Month guide · Minneapolis · United States
Minneapolis in March
What March is really like in Minneapolis: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
March is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 4°C (39°F), lows of -6°C (21°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 11.8 hours of daylight. The thaw begins, with slush, grey skies and the odd late snowstorm; hotel prices stay low.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 4°C (39°F) / -6°C (21°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in March
March is the 9th-warmest month in Minneapolis: days average 4°C (39°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about -6°C (21°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with February (-3°C (27°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 13°C (55°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 07:26
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 19:19
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
Spring (March–May). A slow, muddy thaw in March gives way to green, mild May days; weather is changeable and late snow is possible in April.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes March one of the better-value months to book.
Events in March
- St. Patrick's Day parades in Minneapolis and Saint Paul (around 17 March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Landmark · Mill District
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
Experience · Downtown
First Avenue
Prince filmed and performed Purple Rain at this former bus depot, which remains one of the most important independent music venues in the country.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Iconic
- History
Architecture · Mill District
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
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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
- Nature
What to pack
For highs near 4°C, lows near -6°C and 9 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Minneapolis?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Minneapolis in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Minneapolis?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The thaw begins, with slush, grey skies and the odd late snowstorm; hotel prices stay low.
+How warm is Minneapolis in March?
Average highs are around 4°C (39°F) and lows around -6°C (21°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Minneapolis in March?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.