Minneapolis Tour - Skyscrapers to City Parks - Walking/Driving
Overview
Welcome to my Minneapolis! We'll walk through the heart of the city east to west. From downtown there'll be a short drive and visit to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden followed by another short drive to the Chain of Lakes. This isn't a tour of historical facts and figures, instead, I want you to get to know Minneapolis by experiencing it!
This is where I grew up and the city that keeps me coming back no matter where I roam. As an international tour guide, I spend a lot of my time excitedly researching and traveling to far flung destinations. It is with this same enthusiasm for foreign lands that I created this unique day tour of my hometown, which includes just some of the things I find remarkable about the city.
(Please note, you should be able to walk at least a mile. Wear comfortable shoes.)
This is where I grew up and the city that keeps me coming back no matter where I roam. As an international tour guide, I spend a lot of my time excitedly researching and traveling to far flung destinations. It is with this same enthusiasm for foreign lands that I created this unique day tour of my hometown, which includes just some of the things I find remarkable about the city.
(Please note, you should be able to walk at least a mile. Wear comfortable shoes.)
Inclusions
- Private transportation
- Parking Fees
- Entrance Fees
- Lunch
- Entry/Admission - Foshay Tower
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Guthrie Theater, 818 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1252
This is where we will begin our tour. The Guthrie Theater is open to all, giving everyone the opportunity to appreciate its clever architecture and spectacular views of the Mississippi River from its unique vantage point. (Dependent on Guthrie lobby hours.)
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Gold Medal Park, Second Street and 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
A place for community gathering alongside the Guthrie Theater, this park offers stunning views of the cityscape. It takes its inspiration from the Native American mounds that are found throughout Minnesota.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Mill Ruins Park, 102 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2531
This park interprets the history of flour milling in Minneapolis and showcases the ruins of several flour mills that were abandoned.
Stop At: Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis, MN, USA
We'll walk out onto the the Stone Arch Bridge, a former railroad bridge crossing the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls, which has been turned into a pedestrian bridge for everyone to enjoy. This is the location of several annual art fairs. It is the only arched bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi River and the second oldest bridge on the river.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Minneapolis City Hall, 350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1316
One of the oldest buildings in downtown. Home to both the Mayor and the Father of Waters.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: First Avenue & 7th St Entry, 701 1st Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55403-1327
A tour of Minneapolis would be incomplete without a nod to our beloved Prince. We'll stop by to read the writing on the wall. Be the first this summer to see the new 100-foot-tall mural of Prince, painted by muralist Hiero Veiga.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Nicollet Mall, btwn Washington Ave and 13th St S, Minneapolis, MN 55403
This mile-long, pedestrian oasis is lined by bars and restaurants overflowing onto the sidewalks, public art, bountiful greenery, and many shopping options. Stop and chat with the iconic Mary Tyler Moore!
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: IDS Building, 80 S 8th St Downtown, Minneapolis, MN 55402-2100
Tallest building in Minnesota, the IDS stands at 792 feet above the city and is at the core of the downtown Minneapolis skyway system, which is the largest, contiguous enclosed walkway in the world! Let's stop in to see the award-winning 23, 000 square foot urban park that is Crystal Court.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Foshay Tower, 821 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402-2929
The Foshay was completed in 1929 and modeled after the Washington Monument. It's a fine example of Art Deco architecture. It remained the tallest building in Minneapolis until 1972. From the observation deck high above the city streets, it's easy to imagine what it once was in its early glory days. From here we will drive out of the city center.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 726 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
The Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center is beloved by all our city dwellers. It's the place we all want to show off to our visitors. It's one of the largest sculpture gardens in the country with 40 permanent art installations and several other temporary pieces.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Chain of Lakes, Cedar Lake, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1411
We'll drive through the upscale Kenwood neighborhood in order to connect to the city's prized chain of lakes. This is where we city dwellers walk, jog, bike, rollerblade, kayak, canoe, sail, play volleyball, sunbathe, listen to live music, and enjoy ice cream on a hot summer day. The paths around these lakes are never empty, even in the dead of winter.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Lake Harriet Rose Garden, 4125 E Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55409
After having traveled East to West across Minneapolis, we will pass by Lyndale Park Rose Garden, and Peace Garden. Within this Asian-influenced area are two peace stones from Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and a peace pole dedicated to peace between nations. This lush green space is home to Shakespeare in the Park, and some pretty great cloud gazing.
Stop At: Lake Harriet Band Shell, 4135 W Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55410-1213
At the Lake Harriet bandshell we'll stop for a light lunch and some people watching before returning to downtown.
