The Twin Cities are one of the best places in the United States to travel on a budget, because so many of the highlights are free. Two of the best art museums in the region charge nothing, the most famous waterfall and the most famous bridge are public spaces and even some guided tours cost nothing. This guide separates what is truly free from what is cheap and tells you where it is worth paying.
Free art
Mia, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, has free general admission and is closed on Mondays, so plan it for another day. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home of Spoonbridge and Cherry, is a public park, while the neighbouring Walker Art Center charges admission but lets children eighteen and under in free. The Weisman Art Museum on the university riverbank states that admission is always free and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Together they make a free art day that would cost a fortune in many cities.
Free landmarks and parks
Minnehaha Falls and Regional Park is a free park with a 53-foot waterfall, creekside trails and a short walk from the light rail. The Stone Arch Bridge and Saint Anthony Falls give a free walk with skyline and river views, and the Mill Ruins Park area below tells the milling story outdoors. The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes offers miles of free walking, cycling and beaches. In St. Paul, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory has free admission, with a donation welcome, and the Minnesota State Capitol offers free guided tours.
Free at the mall
Mall of America charges nothing to walk in, and window-shopping and people-watching cost nothing, though the rides and attractions do. If you want one paid attraction, choose the one that suits your group rather than buying everything, and compare combination tickets before paying separately.
Cheap and worth it
Several paid sights are good value. The Historic Fort Snelling visit, the Mill City Museum, the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Bell Museum all charge modest admission, and the Minnesota History Center offers reduced rates for seniors, veterans, military and college students, free entry for members and children four and under and a Museums for All scheme for eligible visitors. A self-guided audio tour is an inexpensive way to learn a neighbourhood at your own pace, and the Prince audio tour of downtown costs far less than a guided walk.
Skyways and the light rail
Downtown Minneapolis has an indoor skyway network that is free to walk, and it is the best budget way to see the centre in winter. The light rail connects the airport, Mall of America, Minnehaha Falls, downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul, so you can often avoid taxis and parking altogether. Hotel parking is charged downtown, so skipping the car saves real money.
Where to spend a little more
A paid tour is worth it when it adds something you cannot do alone. The Wabasha Street Caves tour gives access to a place you cannot otherwise enter, and a food tour covers lunch as well as a walk, so it is better value than it looks. The stadium and ballpark tours are paid, but they let you see behind the scenes of buildings that are otherwise closed. Paisley Park is a paid, timed visit that is worth the money for Prince fans.
Free days and discounts
Look at each venue’s site for free days, evening offers and access schemes, because they change. Students and seniors often get reduced rates, and bank-card programmes can offer free admission on certain weekends at some museums. Children’s rates vary, and several places let very young children in free.
A free day in practice
Start at Mia, walk to the Sculpture Garden, eat a packed lunch in the park, then ride the light rail to Minnehaha Falls for the afternoon. The next day, cross the Stone Arch Bridge in the morning, tour the Weisman or the Capitol, and finish with the lakes at golden hour. A day like that can cost nothing beyond transit and lunch.
Budget stays
The cheaper hotels in this guide are around Downtown East near the stadium and in Uptown, and a stay near a light rail stop saves transport money. Book early for big events, since prices climb sharply on game and concert nights and over the holidays.
