Walking Minneapolis Mississippi River, Falls & Historic Mills Private Tour(2hrs)
- Live Guide
- Private Tour
- E-Ticket
- 2 hr
You'll get so close to the surging Mississippi River and its dramatic St. Anthony Falls during this private, 2-hour walking adventure that you'll catch your breath while learning how the the river's rich history impacts life today in Minneapolis. From the falls to old flour mills and spanning the famous Stone Arch Bridge, you'll see surprising views and hear stories from many different perspectives - early settlement and lumbering, harnessing the river's wild power, milling flour to feed the world and today's Mill District transformation into the city's most desirable and trendy residential neighborhood. "Informative & fun! He is a walking Wikipedia and a great photographer for group shots." David S., Florida USA "5 out of 5 stars! Personable...knowledgeable..." Thalia S., Georgia USA "Recommended for anyone! We learned so much about Minneapolis and really felt like we got to know the city though his tour." Holly K., California USA
Itinerary Details
Operated by: Douglas Kline
Stop At: Mill Ruins Park
For this private, 2-hour walking tour, we'll meet in the Stone Arch Parking Lot in Mill Ruins Park, 100 W. River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55401. We'll begin with an overview of the river's history and the importance of water in Minnesota, then walk past historic former flour mills, the birthplace of Minneapolis.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At:
We'll continue with a short walk on the Stone Arch Bridge, an 1880s railroad engineering marvel that today is the city's key sightseeing and recreational destination. While strolling across the 2, 000-foot bridge, you'll confront the plunging waterfall directly in front of you.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: St. Anthony Falls
You'll be close to the Mississippi River and its powerful St. Anthony Falls several times during the tour. From each vantage point, you'll learn how the fall's rich history impacts life today in Minneapolis. You'll hear stories from many different perspectives - early settlement and lumbering, harnessing the river's wild power, milling flour to feed the world and today's Mill District transformation into the city's most desirable and trendy residential neighborhood.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Upper St. Anthony Lock and Dam
On the Stone Arch Bridge, we'll confront the jarring juxtaposition of St. Anthony Falls with the adjacent Upper St. Anthony Lock, a 1950s insertion into the area. Here, we'll talk more about the the southward flow of the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. By the end of the tour returning back to the starting point on the west end of the bridge, you'll understand how the area's historic legacy is directly linked to Minnesota culture and Minneapolis life.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Water Power Park
We'll explore Water Power Park with its startling overlook of the mighty Mississippi surging over dramatic St. Anthony Falls, see the nation's first hydro power plant and learn about the location of an early sawmill.
Duration: 20 minutes
