The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul

March 21, 2022 Marissa Gamble

Discover the best top things to do in Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul, United States including Minneapolis Institute of Art, Chain of Lakes, CHS Field, Minnesota History Center, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Lego Imagination Center, James J. Hill House, Minnesota State Capitol, Afton State Park, Science Museum of Minnesota.
Restaurants in Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul

1. Minneapolis Institute of Art

2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404-3506 +1 612-870-3131 http://www.artsmia.org/
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,356 reviews

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Travel through 4,000 years of world history as you view more than 80,000 works of sculpture, photography, paintings, drawings and prints.

Reviewed By RedYoga - Benicia, United States

I was visiting Minneapolis for a conference, and saw an ad for the special exhibit of Native American women's art at MIA. Kudos to MIA for putting together such an amazing exhibit--it is fantastic! I walked through the special exhibit twice to better take it all in. I would encourage everyone to go see it! Not to be missed.

2. Chain of Lakes

Minneapolis, MN 55415-1411 +1 612-230-6400 [email protected] http://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/minneapolis_chain_of_lakes_regional_park
Excellent
86%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 402 reviews

Chain of Lakes

Three separate lakes (Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet) all surrounded by pedestrian paths.

Reviewed By jesseMN - Savannah, United States

Walk, jog, swim, hear a concert, rent bikes, roller skates, canoes...the chain of lakes is one of the many attractions of the excellent Park system - connected by trail and water to other parks - that attacts year 'round visitors. A cherished resource that is actually three interconnected lakes in the City. Accessable by public transit.

3. CHS Field

360 Broadway St, Saint Paul, MN 55101-1405 +1 651-266-6400 http://chs-field.com/
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 189 reviews

CHS Field

Reviewed By V9240JPtoms

Beautiful ergonomic contemporary vibe. Baseball is only part of the entertainment; there is something happening before the game, between every half-inning, and after the game. The announcers are hilarious. "(The opposing batter) has two strikes,.....(wait for it)...and NO BALLS!!" Great family fun. We like it more than going to a Twins game. Come early to hear live music outside the stadium. Inside the stadium, there is a nice variety of foods and drinks--from basic hotdogs and budweiser to gourmet selections and craft beers--a few cuts above traditional ballpark fare.

4. Minnesota History Center

345 Kellogg Blvd W, Saint Paul, MN 55102-1903 +1 651-259-3000 http://www.mnhs.org/historycenter
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 601 reviews

Minnesota History Center

An interactive museum with both permanent and changing exhibits, the Minnesota History Center hosts concerts, lectures, family days and other special events throughout the year. The building is also home to the Minnesota Historical Society library and archives, a research destination for schoolchildren, family historians and academics.

Reviewed By JoanieM620 - Grantsburg, United States

I spend 3 days doing research in the History Library. Their collection of materials is extensive and the staff is very helpful. They showed me how to use the microfilm reader and make copies from the digital copier. In the print materials room, it was easy to use the computer to find the materials I needed. The staff was quick in retrieving items from the archives that I wanted to read through. All-in-all, I had a very successful time doing research.

5. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

726 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403 +1 612-375-7600 [email protected] http://www.walkerart.org/garden/
Excellent
53%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,754 reviews

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is closed for renovation, and will reopen in June 2017. One of the crown jewels of the city’s park system, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden unites two of Minnesota’s most cherished resources—its greenspace and its cultural life. A partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, the Garden is a top destination for tourists to enjoy art like the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry in an outdoor park setting.

Reviewed By victoriavZ5721AB - Rochester, United States

Had to check out the Minneapolis sculpture garden to see the famous spoon and cherry. We parked in the $4 parking lot and enjoyed strolling through the walkways to see some interesting sculptures. The native landscape and wildflowers only added to the beauty of the art and the location in the city. Got some cool pics as well which I'm sure we'll cherish for a long time!

6. Lego Imagination Center

164 S Avenue Mall of America, Bloomington, MN 55425-5525 +1 952-858-8949 http://www.mallofamerica.com/attractions/view/lego
Excellent
55%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 902 reviews

Lego Imagination Center

Six thousand square feet of Lego models in the Mall of America.

