The Amber Box at Guthrie Theater
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20 Free Things to Do in Minnesota

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The "Amber Box" at Guthrie Theatre  / Bonnie Fechter
Things to Do // List

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.

  1. Stop & Smell the Roses at Munsinger Clemens Gardens
    Flowers at Munsinger Gardens

    A patch of pink flowers at Munsinger Gardens / Andrew Parks

    Stop & Smell the Roses at Munsinger Clemens Gardens

    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.

  1. 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.

  2. Learn About Lunchmeat
    SPAM Museum, Austin

    Stacks of SPAM at Austin's most popular museum / Andrew Parks

    Learn About Lunchmeat

    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.

  3. Honor the Sacred Traditions of Native American Pipemakers
    Giant Native American pipe statue in Pipestone

    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 Pipemakers

    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.

  4. Go Disc Golfing
    Robbin's Island Disc Golf Course in Willmar

    Robbin's Island Disc Golf Course  / City of Willmar

    Go Disc Golfing

    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.

  1. Bike or Run the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
    A runner along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

    A runner along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

    Bike or Run the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

    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.

  2. Capture a Giant Cherry at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
    Spoonbridge and Cherry at 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 Garden

    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."

  3. Lose Yourself in the Minneapolis Institute of Art
    Sculpture and people at the Minneapolis Institute of Art

    Minneapolis Institute of Art / Thomas Wieland

    Lose Yourself in the Minneapolis Institute of Art

    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.

  4. Keep the Kids Busy at Como Zoo & Conservatory
    Como Park Conservatory interior

    The Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul is a year-round destination for botanical brilliance

    Keep the Kids Busy at Como Zoo & Conservatory

    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.

  5. See the Ships at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
    Ship passes beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth

    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 Center

    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.)

  6. Trek the Superior Hiking Trail
    Female hiker at the top of Honeymoon Bluff in Grand Marais

    Hike to the scenic lookout point of Honeymoon Bluff near Grand Marais / Roy Son

    Trek the Superior Hiking Trail

    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.

  7. Tackle the Gitchi-Gami State Trail
    Bicyclist rides across a bridge on 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 Trail

    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.

  8. Scale the Sculptures at Franconia's Art Park
    Couple at Franconia Sculpture Park

    Get interactive with the giant outdoor artwork at Franconia Sculpture Park / Roy Son

    Scale the Sculptures at Franconia's Art Park

    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.

  9. Dance a Polka at the New Ulm Glockenspiel
    The glockenspiel in downtown New Ulm

    The glockenspiel in downtown New Ulm / Andrew Parks

    Dance a Polka at the New Ulm Glockenspiel

    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.

  10. See the World's Largest Boot at Red Wing Shoes
    The world's largest boot

    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 Shoes

    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.

  11. Strike a Pose with Paul & Babe
    Snow-covered Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues

    Visit the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues just outside of downtown Bemidji / Weston Holland

    Strike a Pose with Paul & Babe

    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.

  12. Scan the Technicolor Skyline at the Guthrie Theater
    Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis

    One of the many dreamy Jean Nouvel designs at Guthrie Theater / Ryan Taylor

    Scan the Technicolor Skyline at the Guthrie Theater

    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. 

  13. Pay Tribute to Bob Dylan and Prince
    Bob Dylan mural downtown Minneapolis

    Bob Dylan mural in downtown Minneapolis / Bill Hickey, courtesy Meet Minneapolis

    Pay Tribute to Bob Dylan and Prince

    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. 

  14. Go Birding on Minnesota's Only Salt Lake
    Birding on Salt Lake in Lac qui Parle County

    Birding on Salt Lake in Lac qui Parle County / Minnesota DNR

    Go Birding on Minnesota's Only Salt Lake

    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. 

  15. Gaze Up at the Jolly Green Giant
    The Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth

    The Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth

    Gaze Up at the Jolly Green Giant

    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. 

Erica Wacker

Erica Wacker is a Midwesterner through and through, growing up in Illinois, going to college in Wisconsin, and settling down in Minnesota. She loves to run, travel with her family, and go to concerts to relive her youth.