Go dress shopping at The Pageant Shop

If you’re still on search of a gown for competition, check out The Pageant Shop run by Sarah who is only 15 minutes from Brittany’s studio. Sarah is by appointment only, and has a plethora of new, consignment, and custom pageant gowns. She works out of her home so this comfortable atmosphere is a great place to find (or design!) your dream gown. Plus you’ll meet the cutest puppy ever!

Pop in for a 40 min facial at The Face Foundrié

One of Brittany’s favorite self-care routines is a monthly facial at The Face Foundrié. With a flat $69 cost across their main facial service offerings, their facial services menu can help your skin in whatever way it needs most. The atmosphere is so welcoming, like you just stepped into a Pinterest board come to life. They have multiple locations across the metro, but Brittany’s favorite is the North Loop location (book with Renee!).

Located near great food/coffee: Crisp & Green, Backstory coffee, NOLO Kitchen, Smack Shack & Red Rabbit.

Sandbar parties are common on Big Island during summer weekends

Rent a boat on Lake Minnetonka

Lake Life is everything in Minnesota during the summer. Did you know you’re actually able to rent a boat by the hour so you, too, can experience lake life? Some even come with captains, so you can just sit back and enjoy. Spend a few hours in the sunshine with friends, seeing the amazing houses on the lake, and pull up to a sandbar to blast some music and party. Lake Minnetonka is one of the busiest and largest lakes in Minnesota for good reason.

To eat, pull up to the docks at some of the restaurants on the lake Maynards, Lord Fletchers, or 6 Smith. Dock at the Minnetonka public docks and walk a short block to Josefina for an upscale dinner or Crisp & Green for a fresh, healthy grad & go lunch. Plan to spend the day on the lake, and we promise you’ll want to come back.

Visit the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (free) & Modern Art Walker Museum

Looking to get outside? Check out the larger than life “Cherry and Spoon” sculpture at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Right next to the modern art Walker Art Museum, the outdoor sculpture garden is an 11 acre park in the heart of the city that will allow you to see the beautiful Minneapolis skyline while appreciating art and getting your steps in.

Alternately, check out Brittany’s favorite art institute, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA), to see works across the centuries. The MIA is a great place to be on a cold or rainy day. General admission is free. Closed Mondays.

Send Dad golfing during our shoot

Dads are more than welcome to cheer on their girls during their shoot, but in case Dad could use a little him-time, I encourage a trip to Topgolf. 20 minutes from the studio, this place is made for golf lovers. Protected from the elements & climate controlled, Topgolf is open year round.

Crawl through the Minneapolis Craft Beer Scene

Minneapolis prides itself in our craft beer scene. Many of these are local favorites, and some are national names that have homes here in Minnesota. Hopping around to these spots is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. Most places are dog-friendly and often have delicious food trucks pull up on summer days.

Check out:

• Fulton Taproom

• Pints & Paddle (indoor pickle ball courts available)

• Bauhaus Brew Labs—German inspired

• Modist Brewing Co

• Dangerous Man Brewing Company

• Inbound BrewCo

• Day Block Brewing Company

• Surly Brewing Co.

Short on time? Check out these food options that are within 15 minutes of the studio

Fast Food

• 5 minutes: Taco Bell, Jersey Mikes, Starbucks, Wendy’s, Applebees, Arby’s, Lucy’s Burgers, Culvers (opening Jan 2024), Cub grocery store

• 10 minutes: Zupas, Chipotle, Popeyes, Subway, Perkins, UMBRIA pizza, McDonalds, Burger King

• 15 minutes: Raising Canes, Panera, Toppers Pizza, Noodles, Five Guys, Jimmy Johns, Culver's, Leeann Chin, Red Savoy Pizza, Chipotle

Healthy

• Crisp & Green

• Nautical Bowls

Quick sit down

• American: Applebees, Bricks (patio open during summer), MC’s Taphouse (Rooftop patio open during summer), The Tavern, Olivers, Chilis

• Mexican: El Zocalo

• Asian: Misonos

• Local: Carol’s, Tipsy Steer Tap House, The Rusty Bumblebee Self Pour Tap House

Sweet Treats

• Cherry Berry

• Macarons by Maddie Lu

• Cold Stone Creamery

• DQ

• Nothing Bundt Cakes

• Treats Ice Cream Shop

Minneapolis is a must-explore city, and what’s a better reason to come than a photoshoot!? When you’re looking to prepare for your next competition, a weekend in Minneapolis to shoot with Brittany is well worth the trip.

See you in Minneapolis!

-Brittany

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