Things To Do
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is free and includes both a conservatory and a zoo.
Mall of America®
Giant 4-level mall with hundreds of stores, plus restaurants, a theme park, cinema & aquarium.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Home to more than 90,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, MIA is one of the largest art museums in the United States.
James J. Hill House
Tour a beautiful mansion! Built for railroad titan James J. Hill, this 36,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion was once the largest private residence in the state. With 13 bathrooms, 22 fireplaces, 16 chandeliers, a reception hall nearly 100 feet long, sophisticated technical systems, and a two-story, skylit art gallery, the house was a symbol of success, personal taste, and family life. The James J. Hill House is a National Historic Landmark and part of the Minnesota Historical Society's network of historic sites and museums. Tours run daily.
Stillwater
Stillwater’s Main Street river front area is on the National Historic Register and is home to over 100 locally owned shops and restaurants . Open year-round. Art galleries, fashion boutiques, home decor, and unique gift shops line the streets along with tons of dining and outdoor patios. Guide yourself on a foodie or shopping tour of downtown. Seeking a historic treasure? Stillwater is one of America’s Top 10 Towns for Antiquing (our favorite!)
North Shore Scenic Drive
One of the best ways to explore Minnesota is by cruising the North Shore Scenic Drive. Enjoy the picturesque scenery of the North Shore of Lake Superior. Along the route, you’ll encounter eight state parks. Additionally, there are many restaurants, unique shops, and art galleries to check out along the scenic drive. A few of our favorite historical sites include Split Rock Lighthouse, Grand Portage National Monument, and Gooseberry Falls.
Historic Cave Tours
A restored Gangster Era site. Historic Tour of extensive caves carved into the hillside in long abandoned mining ventures in 1800's. Later, was a mushroom farm, and then developed as a Restaurant Casino and Gangsters' Hotspot during the 1930's prohibition era. Newspapers reported of an unsolved gangland murder at the casino. Tour guides point out the bullet holes. Some believe the caves are haunted by the murdered mobsters whose bodies were never found. Tickets are $11. Check website for times.
Stone Arch Bridge
The Stone Arch Bridge is a former railroad bridge crossing the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls in 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. While you are there, stop in at the "Mill City Museum" next door to learn more about the history in the area!