• What do the parks of Minneapolis offer?
    • The parks of Minneapolis encompass the defining river banks and lakes of the city.
  • What makes some parks in Minneapolis special?
    • Some feature ecological wonders, historical significance, and stunning beauty, all within the thriving city urban setting.
  • Why should visitors not miss Minneapolis parks?
    • Minneapolis Parks are not to be missed while exploring everything Minneapolis has to offer.

Best Time to Visit Minneapolis Parks

  • May to September – Warm weather, ideal for biking, hiking, and outdoor fun.
  • June & July – Peak summer months with vibrant events and lake activities.
  • April & October – Shoulder season with mild temps and fewer crowds.
  • November to March – Cold winter months, perfect for ice skating and cross-country skiing.
  • Late May – Best time for blooming flowers and pleasant spring conditions.

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1. Boom Island Park


Walk along the river and admire skyline views on a peaceful weekend outing.

Boom Island Park

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  • What is Boom Island Park and where is it located?
    • Boom Island Park is a section of the much larger Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park and provides beautiful views of the downtown Minneapolis skyline and the river.
  • What amenities does the park offer?
    • Families with small children can make use of the playground, and all visitors can explore the riverfront of the Mississippi along both walking and biking paths.
    • Other amenities at Boom Island Park include restroom facilities, drinking fountains, a picnic area with a grill, and a boat dock.
  • Is Boom Island Park a good place to start a longer trip?
    • The park also serves as a good start or end point for a trip on bike or on foot to the Heritage Trail found nearby.
  • Where is Boom Island Park located?
    • 724 Sibley St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413, Phone: 612-230-6400

2. Brownie Lake Park


Explore wooded trails and enjoy lake views on an easy summer escape.

Brownie Lake Park

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  • Where is Brownie Lake Park located?
    • The Brownie Lake Park is found along the western side of the Cedar Lake Parkway and is the northernmost and smallest link among the Chain of Lakes.
  • What kind of experience does the park offer?
    • The remote location and rustic nature offer locals and tourists alike a spot to get away from everything without having to leave town.
  • What activities are available at Brownie Lake Park?
    • Activities are geared more towards outdoor enthusiasts, such as canoeing, kayaking, biking, and hiking.
  • What facilities and trails does the park provide?
    • There are both walking paths and biking paths throughout the park, as well as a launch and rack for canoes located at the northern side of Brownie Lake.
  • Where is Brownie Lake Park located?
    • 3201 Wayzata Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55416, Phone: 612-230-6400

3. Bryant Square Park


Visit this city park and relax with family-friendly stuff and open green space.

Bryant Square Park

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  • What is Bryant Square Park?
    • Bryant Square Park is a recreation center and park that is a full block filled with family-friendly fun.
  • What amenities does the park offer?
    • Amenities of the park include a wading pool, a softball field, a soccer field, restroom facilities, a playground and children’s area, the Little Free Library, an ice skating rink, a hockey rink, drinking fountains, a basketball court, and an amphitheater.
  • What events are held at the Public Outdoor Performance Space?
    • The Public Outdoor Performance Space consists of a circular plaza measuring twenty feet and hosts a concert series during the summer season, as well as other performances and events throughout the year, such as movie nights, comedy, dance performances, socials, and more.
  • Where is Bryant Square Park located?
    • 3101 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, Phone: 612-370-4907

4. Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park


See historic sights and walk along scenic river paths during a fall trip.

Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park

© Jaimie Tuchman/stock.adobe.com

  • What is the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park?
  • Where do the park's trails connect?
    • Paved trails connect with the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park to the north and the Minneapolis Park System trails further south.
  • What wildlife can be seen at the park?
    • A variety of species of birds can be seen throughout particular times of year traveling along their migratory journey down the river.
  • What amenities does the park offer?
    • Amenities at the park include bike paths, walking paths, a picnic area, a playground, and more.
  • What is the Riedel Farmhouse used for?
    • The park’s Riedel Farmhouse serves as a venue for events.
  • Where is the park located?
    • East and West banks of the Mississippi River between Plymouth Avenue North & 35W bridges, Phone: 612-230-6400

5. Columbia Park


Play disc golf or walk shaded trails on a quick spring afternoon.

Columbia Park

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  • What is Columbia Park and where is it located?
    • The Columbia Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota spans across more than one hundred and eighty acres and is full of open green spaces and rolling hillsides, providing opportunities for recreation throughout the entire year.
  • What amenities are available at Columbia Park?
    • Amenities include drinking fountains, a cross-country ski trail, tubing and sledding, a rugby field, a soccer field, walking paths, a tennis court, a playground, restroom facilities, picnic areas, grills, a golf course, a driving range, and an archery field.
  • Does Columbia Park connect to any trail systems?
    • The park is part of the area’s Grand Rounds Scenic Byway and connects to the walking and biking trails of the St. Anthony Parkway.
  • Where is Columbia Park located?
    • 800 Columbia Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55418, Phone: 612-230-6400

6. Corcoran Park


Visit local sports courts and enjoy affordable fun with kids and friends.

