MINNEHAHA FALLS REGIONAL PARK, A GEM IN BETWEEN THE TWIN CITIES
During my last trip to Minneapolis (Minnesota) I discovered a gem: the Minnehaha Falls Regional Park, a large park with lots of walkways and resting areas.
The park is called after the Minnehaha stream who joins the Mississippi river creating a beautiful 53 feet waterfall, which you will see in one of the photos below.
Minnehaha Falls Regional Park is actually part of the city, which means it can be reached by bus as well. I was really happy to learn that you can hike within the Twin Cities. While hiking in there, being surrounded by nature, you can easily forget that you are literally in-between two major cities: Minneapolis and St-Paul.
From the parking lot you can descend to the gorge using the stairs and admire the waterfall from below. Before you start running down towards the gorge, keep in mind that there are lots of steps to climb back up.
If you decide to stay back, you can have a seat on one of the benches on the upper part of the gorge and enjoy the view. We skipped the bicycle tours because my son was more interested in playing in the water or running through the grass than pedalling in the heat.
We took the trail past the gorge and passed a few pools, stone bridges that lead us to a sandy beach where Minnehaha Creek and the Mississippi River meet.
There we found many families with children playing in the water and having lots of fun. I took some photos but I was asked to delete them by one of the parents. I did not mind, so I complied with his request.
The park had many amenities among which a restaurant, restrooms, a wading park for children, a playground area and disc golf course.
Strolling down the trails in the shade was a really peacefully experience in that hot summer day. Soaking our feet in the cold cold water was exactly what we needed to freshen up a bit and keep walking.
On our way to the playground area for kids we stumbled upon this pavilion where there was a band playing blues. I loved it!
From what I gathered while chatting with some people in there, each night there was a band performing in the pavilion.
This is a lovely place to spend an afternoon or a few hours, to have a picnic and enjoy the nature.
If you chose to hike on the trails, bring water with you and wear good sturdy walking or hiking shoes. Don't forget to bring your camera as well because you will encounter scenic banks and many birds along the way.
Here are other travel related posts:
BANFF, A RESORT TOWN INSIDE THE BANFF NATIONAL PARK, ALBERTA, CANADA
OLD PORT OF CONSTANTA, ROMANIA
TEN FACTS OR MORE ABOUT BOQUETE, PANAMA
MORAINE LAKE, A SURREAL BEAUTY IN ALEBERTA, CANADA
TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE A LIVING WHILE TRAVELLING THE WORLD
FEELING UNINSPIRED? VISIT A WELSH RETREAT: GLADSTONE’S RESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
TURDA’S 400 FEET UNDERGROUND AMUSEMENT PARK, A HIDDEN GEM OF TRANSYLVANIA, ROMANIA
CARIBBEAN PARADISE: BOCAS DEL TORO
BOQUETE’S FLOWERS AND COFFEE FESTIVAL, PANAMA
VISIT TO SAINT-JOSEPH’S ORATORY IN MONTREAL, CANADA
Unless stated otherwise, all photos used in this posts are taken and owned by myself. If you wish to use any of my images, please contact me!
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave your feedback in the comments, I would love to hear your thoughts!
What a spectacularly beautiful area
Imagine that I have been to the twin cities a few times before but only this time I discovered this park. It made me feel bad for hanging out in the city while I could have been hiking or having a picnic in there.
What a great posts with beautiful pictures!
I found this post because you mentioned disc golf and, though it isn't the focus of the post, I feel the quality deserves an upvote and resteem.
If you do happen to play, please let me know so I can follow you! I created this account to help bring the disc golf community together.
Regardless, this post deserved an upvote and resteem.
Steem on!
I used to play disc golf until a few years ago. Now I can't really run due to some health issues. Thank you for your support and for the resteem. ;0)
Lovely tour. The water falls look amazing and the lush green foliage on the trees.
It was a really lovely park. The creek and the water were a bonus.
Very nice looking place, definitely hard to imagine that being in between the twin cities. Last time I visited it was in winter, so maybe that's why I didn't stop there? Dunno. Summer at the creek... Nice...
It is open during winter as well. Though I doubt you would spent 5-6 hours there like during summer. ;0)
Such a gorgeous place to visit! Lovely photographs :)
Thank you!
Gorgeous photos! I love how they're captured in a way that provoke me to feel as if I'm also there with you.
Thanks! That's because you were there hiking ;0)
This place is wonderful. Thank you for sharing. It gives the summer feels...
Walking through the creek while still being in the city, listening to the bird chirping and hearing the nature around was wonderful.
The primitive as well as modern man is instinctively drawn to that universal solvent called water.
For me, just looking at moving water calms me. Thoughts of life and time instantly flood my mind.
Cool. Very cool.
Thanks for the nice images.
Namaste, Jaichai
I am always drawn to water because of its calming effect. Thanks for stopping by!
I follow your profile and upvote this post. i waiting for last post @lymepoet
wow it's so lush and green and that waterfall is beautiful x
When you walk on the trails, you really feel that you are hiking through the forest because of teh lush vegetation and the birds chirping around you.