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

Should you visit Raleigh or Minneapolis?

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

Should I visit Raleigh or Minneapolis? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Raleigh

Raleigh is a friendly, southern, and student-friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

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. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Raleigh and Minneapolis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Raleigh or Minneapolis?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Minneapolis than Raleigh, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Minneapolis is more touristy than Raleigh and is popular for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also home to Mall of America. Raleigh is popular for its many museums and being the home to North Carolina State University.

How is Raleigh different from Minneapolis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Minneapolis is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Raleigh is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the state capital, there are a number of free museums in the area. There are also some kid-friendly options and other activities that are affiliated with the colleges and universities. Popular options include the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (free), the NC Museum of History (free), the NC Museum of Art (free), and Marbles Kids Museum.

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

Both Raleigh and Minneapolis offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Raleigh area. In addition to the standard chain restaurants, you'll find a number of local eateries with great southern dishes. Try some southern classics like barbecue, pimento cheese, and fried chicken and waffles. There are also good international options including Nepalese, Laotian, and Ethiopian flavors.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Minneapolis. 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 Raleigh or Minneapolis Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Minneapolis is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Raleigh has a few options to choose from. Head to downtown Raleigh or the areas around NC State University for some of the best nightlife. Trivia nights and happy hours are popular and you'll find breweries popping up in many places.

Is the Shopping Better in Raleigh or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis is very popular for its shopping areas. However, Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Minneapolis is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Raleigh or Minneapolis Better for Families?

Minneapolis is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Minneapolis is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Raleigh offers lots of family activities. For such a small city, Raleigh has a number of unique kid-friendly activities like the popular Pullen Park and Marbles Kids' Museum. Pullen Park has small rides and a playground that are perfect for young kids. There's also the NC Museum of Natural History which is free and fun to explore with kids.

Is Raleigh or Minneapolis Better for Couples?

Minneapolis is a popular place for couples. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for romance.

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.

Raleigh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. While it's often overlooked by couples who want a weekend away, there are a number of museums and some nice restaurants to explore.

Is Raleigh or Minneapolis Better for Students?

Raleigh and Minneapolis are very good places to visit for students.

Raleigh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a diverse student population with many nearby universities and colleges.

Minneapolis is very popular with students. 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.

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

Minneapolis is a popular place for its public transit. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Raleigh. The city's public transportation options are limited to a few bus lines that are mostly used by students.

Is Raleigh or Minneapolis a more walkable city?

Minneapolis is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Raleigh is generally not a very walkable city. The city is somewhat walkable in the downtown area, but everywhere else you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Minneapolis or Raleigh?

How long in Raleigh or Minneapolis?

It's fun to spend time in either Raleigh or Minneapolis. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Minneapolis due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Raleigh, and 2-4 days is enough time in Minneapolis.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Minneapolis than Raleigh 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 Raleigh or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the student-friendly city of Raleigh. 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.

In Minneapolis, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Raleigh or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the student-friendly destination of Raleigh. 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.

In Minneapolis, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Minneapolis has to offer.

Five days in Raleigh or Minneapolis?

The friendly city of Raleigh offers museums and nightlife. 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 is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Raleigh or Minneapolis?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Minneapolis. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Minneapolis. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Raleigh and Minneapolis, we can see that Minneapolis 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 Raleigh Expensive? and Is Minneapolis Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Raleigh. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh 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 Raleigh or Minneapolis?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Raleigh or Minneapolis in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Minneapolis. Many travelers come to Raleigh for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Minneapolis in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Minneapolis. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Raleigh this time of the year. In the summer, Raleigh often gets less sunshine than Minneapolis. Raleigh gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 357 hours of full sun.

Raleigh receives a lot of rain in the summer. Raleigh usually gets more rain in July than Minneapolis. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Raleigh or Minneapolis in the Autumn?

Both Minneapolis and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Raleigh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions. Also, most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Raleigh is a little warmer than Minneapolis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually receives more sunshine than Minneapolis during autumn. Raleigh gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Raleigh or Minneapolis in the Winter?

Both Minneapolis and Raleigh during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. Raleigh can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Raleigh is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Raleigh in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 15°F (-10°C).

In the winter, Raleigh often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Minneapolis. Raleigh gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 157 hours of full sun.

Raleigh usually gets more rain in January than Minneapolis. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Raleigh or Minneapolis in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Minneapolis. The spring months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year.

In April, Raleigh is generally much warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 60°F (16°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Minneapolis this time of the year. In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. Raleigh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Minneapolis during spring. Raleigh gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 244 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Minneapolis and Raleigh