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Things to do in Minneapolis : attractions, museums, and historic landmarks

Minneapolis offers a rich mix of cultural attractions and outdoor spaces that draw visitors year-round. Art lovers can explore the Minneapolis Institute of Art, where galleries hold works spanning thousands of years, or visit the Walker Art Center to see modern and contemporary pieces. Just outside, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden displays large-scale works in the open air, including the well-known Spoonbridge and Cherry. The Weisman Art Museum, with its gleaming steel exterior designed by Frank Gehry, adds another dimension to the city's art scene. Beyond museums, the Chain of Lakes invites walking and cycling, while Minnehaha Park centers on a 53-foot (16-meter) waterfall that has drawn people to its banks for generations. Downtown, the Foshay Tower rises in Art Deco style, offering views from its observation deck, and the enclosed Skyway system connects buildings across several blocks. Theater stages like the Orpheum and Guthrie host performances throughout the year. Sports fans head to Target Field for baseball or U.S. Bank Stadium for football. The Mill City Museum, set in a former flour mill, tells the story of the industry that shaped Minneapolis, while Fort Snelling marks the military heritage of the region. Together, these places paint a full picture of a city that balances history, creativity, and the outdoors.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Art museum with a permanent collection spanning 5,000 years of history, featuring Asian, European, and American paintings, sculptures, and artifacts.

Weisman Art Museum

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Weisman Art Museum

Contemporary art museum at the University of Minnesota, designed by Frank Gehry in a deconstructivist style with stainless steel facades.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Public park opened in 1988 exhibiting outdoor art pieces, including the Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture, which has become a symbol of Minneapolis.

Foshay Tower

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Foshay Tower

The first skyscraper in Minneapolis built in 1929, featuring a museum on the 30th floor and an observation deck offering panoramic views of the city.

Walker Art Center

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Walker Art Center

Modern art museum founded in 1879, presenting permanent collections of international paintings, sculptures, and photographs.

Science Museum of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Science Museum of Minnesota

Educational institution with laboratories, a planetarium, and exhibits on natural sciences, technology, and mathematics.

Mill City Museum

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Mill City Museum

Former Washburn A flour mill converted into a museum displaying exhibits on the flour milling industry and the development of Minneapolis.

Target Field

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Target Field

Baseball stadium opened in 2010, home to the Minnesota Twins, with a capacity of 39,000 spectators and modern facilities.

Orpheum Theatre

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Orpheum Theatre

Theater venue from 1921 hosting musicals, plays, and concerts throughout the year.

U.S. Bank Stadium

Minneapolis, Minnesota

U.S. Bank Stadium

Modern sports complex with a fixed transparent roof, seating 66,000, home to the Minnesota Vikings football team.

Mall of America

Bloomington, Minnesota

Mall of America

Shopping center covering 390,000 square meters featuring over 500 stores, an amusement park, and a basement aquarium.

Minnehaha Park

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minnehaha Park

Municipal park covering 170 hectares, traversed by Minnehaha Creek, featuring a 53-foot waterfall and trails along the Mississippi River.

Guthrie Theater

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Guthrie Theater

Modern theater complex from 2006 comprising three performance venues and viewing terraces overlooking the Mississippi River.

Minneapolis Skyway System

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis Skyway System

Pedestrian network of climate-controlled walkways connecting 80 downtown buildings over more than 18 kilometers.

American Swedish Institute

Minneapolis, Minnesota

American Swedish Institute

Cultural center established in 1929 in the Turnblad mansion, featuring exhibitions on Swedish culture and traditions.

Basilica of St. Mary

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Basilica of St. Mary

Religious building opened in 1914, recognized as the first basilica in the United States, built in Beaux-Arts style.

Museum of Russian Art

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Museum of Russian Art

Permanent collection of Russian art from the 18th to 20th century with paintings, sculptures, and decorative objects displayed in a former church.

Bakken Museum

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bakken Museum

Scientific institution dedicated to electricity and magnetism, featuring historical medical devices and interactive labs for visitors.

Chain of Lakes

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Chain of Lakes

Network of five lakes connected by channels in Minneapolis, with bike paths, walking trails, and public beaches around the bodies of water.

Lake Harriet

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Lake Harriet

140-hectare body of water surrounded by municipal parks, housing a band shell, sports fields, and picnic areas.

Lake of the Isles

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Lake of the Isles

Natural lake offering 4 kilometers of trails for walking and biking, bordered by historic residences built in the early 20th century.

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota

Public university founded in 1851, hosting 50,000 students on its main campus located between Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Lake Bde Maka Ska

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Lake Bde Maka Ska

166-hectare lake offering three public beaches, fishing areas, and equipment rentals for water sports.

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

Network of roads and trails connecting parks, lakes, and green spaces in Minneapolis over an 80-kilometer route.

Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Nicollet Mall

Commercial pedestrian zone spanning twelve blocks downtown, featuring shops, restaurants, and café terraces.

St. Anthony Falls

Minneapolis, Minnesota

St. Anthony Falls

Natural 15-meter waterfall on the Mississippi that facilitated the industrial development of Minneapolis through flour mills.

Midtown Global Market

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Midtown Global Market

Indoor market with forty vendors selling culinary specialties and handcrafted goods from different world regions.

Children's Theatre Company

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Children's Theatre Company

Professional theater founded in 1965 producing shows for young audiences and families, with a program of 400 performances annually.

Loring Park

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Loring Park

Large municipal park with an artificial lake and four-season gardens. Paved trails traverse the green space, linking various recreational areas.

Target Center

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Target Center

Sports center and concert venue with 19,000 seats, home to the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves and host to international concerts.

Bryant Lake Bowl and Theater

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bryant Lake Bowl and Theater

Entertainment venue founded in 1936 featuring eight bowling lanes, a 90-seat theater, and a restaurant.

Edna S. Purcell House

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Edna S. Purcell House

Residence designed by architect William Gray Purcell in 1913, example of Prairie School style with horizontal lines and geometric details.

Fort Snelling

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Fort Snelling

Military fort built in 1819 serving as a frontier post. It showcases period buildings and daily historical reenactments.

Minnesota Streetcar Museum

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minnesota Streetcar Museum

Institution featuring a collection of restored vintage streetcars. Visitors can ride the vehicles on a historic line.

Somali Museum of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Somali Museum of Minnesota

First museum in the United States dedicated to Somali culture. It displays handcrafted items, textiles, and traditional musical instruments.