Minnesota is the birthplace of the supercomputer, developed for code cracking throughout World Conflict II. Tech giants of their day, together with Cray Analysis and Management Knowledge Company, had been primarily based within the Twin Cities. And whereas Al Gore is infamously misquoted as “inventing the web,” humble Minnesota really can declare a job with the College of Minnesota’s early contribution of the gopher protocol within the early Nineties.
The Twin Cities sit on opposing shores of the mighty Mississippi River—Minneapolis is massive brother to smaller and sleepier St. Paul—making up a metro space of roughly 3.76 million residents. The area’s tech trade spans medtech, fintech, synthetic intelligence, and tech-focused agriculture firms. Minnesota is house to numerous Fortune 500 firms with deep connections to tech, together with 3M, Finest Purchase, U.S. Bancorp, UnitedHealth Group, and Goal.
In case you’re a tech employee visiting the Twin Cities for enterprise, you’ll discover locals who prioritize work-life steadiness and embrace the realm’s distinct 4 seasons. In the summertime, it’s simple to search out individuals on video calls whereas strolling their canines across the chain of lakes or having fun with blissful hour on a packed patio close to a physique of water. Within the winter, hardcore cross-country skiers and fats bikers commute to the workplace on space trails. For individuals who worry the chilly, one different Minnesota invention—the skyway system—connects workplace buildings, outlets, and residential high-rises in each downtowns.
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The place to Keep within the Twin Cities
Minneapolis is the bigger and extra fashionable of the Twin Cities, however there may be loads of tech-related enterprise on the east aspect of city in and round St. Paul. This is the place to remain in both Twin.
Downtown Minneapolis
Courtesy of the 4 Seasons
245 Hennepin Ave., (612) 895-5700
For guests on an expense account or trying to splurge, a keep on the 4 Seasons is a prime decide for its luxurious and site. Minnesota’s solely five-star resort property opened in 2022 and shortly turned recognized for its VIP scene and over-the-top facilities. Its fine-dining restaurant, Mara, was created by award-winning native chef Gavin Kaysen. In the course of the winter, Nordic-inspired saunas and personal eating areas line the resort’s rooftop.
300 N. Washington Ave., (651) 468-0400
This boutique resort within the fashionable North Loop neighborhood gives assembly rooms and occasion areas together with a rooftop bar with spectacular skyline views. It’s a well-liked place to plop down within the bustling foyer with a laptop computer or use as a house base to discover the realm’s high-end eating places, speakeasies, and leisure venues.
201 S. eleventh St., (612) 746-4600
Historical past and structure lovers respect this luxurious resort positioned in a Twentieth-century landmark constructing that initially opened in 1929. The resort accomplished an enormous renovation in 2024 and gives all of the up to date companies and assembly rooms in a luxe setting. Linked to the skyway, its location makes it simple to go to close by cultural icons, Orchestra Corridor, and State Theatre.
Saint Paul, Minnesota – Skyline at Nightfall – Metropolis Lights{Photograph}: Aerial Views/Getty Pictures
26 E. Change St., (651) 222-0848
Right here’s an opportunity to remain in a renovated convent within the coronary heart of St. Paul. This quirky however handy 71-room boutique resort was as soon as house to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet convent and music conservatory. That historical past is on show all through with many church-themed assembly areas and networking facilities.
350 Market St., (651) 292-9292
Self-described as “one of many nation’s premier historic motels,” this elegant and charming resort looms massive in St. Paul’s compact downtown. Steps away from sports activities arenas, theaters, and live performance venues, it’s simple to see why this resort and its hopping restaurant and bar are widespread with convention-goers, out-of-town guests, and locals on a date evening alike. Cease by the bar or foyer after a present or a Minnesota Wild house hockey sport, and also you’re prone to rub elbows with a band member or skilled athlete.
The place to Work
Minneapolis Downtown with Hennepin Avenue Bridge at Minnesota USA. Painterly look to downtown.{Photograph}: Saibal/Getty Pictures
1400 Van Buren St NE, Suite 200, and 400 S. 4th St., Suite 401
Initially launched as COCO in St. Paul, this group is thought for beginning the coworking scene within the Twin Cities, and Google invested in entrepreneurship packages right here. The St. Paul workplace has since closed, and a failed rebranding has led to some confusion, however there are nonetheless two distinct working places that supply assembly and occasion areas, personal workplaces, and numerous assets for numerous budgets.
