Things to Do in Downtown Minneapolis and the Riverfront
Mill ruins, the Stone Arch Bridge and a downtown linked by skyways.
See top-rated activities »About Downtown Minneapolis
Minneapolis exists because of St. Anthony Falls, the only major natural waterfall on the Mississippi. In the late 1800s the mills clustered around it ground more flour than anywhere else in the world, and the companies that ran them, the ancestors of today's General Mills and Pillsbury brands, made the city rich. The mills are long gone, but the district beside the falls is now the most interesting part of downtown to explore on foot.
Start on the Stone Arch Bridge, a curved granite and limestone railroad bridge built in 1883 that now carries only pedestrians and cyclists, with views of the falls, the locks and the skyline. On the west bank, Mill City Museum is built inside the burned-out ruins of the Washburn A Mill; an elevator ride called the Flour Tower tells the mill's story floor by floor, and the observation deck looks down on the river. Next door, the Guthrie Theater's blue building has a cantilevered lobby, the Endless Bridge, that juts out toward the river and is open to the public during building hours. Across the river, St. Anthony Main has cobbled streets, restaurants and the start of a riverside trail.
Downtown proper is built for weather. Nicollet, the main pedestrian street, runs through the core, while the skyway system connects much of downtown at the second-floor level so you can walk between hotels, shops and offices in winter without a coat. First Avenue, the club where Prince filmed Purple Rain, still hosts concerts and has a wall of painted stars outside. Target Field, U.S. Bank Stadium and the Target Center keep downtown busy on game nights.
A short walk southwest, the Walker Art Center shows modern and contemporary art, and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden across the street, free and open daily, is home to the much-photographed Spoonbridge and Cherry. To the north, the warehouse district called the North Loop has become the city's restaurant row, and across the river, Northeast Minneapolis is full of breweries and artists' studios.
Don’t Miss
A curving stone railroad bridge from 1883, now a walking and biking path across the Mississippi with views of St. Anthony Falls.
A Minnesota Historical Society museum built into the ruins of a flour mill, with a rooftop view over the falls.
A leading regional theater with three stages; its Endless Bridge and upper-level lobby have some of the best free views of the river.
A major museum of contemporary art beside a free 11-acre sculpture park, home of Spoonbridge and Cherry.
An encyclopedic art museum with collections spanning thousands of years; general admission is free.
The landmark club tied to Prince and the Minneapolis sound, still one of the busiest concert stages in the Midwest.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Downtown Minneapolis
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best of Minneapolis-St. Paul may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Downtown Minneapolis — FAQ
Is the Stone Arch Bridge free to walk?
Yes. The bridge is a public path for pedestrians and cyclists, open year-round, and it connects with riverfront trails on both banks.
What is the North Loop?
A former warehouse district just northwest of downtown Minneapolis, now filled with restaurants, bars, shops and lofts. It is within walking distance of Target Field and the riverfront.
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