10 Legitimately Fun Things You Can Do In Minnesota Without Spending A Dime
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Minnesota is full of inexpensive things to do. We have state parks, hiking trails, and gorgeous lakes for swimming and fishing. None of these costs a lot of money, but we can probably all agree that sometimes we’d rather spend no money at all. That’s a tall order – especially if you want to have a good time – but we found some great activities in Minnesota are completely free. Better yet, they are legitimately fun. Check out these 10 great free activities that you can do without spending a dime:
With thousands of stunning works of fine art, the completely free Minneapolis Institute of Art is a state treasure. Textile art, paintings, photographs, and an extensive collection of Asian art will keep you busy for an entire day. Address: 2400 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Zoo is great in its own way, but sometimes, you can't beat free. Como Zoo has many interesting species for those who love animals. The polar bears, gorillas, and spider monkeys are always crowd pleasers. If plants are more your speed, the conservatory is amazing. Colorful tropical flowers are perhaps the most eye-catching plants, but the tall palm trees and unique bonsais are must-see sights as well. Address: 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul.
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If you've had the pleasure of watching distant ships sail into the harbor, you know why watching the ships is so fun. A crowd gathers, the Lift Bridge rises, and an enormous oceangoing vessel passes beneath it. For being free, it's a pretty spectacular sight. See it up close from Canal Park or from high above at Enger Tower.
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Open-mic night at Acme is a great place to laugh - and occasionally cringe. If you think you can handle seeing up-and-coming comics test out their new material, definitely check out the completely free open mic nights every Wednesday at 8:00. Address: 708 North 1st Street, Minneapolis.
Franconia is a whimsical park that will delight old and young alike. Visitors amble through the grounds to admire over 100 large sculptures created by talented visiting artists. The park is open dawn until dusk every day of the year. Address: 29836 St. Croix Trail, Shafer.
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Not many many cities can say they have a waterfall within city limits, but Minneapolis sure can. The 170-acre Minnehaha Park has plenty of walking trails and nature scenes, but the main attraction is the spectacular waterfall. Watch Minnehaha Creek spill over the rocks from above, or walk down a few dozen stairs to see the spectacle from below. Either way, it's worth it. Address: 4801 South Minnehaha Drive, Minneapolis.
In the summer, there's no greater place to be than at the beach. In Duluth, Park Point is a fantastic way to while away a weekend afternoon. Enjoy the view of Duluth's hill from your place on the beach. And when the sand gets too hot, you can take a dip into the cool waters of Lake Superior. Address: 400 West 1st Street, Duluth.
Once you're done walking across the Stone Arch Bridge, a trek through Mill Ruins Park is a must - especially for the low cost of $0.00. Tour the remains of several flour mills that were operational during the early history of Minneapolis. Bike and walking trails make it easy to explore this National Register of Historic Places site. Address: 102 Portland Avenue South, Minneapolis.
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Many breweries throughout Minnesota offer free brewery tours to those curious about the process behind making your favorite beers. These tours are often full, so you may want to make reservations before you show up. This list is a great starting point to help you find breweries with free tours.
The famed Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is by far one of the best free things to do in Minnesota. On a warm day, it's possible to spend hours wandering among the iconic art pieces. Address: 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.
Are we missing anything? Let us know! If you’re willing to spend a little bit more, check out this list of 10 things you can do in Minnesota for $10 or less.
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