Explore Minneapolis

Get to know NCU’s vibrant downtown community.

Get Access to Unlimited Opportunities Downtown

Located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, in the beautiful Elliot Park neighborhood, North Central University is surrounded by culture and commerce to inspire your scholarship and build your career. Channel energy from the pace of the city and learn about the world and God’s Kingdom at world-renowned arts and culture venues. Minneapolis is the place to be if you want to learn up close to Fortune 500 companies a vibrant performing arts scene, all in one remarkably walkable and cycling-friendly city.

Since its founding in 1930, NCU has a legacy of trust and service among our neighbors, including families and individuals, business and corporations, nonprofit organizations, churches, and schools. These relationships provide opportunities for NCU students to “plug into” service opportunities and internships and make connections that help them grow spiritually, personally, and professionally.

Minneapolis Quick Facts

19 Fortune 500 Companies

The Twin Cities are home to 19 Fortune 500 Companies, and they are a great place to found a startup, creating opportunities for your career.

71 Walk Score¹

Minneapolis is one of the most walkable (and bikeable) cities in the U.S., with accessible streets and sidewalks, plenty of local businesses, and good public transportation.

A Leader in Performing Arts

Minneapolis is home to the second most performing arts venues per capita in the U.S., second only to New York City. Enrich your education and grow your performance career!

Grow Your Career

At NCU, you have access to expert faculty mentors and internships at some of the leading corporations and organizations in the country. Gain hands-on experience for a world-class career at household names who call the Twin Cities home, such as General Mills, U.S. Bank Stadium, Ronald McDonald House, and more. Many NCU students have completed internships and gone on to build lasting careers right after graduation, here in Minneapolis. Learn more about career services.

Students worshiping and serving during a church gathering or community event

Serve and Lead Locally

Our roots run deep with local churches and organizations who are lifting up our Minneapolis neighbors. Volunteer around the city or pursue social work internships and student teaching at organizations and schools close to NCU. You’ll see the full spectrum of God’s love and power at work in the resilience and compassion of our community. Learn more about service opportunities.

Experience Minneapolis Culture

NCU is an intentionally multicultural community. We gain perspective and knowledge from our diverse experiences, and downtown Minneapolis is part of our culturally rich story. Explore the city and the many people who bring it to life through sharing art, natural spaces, and cuisine.

Take in the Culture

Whether you love sports or theatre, food or music, history or literature – Minneapolis has it all, so you don’t have to choose! Plus, our excellent public transportation system makes it easy to get around, so adventure is never too far away.

With teams in all the major sports — basketball, baseball, football, soccer, and hockey — you’ll have plenty of chances to see the action live.
There’s a vibrant theatre and music scene, with iconic venues like the Guthrie, Ordway Theater, and First Avenue.
For foodies, our restaurants are some of the best in the nation, representing a wide variety of ethnicities and appealing to many budgets.

Cultural Venues Close to NCU Campus

Mill City Museum

704 South 2nd St.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.mnhs.org/millcity
(0.8 miles from campus)

Guthrie Theatre

818 South 2nd St.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(0.8 miles from campus)
www.guthrietheater.org/

Walker Art Center

1750 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(1.6 miles from campus)
www.walkerart.org/

Parks and Greenspace

Minneapolis, and Elliot Park in particular, comes to life every spring and summer with lush green spaces where NCU students get out for physical activity, picnics, study sessions, or just to take in the beauty of God’s creation. In fact, Minneapolis and St. Paul are repeatedly ranked among the best cities for parks in the U.S., according to the Trust for Public Land.²

This Recreation and Wellness Guide will help you start enjoying everything the Twin Cities have to offer.

Parks and Gardens Near NCU Campus

Gold Medal Park

Second Street and 11th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(1.0 mile from campus)

Stone Arch Bridge

100 Portland Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(1.2 miles from campus)

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

725 Vineland Pl.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(1.5 miles from campus)

Professional Sports Venues

Downtown Minneapolis offers direct access to three major sports and performance venues and four professional teams, including the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, and Lynx. Students can attend games, explore internship opportunities, and enjoy concerts year round. With convenient transit options from campus, Target Center, Target Field, and U.S. Bank Stadium are easily accessible via the Metro Blue and Green Lines.

Sports Venues Close to NCU Campus

US Bank Stadium

401 Chicago Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(0.4 miles from campus)

Target Center

600 North 1st Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(1.2 miles from campus)

Target Field

1 Twins Way
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(1.3 miles from campus)

Local Eats and Drinks

There are so many fantastic places to break bread together near NCU campus that we can’t begin to list them all. That said, you will have your pick of fast-casual chains for convenient eats, local cafes and diners for meeting up with friends, and cozy bistros with flavors from around the world. The downtown dining scene has it all.

You might even find yourself served at local hot spots founded by NCU alumni, like The Hi-Lo Diner and The Blue Door Pub. We hope you feel right at home when you dine with locals.

College students sharing a meal and laughing together at a local diner table

Students on campus at North Central University during a visit or tour.

Visit NCU

Get a feel for Minneapolis and our Christ-centered community at NCU by visiting campus. We offer lots of opportunities for prospective students and families to meet with admissions counselors and faculty and get to know the places where you could live and learn. Schedule a visit to NCU.

Citations

¹Living in Minneapolis, Walk Score, on the internet, at https://www.walkscore.com/MN/Minneapolisis (viewed Oct. 31, 2025).

²Trust For Public Land, Trust for Public Land Names Washington, DC, Best Big City Park System, Washington Defends ParkScore® Title, as Irvine Soars to Runner-Up Finish, on the internet at https://www.tpl.org/media-room/trust-for-public-land-names-washington-dc-best-big-city-park-system-washington-defends-parkscore-title-as-irvine-soars-to-runner-up-finish (viewed Nov. 2, 2025).

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