Visiting Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls

About Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls

Railroad baron James J. Hill's curving granite and limestone viaduct of 1883 is now a pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Mississippi, with views of St. Anthony Falls, the lock and dam and the downtown skyline. Interpretive signs along the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail explain the mill ruins on both banks.

Tip: Walk the loop from Mill Ruins Park across the bridge to St. Anthony Main and back over the Hennepin Avenue Bridge at sunset.

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: Mill District, riverfront mill ruins, the Guthrie and the Stone Arch Bridge.

Best time to visit Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls

To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:

• September: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• October: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• May: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.

For the view at golden hour: in mid-September the sun sets at about 19:25 local time (calculated for Minneapolis).

When to visit Minneapolis has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day Minneapolis itinerary visits Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls on day 2, together with Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), Mall of America and Guthrie Theater.

• No. 3 of the 17 sights in our Minneapolis things-to-do list.
• Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
• Listed in free things to do in Minneapolis.
• One of the picks in historic sites in Minneapolis.

Near Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls

Also in Mill District, so you can walk between them:

• Mill City Museum — 2 hours, mid-priced
• Guthrie Theater — 30 minutes, or an evening for a show, free

If you like Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls

• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden — Loring Park, 1 hour
• Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) — Whittier, 2–3 hours
• Minnehaha Falls — Minnehaha Park, 1–2 hours
• Basilica of Saint Mary — Loring Park, 30–45 minutes

Staying near Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls

Stay in Mill District ($$$) to walk here: riverfront mill ruins, the Guthrie and the Stone Arch Bridge. All areas to stay in Minneapolis.

Questions travellers ask