Things to Do in Uptown and the Chain of Lakes
City lakes ringed by trails, a waterfall in a park and lively neighborhoods.
See top-rated activities »About the Chain of Lakes
South and west of downtown, Minneapolis turns into a city of water. The Chain of Lakes, Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake, sits a few miles from the office towers, and every one of them is surrounded by public parkland rather than private shoreline. Separate paths for walkers and cyclists circle the lakes, and on warm days the shores fill with swimmers, paddlers, volleyball games and people simply watching the sailboats.
Bde Maka Ska, the largest, has beaches, a pavilion with a cafe and boat rentals. Lake Harriet, to the south, is gentler, with a bandshell that hosts free summer concerts, a rose garden and a short heritage streetcar line that runs in season. Lake of the Isles, with its islands and lagoons, is lined with some of the city's grandest houses. Uptown, the neighborhood near the north end of Bde Maka Ska, has bars, shops and restaurants along Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue.
All of this belongs to the Grand Rounds, a chain of parkways and trails that loops around the city. Follow it east along Minnehaha Parkway and you reach Minnehaha Falls, a 53-foot waterfall in a wooded park, made famous by Longfellow's poem The Song of Hiawatha. The park has a seafood restaurant beside the falls, trails down to the Mississippi and plenty of room for a picnic.
Between the lakes and the river, the Midtown Greenway, a bike path built in a former railroad trench, crosses south Minneapolis. Along it, Midtown Global Market fills an old Sears building on Lake Street with food stalls and small businesses run by immigrant families, a good place for lunch on the way between the lakes and the falls. Winter changes the scene but does not empty it: the lakes freeze solid, skaters and cross-country skiers take over, and ice fishing houses appear offshore.
Don’t Miss
The largest lake in Minneapolis, with beaches, a 3-mile walking loop, paddleboard and boat rentals and a lakeside pavilion.
A quieter lake with a bandshell for free summer concerts, nearby rose and peace gardens, and a seasonal heritage streetcar.
A 53-foot waterfall in a large city park, with trails, a seafood restaurant and paths to the Mississippi River.
A lake of islands and lagoons lined with early 20th-century mansions, popular for walking and, in winter, skating.
An indoor market of food stalls and small shops in a historic building on Lake Street, reflecting the city's immigrant communities.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in the Chain of Lakes
Viator
Viator
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.
Plan your time in the Chain of Lakes
Tell us when you are coming and what you enjoy. A travel specialist will put together hotel, activity and travel options for you — free, with no obligation.
Get free trip quotes »the Chain of Lakes — FAQ
Can you swim in the Minneapolis lakes?
Yes. Several lakes have designated public beaches, some with lifeguards in summer. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board posts beach openings and water quality updates during the season.
How do I get to Minnehaha Falls?
Take the Blue Line light rail to 50th Street/Minnehaha Park, or bike or drive the Minnehaha Parkway section of the Grand Rounds. The falls are a short walk from the station.
More of Minneapolis-St. Paul
