Top Minnesota Walking Tours

Skip the generic walking tours and explore Stillwater in the spookiest way possible—through its best ghost stories. Following a guide, learn how this 180-year-old town is full of spirits, legends, and secrets—it’s even home to the haunted Minnesota State Prison. Leave your tour with a creepy sense of the city (and the urge to look over your shoulder).

Walk with local guides through Minneapolis! Learn the surprising and often untold history of Minneapolis and Minnesota, from before statehood and through to the present.

Minneapolis is one of America’s greatest arts centers, and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is like stepping into a shrine that proves it. On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll venture into this artistic labyrinth and admire some of the city’s most iconic works. The tour starts at the Walker Art Museum, located at the site of Thomas Lowry’s former mansion on the “Devil’s Backbone,“ a steep, twin-ridged terrain with a striking silhouette. From there, you’ll stroll through the sculpture garden, pausing at key works including Katharina Fritsch’s electric blue Hahn/Cock, and other lesser-known but equally fascinating pieces. This tour combines art appreciation, historical context and dramatic stories. You’ll find out how Sam Durant’s Scaffold was met with global outrage in 2017, and enjoy moments of quiet reflection at Jim Hodges’ mirrored boulders. I’ll also tell you about the controversies and characters that shaped this cultural landscape.

A great tour year-round, especially if you're visiting in the winter months! Minneapolis is home to the largest, contiguous skyway system in the world! Originally designed to counter the 1950s post war suburban boom by revitalizing the city's retail core, today the second story walkways connect 80 city blocks and meander more than 9 miles. This is a great way to see the city - inside and out - during cool weather, hot weather, rainy days and the brutally long Minnesota winter, so pretty much year-round! There are so many treasures within downtown's unique architectural landscape, and the skyway system is sometimes the only way to see them. AFTERNOON TOUR ends at the historic Minneapolis Club, not typically open to the public. Choosing Mpls City & Skyway Tours, you are supporting a local, woman-owned small business with a big heart. (Please note, this is a walking tour. We will walk up to two miles, with breaks. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.)

Our tour will take you from Peavey Plaza, the city’s “living room”, through the bustling downtown to the riverfront, ending at the Mill City Museum, built right into the ruins of the world’s once-largest flour mill. Go at your own pace, anytime. The tour plays as you walk and is hands free. It never expires! This is perfect for those looking for a private experience, flexibility and at an affordable price point.

This isn’t your grandma’s walking tour. With this self-paced audio guide, you’ll learn all about Minneapolis’s standard history (like Prince) *and* discover its secret nooks and crannies, like the history of “Funkytown,” a mansion with 86 TVs, and the invention of Zubaz pants. No matter what, after you’ve explored with this River Walk guide, you’ll never look at this stretch of the Mississippi with glazed-over eyes again.

Starting in the trendy North Loop neighborhood, we visit some of the best restaurants in Minneapolis! Learn about the city over a bite to eat (or four)! From a building with four James Beard nominated chefs under one roof, to classic upper midwest cuisine, and a little bit from northeast Minneapolis' eastern European heritage, this tour will leave both your brain and belly full! And don't forget to leave room for dessert!

A study in Gilded Age opulence and Victorian era ghost stories, by 1890, 40 millionaires were living on Summit Avenue in St. Paul and some of them never left. Join us for this exclusive haunted history tour on Summit Avenue. Dare to uncover the secrets and mysteries that lurk in the shadows of this historically haunted street. This is not your average walking tour - this encounter with the paranormal might just leave you questioning what lies beyond the mortal realm. We are St. Paul's original ghost tour with original research and haunted history ghost stories you won't get anywhere else!

Discover the bold flavors and hidden gems of Minneapolis on this unforgettable food tour through the North Loop and St. Anthony Main neighborhoods. Led by a passionate local guide, you’ll enjoy 6 delicious tastings that showcase the city’s unique blend of Scandinavian heritage, immigrant flavors, and modern Midwest innovation. Stroll past red-brick warehouses turned award-winning eateries, cross the iconic Stone Arch Bridge, and taste how European and Indigenous traditions shaped the Twin Cities’ culinary identity. Along the way, you’ll uncover fascinating local stories, meet passionate food makers, and experience why Minneapolis is fast becoming one of America’s top food destinations. Come hungry and leave inspired and full!

Explore the only remaining restored Gangster Era site in Saint Paul on this guided historic caves tour of the Wabasha Street Caves. Carved into the hillside near downtown Saint Paul, the caves have been numerous things throughout their history, including as a gangster hot spot during Prohibition. Tour the caves and hear fascinating stories of their history from your guide.

Most people don’t know anything about St. Paul’s gangster history—and most definitely don’t go underground to explore it. But you will on this totally immersive tour, heading back to the era of John Dillinger and 1930s-era corruption. Your guides set the scene, taking you around the city, and beneath it, for a day of subterranean suspense.

Discover marine life wonders at SEA LIFE Minnesota, an aquarium boasting more than 10,000 sea creatures. Located in the Mall of America, SEA LIFE provides the perfect break from shopping and change of scenery. Explore four themed tanks including Amazon River, Atlantis, Sturgeon Lake and Rainbow Reef. Check out the Octopus Garden, gaze eyes on the world’s largest crab species, and walk through an underwater tunnel and see the underbellies of stingrays and turtles.

