Nature Spots in Minneapolis worth going out for.

These 69 activities are worth leaving the house for.
Ask me what you're after.

Make time for these

Water Works Park

Water Works Park

Central Minneapolis

A newer riverfront park with clean restrooms, shade, and lawn games. Perfect for a midday break, yoga sessions, or just watching the water flow by.

St. Anthony Main

St. Anthony Main

Saint Anthony Main

Cobblestones, river views, and a waterfall at the end of the block: Main Street is the oldest street in Minneapolis, winding past patios and historic storefronts toward Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls), a sacred Dakota site.

Lakewood Cemetery

Lakewood Cemetery

Southwest Minneapolis

Lakewood Cemetery sprawls across 250 acres of scenic paths, ponds, and grand monuments, anchored by a spectacular Byzantine-style chapel that landed on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a contemplative stroll, join a free volunteer walking tour, or simply soak up the architectural drama.

Midtown Greenway

Midtown Greenway

Minneapolis

An old rail line turned car-free corridor, pedaling from the Mississippi to the city lakes beneath Minnesota's first cable-stayed bridge. Divided lanes keep commuters and cruisers gliding smoothly.

Raspberry Island

Raspberry Island

Concord-Robert

A tiny island in the Mississippi made for doing absolutely nothing, beautifully. Stroll the paths, cast a line, or just watch the river roll by with St. Paul's skyline and bridges as your backdrop.

Coldwater Spring

Coldwater Spring

St Paul

Tucked behind Minnehaha Falls, Coldwater Spring offers miles of trails winding through restored prairie and woods. Keep an eye out for the unexpected stone castle hidden along the path to the Mississippi River.

See these on a map

Browse Minneapolis neighborhood by neighborhood, get ideas just for you, or ask me anything.

Open the map

Explore more in Minneapolis

69 activities · Page 1 / 2

All activities

Thu, Nov 19 · 10:00 AM

Phalen ExploraTots

Phalen Regional Park · St Paul

Free

Sat, Nov 21 · 10:00 AM

Lowry Hill Service Saturdays

Sebastian Joe's Ice Cream Cafe · Calhoun Isles

Father Hennepin Park Stewards Habitat Care Days

Father Hennepin Bluff Park · Saint Anthony Main

Twin Cities Solidarity Picnic

Boom Island Park · St. Anthony West

Ecology Club For Families

Crosby Farm Regional Park North Trailhead · Highland Park

Free

Kellogg Mall Park

Core

Minnehaha Falls

Hiawatha

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Visitor Center

Downtown

Historic Stone Arch Bridge

Saint Anthony Main

Lake Nokomis Park

Nokomis

Quaking Bog

Calhoun Isles

Battle Creek Recreation Center

Battle Creek - Conway - Eastview - Highwood Hills

Cherokee Regional Park

Baker - Annapolis

InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront, an IHG Hotel

Core

Gold Medal Park

Central Minneapolis

North Mississippi Regional Park

Camden

Lake Nokomis

Nokomis

Lake of the Isles

Calhoun Isles

The Trailhead

Minneapolis

Bde Maka Ska North Beach

West Maka Ska

Minnehaha Regional Park

Hiawatha

Lyndale Park Rose Garden

Southwest Minneapolis

Center Park

Elmwood

Winchell Trail

Hiawatha

Nicollet Island Pavilion

Nicollet Island

The Commons

Central Minneapolis

Bde Maka Ska

Minneapolis

Webber Natural Swimming Pool

Camden

Minnehaha Falls Bandshell

Hiawatha

Union Depot

Lowertown

White Sands Beach

Minneapolis

Cedar Lake South Beach

Calhoun Isles

East River Flats Park

Minneapolis

Shadow Falls Park

Shadow Falls Park · Merriam Park West

Mueller Park

Lowry Hill East

Raspberry Island Park

Concord-Robert

Rice Park

Downtown

Mears Park

Lowertown

Pershing Field Park

Southwest Minneapolis

Brownie Lake Park

Calhoun Isles

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary · Calhoun Isles

Theodore Wirth Park Beach

Theodore Wirth Regional Park - Volleyball Courts · Minneapolis

Harriet Island

Riverview

Loring Greenway

Central Minneapolis

Lake Nokomis Beach

Nokomis

Cedar Lake East Beach

Calhoun Isles

Prospect Park Water Tower

Prospect Park

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Como Park

Mississippi National River & Recreation Area

St Paul

Swede Hollow Park

Dayton's Bluff

Powderhorn Park

Powderhorn Park

Hidden Falls Regional Park

Highland Park

Thomas Lowry Park

Calhoun Isles

Harriet Island Regional Park

Harriet Island Regional Park · Riverview

Nature Spots in other cities

More nature spots guides

Frequently asked questions

How are these nature spots in Minneapolis chosen?

I go through what's actually on nearby and keep only the ones worth the trip. Nobody pays to be on this list.

Is everything here still happening?

Finished events drop off the list. Check the listing for times and booking details before heading out.

How can Outgoing help me find something I’ll actually want to do?

Tell me when you’re free, where you’ll be, and what sounds appealing. “Live music near me, somewhere I can sit, under $30” gives me more to work with than “something fun.” You can keep narrowing it down with me.

Do I need an account to use Outgoing?

You can browse these pages without an account. Sign in to save activities and help me learn your taste, so future suggestions have a better starting point.

Is Outgoing free?

Outgoing is free to use. Events have their own admission prices, including some that are free. Check the listing for prices and booking details before making plans.

Explore on the map