One day in Minneapolis

Day by day

1. Day 1: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Center

   Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Walker Art Center, Basilica of Saint Mary and Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), then First Avenue in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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. Allow 1 hour.

   2. Late morning

      Walker Art Center

      Check the Walker's calendar for free-entry days and evenings, and combine a visit with the Sculpture Garden across the road. Allow 2 hours.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Jucy Lucy

      Matt's Bar (spelling it Jucy Lucy) and the 5-8 Club (Juicy Lucy) in south Minneapolis.

   4. Afternoon

      Basilica of Saint Mary

      Combine it with a walk through Loring Park to the Sculpture Garden; dress modestly and avoid visiting during Mass. Allow 30–45 minutes.

   5. Late afternoon

      Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)

      Pick up a map and head for the Asian galleries and period rooms, which most first-time visitors miss. Allow 2–3 hours.

   6. Evening

      First Avenue

      Look for Prince's gold star on the outside wall, and check the calendar for gigs at both the main room and 7th St Entry.

Before you go

If it rains

• Swap in Mill City Museum (Mill District): Go up to the ninth-floor observation deck at the end for the best view of the falls and the Stone Arch Bridge.
• Swap in Mall of America (Bloomington): Take the Blue Line light rail from downtown or the airport; it stops right at the mall's transit station.
• Swap in American Swedish Institute (Phillips): Visit in December, when the mansion rooms are decorated for Nordic Christmas traditions.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 8–10 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.8 hours in December to 15.6 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Tram. The Blue Line runs from Target Field through downtown to the airport and the Mall of America; the Green Line runs from Target Field past the university to downtown Saint Paul.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Minneapolis
• 3 days in Minneapolis

Questions travellers ask