PARKS
BIKING TRAILS
LAKES
GARDENS
GETTING THERE
Boasting more parkland acres per capita than any major city in the country and framed by 22 lakes , Minneapolis offers endless opportunities for outdoor fun . Fresh air activities are everywhere , from biking , boating , fishing , hiking , and public gardens . Head to the land of 10,000 lakes for an active summer getaway .
PARKS
Minneapolis is carpeted with 180 parks . The city offers so many parks that 98 % of Minneapolis residents are within a 10-minute walk of a park . It ’ s no wonder that Minneapolis is consistently ranked as one of the fittest cities in the U . S . Enjoy walking or biking in a few of these lovely green spaces . To dive deeply into the natural landscape , visit the Mississippi River Gorge Regional Park . Stroll along the tree-lined shoreline that highlights the waves of the Mississippi River against the backdrop of Minneapolis skyscrapers . Take the three-mile Gorge Trail to enjoy birdwatching or view river gorges and wildlife . For a more laidback outing , head to Loring Park to walk along Loring Lake or play horseshoes , chess , or checkers with locals . This park is the site of many cultural events , including the Loring Park Art Festival and the Twin Cities LGBTQ + Pride Festival , as well as outdoor concerts . Discover the city ’ s history at Mill Ruins Park . Flour mill walls that date to the 1800s reflect the city ’ s birthplace and legacy as the world ’ s flour milling capital . Raised walking paths and bridges supply riverside views . Minnehaha Falls Park is one of the city ’ s oldest and most popular parks . The park is home to a dazzling 53-foot waterfall , limestone bluffs , a wading pool , a creek , and Sea Salt Eatery , a seasonal restaurant .
BIKING TRAILS
With 101 miles of bikeways and trails , Minneapolis has many two-wheel options . Roll along the most scenic route , The Chain of Lakes , which winds along the shorelines of Brownie Lake , Cedar Lake , Lake of the Isles , Bde Maka Ska , and Lake Harriet over a breathtaking 15-mile trail . On Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway , glide along a 50-mile circular path of linked parks and Minneapolis neighborhoods . Riding on one of the country ’ s longest public urban parkways , you ’ ll glimpse lagoons ,
wetlands , woodlands , and lakes . Bike along the east and west banks of the Mississippi River on the Minneapolis River Parkways . These trails extend into St . Paul and provide skyline and river views .
LAKES
You can ’ t visit the City of Lakes without venturing into the water . Kayaking is one of the most popular choices , and the self-serve Paddle Share makes it easy . Reserve a kayak on the website , choose a trip with different start and end locations , and pick up your kayak at a launch station . For a guided tour , splash into the Mississippi River with Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours for a 2 ½ hour trip along the historic waterway . Wilderness Inquiry will take you paddling along the river in a 24-foot cedar canoe for a canoe adventure . Choose stand-up paddle boarding , boating , kayaking , or canoeing on Chain of Lakes with Wheel Fun Rentals . It ’ s even possible to travel from lake to lake with some skill . For fishing , dip into lakes , rivers , and streams for more than 162 species of fish . The walleye is the state fish , but there ’ s also trout , perch , pike , muskie , and smallmouth bass . Rental boats are available , as well as charters .
GARDENS
Absorb some floral beauty in the city ’ s many public gardens . At Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary , 15 acres of prairie flowers , plants , and wildflowers surround you . A boardwalk leads you through forests and prairie and oak savanna . Look out for over 130 species of birds . Travel to the Northeast shores of Lake Harriet to take in 60,000 summer-blooming multi-color roses at Lyndale Park Rose Garden . Butterflies and hummingbirds flit through 3,000 plants in 100 varieties . Meander along the creek that runs along Longfellow Gardens and enjoy a panorama of native flowers , wildlife , and the Minneapolis skyline .
GETTING THERE
Delta , United , and Sun Country airlines all offer nonstop flights from Dulles International Airport IAD to Minneapolis-St . Paul International Airport ( MSP ) while Delta and American Airlines both offer nonstop flights from Reagan National Airport ( DCA ) to MSP .
Summer in Minneapolis
Credit : Augustus Isaac , Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
Bloom Island
Credit : Lane Pelovksy , Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
Lake of the Isles
Credit : Lane Pelovksy , Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
SPRING 2024
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