Reviewed By 619douglasp

Amazing!! For anyone who appreciates the creativity and imagination that Legos stimulate, this store and exhibit is a must see. The exhibits on top of the store are mind boggling, utilizing millions of pieces to make. Inside the store, you can peruse thousands of kits or buy individual pieces in all colors and piece shapes you can imagine. I purchased a kit for my grandson but, could have spent thousands just buying fun kits for myself.

7. James J. Hill House

240 Summit Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102-2194 +1 651-297-2555 http://www.mnhs.org/hillhouse
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 497 reviews

James J. Hill House

Rugged stone, massive scale, fine detail and ingenious mechanical systems recall the powerful presence of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway. Guides lead tours that help you imagine family and servant life in the Gilded Age mansion, the setting of the public and private lives of the Hill family. The James J. Hill House is a National Historic Landmark. The home also includes an art gallery, which features work from the Minnesota Historical Society's collections.

Reviewed By suebee220

I've been here three times and find it fascinating. It's my go to place when I have guests visiting from out of town. Not only is the house incredible, the tour provides historical information about the Hill family and the contributions James made. If you have time, make the short walk to the cathedral to check it out too.

8. Minnesota State Capitol

75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Saint Paul, MN 55155-1605 +1 651-296-2881 [email protected] http://www.mnhs.org/capitol
Excellent
62%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 375 reviews

Minnesota State Capitol

Connect with this landmark government building designed by Cass Gilbert through its amazing stories — and learn about its incredible architecture, art and history.

Reviewed By Madogfechan - Bishopton, United Kingdom

Such a beautiful building, marble pillars and staircases, breathtaking dome, somber official chambers, rich colours, warm woodwork, gilded details.......all brought to life by the informative guides with their unique stories to share. The guide we had on our tour pointed out so many details that we would surely have missed if left to our own devices. As visitors from Scotland we felt very welcomed here.

9. Afton State Park

6959 Peller Ave S, Hastings, MN 55033-9474 +1 651-436-5391 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/afton/index.html
Excellent
59%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 108 reviews

Afton State Park

Located near St. Paul, this 1,700 acre-park offers camping, hiking, biking, swimming and cross-country skiing.

Reviewed By JEBtravel2018 - Coon Rapids, United States

Finally got to hike Afton. The park is on the river. There is a nice flat trail you can walk that is about 1.5 miles one way. There are a lot of other trails with lots of diversity. You can climb up hills. Go through prairie grass and walk through pine trees. This is a strenuous hike so be prepared. There are picnic tables too. We went in November and there were a lot of people so I’m assuming this park is really busy in the summer. The views on top of the hill are beautiful.

10. Science Museum of Minnesota

120 Kellogg Blvd W, Saint Paul, MN 55102-1202 +1 651-221-9444 [email protected] http://new.smm.org
Excellent
70%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,112 reviews

Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota is one of the state’s most popular museums, with a reach that extends well beyond its riverfront location in downtown Saint Paul. In addition to its beloved visitor place, which serves hundreds of thousands of people each year with its engaging exhibits, breathtaking giant screen films, and engaging special events, Science Museum education programs touch students in all of Minnesota’s 87 counties each year, and its research programs span the globe. Discovery awaits at the Science Museum of Minnesota! You’ll find something fascinating around every corner. We love to see the fun that our visitors have! Tag us in your photos @sciencemuseummn, or use #ShareYourDiscovery!

Reviewed By AdrienneM61 - Wichita, United States

We were actually there to visit the Mississippi National Riverway - which is located inside the Museum foyer. The foyer had a few exhibits that you could do without purchasing tickets to the very extensive museum - we LOVED the musical stairs, seriously...so incredibly cool and unique. We were a little short on time, so we had no intention on entering the museum, except a lady with her child had won tickets from an auction and had 4 more than they could use and asked if we would enjoy them, we graciously agreed. Huge thanks to that sweet lady. The museum is HUGE, we didn't get to do everything because again, it's huge! And the tickets included the IMAX film on Apollo 11 which was great! What we did get to do was very enjoyable, with several volunteer run stations where kids could make their own crafts or be part of an exhibit - very well done museum, enjoyable for kids and adults of ALL ages. If ever in the Twin Cities again, we will DEFINITELY return, to finish the rest of the museum!

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.