Minneapolis Along the Mississippi River

Minneapolis is a major city in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It forms the “Twin Cities” with the capital of the state St. Paul. The city is divided by the Mississippi River.

The Basilica of St. Mary is a Roman Catholic minor basilica. It was ranked by Pope Pius XI as the first basilica established in the U.S. The basilica sits on its own block in downtown Minneapolis. It hosts concerts and music festivals and displays local, national, and international artwork.

The Mill City Museum was built on the ruins of the world’s largest flour mill. It stretches along the historic Mississippi Riverfront. Visitors learn about the history of the flour industry. The river, the city of Minneapolis, and how they all intertwine. The building has an eight-story façade giving it a modern look.

Mississippi Riverfront

Minnesota Children’s Museum has been rated as one of the top children’s museums in the country. Children learn and explore through a hands-on and stimulating environment, It emphasizes play as being the critical ingredient in a child’s development.

Fort Snelling is a former military fortification. There are plenty of stories about how the Dakota and other Native Americans lived and worked here. Immigrants, fur traders, soldiers, and slaves passed through here. It is located at the junction of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers.

Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is one of the most visited modern and contemporary art museums in the country. The Walker began as the private art collection of lumber baron Thomas Barlow Walker in the late 1800s.

The sculpture garden is one of the nation’s largest urban sculpture parks. The centerpiece is called “Spoonbridge and Cherry” by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosie van Bruggen.

Minnehaha Park features the 53-foot Minnehaha Falls. This is one of the oldest parks in Minneapolis. There are lovely limestone bluffs and river overlooks. People come to the park for the beauty of nature and performances at the bandstands. You can bike along the paths, disc golf, walk through the gardens, and children can play in the playgrounds.

You’ll find a statue of Hiawatha and Minnehaha from Longfellow’s “Song of Hiawatha”.

Paisley Park is the late musician’s Prince's private estate and production complex. It was built after the success of the song “Purple Rain” in the 1980s. Prince recorded, created, and performed in his private sanctuary. Today it is open to public tours.

Minneapolis Central Library was the city’s first public library building. It is known for its impressive exterior and amazing interior. It was built in 2006. It includes a collection of over 2.4 million items.

Mall of America opened in the early 1990s and drews millions of visitors. The outer ring of the mall offers multiple floors of shopping.

The center is home to Nickelodeon Universe, a theme park. It is the largest mall in the U.S and the 12th largest in the world.

The Minneapolis Institute of Art or MIA has artwork from many countries and in different styles among them paintings by the European masters. On display are sculptures, photos, paintings, drawings, textiles, and prints, Public tours are available and admission is free.

The Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota is an architectural highlight. This is a four-story stainless steel structure. The collection focuses on American modernism, traditional Korean furniture, and ancient Mimbres pottery from the American Southwest. The museum’s Public Art on Campus has art displayed all around the campus.

Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park stretches along the Uptown neighborhood and the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. Visitors can lie in the sun or explore the shorelines of Lake Harriet, Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake, and Brownie Lake. There are nearly 15 miles of trails that connect them all to Lyndale Park.

There are boat docks, a biking path, a hockey rink, a fishing pier, cross-country ski trails, a bandstand, and a garden In the summer there are free movies and music.

In Minneapolis, fans of The Mary Tyler Moore Show can drive by the mansion made famous in the credits. Mary Richards supposedly lived in the mansion in an apartment on the third floor. This Victorian mansion is located on Kenwood Parkway and features seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

The American Swedish Institute demonstrates the region's Swedish heritage and its importance. The institute consists of the Nelson Cultural Center and historic Turnblad Mansion, whose owner was Swan Turnblad, the owner of the largest Swedish newspaper in the U.S. Tours of the mansion are given.

Nicollet Mall is the main shopping center in downtown Minneapolis. It is part of a pedestrian zone with shops, restaurants, galleries, and public art displays.

The Crystal Court Piazza features the IDS Center Tower.

The City Hall also known as the Municipal Building is located to the east of Nicollet Mall. Inside is a statue in the Rotunda, Father of the Water, that was carved from a single block of Carrara marble. Rising above the building is the clock tower chiming at certain times of the day. This is a National Historic Landmark.

The Stone Arch Bridge has 21 arches and stretches across the Mississippi River. People enjoy strolling across the bridge.

Minneapolis Zoo is home to more than 2,300 animals. There are indoor and outdoor enclosures. The Northern Trail is a self-guiding outdoor pathway taking visitors past wild boar, leopards, camels, llamas, and prairie dogs. Visitors enjoy the Wells Fargo Family Farm with friendly animals waiting for a pat.