With summer coming to a close, it’s only a matter of time until it is too cold to visit the park. These Minneapolis parks are still a great place for a lovely autumn stroll and soak up some gorgeous sunshine.
One of Minneapolis’ oldest parks features a 53-foot tall waterfall coming from Minnehaha Creek. As you walk further into the park, you will find majestic limestone bluffs and river overlooks. Catch the beautiful fall colors now and make sure to visit Sea Salt Eatery in the park for some delicious lunch. Plus, capture a picture with the picturesque falls behind you.
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is free to visit and is open 365 days a year, 6 am to Midnight. You don’t have to worry about missing your chance to visit. It’s home to the giant spoon and cherry and was recently revamped to include new sculptures and more open views of the park. After a nice walk around the park, catch some dinner in Loring Park or take a walk through the Walker Art Center galleries. Galleries are FREE on Thursdays; get tickets online beforehand.
Loring Park is located right across the highway from the Sculpture Garden, accessible by a long walking and biking bridge. It also butts right up to the MCTC (Minneapolis Community & Technical College) Campus and the beginning of downtown. Loring Park is bordered by a few restaurants and small businesses and offers beautiful winding walking and bike paths that lead right to Nicollet Mall. There is also a gorgeous fountain right in the center of the park.
Lyndale Park Gardens is sandwiched between Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet and sits just south of Lakewood Cemetary. Lyndale Park Gardens has been there for over 100 years and has grown into a popular destination for picnics, engagements, and even weddings! With four gardens to choose from, you can experience a wide array of beautiful Minnesota landscape in one place.
In the land of 10,000 lakes, it doesn’t take long to find a body of water, even in the city. Minneapolis houses The Chain of Lakes, consisting of Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, and Lake Harriet. Trails for walking, running, biking, rollerblading, or whatever other extracurricular activity you choose, connect all five lakes via paths and trails. People can even rent paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes to travel between Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, and Cedar Lake. It’s incredible to see the wildlife and beautiful scenery that these small lakes bring to our city.
Theodore Wirth Park is named after Theodore Wirth, the driving force in creating the Minneapolis Parks systems back in the early to mid-1900s. Theodore Wirth Park sits on the east end of town and is one of the few sledding and ski hills in the city. In the summer months, you can experience hiking on trails around the park, wildflower gardens, and golf. In the winter months, make sure to enjoy some cross country skiing, sledding down the hill, and spend some time in front of the fire in the chalet. They also make the chalet available for weddings and other events.
In the center of what was once Minneapolis’s Mill District, you’ll find Gold Medal Park. A beautifully constructed park right on the edge of downtown and the Mississippi River. There are beautiful views, and it’s the perfect place to have a picnic, go for a run, or enjoy the views. Many people also hold outdoor Yoga classes or community events—it’s the perfect space for it.
A short walk from Gold Medal Park is Mill Ruins Park, which sits on the banks of the Mississippi and showcases beautiful stone remnants of the original flour mills that once stood in their place. You can get a bit of history in the ruins, and the photo ops are endless. Right after that, you can take a stroll over the roaring Mississippi across the classic Stone Arch Bridge. It’s a must-see!
With most of our buildings nestled in Minneapolis and St. Paul, we love to boast all the beautiful things these cities have to offer. Each of these parks showcases a beautiful landscape riddled with a history that makes our residents proud to live in the Twin Cities. To find which apartments are located near these parks, head to our website and check out our available listings at Bigos!
