Minneapolis Free Attractions Cut Vacation Costs

Concerts to Commerce to City Center Walks That Are No-Cost and Fun

Aug 14, 2008

It's true that Minneapolis can be expensive. Savvy travelers, however, can find plenty of first-class entertainment that costs nothing at all.

The best things in travel life may not always be free. In Minneapolis, however, so many of them are that visitors don't have to worry about overspending their entertainment budgets.

Delightful any day of the week, the mall is at its colorful best on Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., May through Labor Day. That’s when vendors – 240 alternate week to week in using the 170 stalls – sell produce, plants and crafts. A few trendy restaurants are represented, too, offering take-away items from their menus. The market’s finest months are July and August when local produce appears in abundance. Special attractions include chefs’ demonstrations, live music and street entertainers.

The exchange, founded in 1881 and on the National Register of Historic Places, is the place to go if you want to learn about grain futures trading. Largest market for hard red spring wheat in the world, the grain exchange floor is alive with activity when trading goes on from 9:30 a.m. until 1:20 p.m. Visitors view the action from the balcony.

At various times during summer, this sculpture decorated greenspace on Nicollet Mall becomes the setting for musical performances ranging from contemporary to the classics. Some of the annual events at the plaza include the Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Fest (weekend in June/ first of July), Famous Dave’s Blues Fest, Macy’s Day of Music (24-hours of continuous live music) and Alive after 5/Tunes at Noon concerts on weekdays in June – a tradition of almost 25 years.

Upper Saint Anthony Lock and Dam

Watch watercraft pass through the uppermost of 29 locks on the Mississippi River, connecting Minneapolis with the Gulf of Mexico. Daily, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., April – November.

With one of the largest convention centers in the Midwest, Minneapolis frequently plays host to trade shows that are open to the public. Imported cars, sporting goods, holiday crafts, home and garden shows as well as bridal and job fairs are some of the events held at the facility each year. There are also more unusual affairs like Karate graduation ceremonies and square dancers conventions that welcome onlookers.

The Aquatennial

Although many events cost money during Aquatennial (the city’s big water-themed celebration in mid-July), many of the best ones don’t. For example, there’s the torchlight parade, a two-hour long extravaganza of floats, marching bands and stilt walkers that makes its way down Hennepin Avenue. Some other stellar Aquatennial events include the milk carton boat races, the sand castle competition and a downtown contest in which area artists create sculptures completely out of recycled materials.

To get the most out of the trail, stop first at the Visitors Center for brochures and information. Although guided tours are offered, it’s better to do a self-guided walk if you like a part in determining how long you’ll stay at each point of interest. Among the trail’s most interesting stops are Our Lady of Lourdes church, the oldest house in Minneapolis and the historic buildings on Nicolett Island.

Art Shows

The first week in August, three shows take place. The Metris and Powderhorn Art Fairs downtown and the Loring Park Art Festival showcase the works of several hundred regional and national artists, photographers and sculptors.

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