Things To Do
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Center
Explore more than 60 sculptures from the Walker’s collection on 11 scenic acres in the heart of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is free, open to the public, and is open from 6 am to 12 midnight every day. The Walker Art Gallery is also available to tour. See the website https://walkerart.org/visit/galleries for times and prices.
Minnehaha Falls Park
Enjoy a 53-foot waterfall and river at this 193-acre park, which ranks as one of the most popular local attractions. After a hike along the limestone bluffs, dine on a picnic or eat on the patio at the popular Sea Salt Eatery (https://www.seasaltmpls.com) Take a relaxing stroll or bike ride on the bike/pedestrian trail.
Stone Arch Bridge
The Stone Arch Bridge is a former railroad bridge crossing the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis. It is the only arched bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi River. It is the second oldest bridge on the river next to Eads Bridge. Both riverbanks have historical sites from Minneapolis' flour milling heydays with paths, interpretive signs, and ruins at Mill Ruins Park near Mill City Museum. Unfortunately, due to construction, the St. Anthony Main side of the Stone Arch Bridge is closed. Pedestrians and bicyclists will not be able to cross the full length of the bridge at this time.
Mill Ruins Park
The park interprets the history of flour milling in Minneapolis and shows the ruins of several flour mills that were abandoned. Located in downtown Minneapolis, it stands on the west side of Saint Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River.
Mill City Museum
The world's largest mill, the Washburn A. Mill, ground enough flour in a day to make 12 million loaves of bread. The Minneapolis building now houses the Mill City Museum, which re-creates old-school flour production days with period equipment, railroad cars, and a floor-by-floor tour in a giant freight elevator. The glass elevator rises from the rubble of Mill Ruins Park, with the iconic Gold Medal flour sign overhead. Check out the website for hours and admission prices.
Guthrie Theater
The Twin Cities theater scene owes much to the internationally acclaimed Guthrie Theater, founded in 1963. World-famous English director Sir Tyrone Guthrie, searching for a Midwest city in which to establish a professional theater, chose Minneapolis. Sixty years later, the Guthrie is more successful than ever. Now in a home on the banks of the Mississippi River, the Guthrie offers classic works and a dash of contemporary plays. Four restaurants offer a variety of dining choices, and a variety of tours, including backstage, architectural, and self-guided are available.
Science Museum of Minnesota
On the St Paul riverfront, engaging permanent exhibits mix with top traveling shows and breathtaking Omnitheater movies at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Candyland Store
Home of world-famous Chicago Mix Popcorn, hand-dipped chocolates made from scratch, and hundreds of varieties of old-fashioned candy. Definitely, worth the stop! Open Mon-Sat at 9:00 and Sun at 10:00.
Heimie's Haberdashery
Heimie's is an old-school men's clothing store. Walking through the store is a bit like stepping into an earlier time. It's fun to see the variety of clothing and services offered.
Grand Avenue, Summit Avenue, & River Road
Check out Grand Avenue's famous tree-lined, shopping district. Grand is also home to many of Saint Paul's top foodie spots. One block north of Grand on Summit Avenue, you'll find a five-mile boulevard of breathtaking Victorian homes, the longest stretch of its kind in the entire country. Walk, run, or bike up the hill to the Cathedral. A few miles from Summit, Mississippi River Boulevard is the westernmost road in St Paul. The River Road, as it is often called, starts at Saint Paul’s northern border with Minneapolis and meanders south through several neighborhoods, also making it a great place to walk, run, and bike.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Take a trip through the tropics and seasonal flower shows at the conservatory, then see the giraffes, a sea lion show, gorillas, and a polar bear at the zoo. This century-old attraction has drawn generations of visitors. It's technically free, but a $2 to $3 donation is appreciated.
Mall of America
The nation's biggest mall has more than 500 stores, dozens of restaurants, an indoor amusement park, an aquarium, and a butterfly garden. A little planning before your outing will ensure you're not overwhelmed. Go to the mall's website for information on store locations, hours, parking, events, promotions, and a handy coupon book.
Breakfast Option: Colossal Cafe
Located also at 12315 Como Ave in St Paul! Both open at 7:00 am.
Breakfast Option: Stella Belle
Open at 7:00 am. *Cafe Astoria, a sister cafe, shares a back wall with Stella Belle.
Breakfast Option: Cafe Astoria
Open at 7:00 am. *Stella Belle, a sister cafe, shares a back wall with Cafe Astoria.
Breakfast Option: The French Hen Cafe
Opens at 8:00 am. Reservations are encouraged.
Breakfast Option: The Downtowner Woodfire Grill
Opens at 7:00 am. Reservations are encouraged.
Breakfast/Lunch Option: Nina's Coffee
Open everyday from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Breakfast & Lunch Option: Highland Grill
Opens at 7:00 am. Reservations are encouraged.
Breakfast & Lunch Option: Hope Breakfast Bar
Open at 8:00 am. Reservations are encouraged. They have both indoor and patio seating available.
Lunch/Dinner Option: Cossetta & Louis Ristorante
Italian Eatery and Pizzeria: Opens at 11:00 am. Reservations are encouraged. *Louis Ristorante, upstairs from Cossetta's, offers outdoor dining. They open M-F at 4:00 pm, but 11:00 am on Sat and Sun. This might be a fun place to grab a drink before the wedding!
Lunch/Dinner Option: French Meadow Cafe
Open at 8:00 am.
Lunch/Dinner Option: Red Cow
Opens T-Th at 11:00 am, and 10:00 am on Sat & Sun.
Lunch/Dinner Option: Nico's Taco and Tequila Bar
Opens at 11:00 am.
Lunch/Dinner Option: Cecils Deli
Opens at 9:00 am.
Lunch/Dinner Option: Pajarito
Opens on Wed-Sun at 11:00 am.
Lunch/Dinner Option: Pizza Luce
Open Mon-Fri at 11:00 am and Sat-Sun at 10:00 am. Reservations or encouraged.