
20 Free Things to Do in Minnesota
20 Free Things to Do in Minnesota
By Erica Wacker
Going on vacation doesn't have to mean spending a lot of money. Plenty of attractions and activities are completely free to visitors in Minnesota. Here are 20 spread throughout the state, from gardens and trails to museums and monuments.
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Stop & Smell the Roses at Munsinger Clemens Gardens
A patch of pink flowers at Munsinger Gardens / Andrew Parks
Stop & Smell the Roses at Munsinger Clemens GardensThis 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.
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See Migrating Swans along the Mississippi
See Migrating Swans along the Mississippi
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.
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Learn About Lunchmeat
Stacks of SPAM at Austin's most popular museum / Andrew Parks
Learn About LunchmeatThe 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.
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Honor the Sacred Traditions of Native American Pipemakers
The Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers is a free museum and shop in Pipestone / Mick Myers
Honor the Sacred Traditions of Native American PipemakersThe 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.
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Go Disc Golfing
Robbin's Island Disc Golf Course / City of Willmar
Go Disc GolfingCombine 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.
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Bike or Run the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
A runner along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
Bike or Run the Grand Rounds Scenic BywayAs 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.
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Capture a Giant Cherry at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden / Dana Hernandez
Capture a Giant Cherry at the Minneapolis Sculpture GardenOne 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."
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Lose Yourself in the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minneapolis Institute of Art / Thomas Wieland
Lose Yourself in the Minneapolis Institute of ArtCalled 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.
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Keep the Kids Busy at Como Zoo & Conservatory
The Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul is a year-round destination for botanical brilliance
Keep the Kids Busy at Como Zoo & ConservatorySt. 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.
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See the Ships at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
Watch ships pass beneath Duluth's iconic Aerial Lift Bridge from the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center / Jackie Scherer
See the Ships at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor CenterOperated 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.)
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Trek the Superior Hiking Trail
Hike to the scenic lookout point of Honeymoon Bluff near Grand Marais / Roy Son
Trek the Superior Hiking TrailThis 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.
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Tackle the Gitchi-Gami State Trail
Ride the winding and beautiful Gitchi-Gami State Trail along the North Shore of Lake Superior / Waqar Ahmad
Tackle the Gitchi-Gami State TrailThe 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.
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Scale the Sculptures at Franconia's Art Park
Get interactive with the giant outdoor artwork at Franconia Sculpture Park / Roy Son
Scale the Sculptures at Franconia's Art ParkOpen 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.
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Dance a Polka at the New Ulm Glockenspiel
The glockenspiel in downtown New Ulm / Andrew Parks
Dance a Polka at the New Ulm GlockenspielThe 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.
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See the World's Largest Boot at Red Wing Shoes
Visit Red Wing Shoes in southern Minnesota to see the world's largest boot, size 638.5 / Lisa Meyers McClintick
See the World's Largest Boot at Red Wing ShoesLocated 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.
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Strike a Pose with Paul & Babe
Visit the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues just outside of downtown Bemidji / Weston Holland
Strike a Pose with Paul & BabeSnap 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.
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Scan the Technicolor Skyline at the Guthrie Theater
One of the many dreamy Jean Nouvel designs at Guthrie Theater / Ryan Taylor
Scan the Technicolor Skyline at the Guthrie TheaterAward-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.
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Pay Tribute to Bob Dylan and Prince
Bob Dylan mural in downtown Minneapolis / Bill Hickey, courtesy Meet Minneapolis
Pay Tribute to Bob Dylan and PrinceDuluth'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.
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Go Birding on Minnesota's Only Salt Lake
Birding on Salt Lake in Lac qui Parle County / Minnesota DNR
Go Birding on Minnesota's Only Salt LakeAccording 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.
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Gaze Up at the Jolly Green Giant
The Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth
Gaze Up at the Jolly Green GiantPerhaps 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.