12 Things to Do at Minnehaha Park
Established in 1889, Minnehaha Regional Park is one of the oldest parks in Minneapolis, and attracts more than 850,000 visitors each year. Most come to see the namesake Minnehaha Falls—a 53-foot cascade named after the words for “water” and “waterfall” in the Dakota language—but you’d be missing out on a lot of fun if you stop there. From disc golf and seafood snacks to bike paths and public gardens, there’s way more than water to enjoy!
Fun Fact: Minnehaha Regional Park is a park within a park, as it lies within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area—the only national park dedicated exclusively to the Mississippi River. It is also a part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway system, one of the country’s longest continuous systems of public urban parkways.
1. Visit Minnehaha Falls
Enjoy the crashing water and mist of the waterfall from a viewpoint above the falls, or take a short walk down a staircase to appreciate the height of the cascade from below. If you’re up for a longer walk, take the 2.1-mile out-and-back trail that begins at the base of the falls into the Mississippi River Valley.
2. Enjoy lunch al fresco at Sea Salt Eatery
If you’re visiting between April and October, be sure to grab lunch at this seasonal favorite near the falls. From calamari and crab cakes to fried fish tacos and oyster po boy sandwiches, the beachy menu is the perfect compliment to the sound of falling water. The line is almost always long, but the surroundings are beautiful so you can soak up the sights while you wait.
3. Stop and smell the flowers at three blooming gardens
Plant people will have their pick of beautiful blossoms, native perennials, and well-designed beds at the Minnehaha Falls Pergola Garden (a popular spot for family photos), the Song of Hiawatha Garden (featuring a stone fountain overflowing with annuals instead of water), and the Longfellow Gardens, once the site of a zoo, featuring a replica of Henry Longfellow’s house in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
4. Go off-leash at the Minnehaha Dog Park
One of the best off-leash parks in the region, this tree-filled trail down to the banks of the Mississippi offers beautiful views and exercise for dogs and their humans alike. Water-loving dogs can even splash in the river with new friends.
5. Play some free disc golf at Wabun Picnic Area
Enjoy nine holes of disc golf—ranging from 57 to 83 yards—with chainstar targets as you enjoy views of the Mississippi! The course is located in the northeast section of the park.
6. Appreciate the area’s significance to Indigenous communities
Minnehaha Park is located on land the Dakota have called home for thousands of years. A mask of Dakota leader Ta Oyate Duta (His Red Nation, also known as Little Crow) was placed overlooking the falls in 1992. You can dive more into the importance of the park area and surrounding river valley to Dakota people here.
7. Soak in the creativity at the Minnehaha Falls Art Fair
Each July, the park hosts one of the best art fairs in the city, with dozens of artists sharing their creations, live music and dance performances, food trucks, and kids art activities. Each booth offers items under $30, making it a great spot to meet local artists and take home something unique.
8. Rent a ride from Wheel Fun Rentals
Enjoy the park’s bike trails with surreys, low-rider chopper trikes, and go-cart-style quad bikes for rent by the hour. It’s a great way to tick all of these things to do off your bucket list in record time.
9. Enjoy live music at the Minnehaha Bandstand or a movie in the park
Check out the city’s calendar of summer movies and music for free family-friendly entertainment all season long—a program that’s been running over 120 years!
10. Play with the kids at the wading pond, wading pool, and Universal Access playground
On hot days, cool off at the natural wading pool down-creek from the falls or the Wabun Picnic Area’s wading pool with a spraying rock structure. The Wabun area is also home to a new inclusive playground featuring wheelchair-accessible structures and activities for kids of all ages and abilities.
11. Paddle your way down Minnehaha Creek
This urban waterway winds through 22 miles of wetlands, woodlands, and tony suburban backyards from Gray's Bay in Lake Minnetonka to Minnehaha Falls. Thanks to extensive restoration and protection of this regional treasure, paddlers are able to enjoy the full length of the creek via kayak or canoe. Visit the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District for up-to-date details.
Note: Due to current Minnesota drought conditions, portions of the creek may be too shallow to traverse. Check the real-time creek flow before setting off.
12. Picnic under the shade
Minnehaha Regional Park is filled with large trees, which makes for a great place to spread the picnic blanket (there are plenty of picnic tables here, too). Find out where to get the best picnic ingredients in Minneapolis, then bring the party to Minnehaha Park!
Tip: Don't forget the bug spray! It can get buggy in the summer, but don't let that deter you.
