Month guide · Minneapolis · United States
Minneapolis in August
What August is really like in Minneapolis: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
August is one of the best months to visit Minneapolis. Expect average highs of 27°C (81°F), lows of 16°C (61°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 14.1 hours of daylight. Warm summer weather continues, with the Minnesota State Fair drawing huge crowds at the end of the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 27°C (81°F) / 16°C (61°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 14.1 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Minneapolis: days average 27°C (81°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about 16°C (61°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with July (28°C (82°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 22°C (72°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:15
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:20
- Daylight
- About 14.1 hours
Summer (June–August). Warm, sometimes humid days, long evenings and the lakes at their best, with the State Fair in late August and frequent thunderstorms.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 5 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Uptown Art Fair (usually early August)
- Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights (usually the 12 days ending on Labor Day)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Whittier
Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)
Mia's free collection of around 90,000 objects spans 5,000 years, from Chinese jade and a reconstructed Japanese teahouse to Rembrandt's Lucretia, Van Gogh's Olive Trees and period rooms from Europe and America.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · Mill District
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.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Views
- Rainy day
Experience · Bloomington
Mall of America
The largest shopping mall in the United States has around 500 shops plus Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor theme park with roller coasters under a skylit roof, the SEA LIFE Minnesota aquarium and mini golf.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · Phillips
American Swedish Institute
Visit in December, when the mansion rooms are decorated for Nordic Christmas traditions.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Food
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 27°C, lows near 16°C and 10 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Minneapolis?
One of the best months to visit Minneapolis, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are June–July and September. Compare every month.
Minneapolis in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Minneapolis?
It is one of the best months to visit Minneapolis. Warm summer weather continues, with the Minnesota State Fair drawing huge crowds at the end of the month.
+How warm is Minneapolis in August?
Average highs are around 27°C (81°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Minneapolis in August?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.