A day exploring Minnehaha Park is easy to do. This park has 167 acres of land in Minneapolis. You will find epic views of the Mississippi river, a natural wading pool, a 54 foot waterfall, a nostalgic playground for kiddos, and multiple pavilions perfect for gatherings. There are many historic sites, trails, and even one of our favorite restaurants, Sea Salt Eatery.
Minnehaha Park is known for the famous Minnehaha Falls, but it actually is much more than a waterfall in the middle of the city.
We typically find free street parking in the neighborhood next to the park. However, if you don’t mind paying to park, download the Park Mobile app to pay with ease in the multiple parking lots next to the park.
Eat at the Restaurant:

Explore the many Gardens:
Across the street from Sea Salt is the Longfellow house and Longfellow Gardens. The gardens are in full bloom the middle of June to September. As a result, you will see a variety of seasonal flowers.

The pergola garden is just south of Minnehaha Falls with another set of stairs leading to the waterfall. Most of the history in Minnehaha park resides near the pergola surrounded by wildflowers.
Pergola Garden
The Song of Hiawatha Garden is located north of the waterfall. It looks different in every season. Read the song, and rest on one of the many benches surrounding the spouting water fountain.
Spring at the Song of Hiawatha Fountain
History in the park:
John H. Stevens House was the first authorized home built in Minneapolis, and has been preserved by the historical society. It was moved along with the statue of John H. Stevens from it’s original spot near St. Anthony Falls. It was relocated to Minnehaha park and now offers tours to visitors.
John H. Stevens House
John H. Stevens Statue
The Minnehaha Depot was once bustling on a busy railroad route. It was shut down and preserved by the historical society in 1964. As a result, now operates as a museum.
Historic Train Station
Explore the Hiking Trail:
Minnehaha Lower Glen Trail is an out and back hike. It begins when you take one of the many staircases that lead to the bottom of the waterfall. It follows the Minnehaha Creek to it’s end point, where it dumps in to the Mississippi River. This is our favorite way of exploring a day in Minnehaha Park.
Bridge along Minnehaha Lower Glen Trail
Best shoes for this trail:
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Explore a day at the Natural Wading Pool:
The natural wading pool is directly down the trail from “the falls.” Kids and dogs regularly enjoy taking a dip in this large swimming hole to cool down. More importantly, remember to bring water shoes because it gets quite slippery on the rock in the river bed.
Best water shoes also good for hiking:
Natural Wading Pool
Explore the Ford Parkway Bridge:
When you make it to the Mississippi River from the Minnehaha Trail, instead of turning around to enjoy the same trail again, make your way to the Ford Parkway bridge. There are multiple paths and staircases leading you up to the top. As a result, enjoy a gorgeous view of the river.
View from the Ford Parkway Bridge
Spend the Day Playing Disc Golf:
Once you make it to the top, enjoy the upper portion of the park with ample well kept sidewalks. You will see multiple pavilions, a 9 hole disc golf course with views on the Mississippi River on, and even the MN Veterans home.
Pavilion by Disc Golf Course View of Ford Parkway Bridge
Bonus Tip: Interested in seeing the HGTV 2019 Urban Oasis in Minneapolis? It is directly across the street of Dairy Queen and the Minnehaha waterfall at 4112 Nawadaha Blvd.
2019 Urban Oasis
Get a similar planter to the one on the front porch:
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This look like such a beautiful place to visit. The river and waterfall are just a bonus!
I really like the historical aspect of the park. Absolutely breathtaking area.
I would love to check out the wadding pool. It would be a great place to be on a hot day
What a beautiful spot. I’d love to make it to this park one day. That wading pool looks nice.
These are gorgeous photos. The flowers alone are beautiful. Definitely a lovely place to be on a warm day.
This looks like a really great place to spend the day. I especially like the falls.
That looks like a wonderful place for a weekend trip! So many things to do and to see there! Hope i’ll have a chance to visit it one day! 🙂
What a beautiful place to visit. Once this pandemic ends people can travel and enjoy place like this one.
I would love to visit this place with my family. It looks so relaxing peaceful place. I really love it
Beautiful park, gardens, and restaurant! Thanks for sharing. There is always something beautiful about being surrounded by nature and flowers…
The park, trees, flowers, and the aura is really giving me a Japan adventure vibes. Minnehaha Park is really a go-to place.
Wow..this Minnehaha Park looks so fascinating and wonderful..i always loves to go such types of places which are completely surrounded by nature it gives so much comfort….Thanks for sharing the info…
This is such a beautiful place to be. It feels very comfortable and joyful. Love the pictures!!!!🤗
What a beautiful place! I would love to go to Minnehaha Park!
xoxo
Lovely
http://mynameislovely.com
Just looking at this beautiful garden, I am complete sold! That would be a lovely location for every fashion outfit post 🙂
I like that there are so many different things to do in this park. The gardens look gorgeous and the river very inviting to take a dip in.
It looks like a really beautiful park out there. I would love to go visit the gardens. It looks so beautiful. And now sounds like the perfect time of year to go visit.