Things to do in Minneapolis
Minneapolis grew to fame as the centre of North America's grain milling industry. Today the Riverfront District is more famous for trendy restaurants and the world-class Guthrie Theater. Downtown is a bustling business centre, bordered by the Hennepin Theatre District. But the Mississippi River still defines this city. Journey along the "Mighty Mississipi" on board the Minneapolis Queen riverboat.
Mill City Museum
Minneapolis milling history
Set in the middle of Minneapolis' Riverfront District, the Mill City Museum
recounts the city's past as a flour-milling centre. The eight-storey Flour
Tower displays how flour was milled, and the Baking Lab teaches kids how to
bake bread.
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Cost
U$10; concessions US$8; children 6-17 US$5; under 6s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 10am to 5pm; Sun noon-5pm (also July & August Mon 10am-5pm)
Address
704, South 2nd Street, Minneapolis/St Paul 55401
Telephone
+1 612 341 7555
Minnesota Children's Museum
Hands-on science fun
There are no "Do Not Touch" signs to be found in the Minnesota Children's
Museum. A downtown wonderland dedicated to aiding development with a fun,
educational and creative environment, its exhibits are meant to be touched,
squeezed and crawled on.
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Cost
US$8.95
Opening Hours
Tue-Thu 9am-4pm; Fri & Sat 9am-8pm; Sun 9am-5pm
Address
10, W 7th Street, Minneapolis/St Paul 55102
Telephone
+1 651 225 6000
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
World-class art collection
A 2006 expansion drew all eyes to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, just
south of downtown, with 100,000 works spanning 5,000 years. The museum is
known for its extensive Arts and Crafts collection, including works by Frank
Lloyd Wright.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-5pm; Thu 10am-9pm; Sun 11am-5pm
Address
2400, 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis/St Paul 55404
Telephone
+1 612 642 2787
Walker Art Center
Contemporary art and architecture
The first artwork you'll see at the Walker Art Center is its stunning,
metallic architecture, completed in 2005 to double the museum's space.
Inside the Loring Park museum is one of the nation's finest contemporary art
collections.
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Cost
Adults $10; seniors US$8; students $6; under 13 year olds free
Opening Hours
Tue, Wed, Sat & Sun 11am-5pm; Thu & Fri 11am-9pm
Address
1750, Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis/St Paul 55403
Telephone
+1 612 375 7600
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Art overlooking Loring Park
This 11-acre garden, one of America's largest, is part of the Walker Art
Center in Loring Park and famous for Claes Oldenburg's "Spoonbridge and
Cherry." The garden's conservatory is also a favorite, with Frank Gehry's
"Standing Glass Fish."
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Sculpture Garden: daily 6am-midnight; Conservatory: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm
Address
726, Vinedale Place at Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis/St Paul 55403
Telephone
+ 1 612 375 7600
Minnesota Zoo
All-American zoo
2400 animals from around the world populate the Minnesota Zoo just south of
Minneapolis in Apple Valley. In addition to favorites like camels, kangaroos
and big cats, the zoo is known for its large collection of North American
species.
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Cost
US$14; children 3-12 US$8; under-3s free
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-4pm (open until 6pm weekends in May & Sep and daily Jun-Aug)
Address
13000, Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, Minneapolis/St Paul 55124
Telephone
+1 952 431 9200
Minneapolis Queen
Cruise the Mississippi
The 125-passenger Minneapolis Queen in the Riverfront District cruises the
Mississippi, offering views of the city skyline, the St. Anthony Locks and
historical narration. The paddlewheeler features sightseeing, dinner and
group cruises but remember that reservations are mandatory.
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Cost
US$17.95-US$45, depending upon cruise
Opening Hours
90-minute to 2-hour cruises depart daily. Sailing hours vary by season.
Address
700, Sibley Ave, Minneapolis/St Paul 55413
Telephone
+1 612 230 6400
Lake Calhoun
Uptown city lake
Lake Calhoun is one of 22 lakes within Minneapolis' city limits, and its
Uptown location makes it especially convenient. Enjoy swimming beaches, boat
rentals, fishing and picnic facilities in summer; running and biking paths,
playgrounds and great city views year-round.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-10pm
Address
3000, Calhoun Parkway, Minneapolis/St Paul 55408
Telephone
+1 612 230 6400
Minnehaha Park
Park and waterfall
This 193-acre park near Uptown is one of Minneapolis' oldest and most
popular. Its namesake, Minnehaha Falls, is a 53-foot cascade and the source
of Minneapolis' name. The park provides Mississippi River overlooks,
year-round hiking, biking and picnicking in summer.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-10pm
Address
4801, Minnehaha Avenue South, Minneapolis/St Paul 55417
Telephone
+1 612 230 6400
