Get to know Minneapolis!
Minneapolis City Walking Tour
$75 per person (2 person minimum) |
Minneapolis Skyway Tour
$75 per person (2 person minimum) |
Tour offered May through September
Mon / Tue / Thu / Fri / Sat Start time: 9:00am Duration: 2 to 2-1/2 hours Departure: Guthrie Theater, 818 South 2nd Street Return: Foshay Tower (W Hotel), 821 South Marquette Ave Be able to walk up to two miles. This walking tour of Minneapolis will show you the heart of downtown, from the city's founding along the mighty Mississippi river banks and St. Anthony Falls, to it's modern-day skyscrapers and extensive skyway system. We'll start at the Guthrie Theater, with its clever architecture and spectacular views of the Mississippi River from its Endless Bridge. Then a walk through Gold Medal Park, inspired by the Native American mounds that are found throughout Minnesota, and a place for community gathering alongside the theater. We'll pass by old mill ruins to the Stone Arch Bridge, a former railroad bridge, now a walking/jogging/cycling/rollerblading/one-wheeling bridge for everyone to enjoy. It remains the only arched bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi River and the second oldest bridge to span the waters. From the river's edge to the city center we're off to ride the light-rail, passing the new fire station, the old train depot, and the formidable City Hall along the way. Lots of bits and pieces, art and architecture, to see in between. No trip to Minneapolis would be complete without a nod to our beloved Prince. We'll stop by the music venue, First Avenue, made Minneapolis-famous by starring in the movie Purple Rain, as well as the 100-foot-tall mural of Prince painted by muralist Hiero Veiga. On to Nicollet Mall, the nation's first transit mall — a mile-long, pedestrian oasis lined by bars and restaurants overflowing onto the sidewalks, and myriad public art incorporated into the landscape. Stop and pose with the iconic Mary Tyler Moore statue (see some of Minneapolis in the show's opening credits). Along this same street is the tallest building in Minnesota, the IDS Center, standing 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! In the center lies the award-winning 23,000 square foot indoor urban park that is Crystal Court. One short city block away is the Foshay Tower, completed in 1929 and modeled after the Washington Monument. It's a fine example of Art Deco architecture, which can be found sprinkled throughout the city. After the tour, you can choose to visit its observation deck high above the city streets, where it's easy to imagine what the city once was in its early days. What is included:
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Tour offered year-round
Mon / Tue / Thu / Fri Start time: 10:00am Duration: 2 to 2-1/2 hours Departure: Foshay Tower (W Hotel), 821 South Marquette Ave Return: Foshay Tower (W Hotel), 821 South Marquette Ave Be able to walk up to two miles. Minneapolis is home to the largest, contiguous skyway system in the world! Originally designed to counter the 1950s post war suburban boom by revitalizing the city's retail core, today the second story walkways connect 80 city blocks and meander more than 9 miles. This is a great way to see the city -- inside and out -- during cool weather, hot weather, rainy days and the brutally long Minnesota winter, so pretty much year-round! There are so many treasures within downtown's unique architectural landscape, and the skyway system is sometimes the only way to see them. We'll ascend into the second-story walkway from inside the Foshay Tower to begin the tour. We'll walk through original department stores, old buildings boasting stylish hotels, old banks turned modern restaurants, the oldest skyway, the most colorful skyway, the double skyway, buildings showcasing impressive collections of public art, sports venues -- home to the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx, as well as some of the most historical buildings still standing. We'll return to the Foshay Tower where you can take advantage of the opportunity to check out the city from the 31st floor of the only outdoor observation deck in the city! The skyway is such a huge part of our city identity, the Replacements even wrote a song about it, aptly named Skyway. Take a listen. Highlights: Foshay Tower, IDS Center (tallest building in Minneapolis), Rand Tower, Capella Tower, Government Plaza, Minneapolis Public Service Building (public art collection), Ride the Light Rail, Target Field, Target Center, Nicollet Mall, Dayton's, Mary Tyler Moore Statue. What is included:
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"Our tour of Downtown Minneapolis with Jessica was an absolute delight!" - Barbara P.
"I highly recommend this sightseeing tour if you're a visitor, or a local." - Sandy M