Free & Affordable Ideas in Minneapolis

The Minnesota African-American Heritage Museum and Gallery

The Minnesota African-American Heritage Museum and Gallery is a nonprofit museum that was originally founded in 2018, open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays during the morning and afternoon hours. The free-admission museum strives to preserve and promote the accomplishments and experiences of Minneapolis and Minnesota's African-American citizens, showcasing a variety of permanent and temporary rotating exhibits, including a retrospective exhibit of the area's earliest African-American settlers, who moved to the area during the early 20th century as part of what has become known as the Great Migration. Exhibits also highlight influential black women in Minnesota and the service of African-American soldiers in World War I and World War II. Children can enjoy a weekly reading circle, which showcases stories and puppet performances by local authors.

Address: 1256 Penn Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411

The Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Minneapolis Institute of Art is the premiere fine art museum in Minneapolis, located across an eight-acre campus in the city's Whittier neighborhood. The museum was originally established in 1883 as the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts and showcases an impressive encyclopedic collection of more than 80,000 objects and artworks covering 5,000 years of human history from antiquity to the present day. Collections include impressive holdings of African, Oceanic, Asian, and American art, along with the historic Purcell-Cutts House, a Chinese Garden, and the outdoor Target Park contemporary sculpture park. Visitors can enjoy the museum for free Tuesdays through Sundays during the morning and afternoon hours, though certain special exhibitions require a ticketed upcharge.

Address: 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404, Phone: 888-642-2787

The Como Park Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory are a public zoo and conservatory garden facility within Saint Paul's Como Park, open to the public for free every day of the year during the morning and afternoon hours.

Visitors can view displays of native and exotic animals at the zoo, including giraffes, zebras, orangutans, tigers, wolves, and reindeer. Beautiful indoor conservatory gardens also span half an acre, including a Japanese-style garden, a Sunken Garden, and a Tropical Encounters exhibit area. Though admission is free, a voluntary suggested donation is strongly recommended to ensure future zoo and conservatory operations. Other nearby attractions at Como Park include athletic fields, a fishing pier and lake, an 18-hole golf course, and the family-friendly Como Town amusement park.

Address: 225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103, Phone: 651-487-8201

The Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum

The Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum is the premiere teaching art museum of the University of Minnesota, originally opened in 1934 and housed within a beautiful Frank Gehry-designed museum facility. The free-admission museum is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays during the morning and afternoon hours, with the exception of major national holidays and times when the university is closed to the public. It holds impressive collections of modern art and photography, including works by Charles Biederman, Alfred Maurer, and Marsden Hartley. Other collections on display include indigenous Mimbres pottery and traditional Korean furniture.

Address: 333 E River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55455, Phone: 612-625-9494

The Mall of America

The Mall of America is the United States' largest shopping mall and the 12th-largest mall in the world, located in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington. The mall was opened to the public in 1992 and attracts more than 42 million annual visitors, over eight times the state's population. More than 570 retailers and restaurants are hosted at the mall, including national chain favorites such as Nordstrom, Macy's, Barnes and Noble, the LEGO Store, and Hard Rock Cafe. Its Nickelodeon Universe theme park is the United States' largest indoor theme park, offering roller coasters and high and family thrill rides. Other major attractions include a CMX Cinemas movie theater, the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, and the Crayola Experience. Visitors should note that while the mall is free to enter, many attractions require a ticketed upcharge or purchase.

Address: 60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, Phone: 952-883-8800

Bde Maka Ska Park

Bde Maka Ska Park, formerly known as Lake Calhoun, is a 401-acre lake and outdoor recreational area in Minneapolis that is surrounded by city park space. The lake is part of Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway and was renamed in 2018 in honor of its original indigenous Dakota name, which roughly translates to "White Earth Lake" in English. It is open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours and offers opportunities for swimming, boating, and water sports, with a fishing pier and boat launch facilities provided. Three public beach sites are also available, along with volleyball, soccer, and softball courts, an archery range, and separate three-mile loops for use by walkers and cyclists. Visitors should note that the park has a pay parking lot, though annual permits are available for purchase for discounted parking for frequent visitors.

Address: 3000 E Calhoun Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55408, Phone: 612-230-6400

Mill City Farmers Market

Mill City Farmers Market is a new Minneapolis tradition, founded in 2006 in cooperation with the Mill City Museum. The market is open to the public on Saturday mornings between 8:00am and 1:00pm during the months of May, June, July, August, September, and October, showcasing more than 120 regional farmers and producers. Live music performers and artisan vendors are also hosted on site, along with children's activities for families to enjoy. Free cooking demonstrations with area professional chefs aim to engage the Minneapolis community with the culinary arts and encourage healthy and sustainable eating habits. During the winter months, markets are held indoors within the Mill City Museum, showcasing unique handmade holiday gifts.

Address: 704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415, Phone: 612-341-7580