The Mississippi River runs through the heart of Minneapolis, and this two-tour bundle will take you into the city's culture and history, as well as the history of the river itself. The two tours form a loop that will bring you back where you started, through the milling districts, across the river to Nicollet Island, and back. You can either start at the Open Book Literary Center and finish at nearby Gold Medal Park, or you can both begin and end the loop on Nicollet Island. Either way, you'll experience the collapse of St. Anthony Falls, close calls on the river and much more.

Minneapolis River Walk: History Along the Mississippi
This tour is an introduction to the history and culture of Minneapolis. Starting at the Open Book literary center, you'll pass U.S. Bank Stadium, walk through Gold Medal Park, stroll under the Endless Bridge and through the milling district. We'll cross the river, walk along St. Anthony Main and end at Nicollet Island overlooking St. Anthony Falls where the Mighty Mississippi tour begins. We'll learn about how Minneapolis is the home of Nerf Balls, Prince, and Zubaz pants.

Mighty Mississippi: A Stroll Along Minneapolis' River of History
The Mississippi River is North America's most iconic waterway. This tour begins on Nicollet Island, named after cartographer Joseph Nicollet. We'll cross Hennepin Avenue Bridge and hear some fascinating facts about the Mississippi. At First Bridge Park, we'll turn downstream along the west bank, past the Stone Arch Bridge, where you'll hear tales about the river and the resilient people who've shaped its history. Our tour continues beside the Guthrie Theater and Gold Medal Park, which is just one block from the start of the Minneapolis River Walk tour.

Here are some things you'll learn about:

•The history of the milling industry in Minneapolis
•The massive Washburn A Mill explosion of 1878
•The 35W Bridge collapse of 2007
•Two Guinness World Record paddling attempts
•Spirit Island, the sacred site where generations of Dakota children were born
•Your guide's own near-death experience on the Mississippi

Dive deep to the past of Minneapolis and the Mississippi River with these tours which will give you a great appreciation for the city's past and how it came to be the great city it is today.