Mill District

The riverfront district where Minneapolis was born — flour-mill ruins, the Guthrie Theater's cantilevered 'Endless Bridge,' Mill City Museum ($12), and the Stone Arch Bridge, fully reopened in July 2025 after restoration. The single best few hours for a first-time visitor. It's polished and can feel quiet at night outside show times.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What are the ruins next to the museum?

Mill Ruins Park — the excavated foundations of the mills and canals that made Minneapolis the flour-milling capital of the world circa 1880-1930. Free to wander, and interpretive signs do a good job telling the story.

How do I get to the Mill District?

Blue or Green Line to U.S. Bank Stadium station, then a 10-minute walk toward the river; fare is $2. From downtown hotels it's an easy 15-20 minute walk along Washington Avenue.

Is the Mill District good at night?

On Guthrie show nights and summer evenings, yes — the bridge and riverfront are lovely lit up. Otherwise it quiets down early; it's a residential condo district, so plan dinner reservations rather than expecting a bar scene.

What else is near the Mill District?

Gold Medal Park's spiral hill for skyline photos, the Water Works park at the bridge's west end, and across the river, the Main Street/St. Anthony Main strip for a drink with a skyline view. U.S. Bank Stadium is a 10-minute walk if you're catching a game.

Can I visit the Guthrie Theater without a ticket?

Yes — the lobbies and the famous Endless Bridge, a cantilevered viewing platform jutting toward the river, are free to walk during open hours. Go up to the ninth-floor Amber Box too for the yellow-tinted skyline view.

Is the Stone Arch Bridge open again?

Yes — it fully reopened July 21, 2025, ahead of schedule after a $35.8 million restoration that began in 2024. It's pedestrian and bike only, and the view of St. Anthony Falls and the mill ruins from mid-span is the best free thing in Minneapolis.

How much is Mill City Museum and is it worth it?

Adults $12, seniors and students $10, kids 5-17 $8. Worth it for the Flour Tower — an eight-story elevator show inside the ruins of the world's largest flour mill — and the rooftop view of the falls. Closed Mondays most of the year, open daily in July and August.

What is the Mill City Farmers Market?

A Saturday-morning market (May through October, with winter indoor dates) in the train shed between the museum and the Guthrie, focused on local farms and food makers. It's the neighborhood at its liveliest — come hungry.

Nearby in Ask Minneapolis

• Mill City MuseumMuseum0.02 km · 0 min walk
• Guthrie TheaterAttraction0.11 km · 1 min walk
• Stone Arch BridgeLandmark0.39 km · 5 min walk
• Father Hennepin Bluffs ParkPark0.55 km · 7 min walk
• Kramarczuk's Sausage CompanyRestaurant1.02 km · 13 min walk