Corcoran Park

© kikovic/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Corcoran Park and where is it located?
    • Corcoran Park is situated within South Minneapolis and is both a park and recreation center offering a wide variety of programs for people of all ages.
  • What amenities does the park offer?
    • Park amenities include a wading pool, a volleyball court, a softball field, a playground and children’s area, picnic areas, the Little Free Library, drinking fountains, and restroom facilities.
  • What facilities are inside the Corcoran Park Recreation Center?
    • The Corcoran Park Recreation Center houses a community kitchen, a multipurpose room, a gym, computer labs, meeting rooms, and a craft room.
  • What community programs does the park offer in summer?
    • Corcoran Park also participates in the city’s summer meals program that offers free snacks for children and dinners on weekdays during the summer.
  • Where is Corcoran Park located?
    • 3334 20th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55407, Phone: 612-370-4919

7. Dickman Park


Explore this quiet neighborhood space and enjoy easy access to simple outdoor attractions.

Dickman Park

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  • Where is Dickman Park located and what was it formerly known as?
    • Dickman Park, formerly referred to as “the Main Street Northeast Playground Site”, is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota’s neighborhood of St. Anthony West.
  • What amenities are available at Dickman Park?
    • Amenities provided in the park include a wading pool, a volleyball court, a basketball court, restroom facilities, a playground, a picnic area, horseshoe pits, and drinking fountains.
  • What features does the playground offer?
    • The playground at Dickman Park consists of two different play structures designed specifically for children between the ages of two and five and between the ages of five and twelve. It also includes a shade umbrella, swings, a spinning feature, a seesaw, a fully-accessible playground surface, and a sand area.
  • Where is Dickman Park located?
    • 614 Second St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413, Phone: 612-230-6400

8. Father Hennepin Bluff Park


Admire river views and walk along scenic overlooks on a romantic summer stroll.

Father Hennepin Bluff Park

© leekris/stock.adobe.com

  • Where is Father Hennepin Bluff Park located?
    • The Father Hennepin Bluff Park is situated by the Stone Arch Bridge and offers unique views of the Mississippi River and the skyline of downtown Minneapolis.
  • What can visitors experience at the park?
    • Visitors can stroll along the bridges and footpaths and be transported to a wooded forest within the city’s shadows.
  • How large is the park and where is it situated?
    • Father Hennepin Bluff Park is about five and a half acres in size and is located on top of a wooded bluff that overlooks the river.
  • What amenities are available in the park?
    • Guests will find a bandstand, walking paths, picnic areas, grills, and drinking fountains inside the park.
  • Who is the park named after?
    • The park is named after the first European to see St. Anthony Falls from the site.
  • Where is Father Hennepin Bluff Park located?
    • 420 Main St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, Phone: 612-230-6400

9. Kenwood Park


Go for a jog or enjoy peaceful gardens in a quiet retirement spot.

Kenwood Park

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  • What is Kenwood Park and what does it offer?
    • Kenwood Park is a thirty-three acre park featuring a number of sports facilities, a community center, open grassy areas, walking paths, and more.
  • What landmark can be found in Kenwood Park?
    • The park is also the site of the well-known Kenwood Park Water Tower.
  • What kind of views does the park offer?
    • The sloping hilltop in the park offers stunning views of the sunset, as well as sections of the area’s Chain of Lakes.
  • What family-friendly amenities are available?
    • Boasted as a family-friendly park, Kenwood Park includes a tot lot, playground, a picnic area with grills, sports fields and courts, and a restroom facility.
  • What is notable about the tennis courts?
    • The Kenwood Tennis Courts are the largest public tennis court bank of the Park Board.
  • Where is Kenwood Park located?
    • 2101 W Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405, Phone: 612-370-4941

10. Lake Harriet Bandshell Park


See live music and savor lakeside views on an exciting weekend outing.

Lake Harriet Bandshell Park

© Susan Rydberg/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Lake Harriet Bandshell Park?
    • The Lake Harriet Bandshell Park is a popular destination in Minneapolis for outdoor recreation activities, both on the water and land.
  • What amenities and activities does the park offer?
    • The park provides two beaches, a trail system consisting of both bike and hiking trails, and sailing on Lake Harriet.
  • What happens at the bandshell complex?
    • The bandshell complex hosts a concert series during the summer season called the Minneapolis Music and Movies in the Parks and includes a picnic area, as well as the Bread and Pickle outdoor seasonal restaurant.
  • What historical feature is found in the park?
    • There is also a preserved portion of the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line running between the bandshell area and Bde Maka Ska.
  • Where is Lake Harriet Bandshell Park located?
    • 4135 W Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55409, Phone: 612-230-6400

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