5 Twin Cities places together with St. Paul, Minneapolis, and St. Louis Park
The Coven made Minnesota headlines in 2018 when 4 promoting execs opened the primary coworking workplace aimed immediately at ladies, nonbinary, and transgender members. Now boasting 5 Twin Cities places and extra areas in Wisconsin and North Carolina, the franchises present coworking areas, assembly and occasion rooms, drop-in desks, and group occasions. Day passes can be found.
Edina, Minneapolis, and St. Louis Park places
One other Minnesota-headquartered firm, Life Time Health, expanded its well being membership mannequin to incorporate luxurious coworking areas throughout the nation in 2018 and gives three amenities in Minnesota. These widespread workplaces lean into the wholesome residing idea to mix sensible workspaces like ergonomic furnishings and nutritious snacks with entry to the health amenities. Suppose: PowerPoint presentation adopted by pickleball.
225 S. Sixth St., and 729 N. Washington Ave.
For workers who have already got a WeWork membership, take into account these two Minneapolis downtown places, about 2 miles aside for comfort and ease over indie appeal.
801 S. Marquette Ave., Suite 200, (612) 488-0644
A part of the nationwide Workbox chain, this centrally positioned assembly and workplace area gives an industrial decor with open kitchen and lounge areas, together with a rooftop terrace, health heart, and entry to the skyway system. Day passes can be found.
The place to Get Your Espresso
Courtesy of Fairwave Specialty Espresso Collective
Six cafés within the Twin Cities together with St. Paul and Minneapolis
Generally known as Minneapolis’ most tech-worker-friendly café chain, seize a espresso and crack open your pc at one of many many tables surrounded by loads of shops and highly effective Wi-Fi. The North Loop (Minneapolis) location is near coworking spots, motels, and leisure venues, whereas one other Minneapolis web site is positioned contained in the Emery Resort.
A number of places, together with Minneapolis and St. Paul
Based in Minnesota however now with outlets and stands across the globe, this espresso firm rivals Starbucks as an informal coworking and gathering spot. With 292 Caribou Espresso places in Minnesota alone, be certain to verify the proper one if assembly somebody there, as a result of it could be the opposite Caribou throughout the road.
213 Fourth St., St. Paul (651) 493-4694
A combo espresso store, restaurant, bar, pinball arcade, and artwork gallery, this funky coffice has numerous nooks and crannies for tech working, digital conferences, and face-to-face conferences. Positioned subsequent to the Twin Cities light-rail station and throughout from the Union Depot transportation hub, it’s simple to get to and a enjoyable discover close to the Mississippi River.
4208 S. twenty eighth Ave., Minneapolis (612) 353-4222
This micro-roaster and specialty espresso store was born from a motorbike store, and it exhibits. With an Up North theme, it’s positioned close to downtown and the worldwide airport and gives first rate Wi-Fi together with decadent drinks.
111 E. twenty sixth St., Minneapolis (612) 460-7739
This charming Minneapolis café within the up-and-coming Whittier neighborhood had a lofty purpose of bringing magnificence to the group and gives craft coffees and Japanese-style teas. Concentrate on work whereas sipping some serenity.
The place to Eat
Courtesy Owamni/NATIFS.org (North American Conventional Indigenous Meals Techniques)
420 S. First St., Minneapolis (612) 444-1846
The Twin Cities is stuffed with spectacular ethnic eating places, and Owamni deserves its buzz-worthy fame three years after profitable the James Beard Award for Finest New Restaurant in 2022. Chef Sean Sherman, who’s a member of the Oglala Lakota nation, focuses on Indigenous dishes with out utilizing colonial substances reminiscent of dairy, cane sugar, and wheat flour. The dishes are creative and surprisingly satisfying. Owamni lately introduced it would relocate into Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theater in 2026, making dinner and present a beautiful possibility.
825 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis (612) 339-9900
An appropriately named restaurant, Manny’s is what one conjures up when describing a “steakhouse.” For these with a company card and huge urge for food, the red-meat entrees, cocktails, and desserts listed below are impeccable and spectacular. Voted one of many nation’s prime 10 steakhouses by the Zagat Information, anticipate finding visiting celebs, tech bros, and native enterprise executives eating right here nightly.
3500 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis (612) 722-7072
On the exact opposite spectrum from upscale Manny’s, Matt’s Bar is a hole-in-the-wall must-stop for the Minnesota traditional, the Jucy Lucy. There’s debate over which restaurant first launched these molten cheese-filled hamburgers, however Matt’s has essentially the most genuine dive-bar vibe of all of them and, subsequently, the best-tasting model as properly.
