Exploring Minneapolis Minnesota as a Solo Traveler

Exploring the Minne Apple

I woke up, uncharacteristically, at 3:30 in the morning. Breakfast consisted of a Cliff bar and coffee and my morning work out of 30 burpees helped to clear the early morning fog. After a quick shower I was out the door and down through the hotel lobby to get to my car. A quick ten minute drive took me to the Parking Spot and a shuttle bound for the Philadelphia airport. At four am, security is a breeze and I found myself seated comfortably at my gate by 4:30; a full hour before my plane was due to board. 

I took advantage of this extra time to plug earbuds into my phone and start a thirteen minute meditation on InsightTimer (love this app, go download it for free) focusing on “powerful abundance.” I could faintly make out the sounds of airport hustle and bustle, but I intently focused on the voice of the coach and on my practice. In this moment of early-morning peace, I had a lot to be thankful for and reflect on, but also a lot to visualize and anticipate for the future. The 4 months leading up to this moment and this trip, had been transformative to say the least. Delta welcomed me and my fellow travelers aboard our Airbus promptly at our forecasted time and about 3.5 hours later I stepped foot on Minnesota soil for the first time.  

Hiking into the city

After navigating my way into an Uber, headed for the first coffee shop served up to my by a frantic Google search at baggage claim, an awareness set in that this was the first time I had ever traveled completely alone. Every trip in my life to this point had been part of either a family excursion or business travel with colleagues. A new wave of excitement surged through me as I came to this realization that I decided in that moment to take a journalistic approach to uncovering everything Minneapolis had to offer. 

A mutual exchange of “have a nice day” and a door slam later, I crossed the threshold of Peace Coffee on Minnehaha Ave. Instead of ordering my typical black coffee I decided, as a newly minted journalistic adventurer to ask the bartender about any unique offerings they had. He recommended a Miele - which I then learned is a latte mixed with honey and spices. This delightfully surprising drink, paired with a chocolate chip and banana muffin brought me back to an early morning equilibrium. It’s a good thing too - when I selected this fine establishment I didn’t realize I was now two miles outside of downtown. 

Instead of opting for another ride share, I decided to embrace the opportunity to embark on an urban hike into the city. Along the way, I stopped in a quirky places like the Geek Love Cafe for additional shots of espresso and hiking fuel. 

by Unsplash

Look up, not down

Once I got into the city, I still had about four hours to kill before my AirBnB was ready. So, I clocked about 11 miles criss crossing up and down the streets of Minneapolis - admiring architecture, people watching and checking off a few tourist destinations like US Bank Stadium. 

These 11 miles were oddly relaxing. Even though I was lugging around my duffle bag and backpack, shifting straps from shoulder to shoulder in order to temporarily relieve increasing levels of discomfort, I really had no care in the world. I passed people on the streets, so incredibly caught up in their smartphone screens, their headphones, or their own thoughts that they didn’t even seem to be present or have any level of appreciation for their awesome city. 

While they were looking down or straight ahead - walking in direct and meaningful lines - I was looking up and taking in the skyline, finding the perfect natural light for an artistic photo, indulging in as many cups of coffee from a variety of local haunts and simply focusing on simple beauty wherever possible. 

It struck me, that while travel is a great opportunity for this, we all have the ability to do this every day. When inserted back into my own routine, I know that I am often the head-down, earphone boasting, purposefully walking person I juxtaposed in Minneapolis. The grass is always greener as they say. 

By the time my AirBnB was ready for me, a ray of heavenly light seemed to shine down on the couch and I took the opportunity to rest and relax. 

by Unsplash

Enjoy the (scooter) ride

Day two started with the absolute best breakfast I have ever had - thanks to Hell’s Kitchen MN. Their homemade peanut butter is no joke. That breakfast actually become lunch as well as I ventured back out into the city since the portions were generous.

After 11 miles the day before in a semi-Sherpa state lugging backs all over and wearing jeans and boots - you can tell I didn’t have a real plan or I would have outfitted myself accordingly - I opted on Day 2 to join the scooter squad and zipped all over on an array of rideshare scooters. 

Two absolute must-see spots in my opinion are Peavy Plaza, where they have loads of green space, water features and places to sit and meditate or connect to public WiFi and work while enjoying the sunshine. The second is the Stone Arch Bridge, with stunning river and skyline views as well as educational plaques outlining the rich history of the city. 

I had originally flown to Minneapolis to attend a networking event (shout out Link N Drink) and appear on a few podcasts (shout out to ‘How They’re Here’ and the ‘Backpocket’ podcasts). However, throughout the trip, in the course of giving myself over to the small daily moments of the solo travel experience and truly living the theme of my own podcast - Relish The Journey - more than connecting with a new city, I seemed to reconnect with myself. There was no one to consult or compare preferences with, in many respects, no one to talk to and nowhere to really be. So, with nowhere to be, I could essentially be anywhere and everywhere. With no plan or set itinerary, I had nothing to see and also everything to see at the same time. 

Most often the focus of travel is external. On seeing new places and ‘checking the box’ in a way. I challenge you, for your next trip, shift your focus internal. Delight in the simple joys of too much coffee, way too much walking and living the definition of spontaneity. 

by Myles Biggs

About the author:

Myles Biggs is the founder and host of Relish The Journey, a podcast focused on the many different paths of life and business and on highlighting the extraordinary stories that ordinary people have to share. He has traveled the country to speak at such events as the International Builders Show. Myles is now working on turning all of his adventures and stories from podcasting into a book and TEDx talk. He can be reached at myles@rtjmedia.com.