10 Sights & Landmarks in Minneapolis That You Shouldn't Miss

January 12, 2022 Tynisha Seiler

With its gleaming skyscrapers set amid glittering lakes, Minneapolis makes for an attractive and fun getaway. A truly year-round destination, the city offers activities for every season. In winter, one can explore the downtown area through more than seven miles of glass-enclosed skyways. In addition to keeping you warm, they create a lively thoroughfare filled with specialty shops, restaurants and services. Whether you want to escape the winter cold or the summer warmth, the Mall of America offers shopping, dining and entertainment options for any time of the year and every member of the family. Art lovers have plenty to see at the Minneapolis Art Institute, Walker Art Center and the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, which all house world-renowned collections. The theater scene is thriving. With more than thirty theaters, Minneapolis has more seats per capita than any U.S. city except New York. See a Broadway show and enjoy dinner and live jazz at a fabulous restaurant. With kids in tow, check out the Science Museum of Minnesota, where visitors can produce their own video, or come face to face with a shark at the UnderWater Adventures Aquarium. In summer, the action moves outside. Known as "The City of Lakes," Minneapolis has 22 lakes located within city limits and many more in the surrounding area. In town, hordes of locals and tourists in-line skate or stroll around Lake Calhoun, stopping for ice cream along the way. Just outside of town, Fort Snelling State Park offers outdoor recreational activities from hiking to biking and golf to boating. No matter when you visit, Minneapolis offers lots for everyone to enjoy.
Restaurants in Minneapolis

1. Mississippi Mile

Minneapolis, MN
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7 reviews

Mississippi Mile

2. Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

400 S 4th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1411 +1 612-661-4800 http://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/trails__parkways/grand_rounds_scenic_byway_system/
Excellent
77%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 150 reviews

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

40+ Miles Of Bike Trails Throughout The City

Reviewed By Blairian - Tucson, United States

Loved our trip around the Grand rounds. Rode with our bike group one Sunday in September. Reasonably well marked, but be sure to check the map at each of the gazebo like structures or run a map app on your phone. Beautiful ride.

3. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

726 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403 +1 612-375-7600 [email protected] http://www.walkerart.org/garden/
Excellent
53%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,754 reviews

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is closed for renovation, and will reopen in June 2017. One of the crown jewels of the city’s park system, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden unites two of Minnesota’s most cherished resources—its greenspace and its cultural life. A partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, the Garden is a top destination for tourists to enjoy art like the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry in an outdoor park setting.

Reviewed By victoriavZ5721AB - Rochester, United States

Had to check out the Minneapolis sculpture garden to see the famous spoon and cherry. We parked in the $4 parking lot and enjoyed strolling through the walkways to see some interesting sculptures. The native landscape and wildflowers only added to the beauty of the art and the location in the city. Got some cool pics as well which I'm sure we'll cherish for a long time!

4. Uptown

Hennepin Ave & Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408 +1 612-823-4581 http://www.uptownminneapolis.com/
Excellent
46%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 140 reviews

Uptown

Funky South Minneapolis area offering interesting stores and restaurants.

Reviewed By 522mardees - Cincinnati, United States

One of my favorite places to go shopping, or have a drink, or just walk around and window shop. Uptown has a very eclectic and vibrant vibe to it that is very appealing.

5. University of Minnesota

Between Mississippi and University aves. and 10th Ave. and Oak St. SE, Minneapolis, MN +1 800-752-1000 http://www1.umn.edu
Excellent
72%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 318 reviews

University of Minnesota

A comprehensive university offering undergraduate and graduate programs in more than 70 majors and fields.

Reviewed By W298IWdianer - Appleton, United States

My daughter attends here as a sophomore now and it is a wonderful school with so many choices of career paths available. There are two museums on three separate sections of the campus and wonderful athletic as well as musical opportunites.

6. Foshay Tower

821 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402-2929 +1 651-296-6126 http://www.exploreminnesota.com/profile/foshay-museum-observation-deck/3510
Excellent
50%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 277 reviews

Foshay Tower

After recent renovation, our museum and observation deck are now open seven days a week from 12:00pm-9:00pm. Weather permitting, both will be open year round.

Reviewed By terrencet960

I grew up in Minneapolis and I was always fascinated with a building that looked like the Washington Monument. It was constructed in 1906 and it was the tallest building between Chicago and the West Coast until the early 1970’s and was converted into a Hotel in 2008. This fall my wife a visited family and we were pleased to stay in this historic building. The hotel is very interesting, step into the elevators and jump back in time, the rooms have a wonderful view of the downtown (ask for an upper floor room) and the décor in the rooms are fun. Minneapolis is a great walking town, with walkways that connect most of the downtown, we were able to walked to the Twins baseball field which is about a mile way. Easy access to restaurants and shopping. You can also visit the Foshay museum and observation deck located on the 30th floor

7. Minneapolis Skyway System

Minneapolis, MN http://www.skywaymyway.com
Excellent
54%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 739 reviews

Minneapolis Skyway System

Reviewed By eloisemariel - Minneapolis, United States

The Skyways of both Minneapolis and St Paul are a great asset. One is able to get over much of each city in the warmth or cool, rain/snow or shine, depending on the season. Excellent maps are provided. Many shops and restaurants along the way. Also a great place to get in a good and safe walk. Interestingly, the city uses the heat from the city trash incinerator to heat the Skyways in the winter.

8. Basilica of St. Mary

88 N 17th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403-1295 +1 612-333-1381 [email protected] http://www.mary.org/
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 367 reviews

Basilica of St. Mary

Nation's First Basilica

Reviewed By Happy10958 - New Hampton, United States

The Basilica, which is attractive but not awe-inspiring from the outside, is beautifully crafted inside. It is tastefully ornate rather than being garish. After Sunday Mass, docents lead visitors on an informative, guided tour, providing fascinating history about the architecture,the artwork, the relics. After Mass and the tour, take a few moments to sit and contemplate .... you will be uplifted.

9. Lake Harriet Band Shell

4135 W Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55410-1213 +1 612-661-4785 http://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks_and_destinations/parks_and_lakes/lake_harriet_park
Excellent
56%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 137 reviews

Lake Harriet Band Shell

Reviewed By travelnow721 - Minneapolis, United States

Enjoy walking around the lake and listening to the wide variety of FREE music at the bandshell. Hope this continues for years and years!

10. Lakewood Cemetery

3600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408-3889 +1 612-822-2171 [email protected] http://www.lakewoodcemetery.com/
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 124 reviews

Lakewood Cemetery

One of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country

Reviewed By JohnAnnColumbia_MD - Columbia, United States

Four of us visited the Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN on Sunday 30 June 2019. The highlight is visiting the Lakewood Memorial Chapel with spectacular mosaics covering its domed ceiling and walls. When completed in 1910 it was the only building in the US with an authentic mosaic interior. The stunning Byzantine mosaics of 12 winged angels cover the dome and four seated virtues, Love, Hope, Memory and Faith, cove the four corners of the interior space are based on the interior of the San Marco Cathedral in Venice. They are made from more than 10 million mosaic pieces, called tessellae, made in Venice from silver, marble, colored stone, and glass fused with gold. See photos. We had reservations for the periodic Trolley Tour listed on their website under Up Coming Events. It starts at the Memorial Chapel. At $10/person, its an informative 1 hour ride through the cemetery with an interpretive guide that enhanced our visit. Free do it yourself walking tours and brochures are available online and at the Administrative Building and chapel. Did this review earn your "Thankful" vote?

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