Explore MN

The National Self-Direction Conference

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Fri, May 29, 2026

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Explore Minnesota Travel Guide

Curated by the Conference Content Committee & Advocates — local recommendations from Minnesotans — places to eat, explore, and experience while you're in Minneapolis.

Tags: accessible wheelchair-friendly free free entry community-rooted gives back reserve ahead books up fast near venue close to McNamara

A taste of Minnesota Where to eat, drink, and savor

Not to miss

Owamni by The Sioux Chef

420 1st St S, Minneapolis (riverfront)

James Beard Award-winning Indigenous restaurant by chef Sean Sherman. Decolonized cuisine featuring pre-contact ingredients — no wheat, dairy, cane sugar, or black pepper. One of the most important dining experiences in the country.

reserve ahead community-rooted

Nye's Polonaise Room

Minneapolis (riverfront)

The legendary piano bar and polka lounge on the river. Happy hour Mon–Fri 4–6pm. A true Minneapolis original.

Kramarczuk's Sausage Co.

215 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis

A beloved Northeast Minneapolis institution since 1954 — Eastern European sausages, deli fare, and a full bakery.

Matt's Bar

Minneapolis

Home of the original Jucy Lucy burger — a Minneapolis institution.

5-8 Club

Minneapolis

Also claims the Juicy Lucy. Try both and decide for yourself.

Colossal Café

Minneapolis (2 locations)

Beloved neighborhood spot — everything made from scratch.

Katar River

Minneapolis

Widely regarded as the best Ethiopian restaurant in the Twin Cities.

Trung Nam French Bakery

St. Paul

Legendary Vietnamese-made croissants — call ahead, they sell out fast. Get the almond.

Café Latte

St. Paul

Famous turtle chocolate cake and exceptional desserts.

Cossetta's

St. Paul

A true Italian market — cafeteria-style food, best pizza by the slice, plus an attached bakery.

Red Rabbit

St. Paul

Italian restaurant with a great neighborhood vibe.

Afro Deli

St. Paul

East African cuisine made with local ingredients.

community-rooted

Fika at American Swedish Institute

Minneapolis

Wonderful café inside a stunning historic mansion.

The Herbivorous Butcher

Minneapolis

World's first vegan butcher shop — a must-visit.

Lake Monster Brewing

St. Paul

Local craft brewery with a welcoming taproom.

Surly Brewing

Minneapolis

A Twin Cities craft brewing landmark.

Earl Giles

Minneapolis

Restaurant, distillery, and soda fountain — a genuinely unique experience.

The Market at Malcolm Yards

Minneapolis

Food hall with local vendors in a beautifully renovated space.

Clearwater Truck Stop

Clearwater, MN

A legendary road-trip stop for classic diner fare.

Sea Salt Eatery

Minnehaha Park, Minneapolis

Seasonal outdoor seafood spot right next to the falls — pure Minnesota summer.

Arts & culture Galleries, murals, live music, and creative spaces

Walker Art Center & Sculpture Garden

Minneapolis

The iconic 11-acre sculpture garden — home of the beloved Spoonbridge and Cherry. A true Minneapolis landmark.

garden freeaccessible

Weisman Art Museum

University of Minnesota campus, Minneapolis

Frank Gehry's extraordinary building is art in itself. Need a break from sessions? This stunning museum is right on campus.

near venue

Paisley Park

Chanhassen

Prince's home and studio — the epicenter of the Minneapolis Sound. A pilgrimage for music lovers.

First Avenue

Minneapolis

Iconic venue near the McNamara — has hosted Prince, The Replacements, and Bruce Springsteen.

Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA)

Minneapolis

Free admission. Rotating exhibits in the US Bank Gallery feature Minnesota artists.

free

American Swedish Institute

Minneapolis

Stunning mansion with Scandinavian art, culture, and the excellent café Fika.

Guthrie Theater

Minneapolis

World-class theater with a famous cantilevered "Endless Bridge" and breathtaking river views.

Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts

St. Paul

Theater and visual arts space by and for people with disabilities.

community-rootedaccessible

The Museum of Russian Art

Minneapolis

Unique and often overlooked — a gem of a museum.

Lake Street Mural Tour

East Lake Street, Minneapolis

Vibrant community murals along the corridor with the highest concentration of immigrant-owned businesses.

Textile Center

Minneapolis

National center for fiber arts — galleries, library, gift shop, and a fiber arts "thrift" store.

Metro Light Rail Public Art

Twin Cities

Each stop features art designed by neighbors in that community — a moving gallery.

The Current (89.3 KCMP)

Minneapolis

Minnesota Public Radio's acclaimed indie station — great music lives here. Stream it while you explore the city.

Hmong Village

St. Paul

The largest Hmong marketplace in the US — shopping, food, and cultural experience.

