Minnesota is the birthplace of the supercomputer, developed for code cracking throughout World Battle II. Tech giants of their day, together with Cray Analysis and Management Information 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 task with the College of Minnesota’s early contribution of the gopher protocol within the early Nineteen Nineties.
The Twin Cities sit on opposing shores of the mighty Mississippi River—Minneapolis is large brother to smaller and sleepier St. Paul—making up a metro space of roughly 3.76 million residents. The area’s tech business spans medtech, fintech, synthetic intelligence, and tech-focused agriculture corporations. Minnesota is residence to a variety of Fortune 500 corporations with deep connections to tech, together with 3M, Finest Purchase, U.S. Bancorp, UnitedHealth Group, and Goal.
For those who’re a tech employee visiting the Twin Cities for enterprise, you’ll discover locals who prioritize work-life stability and embrace the realm’s distinct 4 seasons. In the summertime, it’s straightforward to search out folks on video calls whereas strolling their canine across the chain of lakes or having fun with comfortable 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 concern the chilly, one different Minnesota invention—the skyway system—connects workplace buildings, outlets, and residential high-rises in each downtowns.
Bounce to Part
The place to Keep within the Twin Cities
Minneapolis is the bigger and extra trendy of the Twin Cities, however there’s loads of tech-related enterprise on the east aspect of city in and round St. Paul. Here 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 seeking to splurge, a keep on the 4 Seasons is a high decide for its luxurious and placement. Minnesota’s solely five-star resort property opened in 2022 and shortly grew to become identified for its VIP scene and over-the-top facilities. Its fine-dining restaurant, Mara, was created by award-winning native chef Gavin Kaysen. Through 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 stylish North Loop neighborhood presents 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 situated in a Twentieth-century landmark constructing that initially opened in 1929. The resort accomplished a large renovation in 2024 and presents all of the up to date providers and assembly rooms in a luxe atmosphere. Linked to the skyway, its location makes it straightforward 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. Trade 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 residence 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 giant in St. Paul’s compact downtown. Steps away from sports activities arenas, theaters, and live performance venues, it’s straightforward 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 residence 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 understood 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 provide assembly and occasion areas, non-public workplaces, and a variety of 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 straight 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 presents three services in Minnesota. These widespread workplaces lean into the wholesome dwelling idea to mix sensible workspaces like ergonomic furnishings and nutritious snacks with entry to the health services. Suppose: PowerPoint presentation adopted by pickleball.
225 S. Sixth St., and 729 N. Washington Ave.
For workers who have already got a WeWork membership, contemplate these two Minneapolis downtown places, about 2 miles aside for comfort and ease over indie allure.
801 S. Marquette Ave., Suite 200, (612) 488-0644
A part of the nationwide Workbox chain, this centrally situated assembly and workplace area presents an industrial decor with open kitchen and lounge areas, together with a rooftop terrace, health middle, 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
Referred to as Minneapolis’ most tech-worker-friendly café chain, seize a espresso and crack open your laptop at one of many many tables surrounded by loads of retailers 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 situated contained in the Emery Lodge.
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 off-the-cuff coworking and gathering spot. With 292 Caribou Espresso places in Minnesota alone, ensure that to substantiate the proper one if assembly somebody there, as a result of it might 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 a variety of 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 straightforward 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 motorcycle store, and it exhibits. With an Up North theme, it’s situated close to downtown and the worldwide airport and presents 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 presents craft coffees and Japanese-style teas. Deal with work whereas sipping some serenity.
The place to Eat
Courtesy Owamni/NATIFS.org (North American Conventional Indigenous Meals Methods)
420 S. First St., Minneapolis (612) 444-1846
The Twin Cities is full of spectacular ethnic eating places, and Owamni deserves its buzz-worthy repute 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 components similar to dairy, cane sugar, and wheat flour. The dishes are creative and surprisingly satisfying. Owamni just lately introduced it’s going to relocate into Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theater in 2026, making dinner and present a gorgeous 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 here are impeccable and spectacular. Voted one of many nation’s high 10 steakhouses by the Zagat Information, look forward to 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, due to this fact, the best-tasting model as nicely.