From US$349 per person
Book tickets on Viator (opens in a new tab): Historic Minneapolis Riverfront Private Walking TourYou book and pay on viator.com. Inclusable may earn a commission.
5.0 / 5 from 2 reviews on Viator
- Group size
- Up to 10
- Language
- English
- Rating on Viator
- 5.0 / 5 · 2 reviews
About this tour
On your 2-hour fully narrated experience you’ll stroll along, and across, the Mississippi River in the footsteps of people like railroad tycoon James J Hill, once the richest man in Minnesota. He made his fortune as the river rushed through the heartland, tumbled down a magnificent waterfall, and powered dozens of mills as a rapidly thriving community grew up around it. Your tour guide will delight you with stories of epic rivalries, world domination, quiet hidden corners, boom town brothels, and European explorers as you traverse 350 years of recorded history. Once the flour-milling capital of the world, modern-day Minneapolis thrives on its founding principles of hard work, innovation, and ingenuity. See how historic structures are repurposed for modern use, while retaining the charm and flair of past golden ages. This is the Minneapolis we bring you back to: the Minneapolis of sawdust, extreme wealth, immigrants, brewers, and nature. This is the best sightseeing experience in town!
Accessibility, as stated by the supplier
- Wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair-accessible surfaces
- Wheelchair-accessible transport
- Stroller accessible
Meeting point: Meet your guide outside the front door; s/he will be wearing a purple shirt with company logo.
Provided through Viator and not verified by Inclusable. Ask the supplier about your specific needs before you book.
Itinerary
View itinerary · 14 stopsHide itinerary
- 1
The country’s largest regional theater, offering a breathtaking view of our tour area from the Endless Bridge(5 min)
- 2
Once housed the world’s largest and most technologically advanced flour mill in the world, now a history on the founding and growth of Minneapolis.(pass by)
- 3
Celebrates and documents the history of 19th-century flour mills long since abandoned and excavated in the past 25 years.(10 min)
- 4
Discover why it’s been the Minneapolis area’s lifeline for over 10,000 years.(15 min)
- 5
Cross the river via this historic and unique bridge, while taking in the best view of the city.(20 min)
- 6
First documented in 1680, the falls powered mills and generated wealth for the Twin Cities.(15 min)
- 7
Stroll the oldest street in Minneapolis, passing by the city’s oldest tavern and over a warren of caves and tunnels.(15 min)
- 8
Location of what was the first permanent bridge over the Mississippi River, we take the current elegant and stylish bridge back toward downtown.(20 min)
- 9
Before it became a Victorian oasis in the middle of “Big Muddy”, the island was revered by the Sioux and Ojibwe.(5 min)
- 10
The third building for this purpose stands on the site of the former Minneapolis Great Northern Depot and the Pacific sawmill.(pass by)
- 11
In the 19th century, “Bridge Square” was the commercial hub and government seat of the growing city; the original Downtown Minneapolis.(pass by)
- 12
The Milwaukee Road railway depot bustled with activity for over 70 years; today it remains one of the last surviving long-span, truss-roofed sheds in the country.(5 min)
- 13
An Art Deco treasure in an unexpected location, the opulent lobby remains unchanged since its 1933 opening.(10 min)
- 14
St Anthony Falls’ power was harnessed for industry here at the nation’s first commercial hydroelectric generation station.(5 min)
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Included
- Professional tour company with over 10 years' experience
- Local, knowledgeable, licensed Tour Guide
Not included
- Gratuities
Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Location & contact
- Area
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Meeting point
- Meet your guide outside the front door; s/he will be wearing a purple shirt with company logo
- Contact
- The tour operator’s own details aren’t published. Questions about access or your booking go through Viator, which handles the booking and passes your request to the operator.
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Minneapolis Riverwalk Food Tour
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Hungry for an off the beaten path Minneapolis food experience? Join us as we explore a pair of the city's trendy and historical neighborhoods, the Mill District and St Anthony Main in Northeast Minneapolis. We'll take you through the founding and growth of the "City of Flour and Sawdust" while following in the footsteps of immigrants who came to work the mills. You'll enjoy sampling food at the first Thai restaurant in Minnesota, authentic Italian pizza, home-made ice cream, divine baked goods, and the best matcha you'll ever drink. In addition to sampling food, we will also stroll by the local Farmers Market, Mill City Museum and Guthrie Theater. You'll enjoy gorgeous views of St Anthony Falls as we walk along the Stone Arch Bridge into historical St Anthony Main. Learn about the history of both neighborhoods while touring the oldest street in Minneapolis. Get to know your fellow food-loving guests while gaining an appreciation for distinct neighborhoods that most tourists never see!
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St. Paul Historic Cave Tour
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See the only remaining restored Gangster Era site on this historic tour of extensive caves carved into the hillside in long-abandoned mining ventures in the 1800s. Later it was a mushroom farm, and it was then developed into a restaurant casino and gangsters' hotspot during the 1930s prohibition era. Newspapers reported an unsolved gangland murder at the casino. Tour guides point out the bullet holes. Some believe the caves are haunted by the murdered mobsters whose bodies were never found. The original bar from the 30s has been fully restored - it was a then-record at 60 feet long. Though this tour is appropriate for all ages, we recommend ages 5 and up, due to shorter attention spans and restlessness.
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St Paul Ghost Tours: Sinister Sins & Shadows Ghost Tour
Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
4.5 · 172 reviews on Viator
Step into the haunting streets of St. Paul with our mesmerizing ghost tour, where history and the supernatural converge! Guided by a knowledgeable local, you’ll explore some of the city's most haunted and historically rich sites. Wander through the shadowy alleys and iconic landmarks, from the tragic Forepaugh’s Mansion to the enigmatic Old Smith “Vine” Mansion, each with its own ghostly lore and unsettling tales. As you cover a mile of haunted ground, immerse yourself in St. Paul’s dark history, which spans over 2000 years. Discover the eerie origins of Cochran Park, known for its spectral sightings, and listen to the whispers at the Nathan Hale Park Statue. Although we cannot enter private properties, the eerie atmosphere of these historic sites is so vivid that it will undoubtedly send chills down your spine. Join us for an evening of intrigue, uncovering the chilling stories of murder, mayhem, and restless spirits that haunt St. Paul’s historic district.
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