The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary To See All Of The Biggest Minneapolis Landmarks!
Minneapolis skyline from Stone Arch Bridge
Minneapolis is the perfect destination for a long weekend away! It’s a big enough city that there are plenty of things to do in Minneapolis, but not so big that you leave feeling as though you missed seeing most of the highlights.
There is public transportation available throughout the city with the buses and the light rail. We preferred to have a car-with a car everything was within a 10-15 minute drive, making Minneapolis/St. Paul an easy-to-navigate city.
Day 1: Downtown Minneapolis/Mill District
One of the most iconic Minneapolis must-see attractions is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden! Run by the Walker Art Center, it’s a garden where you can see free, public art. It’s open from 6 AM-midnight each day and various events are held here throughout the year. The most famous sculpture is the Spoonbridge and Cherry sculptural fountain.
Did you know Minneapolis was originally the flour milling capital of the world? You can still explore Minneapolis’s history by visiting the Mill City Museum.
Just outside of the Mill City Museum, take a stroll along the Stone Arch Bridge. You’ll be able to see the US Bank Stadium (home to the Minnesota Vikings), the Guthrie Theater, and the Minneapolis skyline in the background. If it’s in the summertime, you’ll be able to head down to water level to St. Anthony Falls, a natural waterfall that doubles as a power source!
While on the Stone Arch bridge, don’t forget to look up. While the mills are no longer active (they are being revitalized into condominiums) the mill buildings and original signs are still present making the Stone Arch bridge a Minneapolis must-see!
Day 2: Mall of America
Mall of America is the largest mall in the United States. Despite being a can’t-miss shopping in Minnesota experience, the biggest draw to go to Mall of America is to experience everything else that it has to offer!
Some can’t-miss Mall of America attractions include Nickelodeon Universe, ClimbZone, FlyOver America, the M&M store, the Lego store, the Fair on Four, laser tag or mini-golf and so much more.
Whether you want to ride amusement park rides with friends, want to play mini-golf with your significant other, or are looking for family fun in the twin cities, Mall of America is the place to visit.
Mall of America often has celebrations and events going on, so make sure to check out the Mall of America entertainment schedule to check the hours of operation.
Day 3: Minnehaha Falls, Minnesota Zoo and Depart!
You can’t explore Minnesota without experiencing some of Minneapolis’ parks!
One of the oldest and most popular parks is Minnehaha Regional Park. In the summer, you can play disc golf, walk through various gardens, visit the Princess Depot, or take your dog to the dog park, among other things. In the winter, some of these areas are closed off.
The sight you must see anytime during the year is the Minnehaha Falls. It’s a 53-foot tall, picturesque cascade of water. In the winter, it freezes and is lined by beautiful, blue-tinted icicles. Every winter, the water freezes differently, so you could visit every year and see a different sight!
From there, head to the Zoo! There are 2 zoos in the twin cities- Minnesota Zoo and Como Zoo. Both have their merits: Como Zoo is smaller and takes a lot less time to explore but it is free. If you’re interested in gardens, Como Zoo also has a bonsai collection, lily pond, orchid house, palm dome, and much more!
Minnesota Zoo on the other hand is significantly larger- it’s in the top 10 largest zoos in the United States, has more indoor exhibits-which is great for the colder winter months, a splash pad in the summer, and more dynamic animal habitats. Both are kid-friendly activities in Minnesota, so you can’t go wrong with either choice.
We chose to go to Minnesota Zoo on this trip, and we suggest going there.
One of the things we loved the most about the Minnesota Zoo is the unique animals that call the zoo home. They have animals you would expect to see at the zoo such as tigers, primates, and bears.
Some of the more unique animals you can see include takin, Przewalski horses, sea otters, Komodo dragon, moose, and our favorite- the Hawaiian monk seal. As a critically endangered species, with only about 1000 left in their population, Minnesota Zoo is the only zoo outside of Hawaii where these Monk Seals can be seen! Ola, the Hawaiian monk seal, was rescued and deemed to be unreleasable and has called Minnesota Zoo home since 2015.
When you’re at the Minnesota Zoo, check out the Treetop Trail, which is included in your admission ticket. This opened within the last year and allows guests to experience the zoo from above. It’s a different perspective we enjoyed, that elevates the zoo experience!
A Minnesota vacation is a perfect weekend getaway if you want to stay in the twin cities. While there are many cultural attractions in Minneapolis, there are also so many outdoor activities you can do to truly discover Minnesota. From visiting the ice palace and ice castle in the winter to hiking and kayaking in the summer, Minnesota has it all!
