Minnehaha Falls

Minnehaha Falls is Minneapolis's most iconic natural feature -- a 53-foot waterfall cascading over a limestone ledge into a sandstone gorge, located in a 193-acre regional park within the city. It is free, accessible, and delivers visual drama that rivals waterfalls in national parks.

The falls are visible from an overlook at the top, but the real experience is walking down the stone staircase to the base. From below, the falls tower above you, the mist cools the air, and the roar of water drowns out the city. In spring, when snowmelt swells Minnehaha Creek, the falls are at their most powerful and dramatic. By late summer, the flow can diminish to a trickle in dry years.

Below the falls, Minnehaha Creek continues through a wooded gorge toward its confluence with the Mississippi River. In summer, this creek becomes a natural playground -- families wade in the shallow, cool water, kids skip rocks, and the tree-canopied gorge feels secluded despite being in a major city. Water shoes are recommended as the creek bed has rocks and occasional broken glass.

The park surrounding the falls includes a large playground, picnic areas with grills, and wide walking paths. The 1.3-mile trail from the falls to the Mississippi River is a beautiful walk through the gorge, suitable for kids 5+ with moderate fitness. The trail ends at the riverbank with views of the Mississippi.

Sea Salt Eatery is a seasonal outdoor restaurant (May-October) located near the falls that has become a Twin Cities institution. It serves fried fish, po'boys, fish tacos, and other seafood in a casual, picnic-table setting. Lines of 20-30 minutes on summer evenings are common and considered part of the experience. The food is genuinely excellent.

Winter transforms the falls into a different kind of spectacle. The falling water freezes into a massive ice formation -- a wall of blue-white ice that grows larger as winter deepens. On cold days, ice climbers scale the frozen falls while visitors watch from the overlook. The trails can be icy, so wear appropriate footwear, but the frozen falls are worth seeing.

The park is accessible by car (free parking lot that fills on summer weekends) or by light rail (Blue Line to 50th Street station, 10-minute walk to the falls).