The Walker Art Center & Sculpture Garden

The Walker Art Center features nationally renowned exhibitions of emerging and established artists, galleries featuring highlights from the long-term collection, artist talks, performing arts events, and so much more. Admission to the museum is free the first Saturday of every month and every Thursday night from 5 to 9 p.m. (and kids and teens under 18 are always free).

Visit the iconic Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, one of the largest urban sculpture parks in the U.S., featuring the Spoonbridge and Cherry. It’s free to enter year-round and located near the Walker Art Center.

Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) offers free general admission daily, showcasing over 90,000 works of art from six continents. Located in the Whittier neighborhood, Mia is one of the largest art museums in the U.S. that remains free to the public.

Weisman Art Museum

Housed in a striking stainless steel and brick building designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Weisman Art Museum is both educational and approachable. The museum’s collection features early twentieth-century American artists, such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Marsden Hartley, as well as a diverse selection of ceramics and contemporary art. They always have a great selection of events, so be sure to check their calendar to see what’s in town. Admission is free every day of the week.

Lakewood Cemetery

Take a tour through the rich local history and famous memorials of Lakewood Cemetery, founded in 1871. You'll explore the historic Lakewood Memorial Chapel, the Pool of Reflections, the Flour Mill Explosion Memorial, the Chinese Community Memorial, and many gravesites of Minneapolis luminaries. The cemetery also offers guided tours for visitors for free for groups of five or more and requests should be made a week in advance.

Basilica of St. Mary

This historic site has been a cornerstone of the Catholic faith in Minneapolis since 1914. View the stunning interior and learn about the makings of the first Basilica in the United States. Take a self-guided tour or learn from a docent. All tours are free.

Water Works

This new 3-acre public space features a welcoming plaza with fire pits, Nature Play Lab and children's garden, tree-sheltered lawns, terraced benches, and countless native plants, all above an innovative 68,000-gallon rainwater reuse system. The park is home to the innovative Indigenous restaurant, Owamni by The Sioux Chef, a team of Anishinaabe, Mdewakanton Dakota, Navajo, Northern Cheyenne, Oglala Lakota, and Wahpeton-Sisseton Dakota food lovers committed to revitalizing Native American Cuisine.

Mill Ruins Park

With St. Anthony Falls' locks and dam, the Stone Arch Bridge, and the Mississippi River as a dramatic backdrop, you'll explore the industrial history of Minneapolis at this spot listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Featuring raised walking paths and bridges through the mill ruins, the park showcases how Minneapolis's network of mills and canals was the leading international producer of flour in the 19th century. (Just a block east of the park, the Mill City Museum offers a deeper dive into the history of the city's mills.)

Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway

Heralded as America’s most important urban scenic byway, the Grand Rounds invites you to bike, walk, and skate on this 50-mile loop through the city—yes, in all seasons! Along the way you'll stop by popular sites like Minnehaha Falls, Lake Harriet Rose Garden, and the Quaking Bog in Theodore Wirth Park.

Chain of Lakes

The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park includes Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Lake of the Isles, and more—all connected by free, scenic walking and biking trails. It's one of the top free outdoor destinations in the Midwest and ideal for kayaking, birdwatching, and relaxing by the water.

Minnehaha Falls & Park

Minnehaha Falls is a 53-foot waterfall in Minnehaha Regional Park, one of Minneapolis' oldest and most popular parks. The park is free to enter and includes hiking trails, picnic areas, and river views—perfect for a day outdoors in any season.

Como Zoo & Conservatory

The Como Zoo & Conservatory is open year-round and admission is free to the public! See the animals you want to see—like the Arctic Fox, a Galapagos Tortoise, lions, tigers, and bears—all in habitats that allow you to get up close. The Conservatory's Sunken Garden is also an eye-catching treat!

Minneapolis Public Art Collection Tour

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and City of Minneapolis recently redesigned interactive online map tours that make it easy and fun to explore hundreds of artworks located all around the city of Minneapolis. These self-guided tours have been updated with new artworks completed over the last five years and redesigned for a more intuitive and enjoyable experience. There are now seven curated tours and geographic guides of public art in Minneapolis are available and free for anyone to use. Each option includes artwork details, artist information, photos, maps, and directions.

Lake Street Museum in the Streets

This tour consists of 60 bilingual plaques (English and Spanish) including information and photos that tell the history and evolution of Lake Street. The plaques branch off into three separate tour options that highlight the three segments of Lake Street: the Uptown tour, Midtown tour and East Lake Street.

Theodore Wirth Regional Park

As the largest park in Minneapolis, Theodore Wirth Regional Park offers year-round outdoor fun. Explore miles of hiking and biking trails, paddle on scenic lakes, or in the winter, enjoy free cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on groomed trails.

Lyndale Rose Gardens

Just steps from Lake Harriet, the Lyndale Rose Gardens bloom with thousands of vibrant roses and perennials. Stroll the paths, take in the fragrant air, and snap some colorful photos—all completely free.

Music & Movies in the Parks

Summer nights come alive with free outdoor concerts and movie screenings at parks across the city. Pack a blanket, bring some snacks, and enjoy live entertainment under the Minneapolis sky.

Open Streets Minneapolis

Experience Minneapolis streets in a whole new way during Open Streets, a series of free, car-free events that temporarily close major streets to traffic. Past routes have included Hennepin Avenue, West Broadway, Central Avenue, and Riverside Avenue, giving visitors space to walk, bike, enjoy live music, local vendors, and community activities. It’s a fun and safe way to explore Minneapolis from a new perspective.

Lake Harriet Kite Festival

Each January, Lake Harriet transforms into a colorful display of soaring kites during the annual Kite Festival. Watch expert flyers, try your own hand at it, and enjoy this vibrant winter tradition—all at no cost.

Aquatennial

Known as the “Best Days of Summer,” the Minneapolis Aquatennial is a multi-day celebration featuring free events like a torchlight parade, fireworks, and riverfront activities.

Farmers Markets

Discover local flavor at Minneapolis farmers markets, where you’ll find fresh produce, handmade goods, and community performances. While shopping isn’t free, browsing the stalls, soaking up the atmosphere, and enjoying live entertainment is.

Swimming

When the summer heat strikes, Minneapolis has plenty of free ways to cool off. One standout is the Webber Natural Swimming Pool in the North Mississippi Regional Park: this chemical-free pool uses plants and natural filtration, has shallow zero-depth entry, lap lanes, a jumping platform, and is free for open-swim hours.

You’ll also find dozens of public beaches on city lakes (like Lake Nokomis, Lake Harriet, Bde Maka Ska, Cedar Lake, and Wirth Lake) where swimming is free when beaches are open and lifeguards are on duty. Be sure to check the Park Board’s water quality and beach-status info before you go.

Also great for families and little ones: wading pools and splash pads around the city are free to use, usually with hours shifting with weather.

Ice skating

When the temperatures drop, Minneapolis parks set up dozens of free outdoor rinks. Lace up your skates and glide under twinkling lights at neighborhood parks or on frozen lakes. All outdoor rink locations have warming rooms and offer free loaner skates (sizes and quantities vary), making it easy for everyone to join in the fun. Note: Bryn Mawr Meadows does not offer loaner skates.