Outdoors & parks Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and fresh air

Minnehaha Falls & Park

Minneapolis

A stunning 53-foot waterfall right in the city. Walk down to the Mississippi River below.

Walk Around the Chain of Lakes

Minneapolis Uptown

Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, and Cedar Lake connected by trails — quintessential Minneapolis.

Bend in the River County Park

Rice, MN

A lesser-known gem away from the city — worth the drive.

Itasca State Park

Northern MN

Walk across the headwaters of the Mississippi River — a deeply moving experience.

Lime Bike

Twin Cities

Rent bikes anywhere, drop them off anywhere — great for exploring neighborhoods and lakeside paths.

Mississippi Riverfront Walk

Minneapolis

Walking along the river — especially near Nye's and Owamni — is one of the city's true pleasures.

History Places that tell Minnesota's complex and rich past

Mill City Museum

Minneapolis

Built into flour mill ruins — the story of Minneapolis as the "Flour Milling Capital of the World." Features a dramatic explosion theater.

Minnesota History Center

St. Paul

Comprehensive and beautifully curated exploration of the state's history.

History Theatre

St. Paul

Original plays based on Minnesota and American history — a unique experience.

Bell Museum

St. Paul

Minnesota's official natural history museum — planetarium and immersive exhibits.

George Floyd Square

Minneapolis

A place of community, grief, and resilience. Talk to people at the site; ask about the nearby memorial.

Foshay Tower

Minneapolis

Art Deco landmark with a museum and observation deck — panoramic city views.

Ingebretsen's Scandinavian Gifts

Minneapolis

A Minneapolis institution since 1921 — Scandinavian gifts, food, and fabric on Lake Street.

Communities & markets Neighborhoods and gathering places reflecting MN's diversity

Saint Paul Farmers' Market

St. Paul

Locally grown since 1854. One of the finest farmers' markets in the country.

Midtown Global Market

Minneapolis

A wonderful array of restaurants and small gifts to buy direct from immigrant community vendors.

community-rooted

Hard Times Cafe

West Bank, Minneapolis

Community-focused, volunteer-run vegetarian café since 1992. Worker-owned and beloved by the neighborhood.

community-rooted

Karmel Mall

Minneapolis

Somali marketplace — one of the largest Somali commercial hubs in the US.

Mercado Central

Minneapolis

LatinX marketplace with food, gifts, and a vibrant community atmosphere.

Stand With Minnesota

Twin Cities

A curated directory of local mutual aid, rent relief, and immigrant defense organizations — highlighting grassroots efforts to support residents.

community-rooted

East Lake Street Corridor

Minneapolis

Highest concentration of immigrant-owned businesses in the Twin Cities — a world of flavors in a few miles.

Northeast Minneapolis / St. Anthony Main

Minneapolis

Artsy, walkable neighborhood with galleries, breweries, and restaurants.

North Loop

Minneapolis

Trendy warehouse district with great dining and shopping — walkable from the McNamara.

Grand Avenue

St. Paul

A lovely stretch of independent shops, restaurants, and Victorian architecture.

Linden Hills

Minneapolis

Charming lakeside neighborhood with local shops and coffee near the Chain of Lakes.

Hidden treasures Local spots that don't make the typical lists

Nye's Polonaise Room

Minneapolis (riverfront)

Polka bar and piano lounge on the river — impossibly charming and genuinely unique.

Kramarczuk's Sausage Co.

215 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis

A Northeast Minneapolis landmark since 1954. Eastern European sausages and deli — the kind of place that defines a neighborhood.

Interact Center for the Arts

St. Paul

A transformative arts space — theater and visual arts by people with disabilities.

community-rootedaccessible

Bend in the River County Park

Rice, MN

Off the beaten path and worth the drive north.

Metro Light Rail Art Tour

Twin Cities

Ride the Green or Blue Line — each stop has art made by the surrounding community.

Museum of Russian Art

Minneapolis

Under the radar and exceptional — Soviet-era and contemporary Russian paintings.

Textile Center

Minneapolis

National fiber arts center with a gem of a "thrift" store for fabric and supplies.

St. Paul Saints Baseball

St. Paul

One of the most accessible ballparks in the country — great for a laid-back afternoon.

accessible

Our Sponsors

Whether you want to host an unforgettable evening or expand access for all participants, your sponsorship helps make this national gathering possible — and demonstrates your leadership in advancing self-direction.

Contact Brenda Vitale at brenda@selfdirectioncenter.org for a copy of the Sponsorship and Exhibitor Prospectus.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, whose generous support make this conference amazing!

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The National Self-Direction Conference is a program of The Self-Direction Center, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening self-direction through collaboration, community, and collective action nationwide.

@2025 The Self-Direction Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.