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Minneapolis Institute of Art
A free, serious art museum that can carry a cold or wet afternoon. Pick a few galleries instead of trying to conquer the building.
Best for: Art, Museum, Whittier
Destination guide
Things to do in Minneapolis
Minneapolis has enough to fill a trip without trying to cover every corner. Start with the places that fit the way you want to spend the day, then keep nearby choices together.
Places to put on the list in Minneapolis
Build around a few anchors, then choose nearby additions that match your pace. The main Minneapolis guide has itinerary ideas if you want help putting those pieces in order.
Start here
Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Pair the contemporary galleries with the outdoor sculpture garden when the weather is decent. The Spoonbridge and Cherry is worth seeing, but it is not the whole visit.
Best for: Art, Sculpture, Loring Park
Start here
Mill City Museum and Stone Arch Bridge
Start with flour-mill history, then cross the Mississippi for the skyline and river gorge. This is A good first-timer history-and-view pairing.
Best for: History, River, Mill District
Whittier and Lake Street
Minneapolis Institute of Art
A free, serious art museum that can carry a cold or wet afternoon. Pick a few galleries instead of trying to conquer the building.
Best for: Art, Museum, Whittier
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Morning$$
Visit official site 
American Swedish Institute
A warm, specific mansion museum with exhibitions, design, and a cafe. It gives a winter or rain day some personality.
Best for: History, Design, Museum
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
Morning$$Plan ahead
Visit official site Downtown and Loring Park
Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Pair the contemporary galleries with the outdoor sculpture garden when the weather is decent. The Spoonbridge and Cherry is worth seeing, but it is not the whole visit.
Best for: Art, Sculpture, Loring Park
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
Morning$$Plan ahead
Visit official site 
Target Field Tour or Twins Game
A baseball-led afternoon or evening that belongs on a sports trip. A tour is the more fitting option when the schedule does not cooperate.
Best for: Sports, Downtown, Baseball
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Afternoon$$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site 
The Museum of Russian Art
A high-signal arts and culture stop that adds a distinct indoor option to the destination's existing activity mix. Build it into the day when this is the part of Minneapolis visitors would otherwise miss.
Best for: Arts and culture, Rain-safe
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Morning$$
Visit official site Mill District and Northeast
Mill City Museum and Stone Arch Bridge
Start with flour-mill history, then cross the Mississippi for the skyline and river gorge. This is A good first-timer history-and-view pairing.
Best for: History, River, Mill District
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
Morning$$Plan ahead
Visit official site 
Guthrie Theater Endless Bridge
Go for the free cantilevered lobby view over the river, then decide whether a current performance belongs in the evening plan.
Best for: Architecture, Views, Theater
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Afternoon$
Visit official site 
Northeast Minneapolis Brewery and Art Walk
Use Northeast for a loose afternoon of galleries, taprooms, and casual food. It is more fitting for wandering than for a scheduled museum march.
Best for: Breweries, Art, Neighborhood
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Afternoon$$
Visit official site Uptown and the Lakes
The base for water, paths, and a more local-feeling day.
Chain of Lakes Parkway
Choose one loop around Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet rather than attempting every lake. It is a sunny-day reset, not a cross-city transport route.
Best for: Lakes, Walking, Outdoors
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Morning$
Visit official site Minnehaha and Longfellow
Minnehaha Regional Park and Falls
A satisfying waterfall-and-creek walk that works best with a short visit to the falls and a nearby meal, not as an all-day expedition.
Best for: Waterfall, Park, Family
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Morning$
Visit official site University and Stadium District
Weisman Art Museum
Frank Gehry's riverfront building and a focused collection make a good compact University visit, especially when a full museum day feels like too much.
Best for: Art, Architecture, University
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Morning$$
Visit official site St. Paul Day Trip
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
This St. Paul-side day is a well-suited family-weather backup. The conservatory and zoo make sense together, but check current hours and access before crossing town.
Best for: Family, Conservatory, Wildlife
Before you go: Check the official details before you commit the day.
Morning$$Plan ahead
Visit official site Paisley Park Day Trip
Paisley Park
A Chanhassen side trip for Prince fans who will value the story and studio detail more than downtown convenience. Reserve before treating it as a casual detour.
Best for: Music, Prince, Tour
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Morning$$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site Plan the rest of your Minneapolis trip
See neighborhoods, trip ideas, and the full destination planner in one place.
Hours, tickets, seasonal access, and reservation policies can change. Check the official source before you go. Last destination review: 2026-08-14.