How many days · Minneapolis · United States
How many days do you need in Minneapolis?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mikael Häggström , M.D. Author info - Reusing images - Conflicts of interest: None Mikael , CC0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Minneapolis, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the riverfront, the sculpture garden and Walker, Mia and an afternoon on the lakes. A third day adds Minnehaha Falls, Northeast's breweries and a show, or a trip to Saint Paul or Paisley Park.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 8.8 h (Dec) to 15.6 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls and Mall of America |
| 2 days | Good | Mall of America, First Avenue and Paisley Park |
| 3 days | Ideal | Walker Art Center, Mill City Museum and Guthrie Theater |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Saint Paul |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Saint Paul and Stillwater |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Minneapolis add up to roughly 21–26 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Mall of America (Half a day), Chain of Lakes (Half a day) and Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis Sculpture Garden | 1 hour | Loring Park |
| Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) | 2–3 hours | Whittier |
| Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls | 1 hour | Mill District |
| Mall of America | Half a day | Bloomington |
| First Avenue | An evening | Downtown |
| Paisley Park | 2 hours | Chanhassen |
| Walker Art Center | 2 hours | Loring Park |
| Mill City Museum | 2 hours | Mill District |
| Guthrie Theater | 30 minutes, or an evening for a show | Mill District |
| Chain of Lakes | Half a day | Southwest Minneapolis |
| Minnehaha Falls | 1–2 hours | Minnehaha Park |
| American Swedish Institute | 1.5 hours | Phillips |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Minneapolis Sculpture Garden |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Saint Paul and Stillwater |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 8.8 hours of daylight) than in June (about 15.6 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Minneapolis with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | About 571 km | 4 days |
| Kansas City | About 663 km | 3 days |
| St. Louis | About 750 km | 3 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Minneapolis?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the riverfront, the sculpture garden and Walker, Mia and an afternoon on the lakes. A third day adds Minnehaha Falls, Northeast's breweries and a show, or a trip to Saint Paul or Paisley Park.
+Is a week too long in Minneapolis?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Saint Paul and Stillwater.