Walk along the historic Mississippi River where dramatic mill ruins meet the modern Minneapolis skyline on this self-guided audio tour. Using a GPS app, you will follow a walkable riverfront route as history comes alive. Experience Saint Anthony Falls and see how this working landscape built the city. You’ll pass iconic landmarks including the Stone Arch Bridge, the Guthrie Theater, Mill Ruins Park, and the Mill City Museum. Along the way, explore how Minneapolis became the flour-milling capital of the world and uncover the dramatic story of the 1878 Washburn A Mill explosion. Explore at your own pace—pause for photos, grab a drink, or linger at viewpoints. The audio resumes whenever you’re ready, so you can move freely without keeping up with a group. This is a self-guided experience with no in-person guide. Download the tour in advance to use it anytime. It works offline and follows your location along the route.

Take a chilling ghost tour along Summit Avenue, Minneapolis, when you book this nighttime walking tour. Uncover the haunted history of mansions and historic locations, including Forepaugh's 2nd Mansion and Cochran Park, in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. This walking tour offers spine-tingling tales, and a spooky journey through the supernatural side of Summit Avenue.

Set out on a scenic boat tour through the breathtaking waters of Voyageurs National Park. This guided adventure offers not only stunning views but also a rich tapestry of history as you explore historic sites and encounter diverse wildlife, including loons, bald eagles, and black bears. Enjoy complimentary beverages as we make regular stops at convenient locations with bathroom facilities, ensuring a comfortable experience for everyone. With a knowledgeable captain at the helm, this tour is perfect for nature lovers and families alike, providing a memorable day in the great outdoors. - Scenic guided boat tour through Voyageurs National Park - Small group boat tour limited to 6 guests - Spot local wildlife like loons, bald eagles, and black bears - Comfortable journey with complimentary beverages and bathroom stops - Led by an experienced captain with insights into the park's history

Learn about the unique character and history of Minneapolis and its neighborhoods with local expert guides while enjoying hand selected drinks that define our city and its people. Share stories with your guide and fellow tour members as we walk the streets of Minneapolis between our bars. Chat with the knowledgeable bartenders and staff that help us get through those long winter months, and heartbreaking sports teams

Enjoy an elevated, curated dining experience in St Paul’s vibrant heritage neighborhood. Dominating the skyline, the majestic Cathedral of St Paul stands proudly as gateway to the city’s most scenic and historic neighborhood. Here the Victorian era’s movers and shakers, immigrants and servants, and priests and industrialists created a slice of St Paul which defined the Golden Age and showcased the city’s affluence. It includes stately mansions along Summit Avenue, where it was fashionable to see and to be seen, as well as green spaces, Mississippi River overlooks, and repurposed historic buildings with secret tales to tell. Learn the stories of James J Hill, F Scott Fitzgerald, Cass Gilbert, Ma Barker, and more famous, wealthy, and notorious figures from our capital city's colorful past. It is along these streets, within these walls, among these ghosts of the past that you’ll dine at some of the area’s most historic, luxurious, delicious, and tantalizing locations.

Gain a different perspective on downtown Minneapolis and learn about its haunted heritage with this ghost-themed walking tour. Walk around to sites such as City Hall, the Stone Arch Bridge, the Foshay Tower, and more, while your guide fills you in on the colorful characters and spooky stories that have shaped the city.

Explore Minneapolis through Prince’s life—without dealing with any of the crowds. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll hit the streets of Prince’s favorite 'hood, starting at Nicollet Avenue and ending on First Avenue, where 10,000 gathered to mourn the artist’s death. Though designed for a 75-minute tour, explore at your pace, sinking into all things purple.

Join us on our unique Kid-Friendly Cave Tour during holiday breaks, and every second Sunday of the month, except Oct. Nov. Dec. We've tailored our most popular Historic Cave Tour to be shared with the young and the young-at-heart. We’ll talk about mines and mushrooms and share old photographs from the early days of the Caves. Kids can talk about what interests them, and ask questions about trolls and times of long ago. Included in this special tour: A walkthrough and hands-on tour of the caves guided by one of the lovable and kind trolls that reside here. A unique craft to take home and share with family Photo and meet and greet opportunities  $10 per person. Kids under 2 are free.

Experience downtown Minneapolis like a local when you take this walking tour through the vibrant streets of the city. Join your guide, an avid traveler and proud resident of Minneapolis, as they take you on a journey to discover hidden gems. Visit a variety of spots, curated to showcase the personality of the city, including its sights, sounds, and flavors.

Experience a pivotal moment in American history on this 75-minute self-guided walking tour. As you walk, you’ll relive the events of the week of May 25, 2020 – and the moments when it felt like things were spiraling out of control – by hearing a combination of interviews and the author’s personal experience. The story begins on Memorial Day with the tragic events at the 38th and Chicago. You’ll then find out how the unrest began, and what it entailed. You’ll hear from local business owners who watched as gas stations and small businesses around them were looted and defaced during the riots. You'll also explore Powderhorn Park, and uncover the deeper history of the 38th St. Cultural District. Sensitive listeners should be aware that this tour covers difficult topics and scenes, such as the murder of George Floyd and the death of two others who passed away during the unrest, as well as the loss of many people’s businesses and livelihoods.

Take a self-guided tour along the iconic Mississippi River with award-winning storyteller Frank Bures. From Nicollet Island to Gold Medal Park, delve into 12,000 years of vibrant river history. Cross the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, pass Stone Arch Bridge, and explore the Guthrie Theater. Along the way, discover tales of St. Anthony Falls, Guinness World Record paddling attempts, the Minneapolis Post Office, Spirit Island, and Nicollet Island's peculiar inhabitants. Uncover the mystery of the Grain Belt Sign's revival, marvel at bull sharks' Mississippi swim, and learn about the 450-mile canoe race. Frank's near-death experience in the river adds a personal touch. This tour will leave you with an appreciation for the Mississippi's profound impact on those living along its shores. Get unlimited use of this tour before your booking date and after it. You can use the virtual tour option at home, too. Once you have booked, you will receive instructions and a unique code to download the tour.