Inaugural City Stories, May 2-10, Expands on the Success of Doors Open Minneapolis and MSP Home Tour

Rethos and NARI MN have announced the launch of City Stories, a new nine day celebration of architecture, history, and design taking place May 2–10 across the Twin Cities metro.

Building on the legacy of Doors Open Minneapolis and the MSP Home Tour, City Stories invites residents and visitors alike to explore the places that shape our region - from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. Many events are free. Most events ticketed. Browse the online options and sign up today!

Throughout the festival, City Stories will feature a dynamic mix of programming that reflects the diversity of the Twin Cities, including:

• Behind-the-scenes home and building tours

• Neighborhood walking tours led by preservation experts

• Speaker events with urban planners and designers

• Social mixers celebrating local design and cultural heritage

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Produced by Rethos in partnership with NARI Minnesota (National Association of the Remodeling Industry MN Chapter), City Stories brings together a wide range of tours, talks, open houses, and curated experiences under one coordinated festival platform. The event is designed to showcase the Twin Cities’ built environment while creating new ways for people to engage with the places that shape everyday life. 

At its core, City Stories is a flexible “choose-your-own-experience” event. Visitors can browse and book individual programs - from free, self-guided opportunities to premium ticketed experiences - building personalized itineraries across neighborhoods and across both cities.

“City Stories is about opening doors in every sense. It invites people to step inside spaces, stories, and communities that shape the Twin Cities - and to see those places in a new way." Heidi Swank, Rethos Executive Director

Rethos Executive Director Heidi Swank with Mayor Frey

"Doors Open is about curiosity, connection, and community. It’s a chance to step inside the places we pass every day - and discover the stories, people, and history that make Minneapolis what it is. It's one of the best events of the year - and you don't want to miss it!"  Mayor Frey

City Stories expands on the success of two long-standing, high-impact events:

• MSP Home Tour (May 2–3) – A free, self-guided tour offering access to real homes across the metro area, showcasing remodeling, design innovation, and neighborhood life.

• Doors Open Minneapolis (May 9–10) – A free, citywide open house featuring access to 75+ buildings, from historic landmarks to rarely accessible spaces. For one weekend, buildings across Minneapolis - from historic landmarks, including City Hall, to modern workspaces, cultural sites to civic institutions - will open their doors to the public, many offering behind-the-scenes access you can’t get any other time of year.

Together, these anchor weekends are connected and expanded through a full week of additional programming, creating a continuous, weeklong festival experience.

Expanding the Twin Cities’ Cultural Tourism Story

City Stories positions Minneapolis and Saint Paul as destinations for architecture, history, and cultural exploration - broadening the region’s tourism narrative beyond outdoor recreation. By activating neighborhoods and cultural assets across multiple days, the festival is designed to: 

• Encourage longer visitor stays
• Drive midweek tourism activity
• Support local businesses and cultural organizations
• Elevate the national profile of the Twin Cities as a cultural destination