Mighty Mississippi Self Guided Minneapolis Riverside Tour

4.1 (7 reviews) 45 min – one hour Private tour

out of 5

7 reviews

4.1

Mighty Mississippi Self Guided Minneapolis Riverside Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Mighty Mississippi Self Guided Minneapolis Riverside Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Take a self-guided tour along the iconic Mississippi River with award-winning storyteller Frank Bures. From Nicollet Island to Gold Medal Park, delve into 12,000 years of vibrant river history. Cross the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, pass Stone Arch Bridge, and explore the Guthrie Theater. Along the way, discover tales of St. Anthony Falls, Guinness World Record paddling attempts, the Minneapolis Post Office, Spirit Island, and Nicollet Island's peculiar inhabitants.

Uncover the mystery of the Grain Belt Sign's revival, marvel at bull sharks' Mississippi swim, and learn about the 450-mile canoe race. Frank's near-death experience in the river adds a personal touch. This tour will leave you with an appreciation for the Mississippi's profound impact on those living along its shores.

Get unlimited use of this tour before your booking date and after it. You can use the virtual tour option at home, too.

Once you have booked, you will receive instructions and a unique code to download the tour.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Historical Tours Walking Tours City Tours Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 45 min – one hour
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Operated by: VoiceMap Audio Tours

Ages: Adults (6–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Lifetime access to this tour in English
Included: VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Not included

Not included: Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
Not included: Smartphone and headphones
Not included: Transportation
Not included: Food and drink

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing by

Embark on a captivating journey along the iconic Mississippi River, North America's most significant waterway, delving into its rich history spanning 12,000 years.
Stop 2

Passing by

Start your tour on Nicollet Island, named after the cartographer Joseph Nicollet, where you'll explore the vibrant surroundings and set the stage for an enriching exploration.
Stop 3

Passing by

Discover the Bell of Two Friends, a symbolic landmark along the river, echoing tales of camaraderie and connections that have thrived in the vicinity over the years.
Grain Belt Brew House

Passing by

Pass by the Grain Belt Sign, a famous beer advertisement, and uncover the intriguing story of its rescue after two decades in darkness, showcasing the resilience of iconic landmarks.
Stop 5

Passing by

Cross the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, where you'll be treated to stand-out facts about the magnificent Mississippi and witness the bustling activity of the river from this vantage point.
First Bridge Park

Passing by

At First Bridge Park, follow the river along the western bank, absorbing the natural beauty and historical significance of the area, with tales of resilient individuals shaping the river's narrative.
Stop 7

Passing by

Pass architect Léon Arnal's Art Deco masterpiece, housing the Minneapolis Post Office, and discover the historical significance of this architectural gem along the riverfront.
Stop 8

Passing by

Visit the St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center to delve into fascinating stories about St. Anthony Falls, its curious upstream journey, and the eroding limestone riverbed that shaped its unique course.
Stop 9

Passing by

Wander through the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park, where the river's beauty is complemented by tales of Spirit Island, a sacred site below St. Anthony Falls, and its significance to the Dakota people.
St. Anthony Falls

Passing by

Experience the majesty of St. Anthony Falls and learn about its historical importance, including how it played a role in the lives of generations of Dakota children born at Spirit Island.
Stop 11

Passing by

Pass by the iconic Stone Arch Bridge, a testament to engineering marvels, and hear captivating stories about the river and the resilient individuals who have contributed to its history.
Mill Ruins Park

Passing by

Explore Mill Ruins Park, uncovering the industrial history of the area, and relive the tales of the grueling 450-mile canoe race from Bemidji to Minneapolis.
Mill City Museum

Passing by

Discover the Mill City Museum, a site steeped in industrial history, and learn about its vital role in shaping the narrative of the Mississippi River and the lives of those along its shores.
Guthrie Theater

Passing by

Conclude your tour beside the Guthrie Theater, reflecting on the stories shared, and appreciating the artistic and cultural significance that the river has bestowed upon this landmark.
Stop 15

Passing by

Pause at the 35W Bridge Memorial, honoring those affected by a tragic event, and reflect on the resilience of communities along the Mississippi River.
Gold Medal Park

Passing by

End your walking tour with an exploration of Gold Medal Park, gaining a new appreciation for how the Mississippi has flowed through the people's lives along its shores.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

The tour begins on Nicollet Island at the intersection of Merriam St and East Island Ave, at the west end of the Merriam Bridge. There is some parking on the Island and at St. Anthony Main, across the Merriam Bridge.

End point

The tour ends at the Gold Medal Park sign.

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

1. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

2. Create an account

3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

4. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

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For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]