Highest-rated free things to do in Minnesota, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Minnesota, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Minnesota.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Minnesota using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Tettegouche State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (230 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. High Falls
- Rating: 5/5 (174 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Quarry Hill Nature Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (272 reviews)
- Address: 701 Silver Creek Road Northeast Rochester, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Weisman Art Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (266 reviews)
- Address: 333 East River Pkwy Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Minneapolis Skyway System
- Rating: 4.5/5 (750 reviews)
- Address: 101 South 7th St. Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Summit Avenue
- Rating: 4.5/5 (426 reviews)
- Address: Summit Ave. Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Munsinger Gardens
- Rating: 5/5 (417 reviews)
- Address: Kilian Blvd. Saint Cloud, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Lake of the Isles
- Rating: 5/5 (333 reviews)
- Address: 2500 West Lake of the Isles Pkwy Franklin Ave. and Logan Ave. South Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Lake Harriet
- Rating: 4.5/5 (600 reviews)
- Address: West 42nd St. and West Lake Harriet Parkway Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Basilica of St. Mary
- Rating: 4.5/5 (376 reviews)
- Address: 88 North 17th St. Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Leif Erickson Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (410 reviews)
- Address: 1301 London Road Duluth, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Black Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (59 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Chain of Lakes
- Rating: 5/5 (413 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Lego Imagination Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (913 reviews)
- Address: 164 South Ave. Mall of America Bloomington, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (688 reviews)
- Address: 525 S. Lake Ave. Suite 209 Duluth, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Lakewalk
- Rating: 5/5 (922 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Spam Museum and Visitor Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (716 reviews)
- Address: 101 3rd Ave. Northeast Austin, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Minnehaha Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (489 reviews)
- Address: 4801 South Minnehaha Drive Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Park Point
- Rating: 4.5/5 (337 reviews)
- Address: 45th St. & Minnesota Ave. Duluth, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Cathedral of Saint Paul
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,082 reviews)
- Address: 239 Selby Ave. Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Enger Park and Tower
- Rating: 4.5/5 (915 reviews)
- Address: 16th Ave. West & Skyline Drive Duluth, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Canal Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,465 reviews)
- Address: Canal Park Drive & Morse St. Duluth, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,108 reviews)
- Address: 1225 Estabrook Drive Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Aerial Lift Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,732 reviews)
- Address: 601 South Lake Ave. Duluth, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,818 reviews)
- Address: 725 Vineland Place Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,654 reviews)
- Address: Hwy 61 Two Harbors, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Minnehaha Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,503 reviews)
- Address: 4801 Minnehaha Ave. Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Rating: 5/5 (2,397 reviews)
- Address: 2400 Third Ave. South Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive
- Rating: 5/5 (2,015 reviews)
- Address: Duluth, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Mall of America
- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,994 reviews)
- Address: 60 East Broadway Bloomington, Minnesota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
