Hare on Bell on Portland Stone Piers, Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Getty Images/First Light

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Top choice in Minneapolis


This 19-acre green space, studded with contemporary works such as the oft-photographed Spoonbridge & Cherry by Claes Oldenburg, sits beside the Walker Art Center. The Cowles Conservatory, abloom with exotic hothouse flowers, is also on the grounds. In summer (May to September) a trippy mini-golf course (adult/child $10/8) amid the sculptures adds to the fun.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Minneapolis attractions

1. Walker Art Center

0.11 MILES

The first-class art center has a strong permanent collection of 20th-century art and photography, including big-name US painters and great US pop art. On…

2. Mary Tyler Moore Statue

0.94 MILES

The late, great Mary Tyler Moore (of '70s TV fame) put Minneapolis on the pop-culture map. The spot, at the corner of 7th St S and Nicollet Mall, where…

3. Minneapolis Institute of Art

1.07 MILES

This museum is a huge trove housing a veritable history of art. The modern and contemporary collections will astonish, while the Asian galleries (2nd…

4. Mill City Museum

1.67 MILES

The building is indeed a former mill, and highlights include a ride inside an eight-story grain elevator (the 'Flour Tower'), Betty Crocker exhibits and a…

5. Endless Bridge

1.74 MILES

Head inside the cobalt-blue Guthrie Theater and make your way up the escalator to the Endless Bridge, a far-out cantilevered walkway overlooking the…

6. Gold Medal Park

1.83 MILES

Locals stroll in this spot that spreads next to the Guthrie Theater. The mound and spiral walkway at the center were inspired by ancient Native American…

7. Water Power Park

1.85 MILES

Walk down from Main St SE to this park jutting into the Mississippi River and feel its frothy spray. Quiet benches, skyline views and the chance to see…

8. Weisman Art Museum

2.55 MILES

The Weisman, which occupies a swooping silver structure by architect Frank Gehry, is a university (and city) highlight. The airy main galleries hold cool…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "usa/great-lakes/minneapolis/attractions/minneapolis-sculpture-garden/a/poi-sig/381093/361943",
      "destination": "Minneapolis",
      "continent": "North-America",
      "country": "USA",
      "region": "Minnesota",
      "city": "Minneapolis",
      "position": "superzone"
    }