This past weekend, I finally got to cross a concert off of my bucket list, The Backstreet Boys! I have been waiting to see them for over 20 years! They played at the Xcel Energy Center which is a fabulous place for a concert. The acoustics are decent, the chairs are comfy and they have lots of food and beverage vendors. My concert companion and I stayed at The DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul East. If you are looking to save a little cash, this hotel is a great option. We not only saved a couple hundred dollars staying there instead of downtown St Paul, we also saved on parking and transportation. The hotel rented a bus (free of charge!) to take all of us eager Backstreet Boys fans to the Xcel Energy Center and back. It was nice to not have to worry about ordering an Uber or hailing a cab. In my opinion, a weekend in Minneapolis/St. Paul is not complete without a trip to Pizza Luce, which is exactly what we did on Friday night. We used the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service and indulged in microbrews, artichoke dip and delicious pizza. Make sure to try the Garlic Mashed Potato Pizza. It’s not on the menu anymore, but they will make it for you if you ask. Saturday morning we ate breakfast at The Little Oven in St. Paul. It was only about 5 minutes from our hotel and was quite tasty and very reasonably priced. We then did a little shopping at the Maplewood Mall. If you are traveling with children, this is a great place to go. They have lots of great stores and tons of activities to keep the whole family entertained. Later that evening, we took our air conditioned free shuttle bus to the Xcel Energy Center. We had some time to kill before the concert, so we decided to grab a bite to eat at Patrick McGovern’s Pub. The whole place was filled with Backstreet Boy’s fans and they catered to us by cranking the 90s jams. The food was decent and the service was fantastic. At 9pm, the Backstreet Boys finally took the stage and put on an amazing 2 hour show. At least one Backstreet Boy was always on stage (a couple even changed on stage haha) and they sang their beautiful hearts out and made many 90s girl’s and boy’s dreams come true.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Minneapolis/St. Paul a good destination for a weekend trip?

Absolutely. The Twin Cities offer a surprisingly strong mix of live music venues, independent restaurants, shopping, and outdoor activities. The Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul hosts major concerts and sports events year-round, and neighborhoods like Lowertown and Northeast Minneapolis have distinct personalities worth exploring. It’s an accessible, affordable long-weekend destination that often surprises people.

Where should you stay when attending a concert at the Xcel Energy Center?

Downtown St. Paul is the most convenient option — you can walk to and from the venue. If you want to save money, hotels in suburban St. Paul offer significant savings and often provide shuttle service to the arena. Just confirm shuttle availability and timing before booking.

What are the best restaurants in the Twin Cities area?

The Twin Cities have a genuinely excellent dining scene. Pizza Luce is a local favorite with creative pies and a great tap selection. The Little Oven in St. Paul is a solid breakfast spot. Northeast Minneapolis has a concentration of chef-driven restaurants worth exploring. Patrick McGovern’s Pub near the Xcel Center is a reliable pre-show stop with solid bar food and a fun atmosphere on event nights.

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