Trying to be more intentional about exploring parks around Minneapolis this year, and Hidden Falls…read moreseemed like the perfect place to start. We usually default to Minnehaha Falls across the river, but I'd never actually explored this side--which looks to be really sprawling with new townhomes and modular single family homes. We parked near the dam and walked along the trail to reach the stairs leading down to Hidden Falls. Heads up: the walk down is a little precarious since there's no railing for most of the stairs, but it's not very steep and the trek itself is pretty short. The falls themselves were a bit disappointing at the moment--more of a trickle than a waterfall--but it is early in the season. That said, the forested park area it winds through was really nice, and made the visit worth it regardless. I can already tell this place is probably stunning in the summer when everything is green and flowing! Even with the lower water level, it was a great way to explore somewhere new and great to see there were so many people already exploring the park with it being chilly still!

Beautiful park near the city. Grabbed some take out and found an empty picnic table in the middle…read moreof the day - lots of parking! Watched a few boats launch, saw some geese, enjoyed watching people along the shore. Picnic tables near the water at the North Entrance. Check it out!

In the dead of winter, the art shanties are a fun activity at Lake Harriet. Always new and…read moresurprising shanties that come from the creative minds of the artists. You can dance, dress up and sing, learn about what lives below the ice, be a cat, cast a spell with Taylor Swift lyrics, and help aliens understand humans. This event epitomizes how Minnesotans don't let freezing temps keep them from enjoying the lake and expressing their creativity.

Minnesotans really know how to throw events no matter rain, shine, or winter. Reflecting on this…read morepast winter reminded me of the surreal experience of standing on top of this frozen lake having moved from a two season state. If you've never been when it's frozen over I would highly recommend coming during their kite festival which also happens during the art shanty exhibits. If you show up to the kite festival on a whim, no worries, the park will have kites for sale. I would highly encourage coming with footwear that has good traction or added cat tracks to get secure grip on the ice.

This is just the grand ol' park. It has it's flaws and age showing, it's mostly known for watching…read morefireworks, or announcing your hat throw for president in a snow storm, (impresses the rest of the country since they think it snows here 11 months of the year). I've enjoyed spitting up dust with a bike and the old railroad bridge and separate island. There is paid parking which is more closely checked than luggage by the TSA. Not many trees for shade but hanging by the river is a cool time with friends. A few grilling pits and that's about it.

Nice area with plenty of pavilions. The surrounding area and trails are really nice and easy to…read morerun. With some views of a lock and damn and the river. The public restrooms were not open yet. The parking lot is not very large, so plan on street parking.

This is a huge park that has a little of everything. This park has a fine mix of modern amenities…read moreand rustic appeal. It is a little piece of calm just outside the busy city. It spans 34 acres and is named after Charles Loring, an American businessman, miller and publicist who was the first Minneapolis Park Board and considered the "Father of the Park System" in Minneapolis. The park has an astounding flower garden. It was very pretty. You will also find a very nice lake/wetland here. It has seating and is very soothing. The lake is home to many animals. Fishing is welcome at the lake. They even have a fishing pier. The park has a full basketball court and a half-court basketball court that are in great shape. The park's horseshoe pits could use some TLC, though. The park is home to about 10 pits. If you are a pickleball player, then the park has a couple of nice courts to play on. Other park amenities include tennis courts, shuffleboard, and two playground areas on wood-chip beds. One area is fenced in and is for smaller children. This area has a bank of swings, a saucer swing, slides, a modern merry-go-round, a bebble bridge, and a jungle gym. The other playground area, for older kids, has a climbing net, balance beam, slides, pebble bridge, and rock climbing wall. This area is not fenced in. I have seen a lot of parks, and this is a nice one. They host events such as movie screenings, ice skating, and lunchtime concerts. You can easily spend half a day here. I really enjoyed my time here and am sure that you will too.

Loring park is a nice walking/area to take in some nature. There's a bridge that connects it to the…read moreMpls Sculpture Garden (so you can avoid crossing the busy intersection). They have hosted Pride as well as art fairs & a host of other events here for many years. Not sure if it ever came back/they turned it back on but they used to have a dandelion water fountain that was really pretty - closer to the DT/College side. Also restaurants and coffee shops around the area. There's metered parking closer to the DT side. And around most of the park. For the most part it seems quiet and chill besides the traffic.

Come out and visit the Trail Head at Theodore Wirth!…read more It has a fantastic community space and outdoor recreation center. Totally makes winter in Minnesota even better. I'm new to discovering The Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Regional Park, but believe me when I say I'll be back many more time. In the winter, they offer cross-country skiing and lessons. (You can rent a full set of gear for about $30- no need to have your own to experience skiing! They also have à la carte options for cheaper if you only need poles or boots, etc.) Besides skiing, outdoor winter activities also include snow tubing, snowboarding, snowshoeing.... You name it. (I haven't been in fall or summer yet, but I also hear great things about their mountain biking and trail running options.) Inside The Trailhead, there's food and drink concessions, ample seating, lockers, bathrooms, and even rooms for rent. The last time I was there, a family was hosting a young child's birthday party in the multi-purpose room. Altogether, there is an amazing assortment of services here to come and check out. Can't wait for next ski season!

