Mill City Explorer

With spring upon us in Minneapolis, people are returning to the world class park system in droves. Various parts of the park system merit separate future entries as you can spend days exploring all of the interconnected trails, lakes, and scenic parkways. Nestled in the southeastern corner of Minneapolis, Minnehaha Park serves over 850,000 visitors per year. Nearly 200 acres, the park boasts a system of biking, walking, and hiking trails that traverse the unique geology of the area. Ample picnic areas are available on a first come first serve basis, while some shelter areas can be reserved ahead of time. For those not packing food for their visit, a full service restaurant and ice cream parlor is close to the main visitor feature of the park, Minnehaha Falls.

The Minnehaha Creek, which is the main watershed for Minneapolis's western suburbs, empties into the Mississippi River on the eastern border of the park. Before doing so, the creek cascades 53 feet at what is known as Minnehaha Falls. The falls is the major attraction of the park, and a series of stairways, vistas, and hiking trails allow visitors to get up close and personal with one of the most famous urban waterfalls in the country. As was previously mentioned, a restaurant is positioned near the falls at the northern entrance of the park. The Sea Salt serves a variety of fresh seafood and the menu changes throughout the year, usually offering full service dining beginning in April and ending in November. Also offered at the restaurant is the locally preferred ice cream brand Sebastian Joe's. The eateries are housed in a larger building with public restrooms, lockers, an event center, and a facility that rents among other things...pedal cars!

Just down the road from the park is Fort Snelling, one of the first major settlements in Minnesota, positioned at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Due in part to its close proximity to this historic feature, there are a number of historic elements of the park that visitors should explore. Business travelers and other visitors entering the city via the MSP International Airport will find easy transportation to the park on the Hiawatha Light Rail Line which stops adjacent to the park at the 50th Street Station. There are also a number of bus routes that pass along 46th Street, which is near the northern border of the park. For those driving to the park, the parking lot can be full early and often on weekends, but parking on side streets is ample and a short walk even for families with little ones.