Everytime when I’m speaking about the most underrated travel city/place of the United States, my mind immediately shifts to the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Both Minneapolis and St. Paul, are most eligible places to visit, even within your limited budget.
Today I’d like to pick Minneapolis and try to open up maximum travel opportunities you can enjoy. Tucked along the Mississippi River, even today thousands of backpackers love to stand next to a giant cherry on a spoon, walk across a stone bridge and visit nearby waterfalls.
Most of the best things to do in Minneapolis cost nothing, even today most visitors believe that visiting Minneapolis requires a lot of money. To clear these misconceptions, I came up with the best ideas about the “Finest things to do in Minneapolis” through what it costs and why people love it.
12 Finest Things to Do in Minneapolis (With Real Cost)
1. Love Cherry at Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Lets dive directly into your “Finest Things to do in Minneapolis” starting day at Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. While you enter this garden its giant spoon grabs your full attention. This massive spoon actually represents holding a cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen.
Built in 1988, after that this garden is exclusively open to the general public where you’ve plenty of options to see modern and contemporary sculptures like Hahn, Woodrow, Spinner and Level Head including your Spoonbridge.
An interesting fact here is that the garden is completely free to enter, open daily from morning 6:00 AM to till midnight. But you’ve kept in mind, visiting Sculpture Garden arriving early is a fantastic idea, before the photo line forms. The garden itself has more than 60 installations, so keep walking once you finish your shot.
Tips: “The Walker Art Center” is major stopping here. Most of the streets across the center are free on Thursday night from 5 AM to 9 PM. It is a good stopping point to reach the center of those who are under 18 years of age without paying a single penny.
Outside Windows, prices of tickets are listed, but if you’re looking for a free tour, then head on Thursday at 6:00 PM. Once you finish your day here, move one to the colorful Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge, later it ultimately leads to Loring Park.
2. Admire the Nature Beauty of Minnehaha Falls
If you slightly change your Minneapolis travel direction to natural places, I would recommend you to land at Minnehaha Falls. Located within Minnehaha Park often cited as the oldest and one of the popular parks of Minneapolis today stands as the most visited spot.
This 53 foot waterfall is actually located within your city limit, however, it is completely free of cost to enter. Most of backpacker love this fall for many reasons, for me it like particularly 2 reason, firstly it can be explore at any season and secondly limestone bluffs and Mississippi river overlooking.
Despite its popularity, Falls has some historic significance. Initially fall was controlled by the Dakota Peoples and they believed it has a more vital place to gather even though it doesn’t have any spiritual power. In 1805, the US government bought this land from the Dakota people.
Tip: Try to walk down its base, base has walking trails where you can stroll through limestone bluffs towards the Mississippi. Across the street, if you’re going between late August to early October at Longfellow Garden there’re more chances to see hummingbirds. Be ready to face the fall freezing during winter.
3. Take Historic Glimpse of Mill City Museum
Mill City Museum is built inside the ruins of Washburn A Mill, once stood as the largest flour mill in the world. If you look at its history, the flour mill became very popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s in Minneapolis.
That time Washburn A Mill stood out as the most advanced and capable of producing 12 million loaves of bread per day. For this reason the 18th century city is often cited as the “Flour Milling Capital of the World”.
To get an easy and quick glimpse of the history of Mill City Museum, I would recommend attend ‘The Flour Tower Show’ or “Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat” short film. Both these events help you to learn the story/history quickly. If you’ve not interested in knowing history or looking for something unique, reach its top floor where you’ll see the best views of the city.
Tip: Try to cover Mill City Museum while you head on to Stone Arch Bridge, from here you’d take just 5 minutes of walk. If you’re coming by car, the museum doesn’t have any official parking space, so plan on a nearby city garage.
Museums demand entry fee from you. Its pricing list goes like this; $15 for adults, $12 for seniors/veterans/college students and military servants. If your kids are below 4 or below, then the ticket is free, if not pay $8. Ticket cost is exclusively free for Members of the Minnesota Historical Society.
Try to reach the museum between 10 AM to 4PM (during Thursday and Friday). But during weekends, its timings stretch till 5:00 PM.