HIDDEN GEM IN THE CITY…read more I've lived on this parkway for 3 years now and I don't think I've shut up about how amazing Theo Wirth is since! The City Chain of Lakes get all the hype, but you know what's even closer to downtown, in the heart of the city, with: a lake xc ski trails fat bike / mountain bike trails endless walking paths beach with volleyball courts public golf course and so much more?! Yeah, that's right - my neighborhood park! You can do about every outdoor activity you can think of here. Plus, the Trailhead is the main hub for all of it, with a restaurant, tons of indoor seating, gear rentals year-round, and an amazing nature space in the heart of the city. This is the perfect park to embrace any season in Minne!

Kind of a sleepy suburb, but an all around charming place. If I had to pick one or two things worth…read moreseeing, I'd say it's the RH Rooftop restaurant and Centennial Lakes Park.

It's much more beautiful in the summer time but is also nice to walk through in the winter time…read more Beautiful plants, fountain and a gazebo, Right now there's two area that are ponds due to this winters strange weather, rain and thaw. If you are looking for a neat place to walk around (in Spring, Summer and Fall), come check it out.

This is truly one of the most beautiful spots in the metro area. During high season - mid to late…read moresummer - the rose garden is so lush and spectacular. It is so peaceful. I always bring my out of town guests here and they are in awe. it's also a perfect spot for date night for a walk before or after dinner. Love sitting by the fountain or setting up a picnic under the trees in the park on the hill on a sunny afternoon.

Amazing place to walk around or hang out and have a birthday party or just chill with friends…read more Lots of space to put frisbee or run around to take pictures of all the amazing flowers. The roses are usually in bloom early June but they have lots of other flowers in rotation so there's always something in blume. Free parking all over. Porta pottys. Water fountains and most things you need for an amazing Minnesota outdoor experience.

New park that helps with neighborhood revitalization. Lots of brand new playground equipment and…read morespace for kids to run around. Long range plans include adding a bandshell.

My toddler enjoyed this park! I like that is closed in! A bonus if you have little ones that like…read moreto wonder! It also has a basket ball court and community garden!

This lovely park has extensive walking/jogging trails through the lake, marsh and woodlands, plus…read morehigh quality children's play areas, a full water park ( closed for the winter in late August), tennis and pickleball, and fishing docks. I enjoyed an early morning walk along the lake front and marshland with nice late summer flowers and great bird watching.

It was a cute park, more run down than the other parks we visited in the area. It does have a lot…read moreto do and is safe for toddlers and bigger kids!

Urban Oasis for a Peaceful Stroll! Centennial Lakes is a…read moregreat outing, earning five stars from me. I wanted a nice place to stretch my legs, and this park was just right. The paved paths make for an easy and accessible walk, suitable for a quick escape or a leisurely stroll. What really stood out to me was how quiet it felt. Even with buildings in the background, the park feels remarkably peaceful. The gentle sound of water, the rustling of leaves, and the overall calm let you forget you're in a busy area. It's a fantastic bubble of serenity. The scenery mixes urban sophistication with natural beauty. Modern buildings create a sleek backdrop for the beautifully designed waterways and landscaped grounds. Even without full bloom, you can see a real commitment to diverse plants here. I can't wait for a return visit in the spring! I can only imagine how bright and colorful it gets when everything is in full bloom. If you want a peaceful place to clear your mind, enjoy some fresh air, and take a nice walk, Centennial Lakes is a must-visit. Whether you have 15 minutes or an hour, it's the perfect spot. I left feeling refreshed and energized. I can't wait to see it come to life in the spring!

I was in the area just to shop at Blick's art supplies, but it was a sunny winter day out and I…read morenoticed this was right nearby, so I decided to have a walk along the path and soak up some of the sunshine. It was way fancier than I'd been expecting from just finding it on the map on Google. I read on the historical plaque that it was designed in 1988 to replace some old gravel pit! Considering how gorgeous it is, that was a really good choice. I got the feeling from how many folks were enjoying the grounds that this park is a staple of the area for communal recreation. It is very much built into the cityscape to reside alongside it. You won't be escaping the buildings and roads nearby, but still, it was a nice bit of natural relief. The primary attraction this time of year is the ice skating between three man made lakes and paths between them. Rentals were available at the warming house, which also had a concessions stand (reasonably affordable fare!), restrooms, water fountain, lockers, and ample benches to put on your skates or warm up awhile (with two fireplaces on either end). There were also exterior restrooms for when the building itself isn't open, which are available year round (the outdoor water fountain though was understandably switched off). During other seasons there is apparently golf, fishing, and paddle boat rentals. Cute! Towards the south end sits an amphitheatre. There are various sculptures along the outer path to see as well, including a giant pine cone, crane, a golden retriever ready to shake your hand, and more. Lots of benches and even swinging benches to rest and relax. Plenty of maps at intervals. The park connects to the Edina Promenade pedestrian/bike trail that goes north and east. I think next time I'm in the area, I'll take a stroll down them. In the future I believe there are plans to connect them to other sections. There's plenty of parking to choose from in any of the nearby shopping centers with garages, but I believe there's also parking specific to the park as well.