Things to do in Minneapolis
Summer and early fall are glorious here, with warm days, festival weekends, and the Chain of Lakes at its best. Winters are long and brutally cold, though the heated skyway system keeps downtown walkable.
Best months: June, July, August, September
What is worth your time in Minneapolis
Guthrie TheaterDo not miss
A landmark Jean Nouvel theater whose cantilevered Endless Bridge frames a free, sweeping view of the Mississippi.
Cultural Experience · 2 hr4.8
Lake of the IslesDo not miss
The most picturesque link in the Chain of Lakes, lined with grand mansions and quiet wooded islands.
Nature · 1.1 hr4.8
Minneapolis Institute of ArtDo not miss
A free, encyclopedic museum spanning 5,000 years of world art in a grand Beaux-Arts building.
Museum · 2.8 hr4.8
Stone Arch BridgeDo not miss
A graceful 1883 stone railway bridge, now a pedestrian crossing with the best view of St. Anthony Falls and the skyline.
Landmark · 53 min4.8
Bde Maka SkaDo not miss
The largest lake in the Chain of Lakes, ringed by a beloved walking and biking loop, beaches, and sailboats.
Nature · 1.8 hr4.7
Mill City MuseumDo not miss
Built into the ruins of a once-mighty flour mill, telling the story that made Minneapolis the milling capital of the world.
Museum · 2 hr4.7
Minneapolis Sculpture GardenDo not miss
An 11-acre garden of major outdoor sculpture anchored by the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry fountain.
Park · 1.1 hr4.7
Minnehaha FallsDo not miss
A dramatic 53-foot urban waterfall immortalized by Longfellow, surrounded by a leafy park and trails.
Nature · 1.4 hr4.7
Walker Art CenterDo not miss
One of the nation's leading contemporary art museums, paired with the adjacent sculpture garden.
Museum · 2.8 hr4.5
Lake HarrietDo not miss
A serene lake with a charming bandshell, summer concerts, sailboats, and a vintage trolley to Bde Maka Ska.
Nature · 1.4 hr4.4
Cathedral of Saint Paul
A monumental Beaux-Arts cathedral crowning a St. Paul hill, with a soaring dome and commanding city views.
Architecture · 1.1 hr4.8
Minnesota History Center
An engaging, hands-on St. Paul museum that brings the state's immigrant, frontier, and Indigenous stories to life.
Museum · 2 hr4.8
American Swedish Institute
A French-Chateauesque mansion museum of Nordic art and culture, with a beloved cafe serving Swedish fare.
Museum · 2 hr4.7
Boom Island Park
A peaceful Mississippi riverfront park with a lighthouse, paddleboat launch, and one of the finest skyline views in town.
Park · 1.1 hr4.7
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- In winter, downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul are linked by an extensive enclosed skyway system, so you can cross much of the core without going outside.
- Minneapolis and St. Paul are distinct cities about 15 minutes apart; budget a short drive or light-rail ride to see both Twin Cities.
- Summer brings mosquitoes near the lakes at dusk; pack repellent for evening walks along the Chain of Lakes.
- The METRO light rail connects the airport, Mall of America, downtown Minneapolis, and the U of M campus cheaply and reliably.
- Many lakeside activities like canoe and kayak rentals run only from roughly May through September.