Minneapolis and St. Paul are two cities that work as one destination. Minneapolis, on the west side of the Mississippi, has the bigger downtown, the riverfront mill district, the lakes and most of the big museums. St. Paul, a few miles east, is older and calmer, with the Cathedral of Saint Paul, Summit Avenue and Rice Park. Mall of America sits south of both in Bloomington, beside the airport, and Prince’s Paisley Park is out in the suburbs to the southwest. With a little planning you can see the best of all of them in a long weekend.
How many days
Three days is the sweet spot. Give one day to downtown Minneapolis and the riverfront, one to Mall of America and Minnehaha Falls, and one to St. Paul and the art museums. Add a fourth day if you are a Prince fan and want to visit Paisley Park, which needs half a day with travel, or if you want slower time in the galleries.
What to book ahead
Paisley Park tours must be booked online and sell out, and the complex is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan that day first. The skyway walking tour runs in small groups, so reserve a place for your first morning. At Mall of America, buy Nickelodeon Universe, SEA LIFE, FlyOver America and the Museum of Illusions tickets in advance, especially for weekends; most can be cancelled or rescheduled up to a day or half a day ahead. The Cathedral of Saint Paul’s self-guided audio tour and docent tours can be booked online too. Mia and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden are free and need no booking, while Mill City Museum sells tickets on-site only.
Getting around
The METRO light rail is the visitor’s best friend. One line runs from downtown Minneapolis past Minnehaha Falls to both airport terminals and Mall of America, and another links downtown Minneapolis with downtown St. Paul. Downtown Minneapolis is walkable, and in cold weather the skyways, enclosed second-floor walkways between buildings, let you cross much of the centre indoors. For Paisley Park and the outer neighbourhoods, use a car, taxi or rideshare.
Day one: downtown and the riverfront
Start with the skyway walking tour from the North Loop at 11am, which takes you through the skyways, past First Avenue and the IDS Crystal Court, and down to the river. Spend the afternoon at Mill City Museum, ride the Flour Tower and climb to the rooftop deck for the view over St. Anthony Falls, then walk across the Stone Arch Bridge before dark. Eat in the North Loop.
Day two: Mall of America and the falls
Take the light rail south, stopping at Minnehaha Falls in the morning for the 53-foot waterfall and a walk along the creek. Continue to Mall of America for the afternoon: pick two attractions, perhaps SEA LIFE and FlyOver America, or a wristband for Nickelodeon Universe if you have children, and save the Museum of Illusions for the evening, as it stays open late.
Day three: art and St. Paul
Spend the morning at Mia, which is free and enormous, then cross to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden for Spoonbridge and Cherry and the Walker Art Center. In the afternoon, head to St. Paul for the Cathedral of Saint Paul, a walk along Summit Avenue and an evening at Rice Park.
When to go, and November notes
Summer and early autumn are the most comfortable months, with festivals, patios and the lakes at their best. November is cool to cold, with short days, so plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and lean on the skyways, the museums and Mall of America. Mall of America is closed on Thanksgiving Day, 26 November 2026, and opens early on Black Friday, while the Walker and Mia also close for Thanksgiving. The Walker is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and Mia on Mondays, so plan museum days accordingly. Pack warm layers, a hat and shoes with grip, especially for the stairs at Minnehaha Falls.
Budget tips
Many of the best things in the Twin Cities are free: Mia, the Sculpture Garden, Minnehaha Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge. Children aged eighteen and under go free at the Walker. Compare the Tiqets combination tickets at Mall of America before buying single tickets, and use the light rail rather than taxis to and from the airport.
