Minneapolis River Walk: History Along the Mississippi

Welcome to Minneapolis, the home of Nerf Balls, the singer and songwriter Prince, and, for better or worse, Zubaz pants. This will give you a wide-ranging appreciation of 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. Then we’ll cross the river, walk along St. Anthony Main and end at Nicollet Island overlooking St. Anthony Falls.

Along the way, you’ll hear about:

• The history of the milling industry in Minneapolis
• The massive Washburn A Mill explosion of 1878
• The 35W Bridge collapse of 2007
• The secret history of Funkytown
• An ugly mansion with 86 TVs
• Cougar attacks
• The untimely death of Tiny Tim
• The hiring of a hitman in St. Paul
• ”Untalented but adventurous” German artists, to quote the author Jonathan Raban
• How long it takes a single drop of water to travel down the Mississippi – and how long it take a person to make the same journey

Whether you're passing through or are here to stay, we'll learn and laugh while we move through the city's past and present together.

PHOTO CREDITS: Meet Minneapolis (the good photos) Minnesota Historical Society (Mill City Museum photos), and the author (blurry, badly-lit route photos).

Please note, there is temporary construction just after the Stone Arch Bridge, so you'll need to go along Main Street for a short distance after the bridge, before reconnecting with the tour route.