A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Alexandria vs. Minneapolis for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Alexandria or Minneapolis?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Alexandria and Minneapolis. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a historic, charming, and quaint city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a diverse, dynamic, and innovative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Alexandria and Minneapolis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alexandria or Minneapolis?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Minneapolis than Alexandria, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Minneapolis is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Alexandria is known for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Alexandria is more touristy than Minneapolis and is known for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. Minneapolis is popular for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also home to Mall of America.

How is Alexandria different from Minneapolis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Minneapolis and Alexandria.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Alexandria. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Minneapolis offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Alexandria and Minneapolis can be an enjoyable experience.

Alexandria is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Minneapolis offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Alexandria or Minneapolis Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Alexandria or Minneapolis Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Minneapolis does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Alexandria is revered around the world. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Minneapolis does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Alexandria or Minneapolis?

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

Many people travel to Minneapolis specifically to go shopping. 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.

Alexandria is an extremely popular place for shoppers. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Is Alexandria or Minneapolis Better for Families?

Minneapolis is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Minneapolis. 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.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Alexandria or Minneapolis Better for Couples?

Alexandria is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Alexandria makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Minneapolis is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Is Alexandria or Minneapolis Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria 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 Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

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 Alexandria or Minneapolis Better for Students?

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

Many students visit 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.

Alexandria is not popular with students.

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

Alexandria is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Alexandria can get you around easily. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

You'll find some public transit in Minneapolis, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

Is Alexandria or Minneapolis a more walkable city?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Alexandria. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Minneapolis or Alexandria?

How long in Alexandria or Minneapolis?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Minneapolis 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 Alexandria.

One day in Alexandria or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming city of Alexandria. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the diverse city of Minneapolis, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Alexandria or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Alexandria. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Minneapolis, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Alexandria or Minneapolis?

The historic city of Alexandria offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Minneapolis, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Alexandria or Minneapolis?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alexandria. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Minneapolis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Minneapolis, we can see that Minneapolis is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Minneapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Minneapolis than you might in Alexandria.

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

Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Minneapolis, 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 Alexandria or Minneapolis?

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 Alexandria or Minneapolis in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Minneapolis. Many visitors come to Alexandria in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Alexandria is generally around the same temperature as Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 79°F (26°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Minneapolis this time of the year. In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alexandria usually receives less sunshine than Minneapolis during summer. Alexandria gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 357 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Alexandria usually receives around the same amount of rain as Minneapolis. Alexandria gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Alexandria or Minneapolis in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Minneapolis. Most visitors come to Alexandria for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Alexandria is a little warmer than Minneapolis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In the autumn, Alexandria often gets more sunshine than Minneapolis. Alexandria gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 178 hours of full sun.

Alexandria usually gets more rain in October than Minneapolis. Alexandria gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Minneapolis in the Winter?

Both Minneapolis and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year.

It's quite cold in Minneapolis in the winter. The weather in Alexandria can be very cold. In the winter, Alexandria is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Alexandria in January average around 35°F (1°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 15°F (-10°C).

Alexandria usually receives less sunshine than Minneapolis during winter. Alexandria gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 157 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Alexandria usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Alexandria gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Alexandria or Minneapolis in the Spring?

Both Minneapolis and Alexandria during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Minneapolis for the activities around the city.

In April, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 56°F (14°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

In Minneapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Alexandria. In the spring, Alexandria often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Minneapolis. Alexandria gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 244 hours of full sun.

Alexandria usually gets more rain in April than Minneapolis. Alexandria gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Minneapolis and Alexandria