We are spending one day in Minneapolis, and would like some help deciding on where to go, and what to do. (we are on a tight budget, so no expensive options please)
Our travelers are laid back, photography enthusiasts, love sightseeing, and love hiking and nature. (no shopping, or mall of america suggestions please) We don%26#39;t want to travel much out of the city, since we will be driving back towards Eau Claire, WI that evening.
Thanks so much!
One day in Minneapolis... what should we do? Itinerary help?
down by the Mississippi River
walk the Mississippi Mile - Stone Arch Bridge, St. Anthony Main, Nicollet Island, %26amp; NEW Water Power Park.
Check out the free overlook at the new Guthrie Theater near by. Gold Medal Park, too.
minneapolis-riverfront.com/images/map_riverf鈥?/a>
http://www.minneapolis-riverfront.com/
I%26#39;ve heard good things about the Picosa lunch buffet, right on St. Anthony Main.
Hotels nearby would be the Nicollet Island Inn, or the Marriotts at the Depot, or Marriott TownePlace Suites.
One day in Minneapolis... what should we do? Itinerary help?
Here%26#39;s the Picosa link -
http://www.picosarestaurant.com/home.asp
A few suggestions:
Lake Calhoun to rent a canoe or a kayak and paddle to Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake and Brown Lake. Have lunch at Tin Fish. Or just walk around one or more of the lakes.
The Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center. There is a artist-designed mini golf course.
Minnehaha Falls with lunch at Sea Salt.
Hike at Fort Snelling State Park.
at the risk of sounding repetitive of other similar queries, I think Minnehaha Falls and the surrounding park fits your bill to a T.
The waterfall should intrigue any photog. Plenty of nature, hiking, etc. And there is a wonderful seafood restaurant (Sea Salt, as someone mentioned earlier) right in the middle of it all, with patio seating to allow you to take in the pleasant sounds of the falls a stone%26#39;s throw away.
Take the walk down the stairs, then, and follow the creek down to it%26#39;s merger with the Missisippi. It%26#39;s beautiful. And free. (Except for the food).
I don%26#39;t know where you%26#39;re staying but the light rail does stop there. If you can arrange to have bikes, you could make the ride to Fort Snelling downstream along the MIssissppi flood plain to where it merges with the Minnesota River, or over to Lake Nokomis. Lots of places to eat along the way.
The park does rent bikes, but they are those gimmicky quad bikes with a canopy or the recliner bikes. Not your standard 10-speed or mountain bike, unfortunately.
Following the Mississippi might be fun. Start at Minnehaha Falls, cross the Ford Bridge, go up the St. Paul side, cross back at Lake Street, continue up the Minneapolis side, crossing back at Franklin, continuing through the U of Minnesota to the Washington Avenue bridge, crossing back to the Guthrie, etc.
One of my favorite photo spots is the parking lot of Town %26amp; Country Golf Course and looking up the river.
The bridges provide great photo angles as well as photo interest.
And I%26#39;ve always liked Pracna on Main in St. Anthony Main--at the north end of this course. It%26#39;s not breathtaking food, but it has survived for what seems like 30 years.
While I think these are all good ideas, a couple mentions, depending on when you%26#39;re visiting:
1) We%26#39;ve had quite a dry spell this summer. Minnehaha Falls is really more impressive after regulars rains have occurred. Not sure it%26#39;s that dramatic right now...
2) If you%26#39;d like to stay in the city (sounds like you do) then I%26#39;d recommend Loring Park area (Walker Sculpture Garden (museum is also free Thurs night), lunch on top of Joe%26#39;s Garage in Loring Park) then walk or bus it to St Anthony Main (St Anthony Bridge, eve cocktails %26amp; free view at the Guthrie overhang, explore the river walks. polka at world famous Nye%26#39;s). Urban experience with lots of green spaces!
The lakes are nice, but these are what I%26#39;d recommend for a better taste of Minneapolis.
This is a great topic! I%26#39;m planning a surprise trip for my husband this fall and I want to stay within 200 miles from home, so I%26#39;ve chosen Minneapolis. I hope that this topic gets more replies! We love the outdoors so I can%26#39;t wait to drive up there. :)
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