Minnesota's Scenic Byways

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

 
Grand Rounds
 

The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway offers a little bit of everything: great scenery, historic sites, modern and contemporary art, outdoor recreation, and great shopping and dining, all within the heart of Minneapolis. Paved walking and biking paths follow tree-lined roadways and parks, circle the Chain of Lakes (Nokomis, Harriet, Calhoun, and Lake of the Isles), pass Minnehaha Creek, and follow the downtown riverfront along the Mississippi. Views of the Minneapolis skyline are visible from just about every portion of Grand Rounds.

 

Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis


Day 1

Start with a round of golf or take in dramatic downtown views from Deming Heights on the northeast end of the route. Victory Memorial Parkway’s historic rows of trees and markers commemorate the Hennepin County servicemen of World War I. Then spend an afternoon in Theodore Wirth Park, just north of the Chain of Lakes, to explore the five-acre Quaking Bog and Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary.

 

Day 2

Explore the Chain of Lakes by renting a paddleboat, kayak, or canoe. No powerboats are permitted on any city lakes, so you can paddle along without getting lost in a speedboat’s wake. Then visit the second oldest rose garden in the U.S., located on Lake Harriet Parkway. Walk across the road to view the Lyndale Park Peace Garden and adjacent Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanctuary. Then head indoors for cultural highlights on or near the byway, including the Walker Art Center and Scuplture Garden, Minneapolis Institute of Arts and Weisman Art Musuem.

 

Day 3

Start out at the Longfellow House, an information center in Minnehaha Park. Take in the view of nearby Minnehaha Falls, which is picture-worthy in any season. Some of the best views of the Mississippi river gorge are from bridges along West River Parkway. Stop for lunch at any number of unique restaurants lining the cobblestone streets of St. Anthony Main before walking across the century-old Stone Arch Bridge to numerous riverside Minneapolis attractions, including Mill Ruins Park, the new “dream factory” Guthrie Theater and the Mill City Museum. From there, big city nightlife awaits.

More info:
612-230-6400 www.minneapolisparks.org

 

 
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