Sight guide · Minneapolis · United States
Visiting 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.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is a park in Loring Park, Minneapolis. Allow 1 hour; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Park
- Area
- Loring Park
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, art, kids and outdoors
- Best months
- July–September
About 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. It sits opposite the Walker Art Center, and Katharina Fritsch's giant blue rooster Hahn/Cock is nearby.
Tip: Walk across the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge from Loring Park for the best approach, and come at golden hour for photos of the spoon.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Loring Park, a small lake park between downtown and the Walker Art Center.
Best time to visit Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- September: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- August: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- July: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, very busy crowds.
When to visit Minneapolis has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Minneapolis itinerary visits Minneapolis Sculpture Garden on day 1, together with Walker Art Center, Basilica of Saint Mary and First Avenue.
- No. 1 of the 17 sights in our Minneapolis things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Minneapolis.
- A family favourite in Minneapolis with kids.
Near Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Also in Loring Park, so you can walk between them:
- Walker Art Center — 2 hours, mid-priced
- Basilica of Saint Mary — 30–45 minutes, free
If you like Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
- Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) — Whittier, 2–3 hours
- Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls — Mill District, 1 hour
- Chain of Lakes — Southwest Minneapolis, Half a day
- Minnehaha Falls — Minnehaha Park, 1–2 hours
Staying near Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Stay in Loring Park ($$) to walk here: a small lake park between downtown and the Walker Art Center. All areas to stay in Minneapolis.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Minneapolis Sculpture Garden?
Plan 1 hour. With Walker Art Center nearby, it fits a half-day in Loring Park.
+Is Minneapolis Sculpture Garden free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Minneapolis Sculpture Garden?
July–September for the most comfortable weather. Walk across the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge from Loring Park for the best approach, and come at golden hour for photos of the spoon.
+Do I need to book Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Minneapolis Sculpture Garden good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Minneapolis. Minneapolis is a relaxed family city, with free museums, lake beaches, bike paths and the Mall of America's indoor theme park as a fallback in any weather.