Minneapolis Murals + More

Short version: This route starts at a doughnut shop, and ends at a bar. In between, it'll take you by some of the finest mural work in Minneapolis, including a few choice pieces by past ARTCRANK artists. You'll also enjoy some of the best bikeways that Minneapolis has to offer. You'll even visit (wait for it) St. Paul!

Detail of a mural by Wundr on 3rd Ave. S

Detail of a mural by Adam Turman at Butcher & The Boar on Hennepin Ave. in Downtown Minneapolis

Longer version: Since ARTCRANK is a business that exists at the intersection of bicycles and art, we wanted to put together a route that showed off some of the large-scale inspired creativity that we get to enjoy as residents of Minneapolis. We're all about making art as accessible as bikes are, and we like to think of murals and street art as great examples of that. Also, it's a lot more interesting than having you ride a stationary bike while we hold up posters in front of you, which was our other idea.

Detail of a mural by Greg Gossel on Hennepin Ave. in Downtown Minneapolis

Mural by Broken Crow at The 1029 Bar on Marshall St. NE in St. Anthony West neighborhood, Minneapolis

We're all about making art as accessible as bikes are, and we like to think of murals and street art as great examples of that.

Detail of a mural by Eduardo Kobra at Hennepin Ave. and S 5th Street in Downtown Minneapolis

Mural by Eduardo Kobra at Hennepin Ave. and S 5th Street in Downtown Minneapolis

Because Minneapolis is perennially voted one of the most bike-friendly cities in the U.S., we wanted to show off a few examples of the bike infrastructure that help us earn that distinction. To make that work with the previous paragraph, we needed to put together a lopsided figure-eight of a route that gives you a whole lot of art up front, a whole lot of awesome urban riding in the middle, and ends with a beer. Did we mention that it starts at a doughnut shop? Seriously, do NOT sleep on Bogart's. Literally. They sell out by 11:00am most days.

Mural at Premises MPLS on N 2nd St. in the Folwell neighborhood, Minneapolis

Mural at Premises MPLS on N 2nd St. in the Folwell neighborhood, Minneapolis

Mural at Premises MPLS on N 2nd St. in the Folwell neighborhood, Minneapolis

Things to know before you start: First, this is NOT a speed route. Especially in the early part of the ride, you'll be on city streets and major thoroughfares. Most have bike lanes, some do not. To see most of the murals highlighted, you'll have to stop and get off your bike, which we highly recommend doing. And while you can ride it any time of the day, it's best enjoyed as a weekend ride that starts with coffee and doughnuts in the morning and provides a few hours of enjoyable riding around Minneapolis, with stops for lunch or beers along the way. Finally, this is a work in progress: We flagged a number of our favorite spots around town, but there's a lot more to see in the way of street art and murals. Look for updates with new sites and scenery in the future.

Start: Bogart's Doughnut Co., 904 W 36th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Finish: Fulton Brewery Taproom, 414 N 6th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Detail of a mural by Wundr at Sunrise Cyclery, just off the Greenway near Nicollet

Mural behind Sencha Tea House at Hennepin Ave. S and 26th St. in Uptown Minneapolis

Detail of a mural at Sencha Tea House at Hennepin Ave. S and 26th St. in Uptown Minneapolis