Free things to do · Minneapolis · United States
9 free things to do in Minneapolis
Minneapolis without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Minneapolis without paying an entry fee: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls and Guthrie Theater are all free. Mia, the Sculpture Garden, the Weisman, the lakes, Minnehaha Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge are all free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Park · Loring Park
1.Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Walk across the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge from Loring Park for the best approach, and come at golden hour for photos of the spoon.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Art
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Museum · Whittier
2.Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)
Pick up a map and head for the Asian galleries and period rooms, which most first-time visitors miss.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Landmark · Mill District
3.Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls
Walk the loop from Mill Ruins Park across the bridge to St. Anthony Main and back over the Hennepin Avenue Bridge at sunset.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Architecture · Mill District
4.Guthrie Theater
Even without a ticket, walk out onto the Endless Bridge for a free view of the river and the Stone Arch Bridge.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes, or an evening for a show
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Views
- After dark
Park · Southwest Minneapolis
5.Chain of Lakes
Rent a bike and ride the 5-km loop around Bde Maka Ska, then continue to the rose garden and bandshell at Lake Harriet.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
- Nature
Nature · Minnehaha Park
6.Minnehaha Falls
Visit after spring rain for the strongest flow, or in deep winter, when the falls freeze into a wall of ice.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Architecture · Downtown
7.Minneapolis Skyway System
Use the skyway maps posted at junctions; on cold days it is the quickest way to cross downtown on foot.
- Time needed
- As needed
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Gallery · University of Minnesota
8.Weisman Art Museum
View the building from the Washington Avenue Bridge, where the steel facade catches the light over the river.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Religious site · Loring Park
9.Basilica of Saint Mary
Combine it with a walk through Loring Park to the Sculpture Garden; dress modestly and avoid visiting during Mass.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Loring Park | Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Basilica of Saint Mary | 1 hour + 30–45 minutes |
| Whittier | Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) | 2–3 hours |
| Mill District | Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls and Guthrie Theater | 1 hour + 30 minutes, or an evening for a show |
| Southwest Minneapolis | Chain of Lakes | Half a day |
| Minnehaha Park | Minnehaha Falls | 1–2 hours |
| Downtown | Minneapolis Skyway System | As needed |
| University of Minnesota | Weisman Art Museum | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Market · Lake Street
Midtown Global Market
Come hungry at lunchtime and share several small plates from different counters.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Neighbourhood · Northeast
Northeast arts and taprooms
Rent a bike or use a rideshare between taprooms; they are spread out across several neighbourhoods.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Food
- After dark
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Mia, the Sculpture Garden, the Weisman, the lakes, Minnehaha Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge are all free.
- Minnesota charges no sales tax on most clothing and shoes, which helps at the Mall of America and local shops.
- Use the Blue Line from the airport instead of a taxi; it costs a few dollars and reaches downtown in about 25 minutes.
- Hotel rates drop sharply in winter and on weekends when there are no conventions or big games.
- Check theatre websites for rush or day-of tickets, which can be much cheaper.
- Taproom happy hours and food trucks are a low-cost way to eat and drink in Northeast.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Minneapolis expensive to visit?
Minneapolis is moderately priced for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Minneapolis?
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: Walk across the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge from Loring Park for the best approach, and come at golden hour for photos of the spoon.