5 Best Experiences in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis’ Best Experiences:

The top rated Experiences in Minneapolis, MN are:

• Minneapolis Institute of Art – is one of the largest art museums in the United States
• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden – is home to more than 40 iconic sculptures
• Mill City Museum – is a historic landmark built within the ruins of the Washburn A Mill
• Stone Arch Bridge – is the only bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi River
• American Swedish Institute – is home to a museum, cultural center, and more

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Minneapolis Institute of Art is one of the country’s largest art museums. It houses over 90,000 works of art that span 5,000 years of human history. By collecting, preserving, and making accessible outstanding works of art from around the world, the Minneapolis Institute of Art enriches the community. You won’t run out of ways to engage with the art at Mia, from tours to classes, and films to Family Days.

You can interact with Mia from anywhere with a variety of art-making ideas, fun activities, and learning resources. Here you’ll find self-guided group activities featuring photos of Mia’s artworks, scavenger hunts, and a variety of worksheets that use Mia’s collection as a springboard for new learning.

Products/Services:

Art Museum, Tours, Classes, and Films

LOCATION:

Address: 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Phone: (888) 642-2787
Website: www.new.artsmia.org

REVIEWS:

“What I love about this free museum is it never seems busy, just because there is so much to explore and people spread out. There’s so much more there than just typical paintings on the wall. You have Period Rooms startup to immerse you into the culture and settings that created those pieces. There is furniture and important functional and artistic designs to lamps and kitchen gadgets even. The arrangement by region is wonderful and lets you step through worlds. Definitely, a spot to both come with others or alone.” – Bexs N.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is home to more than 40 iconic sculptures, including Spoonbridge & Cherry and Hahn/Cock. Since its inception in 1988, the Garden has attracted millions of visitors, showcasing works from the Walker Art Center’s renowned collections of modern and contemporary art in an urban park setting. The Garden was created in collaboration with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, a national award-winning park system.

This parkland has gone through many changes over the years. The area was shaped by glaciers over 10,000 years ago and was once a vast expanse of marshland used as a seasonal camp by Minnesota’s first people, the Dakota and the Ojibwe.

Products/Services:

Sculpture Garden

LOCATION:

Address: 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: (612) 375-7600
Website: www.walkerart.org

REVIEWS:

“It’s so fun to walk around and see such interesting works of art. Although museums are unique experiences of their own, being in and around large artwork is just a whole new way to appreciate the art world. I had to do a project on the piece Untitled by Jim Hodges – which is a sculpture made up of 4 boulders that have been faced with colored steel inlays. It blew my mind reading the background of the piece and how it ended up in the walker, so I highly recommend looking into it if you visit.” – Amaya N.

Mill City Museum

Mill City Museum was built on the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, the Washburn-Crosby Co.’s flagship mill. When it was completed in 1880, it was the world’s largest and most technologically advanced flour mill. In the 1870s, millers at the Washburn mills perfected a new milling process, ushering in a revolution that made fine wheat flour affordable to the masses for the first time. Minneapolis quickly became the world’s flour milling capital, a title it held from 1880 to 1930. The Washburn A Mill Complex is a nationally recognized historic site. Mill City Museum was founded in 2003 by the Minnesota Historical Society.

Products/Services:

Mill Museum

LOCATION:

Address: 704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: (612) 341-7555
Website: www.mnhs.org

REVIEWS:

“Wonderful museum and staff. I have been twice now and the tours were both a little different and my mother enjoyed it a lot. The flour tower elevator tour to start is a step back in time. Then going up to the 8th & 9th floor for a better view of the ruins and the Mississippi is breathtaking. Beautiful in the winter, and outstanding in the summer, when you can go out on the observation deck. Don’t forget to walk around the museum after and read all the interesting facts and artifacts all over.” – Rachel F.

Stone Arch Bridge

Stone Arch Bridge is the only stone-arched bridge on the Mississippi River. It is the river’s second-oldest bridge, after Eads Bridge. The Minnesota Department of Transportation owns the bridge, but the park board is responsible for its upkeep. James J. Hill’s Great Northern Railroad built the bridge in 1883. It brought two tracks into downtown Minneapolis and, at its peak, 80 passenger trains per day to Union Station. In 1993, the bridge’s ownership was transferred to the state. When the state took control of light-rail development in Minneapolis, Minneapolis legislators James Rice and John Sarna insisted that the state take control of the bridge.

Products/Services:

Biking, Walking, Health & Fitness, Water Parks, Aquatics Center, and More

LOCATION:

Address: 100 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: (612-230-6400
Website: www.minneapolisparks.org

REVIEWS:

“This beautiful bridge is especially cool to see at night. The history and the craftsmanship are quite interesting. They have lights to illuminate the arches and listening to and watching the water flows below and out of the plants is really an icon of this city’s history
I would recommend everyone to ride a bike or a walk across the bridge and take in the city sites.” – Paul N.

American Swedish Institute

American Swedish Institute houses a museum, cultural center, café, destination store, historic mansion, and more. The American Swedish Institute is a thriving art and cultural organization that connects with its community and the rest of the world. With a campus that includes the historic Turnblad Mansion and the Nelson Cultural Center, ASI is a valuable community asset and vital partner.

Products/Services:

Museum, Cultural Center, Café, Destination Store, Historic Mansion, and More

LOCATION:

Address: 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Phone: (612) 871-4907
Website: www.asimn.org

REVIEWS:

“A superb place to visit for both Swedes & others alike! I’m only 8% Swedish but was eager to look through all the artifacts. The mansion was decorated for Christmas. It was magical! The best piece of art, for me, was the stained glass knights. There was an incredible display of Scandinavian holiday table decorations for Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Sami, and Hmong. Great gift shop, too.” – Aubrey A.