Minnehaha Park

Minnehaha Park is an urban park along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, featuring a 53-foot waterfall and several gardens. Walking trails wind through wooded areas and along the river, while picnic grounds and bike paths connect different sections of the site.

The land was acquired by the Minneapolis Park Board in 1889, making it one of the first public parks in the United States. The waterfall had previously served as a gathering point and inspiration for travelers and artists.

The name comes from the Dakota language and means waterfall or curling water, referring directly to the main cascade. The two bronze figures of Hiawatha and Minnehaha have stood in the park since 1912, paid for by schoolchildren who each donated a penny.

The park is open daily from 6 AM to midnight, with paths around the waterfall remaining accessible even in wet weather. A seafood restaurant opens near the main area during summer months, while paths can become slippery in winter when snow and ice cover the ground.

In winter, the waterfall often freezes completely, forming tall ice curtains and icicles. Visitors sometimes climb onto the frozen formations, though the surface is slick and slippery.