Minneapolis Self-Guided Driving Tour: City of Lakes & Iconic Landmarks
Places: 22 POIs
Distance: 27.28 mi
Duration: 3h:05m
GPS-guided narration through
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Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Tour #2547
About this English self-guided 3h:05m driving tour in Minneapolis
Welcome to Minneapolis, the City of Lakes — and the start of your self-guided driving tour through some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
The name “Minneapolis” blends the Dakota Sioux word mní, meaning “water,” with the Greek word polis, meaning “city.” Together, it means City of Water — a fitting name for a place defined by its rivers, waterfalls, and more than 20 lakes.
As you drive, you’ll discover how Minneapolis grew from a riverside milling town into a modern cultural hub. We’ll pass historic sites like the Foshay Tower and Stone Arch Bridge, cultural landmarks such as the Guthrie Theater and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and outdoor gems like Minnehaha Park and the Chain of Lakes. You’ll also see stadiums, neighborhoods, and riverfront views that showcase the character of this great river city.
Take your time, follow along at your own pace, and enjoy exploring Minneapolis from behind the wheel.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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This tour is available in 1 more language:
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Sports Venue (Recommended selfie spot).
350 N 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
Target Field
On your right is Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. Opened in 2010, it’s one of Major League Baseball’s most modern stadiums, yet it’s tucked right into the heart of downtown Minneapolis.
The ballpark was designed with Minnesota in mind — from its limestone exterior sourced from local quarries, to open concourses that give fans great views of both the game and the city skyline. With a capacity of over 38,000, it’s hosted everything from All-Star Games to outdoor hockey, and even big-name concerts.
But Target Field isn’t just about baseball. It’s also known as one of the most sustainable stadiums in the country, with advanced recycling programs, a rainwater collection system, and even a rooftop garden.
The ballpark was designed with Minnesota in mind — from its limestone exterior sourced from local quarries, to open concourses that give fans great views of both the game and the city skyline. With a capacity of over 38,000, it’s hosted everything from All-Star Games to outdoor hockey, and even big-name concerts.
But Target Field isn’t just about baseball. It’s also known as one of the most sustainable stadiums in the country, with advanced recycling programs, a rainwater collection system, and even a rooftop garden.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.33mi
, Attraction : Music Venue, Historic Site (Recommended selfie spot).
600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
First Avenue
Coming on your left is First Avenue, one of the most legendary music venues in the United States. Since 1970, this former Greyhound bus station has been the beating heart of Minneapolis’ live music scene.
Its black exterior is covered with hundreds of white stars, each honoring a performer who has played here — from The Replacements and Hüsker Dü to U2, Tina Turner, and Lizzo. But none are more closely tied to this place than Prince, who made First Avenue world-famous when scenes from Purple Rain were filmed here in 1984. His legacy is still alive inside, with tributes and frequent Prince-themed events.
The venue has two main performance spaces: the Mainroom, which holds about 1,500 people, and the smaller 7th St Entry, where countless bands have launched their careers.
First Avenue isn’t just a concert hall — it’s a Minneapolis icon. Snapping a selfie in front of those stars is practically a rite of passage for music fans visiting the city.
Its black exterior is covered with hundreds of white stars, each honoring a performer who has played here — from The Replacements and Hüsker Dü to U2, Tina Turner, and Lizzo. But none are more closely tied to this place than Prince, who made First Avenue world-famous when scenes from Purple Rain were filmed here in 1984. His legacy is still alive inside, with tributes and frequent Prince-themed events.
The venue has two main performance spaces: the Mainroom, which holds about 1,500 people, and the smaller 7th St Entry, where countless bands have launched their careers.
First Avenue isn’t just a concert hall — it’s a Minneapolis icon. Snapping a selfie in front of those stars is practically a rite of passage for music fans visiting the city.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Target Field
Place 2
First Avenue
Place 3
Foshay Tower
Place 4
Basilica of Saint Mary
Place 5
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Place 6
The Van Dusen Mansion
Place 7
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Place 8
Lake of the Isles
Place 9
Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun)
Place 10
Lake Harriet
Place 11
West 38th Street
Place 12
St. Mary’s Cemetery
Place 13
Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha
Place 14
Minnehaha Park
Place 15
Mississippi River
Place 16
Franklin Avenue Bridge
Place 17
University of Minnesota
Place 18
Weisman Art Museum
Place 19
Father Louis Hennepin Bridge,
Place 20
Mill City Museum
Place 21
Guthrie Theater & Gold Medal Park
Place 22
U.S. Bank Stadium
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 22 stops, covering top attractions such as Target Field, First Avenue, Foshay Tower, Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Target Field (Address: 350 N 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!