A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Minneapolis vs. Winnipeg for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Minneapolis or Winnipeg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minneapolis or Winnipeg, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a innovative, diverse, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Minneapolis travel costs.

Winnipeg

Winnipeg is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Winnipeg travel costs.

Minneapolis and Winnipeg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Minneapolis or Winnipeg?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Minneapolis than Winnipeg. While Winnipeg is larger than Minneapolis, Minneapolis has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Minneapolis is more touristy than Winnipeg and is known for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. Also, Minneapolis is famous for Mall of America. Winnipeg is well known for its festivals, culture, and railway connections.

How is Minneapolis different from Winnipeg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Winnipeg and Minneapolis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Minneapolis or Winnipeg?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Minneapolis and Winnipeg.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Minneapolis can be an interesting and educational experience. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Winnipeg. There are some unique museums around town including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Other popular museums are the Manitoba Museum and the Manitoba Children's Museum.

Is the Food Better in Minneapolis or Winnipeg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Minneapolis is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Winnipeg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Minneapolis has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Winnipeg area. You'll find a wide variety of restaurants around town that serve a mix of local dishes and international cuisines. A must-see part of the city is the historic Forks Market.

Is Minneapolis or Winnipeg Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Winnipeg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Minneapolis for the nightlife scene. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Winnipeg. The city has an active nightlife, even during the winter months. You'll find dance clubs, bars, and pubs around town that are popular with locals and visitors alike.

Is the Shopping Better in Minneapolis or Winnipeg?

Minneapolis is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Winnipeg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Minneapolis draws large crowds to its stores. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

Many visitors go to Winnipeg to go shopping. You'll find all of the standard shopping options around town, from boutiques to big box shops and even some outlets.

Is Minneapolis or Winnipeg Better for Families?

Minneapolis is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Winnipeg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Minneapolis is very family-friendly. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Winnipeg is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love a visit to the Assiniboine Park Zoo or the Manitoba Children's Museum. There are a number of parks and playgrounds around town as well as the Prairie Dog Central Railway. There are many kid-friendly restaurants in the city as well.

Is Minneapolis or Winnipeg Better for Couples?

Minneapolis and Winnipeg are both notable to visit as a couple.

Minneapolis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

Winnipeg is a good city for couples to visit. Many couples enjoy wandering through Assiniboine Park. There are also many romantic restaurants and spas for couples.

Is Minneapolis or Winnipeg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Winnipeg is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Minneapolis is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Winnipeg. While it's often overlooked by backpackers, there are a couple of hostels around town.

Minneapolis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a popular destination for backpackers, there is at least one hostel in town.

Is Minneapolis or Winnipeg Better for Students?

Minneapolis is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Winnipeg is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Minneapolis. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

Winnipeg is not popular with students.

Is Minneapolis or Winnipeg Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Minneapolis is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Winnipeg is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Minneapolis offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Winnipeg. There's a bus system around town, but many visitors prefer to have a vehicle.

Is Minneapolis or Winnipeg a more walkable city?

Minneapolis is a city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Winnipeg is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable place. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

Winnipeg is generally not very walkable. While there are a few walkable neighborhoods, the city itself is not particularly walkable, particularly during the cold winter months.

For even more information, also check out Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting? and Is Winnipeg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Winnipeg or Minneapolis?

How long in Minneapolis or Winnipeg?

It's fun to spend time in either Minneapolis or Winnipeg. In our opinion, Minneapolis has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Minneapolis than Winnipeg. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Minneapolis than Winnipeg. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Minneapolis, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Minneapolis than Winnipeg. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Minneapolis that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Minneapolis than Winnipeg if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Minneapolis.

One day in Minneapolis or Winnipeg?

The city of Minneapolis offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Winnipeg. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Minneapolis or Winnipeg?

Minneapolis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Minneapolis, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the welcoming destination of Winnipeg. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Minneapolis or Winnipeg?

Minneapolis is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The welcoming city of Winnipeg offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Minneapolis or Winnipeg?

Minneapolis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Winnipeg. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Minneapolis and Winnipeg, we can see that Winnipeg is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Minneapolis Expensive? and Is Winnipeg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Minneapolis or Winnipeg?

Winnipeg has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Minneapolis. When comparing the sizes of Minneapolis and Winnipeg, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Minneapolis or Winnipeg?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Winnipeg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Minneapolis and Winnipeg. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Winnipeg for the family-friendly experiences.

Minneapolis is a little warmer than Winnipeg in the summer. The daily temperature in Minneapolis averages around 76°F (25°C) in July, and Winnipeg fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winnipeg this time of the year. In Minneapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Minneapolis usually receives more sunshine than Winnipeg during summer. Minneapolis gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Winnipeg receives 328 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Minneapolis usually receives more rain than Winnipeg. Minneapolis gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Winnipeg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Minneapolis as well as Winnipeg. Many travelers come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Winnipeg in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Minneapolis is a little warmer than Winnipeg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Minneapolis in October average around 52°F (11°C), and Winnipeg averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Minneapolis often gets more sunshine than Winnipeg. Minneapolis gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winnipeg receives 147 hours of full sun.

Minneapolis usually gets more rain in October than Winnipeg. Minneapolis gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Winnipeg in the Winter?

Both Winnipeg and Minneapolis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Minneapolis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Winnipeg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Winnipeg can be very cold during winter. Minneapolis can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Minneapolis is generally much warmer than Winnipeg. Daily temperatures in Minneapolis average around 15°F (-10°C), and Winnipeg fluctuates around -17°C (2°F).

Minneapolis usually receives more sunshine than Winnipeg during winter. Minneapolis gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Winnipeg receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Minneapolis usually receives more rain than Winnipeg. Minneapolis gets 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Minneapolis or Winnipeg in the Spring?

Both Winnipeg and Minneapolis during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Minneapolis for the activities around the city during these months.

Minneapolis is much warmer than Winnipeg in the spring. The daily temperature in Minneapolis averages around 49°F (10°C) in April, and Winnipeg fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In Winnipeg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Minneapolis. In the spring, Minneapolis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winnipeg. Minneapolis gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winnipeg receives 248 hours of full sun.

Minneapolis usually gets more rain in April than Winnipeg. Minneapolis gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Winnipeg and Minneapolis