Historic Minneapolis Riverfront Private Walking Tour

5.0 (2 reviews) 2 hours Private tour

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2 reviews

5.0

Historic Minneapolis Riverfront Private Walking Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Historic Minneapolis Riverfront Private Walking Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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!

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At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English
Operated by: Twin Cities Sightseeing Tours

What is included

Included

Included: Professional tour company with over 10 years' experience
Included: Local, knowledgeable, licensed Tour Guide

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Guthrie Theater

5 min

The country’s largest regional theater, offering a breathtaking view of our tour area from the Endless Bridge
Mill City Museum

Passing by

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.
Mill Ruins Park

10 min

Celebrates and documents the history of 19th-century flour mills long since abandoned and excavated in the past 25 years.
Stop 4

15 min

Discover why it’s been the Minneapolis area’s lifeline for over 10,000 years.
Stop 5

20 min

Cross the river via this historic and unique bridge, while taking in the best view of the city.
St. Anthony Falls

15 min

First documented in 1680, the falls powered mills and generated wealth for the Twin Cities.
Stop 7

15 min

Stroll the oldest street in Minneapolis, passing by the city’s oldest tavern and over a warren of caves and tunnels.
Stop 8

20 min

Location of what was the first permanent bridge over the Mississippi River, we take the current elegant and stylish bridge back toward downtown.
Nicollet Island

5 min

Before it became a Victorian oasis in the middle of “Big Muddy”, the island was revered by the Sioux and Ojibwe.
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Passing by

The third building for this purpose stands on the site of the former Minneapolis Great Northern Depot and the Pacific sawmill.
Stop 11

Passing by

In the 19th century, “Bridge Square” was the commercial hub and government seat of the growing city; the original Downtown Minneapolis.
Stop 12

5 min

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.
Stop 13

10 min

An Art Deco treasure in an unexpected location, the opulent lobby remains unchanged since its 1933 opening.
Stop 14

5 min

St Anthony Falls’ power was harnessed for industry here at the nation’s first commercial hydroelectric generation station.