4. Walk at Stone Arch Bridge to reach St. Anthony Falls
Before planning your little visit to Stone Arch Bridge make sure that it won’t just limit its beauty, it expands till once you reach St. Anthony Falls. Between these 2 attractions we can have many more similar connections, from geographically and historically.
Initially St. Anthony Fall provides power to surrounding Minneapolis flour mills, but Stone Arch Bridge helps to pass its supply and connectivity to nearby regions. The bridge is an ideal connection center to walk, transport and haul freight during industrial periods.
Today you can see Stone Arch Bridge crossing the Mississippi River downstream St. Anthony Falls. The bridge was primarily built as a railroad crossing during 1883, but later it opened to general public/walkers and cyclists for daily activities.
To enjoy the most breathtaking beauty of St. Anthony Falls try to walk like a local (evening is a good time) at Stone Arch Bridge. While walking 1 bonus tip you’ll get; the downtown skyline on one side.
Tip: Start your walking at “Mill Ruins Park”, cross to cobblestone streets of St. Anthony Main, then change your direction to Lower Trail at Water Power Park. Spend your evening here and get enough photos of the bridge from below. If you’ve time left, you can walk east side to see brunch spots and some independent film theatres.
Both Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls are completely free to explore. But my simple advice to everyone who’s looking to visit these 2 destinations; try to visit in the afternoon, then only you’ll see the beauty of sunset while walking its bridge paths.
5. Count Art Collections at Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA)
To take one stop in your journey to see ample amounts of art collections here in Minneapolis, may be your things to do in Minneapolis shouldn’t miss this MIA. Enter with general admission (it is free), it offers more than 90,000 art collections spanning over 5,000 years ranging from ancient pottery to impressionist paintings to contemporary photography.
Out of these sorts of collections, some are based on European masterworks of Rembrandt, Poussin, and Van Gogh. Try to find Picasso, Matisse, Stella, and Mondrian sculptures and paintings. Out of its 90,000 art collections MIA won’t disappoint African and Asian visitors and even Native Americans too, contains rich photography and textile figures.
As I said earlier, visiting MIA is completely free, but only from general admissions. But during any special events/exhibitions they charge a nominal entry fee to you. Don’t go on Monday, instead visit on Thursday (this is the only day that offers more operating hours from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM). The rest of the time museum operates till 5:00 PM.
Tip: Don’t make any hasty decisions to see every art collection. Instead pick any 2 or 3 galleries (what makes you so curious or you’re so eagerly waiting to see). Checking everything takes time, instead you’ve another option see, that is “Weisman Art Museum” which is close to MIA.
Weisman is the second free museum located on the University of Minnesota campus. It looks like a Frank Gehry building, but it doesn’t have many collections like MIA, but it gives tranquil views from its local Washington Avenue Bridge. Perhaps it can be an alternative or additional option to your MIA trip.
6. Enjoy Views from Foshay Tower Observation Deck
Choose to spend more time with your family without any distractions then you’ve to think of adding this special modern building in your Minneapolis itinerary. Even today locals believe that Foshay Tower is the most noticeable building in the entire twin cities.
When we talk about its structures, constructions and architectures, all its credit goes to Mr.Wilbur Foshay, who built it during 1929 as an endearing homage to the Washington Monument. If you time visit it’s inside a small museum which covers Wilbur Foshay construction strategies and tower history.
Until 1970 Foshay Tower stood as the tallest building in Minnesota and recognised as 447 foot Art deco tower.
Today the building is noticed by many backpackers, especially those who love to see panoramic views of the city. You can reach its open air deck (with your family) located on the 30th floor (total 32) of the building. At its observation points, views of downtown Minneapolis, and the Mississippi river look really great.
Tip: Now this tower is under control of W Minneapolis hotel, so purchasing a ticket at its hotel desk is the only gateway to the observation point. Deck opens daily, but sometimes its listed hours may change due to bad weather, but its actual running time is 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
7. Do Water Sports at the Chain of Lakes
To know why Minneapolis is called “City of Lakes”, maybe visiting this Chain of Lakes gives some worth to your trip. The name representing Chain of Lakes is the combination of 5 lakes; Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Bde Make Ska and Lake Harriet. Each of these lakes are internally linked one another and surrounded by paved trails, beaches, and parks.
