When you picture a romantic getaway, you probably don’t picture downtown Minneapolis. You picture somewhere with character: a fireplace, a garden, a little mystery, a sense that you’ve stepped out of ordinary life for a night. As it turns out, that place is hiding in plain sight, a few blocks from Loring Park.
300 Clifton is the city’s only historic mansion bed & breakfast: the Eugene J. Carpenter Mansion, a National Register landmark and the finest example of Georgian architecture in Minnesota. But what makes it a romantic getaway isn’t just the woodwork and the period furnishings; it’s everything you can do once you’ve checked in.
Start with the right room
For a special night, our couples gravitate to the Georgian Room, with its king bed and a fireplace you can curl up in front of, or the Crystal Mansion Room, which looks out over the rose garden. If you want something with a story, the Blacksmith’s Forge (the mansion’s original forge, reborn as a guest room) comes with its own private garden patio.
Soak under the stars
Tucked into a secret corner of the gardens is a four-season hot tub. Book a private soak, pour a glass of something cold, and let the rest of the world disappear. It’s just as good in January, steam rising into the winter air, as it is on a summer night.
Then head underground
Below the mansion is Gertrude’s Cistern, a soundproof speakeasy lounge with heated, reclining stadium seats and a private space to make popcorn and mix a drink. Reserve a private movie night and watch whatever you want on the big screen, just the two of you.
Make a day of it
You’re steps from the Walker Art Center, the Loring Park gardens, and Eat Street’s restaurants, and the locally run Minneapolis Trolley offers some of the most entertaining tours in town if you want to explore.
A romantic getaway doesn’t have to mean a long drive or a plane ticket. Sometimes it’s a historic mansion in the middle of your own city, a private hot tub, and a night with no agenda. Ready to plan yours? Check availability and add a hot-tub soak or private movie night to your stay.