The Most Beautiful Parks In Minneapolis

Minnesotans are quite proud of the natural beauty native to their state. Even in Minneapolis, the most populous city, nature is quite easy to find in the surrounding lakes and parks. Here, Culture Trip highlights five of the most beautiful parks that the outdoorsy traveler should be sure to visit on a trip to Minneapolis.
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Loring Park

Located in the Central Community of Minneapolis, Loring Park offers a convenient natural environment that is well connected to many of the city’s other attractions, and has amenities to accommodate every and all passersby. Named after the “father of Minneapolis’ parks”, Charles Loring, this 34-acre park entertains a steady following of cyclists, walkers, basketball and tennis players, not to mention leisure seekers who come for the views!

Lake Harriet

Lake Harriet provides the southwest side of Minneapolis a great outdoor venue for live music, sailing and fishing on its grounds. It is a popular site for music shows and movies in the summer, which are typically offered in its large band shell. Be sure to check out the “elf house” located on the premises, carved into an old ash tree. Local legend says that travelers could leave a letter under the door of the house and expect a response in a few days.

Powderhorn Park

Just south of downtown Minneapolis, Powderhorn Park is the pride and joy of the residential district that surrounds it. This park hosts a variety of celebrations every year, being the final stop of the annual May Day parade, a popular 4th of July firework show, and an annual art fair venue in August. Be sure to check out the beautiful Victorian homes that border the park, as this district of the city is one of the oldest in Minneapolis.

Minnehaha Park

The natural beauty of Minnesota is best captured in this 170-acre park, although Longfellow also found time to write about this park in his poem, “The Song of Hiawatha”. The main attraction in this park is the Minnehaha Falls, a roaring tribute to Minnesota’s abundance of fresh water. Be sure to check out the Longfellow House Hospitality Center, the perfect introduction to the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway -one of the biggest trails in the Minneapolis area.

Lake of the Isles

Lake of the Isles is the perfect park to catch up with a friend, grab a coffee and enjoy this peaceful lake in the middle of the city. Connecting Cedar Lake with the larger Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles is unique in its two inland islands, frequently kayaked to and explored. Lake of the Isles provides ice skates to rent during winter, and a shelter with coffee and hot chocolate to warm up in after a brisk skate.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.