Here visitors like you spend more time in order to do popular water sports like swimming, kayaking, fishing, picnic or simply walking its beach shores. These activities are perfectly renowned for family visitors, so better to take your children too. If you’re stressed after exploring a city/too much bustling experience, take a simple walk on its waterfronts/ rent a bike.
Pricing Tip:
Don’t expect any entry fee here, but At Bde Make Ska Lake Wheel Fun Rentals charge $25/hour if you book a canoe for 3 people. Single Kayaks normally demand only $15/ hour ($25 for double).
If you love to do single paddle boarding at Lake Harriet then please keep $25/hour.
Make sure that each ticket includes tax, so you need to pay a little more than its actual cost. Most rental stands open in early May to late September, and activities offer not more than 1 hour.
Tip: The Chain of Lakes is the best half day itinerary. Even though it is a great place to water activities, I like its picnics areas. Lake of Isles is exclusively best known for sunset picnics, if you’d like to do bring your own blanket and reach before sun dip into the sea.
8. Taste Jucy Lucy at Matt’s Bar
Minneapolis is the rarest place in the US to get a taste of almighty Jucy Lucy. I request you to try once you are wandering Minneapolis visit nearest Matt’s Bar or 5-8 clubs (only 2 places offering Jucy Lucy). It is a totally unique burger dish made with cheese sealed inside the patty.
But Matt’s Bar has many historic significance when it comes to serving Jucy Lucy. Since 1954, Matt’s Bar has been serving this food and they claim to have invented it. Actually there’s a story behind the invention of this Jucy Lucy. The place is a frills corner bar at 3500 Cedar Ave S, normally you’ll see busy people waiting to get their orders.
Tip: This Jucy Lucy burger costs $25. But recently I came to know that under this price you can enjoy fries and beer along with a burger, its cost structure is like this; $11 for burger, $8 for fries and $6 for beer. Bring cash, they receive only cash not a card or scan. If you don’t bring any cash don’t worry there is an ATM machine inside.
9.Wander at Midtown Global Market
This indoor market is situated 3 miles from south of downtown, often known for places where people gathered to taste. Currently Midtown Global Market boasts 50 vendor shops who sell food and trinkets. Most of these shops sell locally produced stuff like Mexican pastries, Scandinavia, Asian hot spicy foods and Moroccan cuisines.
However, if you’re looking to taste some Italian, Vietnamese and Middle Eastern dishes, then this market is a great option in Minneapolis to try under one roof. Under Global Market some sections vendors sell craft and gift stuff, sometimes people often rush to buy these items.
The market is completely free to enter, not for food. It is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, but during Sunday it operates from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Tip: Try to go hungry and share plates and it helps you try more. This indoor market witnesses minor cultural events, musical performances, Irish step dancing events and interesting best rainy day lunches.
Market is close to Chicago Avenue, and it runs to George Floyd Square at 38th street. If you’ve time left go quietly.
10. Visit Largest Shopping Mall of United States
If you want to visit one of the world’s largest shopping malls, then Mall of America is a must add in your “Best things to do in Minneapolis” itinerary. Technically speaking, malls actually fall into the Bloomington region, but it’s easily reached from downtown, thanks to the city’s metro blue line.
At present Mall of America holds more than 520 stores, 60 restaurants, Nickelodeon Universe- indoor amusement theme park, comedy club, LEGO store, mini golf spaces and iconic SEA Life aquarium. All these things perfectly work for families and shoppers alike.
Mall of America opens everyday, but its operating hours are restricted to 7:00 PM during Sunday. But the rest of the day’s mall operates its normal working hours from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Tip: Mall of America is completely free to enter, explore and park your vehicles. However, Minnesota doesn’t charge any sort of sales tax on clothing and shoes, that’s why a major number of people love to buy/do shopping here rather than in their home area.
Bonus points for your shopping is if you book your wristband online prior, there’s more chances to get stuff lower priced during “deal day”. Nickelodeon Universe unlimited ride wristbands available at $47 during deal days ($59 during regular days).
