Top 10 Outdoor Activities in Minneapolis, Minnesota (MN)

November 12, 2021 Renato Branum

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. 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.

2. Pedal Pub Twin Cities

Excellent
89%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 97 reviews

Pedal Pub Twin Cities

Our mission is to provide a fun, safe, environmentally-friendly way for groups of adults to get some light exercise and fresh air while touring interesting parts of the Twin Cities. We rent the entire bike as well as single seats.

3. The Hitching Company

Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 107 reviews

The Hitching Company

The Hitching Company provides horse drawn carriage rides / tours in Minneapolis along the Mississippi River. Relaxing and enjoyable for all ages. Carriage drivers provide both cultural and historical narration during the ride. All rides are private. Maximum of 4 adults per carriage. Reservations are highly recommended.

4. City Running Tours

Excellent
95%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 44 reviews

City Running Tours

City Running Tours offers both guided personalized and group running tours in Minneapolis, accommodating your needs as both a runner and tourist. Share your love of running with us as we share Minneapolis with you!

5. Minneapolis By Bike

Excellent
93%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 275 reviews

Minneapolis By Bike

Minneapolis By Bike is a small business offering various guided and narrated bike tours throughout the city.

6. Fairview Park

621 29th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411-1405 +1 612-370-4922 https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/farview_park/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Fairview Park

7. Mississippi River Day Trips by Wilderness Inquiry

Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 38 reviews

Mississippi River Day Trips by Wilderness Inquiry

Looking for a fun outdoor adventure in the Twin Cities? Explore the Mighty Mississippi River on a half-day guided canoe trip. These popular adventures take place in the Twin Cities' very own National Park – the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA). Paddling the in one of our beautiful 24-foot cedar strip canoes is easy, fun, and affordable! Reduced rate for kids.

8. Life on the Mississippi

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Life on the Mississippi

Take a walking tour of the Minneapolis riverfront! The Historic Riverfront tour starts and ends behind the Guthrie Theater in the Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis. The tour is three miles long and includes the following major sites: Guthrie Theater Mill Ruins Stone Arch Bridge Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam Nicollet Island Historic Main Street Father Hennepin Park

9. Paddle Bridge Guide Collective

Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

Paddle Bridge Guide Collective

Paddle Bridge is a collection of professional guides committed to providing safe and inclusive outdoor opportunities along the Mississippi River and around the Twin Cities area. We offer premier kayaking tours. We are dedicated to natural preservation, environmental education and sharing our passion for the outdoors with others.

10. Mississippi River Paddle Share

5116 N Mississippi Drive North Mississippi Regional Park, Minneapolis, MN 55412 +1 844-694-6489 http://www.paddleshare.org
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Mississippi River Paddle Share

Mississippi River Paddle Share is an exciting kayak share opportunity in the Twin Cities metro area for those who have some experience, don’t own a boat, and want a safe and enjoyable paddling experience. All paddle share stations are aligned with alternative transportation, including bike share stations, to get you to the river if you do not have a car and provide a paddle/peddle experience.

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