Downtown Minneapolis has a secret weapon against winter: the skyway system, a network of enclosed, heated, second-floor walkways that connects much of the city centre, so office workers and visitors can cross dozens of blocks without stepping outside. This small-group walking tour, run by One Minute Tours and sold through Viator, makes the most of it, combining street-level landmarks with the indoor skyway route so it works even on cold November days. Over about three hours you take in fourteen stops: the Kickernick Building in the North Loop, First Avenue and its famous wall of stars, Target Field, the IDS Crystal Court with its glass-roofed atrium, the skyway itself, the Hennepin County Government Center, Minneapolis City Hall and the Foshay Tower, before heading to the river for the Stone Arch Bridge, Mill City Museum and the Guthrie Theater, and finishing back in the North Loop near Owamni, the celebrated Indigenous restaurant. Along the way your guide explains how the city grew from its mills, how the skyways came about and where locals eat and drink. Groups are capped at twelve, and the tour includes locally made coffee or tea and a beer or soda at a local bar. It is an ideal first-day orientation.
How to visit: the tour starts at 11am at the Kickernick Building, 430 North 1st Avenue, in the North Loop, and ends back at the same spot, so it is easy to reach from downtown hotels. Book through the Viator link on this page; you can cancel for a full refund up to twenty-four hours before. The tour is listed as wheelchair and stroller accessible, and service animals are welcome. A moderate level of fitness is recommended, as you will walk a fair distance.
What to expect: around three hours of walking at an easy pace, mostly at street level with skyway sections, and a coffee or tea stop plus a drink at a local bar. Some reviewers note that certain stops can be closed on Sundays or holiday weekends, so a weekday tour gives you the fullest experience. Bring water and comfortable shoes, and dress in layers, as you will move between heated skyways and cold streets.
Making the most of it: take the tour on your first day to get your bearings, note the restaurants your guide recommends, and come back to Mill City Museum or the Guthrie later for a closer look.
What to expect
The experience
A three-hour small-group walking tour of downtown and the riverfront, using the heated skyways, with coffee and a drink included.
Best time
A weekday on your first day in the city, when every stop should be open.
How long
About three hours.
Tips
Dress in layers for moving between warm skyways and cold streets, bring water and cancel free up to twenty-four hours ahead if plans change.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want an orientation, and anyone curious about the skyways.
- Families
- Accessible for strollers, but three hours of walking suits older children and teens best.
- Couples
- A relaxed way to explore together, with a coffee and a drink built in and dinner tips at the end.
- Pair with
- Mill City Museum or a show at the Guthrie Theater, both on the route.
- Time needed
- Three hours.
Good questions
What is the Minneapolis skyway?+
It is a network of enclosed, heated second-floor walkways linking buildings across downtown Minneapolis. It lets people cross many blocks without going outside in winter.
Where does the skyway walking tour start?+
It starts at 11am at the Kickernick Building, 430 North 1st Avenue, in the North Loop. It ends back at the same place.
What is included in the tour?+
A local guide, locally made coffee or tea and a beer or soda at a local bar. Gratuities for the guide are optional.
Can I cancel the skyway walking tour?+
Yes, you can cancel for a full refund up to twenty-four hours before the tour. Later cancellations are not refunded.
Does the tour run in winter?+
It is designed as a weather-safe tour, using the skyways to stay warm. Check availability for your date when you book.
