Minnesota is blessed with many incredibly beautiful parks where you can relax and enjoy fun family time. Minneapolis, the state’s most populous city, is filled with parks, lakes, and other fun spots where you can have a great time with friends or family. In this article, we round up some of the best parks in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities.

Best Parks in Minneapolis

The following are three of the best parks in Minneapolis. While a small fee might be required to visit some of these spots, the experience is well worth it.

Loring Park

Located in the Minneapolis Central Community, Loring Park offers a natural environment where you can enjoy a peaceful afternoon. Better still, the park provides easy access to many of the city’s other attractions and amenities. The 34-acre park is named after its founding father, Charles Loring. Cyclists, walkers, basketball enthusiasts, and tennis players are all guaranteed lots of fun.

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Powderhorn Park

South of Downtown Minneapolis, another park – the Powderhorn – waits. Powderhorn is described as the pride and joy of locals in the area, with the park hosting several celebrations every year. The May Day parade, a very popular fireworks show held every July 4th, for instance, takes place at Powderhorn. Other attractions around the park include the beautiful Victorian homes bordering the park.

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Minnehaha Park

If you’ve heard about Longfellow’s poem, the “The Song of Hiawatha,” it’s about the Minnehaha Park. A beautiful 170-acre park located at 4801 S Minnehaha Park Dr, Minneapolis MN, Minnehaha Park is primarily attractive for the Minnehaha Falls. Aside from the falls, though, be sure to spend some time at the Longfellow House Hospitality Center. Beyond the hospitality center lies the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway – one of the most prominent trails in Minneapolis.

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Best Parks in the Twin Cities Metro

The Twin Cities area is another beautiful place, boasting multiple parks and other attractions. Some of the best parks in the twin cities include the following;

Round Lake Park

Located in Eden Prairie, the Round Lake Park features marine-themed splash fountains, treehouse structures around the play area, and a merry-go-round among other features. This makes it an exceptional destination for people with kids. Youth kayak rentals are also available at $5/hour. Alternatively, let the kids try a bike ride on the one-mile path around the lake or a stand-up paddleboard for $8/hour.

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The Hyland Play Area

Also known as the Chutes and Ladders playground, the Hyland Play Area is located in the Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Bloomington. It contains several climbing and sliding opportunities for all ages. The park also boasts sandy beaches and a small spray zone. The Richard Nature Center and Bush Lake Beach are other fun spots to consider.

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Harriet Island Regional Park

Harriet Island regional, an award-winning park, is arguably St. Paul’s most famous park and one of the Twin Cities’ best places to visit. Located near downtown St. Paul along the Mississippi River, the island boasts a wide range of amenities. These include the 5,000 square foot Clarence W. Wigington Pavilion where all kinds of parties, weddings, and receptions are held throughout the year.

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Fort Snelling State Park

One of only a few state parks in the area, you wouldn’t list attraction points in the Twin Cities without mentioning Fort Snelling. The park is located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers and is most notable for the historic Fort Snelling. More than 40,000 people visit the park annually, with the visitor center, 18-mile cross-country skiing trails, and 5-mile biking trail being other noteworthy attractions.

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Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Lebanon Hills Regional Park is located in the Minnesota cities of Eagan and Apple Valley. The 1,869-acre park, the largest in Dakota County, contains forests, grasslands, marshes, and wetlands. Winter activities include skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, hiking, and winter mountain biking.

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Whitetail Woods Regional Park

Finally, Whitetail Woods in Farmington is bordered by the Vermillion Highlands Modified Wildlife Management Area to the east and the Vermillion River Wildlife and Aquatic Management areas to the south. Privately owned property lies directly north of the park. The University of Minnesota’s UMORE Park is located to the northeast and east of the park. Dense pine trees surround three year-round primitive camper cabins that offer an overnight experience free of modern intrusions — no television, video games or radio — just peace and quiet among the rustling pines. These cabins are perched among the pines and elevated above the ground with an accessible entry. Up to six people can stay in each cabin.

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Time to Start Planning

There you have it – nine of the best parks in Minneapolis and the St. Paul Metro Area. If you live in/around or are visiting the area, find out the park closest to you and start exploring the attractions in advance.

About Transition Realty

Transition Realty owner Steve Lehmeyer specializes in helping people manage real estate transactions in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. His experience in the Minnesota real estate market spans 20 years. Steve and his team work with clients to buy & sell single-family homes, townhouses, condos, lake homes, and investment property.  Download a free home search app for your smartphone or search the MLS at TransitionRealty.com.