Duration: 20 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Guthrie Theater, 818 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1252
This is where we will begin our tour. The Guthrie Theater is open to all, giving everyone the opportunity to appreciate its clever architecture and spectacular views of the Mississippi River from its unique vantage point. (Dependent on Guthrie lobby hours.)
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Gold Medal Park, Second Street and 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
A place for community gathering alongside the Guthrie Theater, this park offers stunning views of the cityscape. It takes its inspiration from the Native American mounds that are found throughout Minnesota.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Mill Ruins Park, 102 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2531
This park interprets the history of flour milling in Minneapolis and showcases the ruins of several flour mills that were abandoned.
Stop At: Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis, MN, USA
We'll walk out onto the the Stone Arch Bridge, a former railroad bridge crossing the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls, which has been turned into a pedestrian bridge for everyone to enjoy. This is the location of several annual art fairs. It is the only arched bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi River and the second oldest bridge on the river.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Minneapolis City Hall, 350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1316
One of the oldest buildings in downtown. Home to both the Mayor and the Father of Waters.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: First Avenue & 7th St Entry, 701 1st Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55403-1327
A tour of Minneapolis would be incomplete without a nod to our beloved Prince. We'll stop by to read the writing on the wall. Be the first this summer to see the new 100-foot-tall mural of Prince, painted by muralist Hiero Veiga.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Nicollet Mall, btwn Washington Ave and 13th St S, Minneapolis, MN 55403
This mile-long, pedestrian oasis is lined by bars and restaurants overflowing onto the sidewalks, public art, bountiful greenery, and many shopping options. Stop and chat with the iconic Mary Tyler Moore!
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: IDS Building, 80 S 8th St Downtown, Minneapolis, MN 55402-2100
Tallest building in Minnesota, the IDS stands at 792 feet above the city and is at the core of the downtown Minneapolis skyway system, which is the largest, contiguous enclosed walkway in the world! Let's stop in to see the award-winning 23, 000 square foot urban park that is Crystal Court.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Foshay Tower, 821 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402-2929
The Foshay was completed in 1929 and modeled after the Washington Monument. It's a fine example of Art Deco architecture. It remained the tallest building in Minneapolis until 1972. From the observation deck high above the city streets, it's easy to imagine what it once was in its early glory days. From here we will drive out of the city center.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 726 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
The Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center is beloved by all our city dwellers. It's the place we all want to show off to our visitors. It's one of the largest sculpture gardens in the country with 40 permanent art installations and several other temporary pieces.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Chain of Lakes, Cedar Lake, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1411
We'll drive through the upscale Kenwood neighborhood in order to connect to the city's prized chain of lakes. This is where we city dwellers walk, jog, bike, rollerblade, kayak, canoe, sail, play volleyball, sunbathe, listen to live music, and enjoy ice cream on a hot summer day. The paths around these lakes are never empty, even in the dead of winter.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Lake Harriet Rose Garden, 4125 E Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55409
After having traveled East to West across Minneapolis, we will pass by Lyndale Park Rose Garden, and Peace Garden. Within this Asian-influenced area are two peace stones from Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and a peace pole dedicated to peace between nations. This lush green space is home to Shakespeare in the Park, and some pretty great cloud gazing.
Stop At: Lake Harriet Band Shell, 4135 W Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55410-1213
At the Lake Harriet bandshell we'll stop for a light lunch and some people watching before returning to downtown.
Duration: 20 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
redweasel
September 2022
Crime is so bad there, you stay in at night. Take you vacation in a safe state. One has to be safe, when vacationing, crime is rampant in Minneapolis
Crime is so bad there, you stay in at night. Take you vacation in a safe state. One has to be safe, when vacationing, crime is rampant in Minneapolis65susanl65
October 2023
Jessica was fantastic, and I would highly recommend this tour! I loved the combination of the walking component and the driving component to really get a sense of what Minneapolis has to offer.
Jessica was fantastic, and I would highly recommend this tour! I loved the combination of the walking component and the driving component to really get a sense of what Minneapolis has to offer.Erika_M
September 2022
Jessica is a very experienced tour guide. She has a great knowledge about the city. We had a great time. We highly recommend this tour.
Jessica is a very experienced tour guide. She has a great knowledge about the city. We had a great time. We highly recommend this tour.Kirsty_W
October 2023
Such a wonderful way to experience Minneapolis! Jessica was a fantastic tour guide-like meeting up with an old friend to visit Minneapolis in a way locals know and love. Learned all about key cultural, historic, artistic, architectural aspects of the city plus had a lovely drive and lunch at a ...
Such a wonderful way to experience Minneapolis! Jessica was a fantastic tour guide-like meeting up with an old friend to visit Minneapolis in a way locals know and love. Learned all about key cultural, historic, artistic, architectural aspects of the city plus had a lovely drive and lunch at a scenic lake!