20 Free Things to Do in Minnesota

This well-known, beautiful garden park is located along the Mississippi River in St. Cloud. With origins dating back to 1890, the gardens have been a popular respite for close to a century. Stroll the Munsinger Gardens to see annuals, perennials and shrubs shaded by 90-year-old Scotch and Norway pines, then visit the Clemens portion to see the rose garden, formal garden, white garden and several fountains. During the summer, come for free concerts every other Sunday and the annual art fair in July.

Every winter at Swan Park, over 1,500 trumpeter swans gather along the Mississippi River in Monticello. Late November to March is the best time to see them; the park has a viewing deck overlooking the river and is wheelchair accessible. Come spring, the swans return to Minnesota's many lakes as the water begins to thaw.

The new and improved SPAM Museum in downtown Austin features interactive exhibits and galleries dedicated to the infamous canned ham's history, popularity and place in modern life, as well as SPAM-inspired artwork and a kids play area. Try a SPAMple, served on pretzel sticks by friendly SPAMbassadors, and don't leave before buying a few cans of hard-to-find flavors at the gift shop.

The southwest Minnesota town of Pipestone is named for the area's soft red rock that has been sacred to Native Americans for centuries. The old Rock Island Depot, on the National Historic Register and one of very few buildings made of yellow brick, houses the Pipemakers gift shop, Indian art gallery and displays of Indian items. The Depot is open year-round and is a worthy stop before or after a visit to Pipestone National Monument.

Combine golf with Frisbee and you get this fun sport! Players throw discs at a series of "holes," with the lowest number of "strokes" winning the game. Minnesota has around 200 disc golf courses and most are free to play. For a complete list of courses in Minnesota, go to pdga.com.

As the only urban national scenic byway, Minneapolis' Grand Rounds showcases the exceptional qualities of Minnesota's biggest city. The byway is in the heart of Minneapolis and offers many impressive views of the downtown skyline combined with the green, lush shorelines of the city's famous Chain of Lakes. Drive, bike, run or Rollerblade (invented in Minnesota!) along the 50-mile route to see highlights that include lakeside parks, beautiful gardens and the famous Minnehaha Falls.

One of the country's largest urban sculpture parks, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden features more than 40 works of art and the Cowles Conservatory. The garden was recently renovated, bringing back the iconic "Spoonbridge and Cherry" sculpture, 18 holes of artist-designed mini golf and several new works, including a giant blue rooster known as "Hahn/Cock."

Called Mia for short, this impressive attraction is regularly ranked among the top 10 comprehensive art museums in the country. It will take multiple visits to see the museum's 90,000+ works of art spanning 5,000 years and six continents. Admission is free; an additional fee is required for special exhibits.

St. Paul's most-visited attraction, Como Park Zoo, features indoor and outdoor exhibits, including large cats, an ape house, polar bears, giraffes and a crowd-pleasing sea lion named Sparky. The adjacent Marjorie McNeely Conservatory has tropical and seasonal plants and flowers, as well as a Japanese garden. Donations are accepted for both attractions.

Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this is the most-visited marine museum on the Great Lakes. Overlooking Lake Superior and beneath the shadow of Duluth's iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center has exhibits on the region's historical and present-day role as a major port city. Check the website to find out when the next 1,000-foot freighter will pass right outside the building. Open daily throughout shipping season. (Current hours are Thursday through Monday 10 am – 6 pm.)

This storied 310-mile trail follows the rocky ridge line above Lake Superior, offering unparalleled views of the expansive lake and craggy shoreline along the way. Great for both day hikes and backpack camping, the Superior Hiking Trail runs from south of Duluth to the Canadian border. There are parking lots every 5 to 10 miles and an information center in Two Harbors where you can buy the official guidebook.

The Gitchi-Gami provides beautiful vistas along the North Shore of Lake Superior. This trail eventually will stretch 86 miles and connect five state parks, several communities, four Scientific and Natural Areas and numerous historic sites between Two Harbors and Grand Marais. The longest completed segment is from Gooseberry Falls State Park to Beaver Bay for over 14 miles of uninterrupted riding.

Open 365 days a year, this quirky artists' residency in the St. Croix River Valley features more than 100 large-scale sculptures scattered across 25 acres. Free guided tours are offered on Sundays in summer and fall. Other nearby attractions include Interstate State Park, Wild Mountain ski area and water park, and boat tours of the river.

The 45-foot-tall glockenspiel in downtown New Ulm — Minnesota's most German town — plays programmed music three times a day, when the clock's animated figurines come to life. The characters are replaced by a nativity scene during the holiday season.

Located inside the flagship store in downtown Red Wing, the Red Wing Shoe Company Museum features brand memorabilia and displays about how the famous shoes are made, and offers a chance to dress like an iron worker. But the biggest (pun intended) draw is the giant boot in the lobby, clocking in at size 638.5.

Snap a photo with folklore's favorite lumberjack and his trusty steed, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. The pair pictured above can be found in Bemidji, but other statues of the duo stand tall in Brainerd, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Akeley and elsewhere throughout the state.

Award-winning architect Jean Nouvel didn't just design world class stages at the Guthrie Theater; he also put in peerless touches like the "Amber Box" on the ninth floor and the blue-tinged "Endless Bridge" that extends 178 feet out towards Minneapolis' iconic waterfront. You don't need a ticket to take a photo of either, although serious architecture fans have the option of joining a guided tour that is not gratis on the fourth Saturday morning of every month. 

Duluth's own Bob Dylan is immortalized in a massive downtown mural (we're talking five stories!) by Eduardo Kobra if you're looking for a patch of prime selfie material. Also nearby is a new Minneapolis piece near First Avenue and Target Center that captures Minnesota's favorite son (Prince, of course) in three different outfits and eras. Street artist Hiero Vega originally made the towering painting for Miami's Museum of Graffiti; we can't think of a better corner for its current location. After all, "Purple Rain" was shot right around here — Prince's longtime stomping grounds — in the early '80s. 

According to the Minnesota DNR, more than 150 species of birds have been spotted at the state's one and only Salt Lake. It's so full of life, in fact, that an entire festival (typically held the last weekend in April) is devoted to documenting grebes, ducks and shorebirds every spring. Fall is also a big draw due to tundra swans that make their way down from the Arctic. 

Perhaps the tallest roadside legend in Minnesota is the 55-foot-tall, toga-wearing Jolly Green Giant, which welcomes visitors to Blue Earth and the iconic character's own museum.

Check out more Atlas Obscura-worthy roadside attractions here and other things to do throughout the year.