Must-see attractions in Minnesota

  • Walker Art Center.

    Walker Art Center

    Minneapolis

    The first-class art center has a strong permanent collection of 20th-century art and photography, including big-name US painters and great US pop art. On…

  • Hare on Bell on Portland Stone Piers, Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

    Minneapolis

    This 19-acre green space, studded with contemporary works such as the oft-photographed Spoonbridge & Cherry by Claes Oldenburg, sits beside the Walker Art…

  • Main entrance to Minneapolis Institute of Arts, fine arts museum in Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Midwest, USA

    Minneapolis Institute of Art

    Minneapolis

    This museum is a huge trove housing a veritable history of art. The modern and contemporary collections will astonish, while the Asian galleries (2nd…

  • The Frederick Weisman Art Museum, the stainless steel structure by architect Frank Gehry, on the University of Minnesota campus - Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota

    Weisman Art Museum

    Minneapolis

    The Weisman, which occupies a swooping silver structure by architect Frank Gehry, is a university (and city) highlight. The airy main galleries hold cool…

  • Endless Bridge

    Minneapolis

    Head inside the cobalt-blue Guthrie Theater and make your way up the escalator to the Endless Bridge, a far-out cantilevered walkway overlooking the…

  • Paisley Park

    Minneapolis

    After Prince died in 2016, his family opened his 65,000-sq-ft home to the public for tours. Fans have been streaming to the mod, boxy white mansion ever…

  • 405090 10: The Statue Honoring Mary Tyler Moore Was Unveiled May 8, 2002 In Minneapolis, Mn. The Statue Depicts Moore Tossing Her Tam (Hat) From The Opening Credits Of The "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".  (Photo By Mike Ekern/Getty Images)

    Mary Tyler Moore Statue

    Minneapolis

    The late, great Mary Tyler Moore (of '70s TV fame) put Minneapolis on the pop-culture map. The spot, at the corner of 7th St S and Nicollet Mall, where…

  • Valleyfair

    Minneapolis

    If the rides at the Mall of America aren't enough, drive out to this full-scale amusement and water park 22 miles southwest of Minneapolis in Shakopee…

  • Schubert Club Museum

    Minnesota

    The Schubert Club Museum has a brilliant collection of old pianos and harpsichords – some tickled by Brahms, Mendelssohn and the like – as well as old…

  • Landmark Center

    Minnesota

    Downtown's turreted 1902 Landmark Center used to be the federal courthouse, where gangsters such as Alvin 'Creepy' Karpis were tried; plaques next to the…

  • James J Hill House

    Minnesota

    Tour the palatial stone mansion of railroad magnate James J Hill. It's a Gilded Age beauty, with five floors and 22 fireplaces. On Monday and Tuesday…

  • Nickelodeon Universe

    Minneapolis

    The amusement park in the Mall of America offers around 28 rides, including a couple of scream-inducing roller coasters. To walk through will cost you…

  • National Eagle Center

    Minnesota

    Located in Wabasha, where a large population of bald eagles congregates each winter, the interpretive center has interactive displays about the big birds…

  • Washington County Historic Courthouse

    Minnesota

    Impressive Washington County Courthouse is one of Minnesota's oldest courthouses and dates from 1870. Guided tours lead visitors through the history of…

  • Water Power Park

    Minneapolis

    Walk down from Main St SE to this park jutting into the Mississippi River and feel its frothy spray. Quiet benches, skyline views and the chance to see…

  • Cathedral of St Paul

    Minnesota

    Modeled on St Peter's Basilica in Rome, the cathedral presides over the city from its hilltop perch. Guided tours (suggested donation $2) are available at…

  • DY5FWE USA, Minnesota, Minneapolis, skyline from the University of Minnesota

    University of Minnesota

    Minneapolis

    This is one of the USA's largest campuses, with some 50,000 students. Most of the campus is in the East Bank neighborhood. Washington Ave SE and Oak St SE…

  • F Scott Fitzgerald Birthplace

    Minnesota

    The Great Gatsby author F Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) is St Paul's most celebrated literary son. This Pullman-style apartment on Laurel Ave is his…

  • Mill City Museum

    Minneapolis

    The building is indeed a former mill, and highlights include a ride inside an eight-story grain elevator (the 'Flour Tower'), Betty Crocker exhibits and a…

  • Stillwater Lift Bridge

    Minnesota

    The symbol of Stillwater is this historic 'lift' bridge that crosses the St Croix River to Wisconsin from about the midpoint of downtown. The bridge lifts…

  • World's Largest Ball of Twine

    Minnesota

    OK, so there are three other Midwest twine balls also claiming to be the largest, but Darwin maintains it has the 'Largest Built by One Person' – Francis…

  • Spam Museum

    Minnesota

    The entire museum is devoted to the peculiar meat. It educates on how the blue tins have fed armies, become a Hawaiian food staple and inspired legions of…

  • Sea Life Minnesota

    Minneapolis

    The state's largest aquarium – brimming with sharks, jellyfish and stingrays – is in the Mall of America. Combination passes with the Nickelodeon Universe…

  • Minnesota Zoo

    Minneapolis

    You'll have to travel a ways to get to this respected zoo in suburban Apple Valley, which is 20 miles south of Minneapolis. It has naturalistic habitats…

  • Fort Snelling

    Minneapolis

    Fort Snelling is the state's oldest structure, established in 1820 as a frontier outpost in the remote Northwest Territory. Guides in period dress show…

  • Gold Medal Park

    Minneapolis

    Locals stroll in this spot that spreads next to the Guthrie Theater. The mound and spiral walkway at the center were inspired by ancient Native American…

  • Harriet Island

    Minnesota

    South of downtown and connected via Wabasha St, Harriet Island is a lovely place to meander. It has a river walk, paddle wheel steamboat cruises, concert…

  • Science Museum of Minnesota

    Minnesota

    Even adults will be entertained by the wacky quackery of the 4th floor's 'questionable medical devices.' Has the usual hands-on kids' exhibits and Omnimax…

More destinations you need to see