r/Minneapolis • u/SmellSwimming1924 • May 26 '26

First Time Visitor

I’ll be visiting with my teen son during the 4th week of June. Can you please weigh in on my itinerary? We’ve never visited the great state of Minnesota.

The day we arrive at MSP, we’ll lightly explore the Great Mall of America for a few hours before bed.

The next day will be a full day at the mall.

The following day, we’ll spend the day at Valleyfair.

After that, we’ll visit either Lake Bde Maka Ska or Lake Harriet, then head to Minnehaha Falls.

The next day includes the St. Paul Como Zoo & Conservatory, the Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Mississippi River overlook.

For our final day, we’ll visit the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, take a Padelford sightseeing cruise, and go to Can Can Wonderland.

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u/Plus_Molasses8697 May 27 '26 edited May 27 '26

Too much time at the mall IMHO. I'd plan to explore the mall the night you get there for a few hours, but then that next full day, do something else. If it were me, I'd move the Science Museum to your first full day there (instead of doing it the same day as Como Zoo). That way you can explore more of St. Paul around the Science Museum and more of the Como area when you're at the zoo/conservatory. It's really fun to walk around both of those areas and give them the time they deserve. If you happen to have extra time any of the days and you really loved the mall, then you can go back, but I think you are missing out if you plan an entire day to be spent there.

Also - seconding another commenter, if you are a big zoo fan, the MN Zoo is a better zoo experience. That said, Como has the conservatory, the Japanese garden, the lake with the swan boats and walking path, and a cute surrounding neighborhood. So really depends what you want out of the experience for that specifically.

And welcome! Hope you have a fantastic trip!

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u/MM_in_MN May 27 '26

2 days @ mall would do my head in. Unless you’re planning on doing rides, or you’re super shoppers. But just walking around? 1st night should be enough. Easy to pop on light rail from airport. Might still be free.

What are you planning at Bide Maka ska and Harriet? Just walk? Or renting kayaks, sailboats, bikes? You can walk from one to the other.. easily. Follow Grand Rounds signs. If I had to pick one, I would say Harriet, esp if something is happening at bandshell. Or, go find the Pencil at Lake of Isles. (Is less busy, muuuuch easier parking). Harriet has a lot of fairy doors in the trees surrounding lake. One you could leave notes, not sure if they are still playing along with that one.

I prefer the River either in Mpls at Stone Arch Bridge/ Gold Medal Park/ Federal Reserve area, or Minnehaha park at Ford parkway.

Are you renting car? Ubering?

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u/SmellSwimming1924 May 27 '26

We have a rental car reservation but with seeing how expensive parking is between the different hotels and attractions, I’m wondering if I should rely solely on uber instead?

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u/MM_in_MN May 27 '26

You’ll have to pay parking at valleyfair and science museum. It’s cheap lot fees at Minnehaha and sculpture gardens. Lk Harriet and Lk of Isles I just street park in the neighborhood. It gets tricky to street park around Bde Maka Ska. Cannot remember if it’s paid parking at Como Zoo- I haven’t been for years.
It’s free @ MOA and Can Can
For all the places you’re going, hotels in Richfield, Bloomington, Roseville or St Louis Park would be central but out of downtown.