Friday

1. Take Me to the River, 3 p.m.

Minneapolis is particularly alluring in the summer. Start the weekend on the riverfront, taking in the magnificent Mississippi. The Stone Arch Bridge has an excellent view of roaring St. Anthony Falls, the only major waterfall on the river. Built of native granite and limestone in 1883, the bridge allowed for increased movement of goods across the river. Now, it is both pedestrian- and bike-friendly, as are the banks lining the river. With an extensive bike-share program (Nice Ride costs $4 per half-hour), you can pedal the riverside paths, but be sure to look up at the Historic Mill District buildings. From the late 19th century to the 1930s, Minneapolis was the flour-milling capital of the world, and the Instagram-worthy signs (Gold Medal Flour, Pillsbury’s Best Flour) are still there to prove it.

2. Happy Organic Hour, 5 p.m.

Stop in at Spoonriver in the Mill District for happy hour. The restaurateur Brenda Langton is credited with serving the first local, organic food in the area four decades ago when she opened her first cafe. Today, patrons head for the sleek bar to sip specialty cocktails (try the Elderflower Martini, $11.50, or Passion Fruit Bellini, $8.50), while nibbling on appetizers like shrimp quesadilla with coconut lime salsa ($13.50).

3. Top of the Guthrie, 6 p.m.

The British stage director Sir Tyrone Guthrie could never have imagined that the theater he founded in 1963 to create a resident acting company outside of New York would one day become an architectural icon. Yet a decade ago, the Guthrie Theater was moved to a new facility in the Mill District designed by Jean Nouvel to reflect the neighborhood’s history. The form of the main auditorium is circular like a mill, and LED masts atop the building mimic smokestacks. The biggest highlight for visitors, beyond attending a performance in one of the three theaters, is the Endless Bridge. The 30-foot-wide cantilevered lobby stretches more than half a block, offering a spectacular 180-degree view.

4. Toasted Treats, 7 p.m.

The dining scene in Minneapolis perked up five years ago with the arrival of the Bachelor Farmer, a stylish restaurant serving Swedish fare to reflect the city’s Scandinavian heritage. Recently named Best Midwest Chef by the James Beard Foundation, Paul Berglund dazzles diners with his open-face toasts with toppings (beef tartare, smoked pork shoulder, homemade pâté, from $15). Now he has a new competitor: the bright, airy French-inspired restaurant St. Genevieve, which opened earlier this year. The chef, Steven Brown, features an exquisite champagne menu and emphasizes small plates with big ingredients — morels, fois gras, scallop and crab — as well as tartines, the French open-face sandwich. (Small plates and tartines from $9.)

5. Make Prince Proud, 9 p.m.

On the outside of the building that houses the First Avenue & 7th Street Entry is a virtual constellation of white stars emblazoned with the names of those who have performed in these two music venues — Joan Jett, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, the Pretenders, to name just a few. But only one star is gold: that of Prince. It was recently painted to honor the music legend, who not only played at the club often, but filmed scenes there for his movie “Purple Rain.” Open nightly and showcasing a variety of groups (indie rock, British pop, garage, punk, new wave, electronic), the club has recently had a few “Let’s Go Crazy” Prince tribute nights. In early September the Revolution, the group Prince founded nearly 40 years ago, plans to play there once again.