Things to do in Minneapolis
- The city is home to a world-renowned skyway system spanning 9.5 miles of enclosed pedestrian bridges, allowing travel between buildings without stepping outside during winter.
- Minneapolis hosts the longest continuous chain of urban lakes in the United States, which are maintained as a unified park board system.
- The city was once known as the 'Flour Milling Capital of the World' due to its proximity to Saint Anthony Falls, which powered massive milling operations.
- The nickname 'City of Lakes' is officially recognized, though Minneapolis actually contains 22 lakes within its city limits.
- The Minneapolis park system consistently ranks as one of the best in the United States according to the Trust for Public Land's annual index.
About Minneapolis
Minneapolis serves as the cultural hub of the Upper Midwest, uniquely defined by its extensive chain of connected urban lakes and the Mississippi River waterfront. The city integrates industrial heritage with modern arts, famously preserving history at the Mill City Museum and the nearby Historic Stone Arch Bridge. Residents and visitors alike utilize the extensive park system, which includes the iconic Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Cultural depth is showcased through institutions like the Minneapolis Institute of Art and performances at the Guthrie Theater.
Highlights of Minneapolis
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
The museum features a massive encyclopedic collection spanning 5,000 years of global art history.
Parks
It houses the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen.
Venues
The cantilevered 'Endless Bridge' offers unobstructed views of the Mississippi River and St. Anthony Falls.
Historical places
This former railroad bridge provides the best pedestrian vantage point for viewing the historic milling district skyline.
Museums
Exhibits are built into the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, the largest flour mill in the world at the time of its construction.
Temples
This landmark features a distinct Neoclassical architectural style and remains one of the largest basilicas in the country.
Parks
The lake features a popular beach and a paved perimeter trail system connected to the wider Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway.
Parks
This expansive park features winter sports facilities, including downhill skiing and snow tubing areas.
Top things to do in Minneapolis
The 230 highest-rated places in Minneapolis, ranked by travellers.
1
Zoos
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is a free-admission municipal institution located within Saint Paul's Como Regional Park. T...
2
Museums
The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) houses a encyclopedic collection of over 100,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of...
3
Parks
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is an 11-acre outdoor park operated by the Walker Art Center in collaboration with the...
4
Places of interest
Minnehaha Falls is a 53-foot waterfall located within the 193-acre Minnehaha Regional Park in Minneapolis. The falls are...
5
Venues
The Guthrie Theater is a regional center for theater arts located in a Jean Nouvel-designed building featuring a distinc...
6
Parks
Bde Maka Ska is the largest lake in Minneapolis and a central component of the city’s Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway...
7
Historical places
The Stone Arch Bridge is an 1883 granite and limestone railway span crossing the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls....
8
Parks
Theodore Wirth Regional Park is the largest park in the Minneapolis park system, encompassing 759 acres of diverse terra...
9
Parks
Lake Harriet Bandshell Park serves as a central cultural and recreational hub within the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. The...
10
Museums
Mill City Museum is built into the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, once the largest flour mill in the world. Located on th...
11
Parks
Mill Ruins Park showcases the preserved foundations and subterranean tunnels of 19th-century flour mills along the west...
12
Venues
Huntington Bank Stadium serves as the primary home for the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, located on the Univer...
13
Places of interest
Spoonbridge and Cherry is a iconic large-scale fountain sculpture located within the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Creat...
14
Temples
The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis is the first basilica established in the United States, designated by Pope Piu...
15
Parks
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is a historic Victorian-style glass-domed botanical garden located within Como Regiona...
16
Parks
The Lyndale Park Rose Garden is the second oldest public rose garden in the United States. It features approximately 3,0...
17
Venues
The Children's Theatre Company (CTC) in Minneapolis is the largest theatre for young people in North America and a recip...
18
Parks
Wood Lake Nature Center is a 150-acre urban wildlife refuge located in Richfield, Minnesota, centered around a 40-acre l...
19
Parks
Boom Island Park is an urban waterfront park situated on the east bank of the Mississippi River in Northeast Minneapolis...
20
Venues
The Varsity Theater is a historic performance venue located in the heart of the Dinkytown neighborhood near the Universi...
21
Parks
Hidden Falls Regional Park is a river-corridor park located along the Mississippi River in St. Paul, Minnesota. The park...
22
Parks
Cedar Lake Point Beach is a secluded swimming spot situated on the eastern shore of Cedar Lake within the Minneapolis Ch...
23
Parks
Lyndale Park is a 61-acre botanical destination located on the northeast shore of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis. The park...
24
Museums
The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) is the only museum in North America dedicated exclusively to the study and presentatio...
25
Parks
North Mississippi Regional Park spans 67 acres along the Mississippi River in northern Minneapolis. The park serves as a...
26
Parks
Westwood Hills Nature Center is a 160-acre natural preserve in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, featuring diverse ecosystems i...
27
Parks
Gold Medal Park is a 7.5-acre urban green space located in the historic Mill District of Minneapolis. The park features...
28
Beaches and ponds
Lake Nokomis Beach is a primary recreational waterfront located in South Minneapolis, featuring sandy shorelines and des...
29
Parks
Veterans Park in Richfield is a multi-use municipal complex featuring an outdoor ice arena and an 18-hole miniature golf...
30
Museums
The Twin City Model Railroad Museum is a specialized facility dedicated to the history of railroads in the Upper Midwest...
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Minneapolis on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Minneapolis
June through August offers warm weather perfect for lake activities, while September and October provide vibrant fall foliage.
3-4 days to experience the major museum collections, riverfront historical sites, and the lake park system.
The METRO light rail connects the airport and downtown, while bus service and extensive bike share programs are standard for urban transit.
Downtown West provides central access to major venues, while the North Loop offers a trendier warehouse-district aesthetic with converted lofts and dining.
Mid-range; lodging and dining costs are moderate compared to major coastal American metropolitan areas.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 230 curated attractions in and around Minneapolis, ranked by traveller ratings.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is the highest-rated place to visit in Minneapolis right now.
The largest category is parks, with 110 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Downtown Los Angeles, Bayonne, New Jersey, Washington, D.C..
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