11. Drink Beer at Northeast Taprooms
Taprooms are simply spaces which adhere to nearby breweries for visitors/customers come to drink or buy beer. Under Taproom customers are freely poured beers straight from taps how much they want.
This same process you’ll see here in Minneapolis and the system introduced after passing “Surly Bill” in 2011. Bill helps Minneapolis locals let brewers sell their own produced pints on site and taprooms.
Why I am highlighting is you to try Taprooms at Northeast of Minneapolisi, this is the right place to get beer more easily and even try samples of each one. Most favourite Bauhaus Brew Labs and Sociable Cider Werks located within these neighbourhoods. That’s why the place is often cited as “Nordeat” in the entire US.
Tip: No need to pay to see different Taprooms, payment only for drinking. Along with beer, try Oro by Nixta, it is like corn centric Mexican food named one of the Bon Appetits best restaurants.
However, neighbourhood Vinai, another more consumed dish, served Hmong inspired dishes from Chef Yia Vang. Don’t visit weekends without prior reservations (for both).
12. Finish Your Day through Visiting Guthrie Theatre
When you come to the final phase of your Minneapolis expeditions, this is the perfect place to sum up your trip. Even today Twin cities are known for many reasons, under that ranked second only to New York for live theatre per capita. Under that Guthrie is more famous.
What I personally like about Guthrie Theatre rather than its show is, you don’t need any entry ticket to enjoy your shows. Normally the country’s best theatre where artists excel in both fields of classic and contemporary plays) show their talents.
When you enter inside the theatre surely you’ll love its architecture, and your appreciation must go to Jean Nouvel, the person behind its architecture and successfully opened in 2006. His creative architectures help us not just see events/performances, however, you can eat at its restaurant, and best view points to see downtown and ample space for 2 casual eateries.
Tip: Beside Guthrie Theatre there’re 2 more equivalent places located within your walking distances. One is Endless Bridge and another one is Gold Medal Park.
The Endless Bridge is situated just outside from your theatre building. The bridge simply a cantilever platform raised above 55 feet from the parkway, offers epic views of the river and Mill City.
Gold Medal Park is 7.5 acres of Natural Park in Minneapolis Mill District. Try to walk its pathways and enjoy a more tranquil experience. Keep this park as your bonus point after the museum visit.
How to Get Around Minneapolis without a Car
Seems weird but it could be possible to roam around Minneapolis without a car. Purchase a day pass which you’ll get at $4. First take the Blue Line light rail to the city downtown, which is almost 30 minutes to reach.
Things what I listed above easily you’ll get within your city limit, so you can reach by walking and most of city places located within you walking distances.
Once you explore major downtown spots, come back to the same train line. The train continues to the Mall of America in 12 minutes. If you’d like to go to the University of Minnesota and St. Paul, take the Green Line Link instead of the Blue Line.
During winter your train journey may be inconvenient and around 11 miles of enclosed skyways help you walk much indoors of downtown. Journey costs are usually the same as $2 during peak hours.
Simple Tips to Make 1 Week Travel at Minneapolis
1. Monday
Try to cover outdoor stops like Minnehaha Falls, Stone Arch Bridge, Midtown Global Market and Matt’s. All these are less crowded during Monday.
2. Tuesday and Wednesday
Visit Mia, most of the previous visitors referred me to visit Tuesday. Don’t go to Mill city or the walker, both are closed.
3. Thursday
Keep Thursday as your art collections day. Go to The Walker between 5:00 to 9:00 PM, during these sessions Walker is free to enter. At the same time Mia is still open till 9:00 PM.
4. Weekend
Most of the places are open, instead of trying to cover everything at once keep Mill city and Foshay Observation deck for Saturday or Sunday. Don’t go if you’re not like huge crowd.
What’re the Places You Can Add Up?
- Upper Harbour Riverfront Park- This 53 acres of Mississippi park is expected to be open this year.
- MN Hot Tub Boats- Runs Mississippi River from Boom Island.
Related Contents;
Things to do in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Best Places to Visit California.
Additional References;
1. Best Things to do in Minnesota- Best Picks Under Your Limited Budget.
2. Romantic Things to Do in Minneapolis.
3. Free Things to do in Twin Cities.
