When measuring how happy the world's cities are, the Nordic ones always come out on top.

The 2025 Happy Cities Index, produced by the UK-based Quality of Life Institute, places to cities in Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden in the so-called “golden” category.

Perhaps that’s why it’s no surprise that Minneapolis the only American city along with New York to be in the gold category has its ties to the Nordic countries.

This Minnesota city is home to the largest number of Norwegian, Finnish, and Swedish migrants outside of Europe, the first of whom arrived there in the mid-19th century, fleeing famine and religious persecution.

With its long, freezing winters and picture-postcard lakes, the city’s climate and landscape certainly have a Nordic feel. To the same extent, its residents have learned to live with the four seasons and even note that it has a lot to do with their sense of happiness.

“Even though the winters are cold and the summers can be hot and humid, we have many sunny days, many more than other cities,” explains Steven Rothberg, who moved to Minneapolis in 1988.

“People here like being outside. It’s rarely a cloudy, gray, or rainy day, which makes it much easier to plan and enjoy outdoor activities, even if it’s cold or hot,” he adds.

A City Bike

Rothberg notes that the city has among the highest number of people who use bicycles to commute. As some surveys indicate, at least two-thirds of the population says they ride their bike to work, school, or run errands.

This American city has made continuous improvements to its bike paths, with a 70-kilometer (43-mile) Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, which connects the city center with the Mississippi River and the lake region to the northeast of the city.

In total,Minneapolis has nearly 22 miles of dedicated bike lanes and another 87 miles of off-street bike paths and trails, many of which were once rail lines.

“These paths and trails were created from old rail lines and are now used by cyclists and walkers. If you look at the map, you can see that you can get to any part of the city by bike without having to use a shared road with cars for more than a mile,” Rothberg explains.

“The beauty, serenity, and safety of these trails is a huge benefit of living here, one I take advantage of almost every day,” he adds.

Happy Cities

The Happy Cities Index gave Minneapolis a notable rating on environmental issues, thanks to its green spaces, low pollution levels, and its sustainability model, something that residents highlight.

Whether walking or biking, the trails They give their residents access to the city's extensive network of parks, with access to nearly 22 lakes and 180 green spaces.

“The parks and lakes thing is incredible. When I'm out shooting photos in different parts of the city, I realize the incredible access we have to the city's natural spaces,” says Kristine Barron, a wedding photographer.

“The city has built so many walking and biking trails, public libraries, and community centers, which shows how much they value well-being and connection,” she adds.

Another category in which the city stood out was its strong growth, reasonable cost of living, and innovation in education.

The index highlights that nearly a quarter of residents have a master's degree and one in five speak a second language.

“The open-minded nature of the people and the policies that have been put in place make it easy for anyone to come live here and feel at home,” explains Kristen Montag, a former marketing manager for the Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Furthermore, cultural diversity is underpinned by a sense of community. “Culturally, people here are kind and community-focused,” Barron said.

Black Lives Matter

The city has been in the spotlight again recently, marking the fifth anniversary of the police killing of African American George Floyd.

This creative energy transforms the city each season, locals say.

“Summer means outdoor cafes, concerts, and festivals that fill the days, while winter brings a cozy embrace of sauna culture, outdoor activities like cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating, and coffee culture, fireside dining (both indoors and outdoors!), and outdoor beer festivals like the Winter Beer Dabbler,” Montag noted.

“Spring and fall are also beautiful seasons.”

For first-time visitors, locals recommend visiting the Stone Arch Bridge, a national civil engineering landmark that offers views of St. Anthony Falls.

“Start your visit at sunset,” Barron recommends.

“You’ll enjoy panoramic views, the beauty of the waterfront, and a true sense of the heart of Minneapolis. It’s also one of my favorite places to take photos, so don’t forget your camera,” she notes.

Locals also praise Native American food restaurant Owamni, winner of the 2022 national James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant.

The spot prides itself on offering a “decolonized dining experience,” excluding colonial ingredients like wheat flour, sugar, and dairy from its recipes.

Instead, it prioritizes local producers for its seasonal dishes, like bison ribeye, cranberry-cured salmon, and stuffed poblanos.

Montag also recommends stopping by one of the burger bars and ordering a Jucy Lucy, a cheeseburger invented in Minneapolis in which the cheese is placed in the center of the patty rather than on top.

“Only bigger, and with a small amusement park in the middle,” explains writer Michael MacBride.

The Walker Art Center also offers free Thursday nights and showcases contemporary art, performances, and films.

“Minneapolis has a great creative energy,” Barron concludes.

“A lot of art, music, and photography. It's a city that appreciates the little details."

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