Looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors in Minneapolis? You can't go wrong with TravelSkoot's list of top picks for outdoor recreation -- all of which will keep you busy and active during your vacation.
You can’t miss the giant spoon with a cherry on top, the focal point of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden across from the Walker Art Center on Vineland Place. “Spoonbridge and Cherry” may be the most famous sculpture here, but don’t ignore Alexander Calder’s “Octopus” or Mark De Suvero’s “Molecule.” Stroll the vine covered arbor and flower garden, then walk over the highway on the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge, an example of how art can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
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Circling fifty miles around the city of Minneapolis are a series of roadways designed for cars, pedestrians, and bicycles – and linking seven districts of Minnesota park land. Much of it surrounds protected land along Minnesota’s legendary lakes. Outside the city, the byway leads you to the Longfellow House, the Chain of Lakes, and the Victory Memorial. Downtown, the byway takes you along the picturesque banks of the Mississippi – called the Downtown Riverfront - where you can walk across the Stone Arch Bridge and view the lock and dam up the river – or the ruins of the old flour mills of yesteryear.
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Long buried underneath the sand and gravel of Minneapolis was an engineering marvel of the late nineteenth century. Before electricity, the Flour Mills of Minneapolis were powered by a different source: Water. Here in the milling district, from the Stone Arch Bridge, you can now see the vast network of canals and tailraces that moved water to and from the mill turbines. On the west bank of the Mississippi, you'll find walking paths, raised catwalks, and interpretive signs that guide you through Minneapolis' milling history. Crossing the Stone Arch bridge on foot again and admire a great view of St. Anthony Falls.
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Nicollet Island lies in the middle of the Mississippi river, with Hennepin Avenue bridging the gap between the two shores. You'll find the Nicollet Island Pavilion a beautifully restored 1893 building that used to be a boiler works. The pavilion has a garden terrace and a patio from which you can see breathtaking views of downtown. Walk the promenade on the lower end of the island and catch a view of the first dam built on the Mississippi. And be sure to take a stroll on the upper island too, where you can admire 43 historic homes from the mid nineteenth century.
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The Marquette Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, is creatively designed and sits within the 50-story IDS Center by the glass-enclosed Crystal Court. Relax in the newly renovated guest rooms and executive suites- the largest guest rooms in downtown Minneapolis! Book your event in one of the 24 meeting spaces where every room has breathtaking floor to ceiling windows. Enjoy the terrace overlooking the Crystal Court, dine at a celebrity table in Basil's Restaurant and experience the exceptional service at the Marquette Hotel.
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