3 days in Minneapolis

Day by day

1. Day 1: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Center

   Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Walker Art Center and Basilica of Saint Mary, then First Avenue in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

      Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen's Spoonbridge and Cherry, a 15-metre spoon holding a cherry over a pond, is the city's best-known image and the centrepiece of this free 4.5-hectare garden of around 60 works.

   2. Late morning

      Walker Art Center

      Check the Walker's calendar for free-entry days and evenings, and combine a visit with the Sculpture Garden across the road.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Jucy Lucy

      Matt's Bar (spelling it Jucy Lucy) and the 5-8 Club (Juicy Lucy) in south Minneapolis.

   4. Afternoon

      Basilica of Saint Mary

      Completed in the early 20th century and designated the first basilica in the United States in 1926, this Beaux-Arts church has a copper dome, a long nave and stained-glass windows.

   5. Evening

      First Avenue

      Look for Prince's gold star on the outside wall, and check the calendar for gigs at both the main room and 7th St Entry.

2. Day 2: Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) and Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls

   Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls and Mall of America, then Guthrie Theater in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)

      Pick up a map and head for the Asian galleries and period rooms, which most first-time visitors miss.

   2. Late morning

      Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls

      Railroad baron James J.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Walleye

      Supper clubs, bars and riverfront restaurants; many menus label it as Canadian or Minnesota walleye.

   4. Afternoon

      Mall of America

      Take the Blue Line light rail from downtown or the airport; it stops right at the mall's transit station.

   5. Evening

      Guthrie Theater

      Even without a ticket, walk out onto the Endless Bridge for a free view of the river and the Stone Arch Bridge.

3. Day 3: Paisley Park and Mill City Museum

   Paisley Park, Mill City Museum and Chain of Lakes, then Northeast arts and taprooms in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Paisley Park

      Prince's home, studio complex and private estate, about 30 km southwest of downtown, is open for guided tours of his recording studios, sound stage and memorabilia including stage costumes and instruments.

   2. Late morning

      Mill City Museum

      Go up to the ninth-floor observation deck at the end for the best view of the falls and the Stone Arch Bridge.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Wild rice soup

      Cafés, delis and lunch counters across the Twin Cities; packaged hand-harvested wild rice makes a good souvenir.

   4. Afternoon

      Chain of Lakes

      Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake are ringed by separate paved paths for walkers and cyclists, part of the Grand Rounds parkway system.

   5. Evening

      Northeast arts and taprooms

      Rent a bike or use a rideshare between taprooms; they are spread out across several neighbourhoods.

Before you go

• Paisley Park: Tours run on a limited schedule; book online in advance.

If it rains

• Swap in American Swedish Institute (Phillips): Visit in December, when the mansion rooms are decorated for Nordic Christmas traditions.
• Swap in Minneapolis Skyway System (Downtown): Use the skyway maps posted at junctions; on cold days it is the quickest way to cross downtown on foot.
• Swap in Weisman Art Museum (University of Minnesota): View the building from the Washington Avenue Bridge, where the steel facade catches the light over the river.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Downtown keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, North Loop ($$$) suits food lovers, couples, shopping and nightlife. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–27 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.8 hours in December to 15.6 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Minneapolis
• 2 days in Minneapolis

Questions travellers ask