Constructed between 1881 and 1883 in Minneapolis, MN as a railroad bridge, the stone arch bridge was converted in 1994 as a pedestrian/cycle bridge crossing the Mississippi River. It provides some great views of the old time milling operations in the area, as well as St Anthony Falls. It consists of 23 stone arches spanning 2,100 feet, and is the only stone arched bridge still on the Mississippi. It is on the National Register of Historic Places (1971) and is considered a National Historic Engineering Landmark. The entry from downtown would be via Mills Ruins Park. On my visit during mid March, there was still a lot of snow on the ground from a large snowfall a couple days before, and there was a path cleared, though to get better views on the river, some waterproof boots would have been handy. read more

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This former railroad bridge crosses the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis. It is the only arched bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi. This is the second oldest bridge on the river. It's now a pedestrian and bicycle bridge and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a great place to visit for a walk. You can start at the Guthrie Theater or Mill City Museum, then head across the bridge to get breathtaking views of the downtown skyline, and end up in the neighborhood of St Anthony Main which has cobblestone roads and cute small businesses. I got the chance to see it and walk across it on a snowy December afternoon. It was gorgeous and I'd love to come back when it's warmer. read more

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Good walk across the Mississippi River, seeing how the bridge was a historic marker and has been a large transport for various goods over the years. I was able to get some fresh air and scenic views. read more

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Best views of downtown Minneapolis in my opinion. Fun events around here and nice walking path.

This is a super cute area in the city. I went for a walk here this past weekend and took a nice 2 mile loop across the bridge and around. I would definitely go back and would recommend if you love a good walk with a view read more

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This was a fun stop. We enjoyed walking the bridge and reading about it-built in 1883. So many sights to see from the bridge. read more

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Stone Arch is one of my favorite places to visit in Minneapolis. From walking to photography, it's an iconic place to visit. read more

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It's a 1 mile walk with nice views and beautiful flowers and birds. Also you can see the St Anthony Falls from it and the part of the Mississippi River and the beautiful Minneapolis. Recommended it!! Even if it's short it's worth it. It took us around 20mins. read more

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Currently closed halfway across the river, we still ventured out and we were able to get some great views of the Mississippi River, locks, dam, Mill Ruins Park and the some of downtown areas. The bridge itself is beautiful with it's ugh... stones and arches.... A 19th century engineering masterpiece. I'm glad I made the effort to visit. read more

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What a beauty! I loved seeing the magnificent Mississippi River while crossing this bridge. Though half the bridge was closed, I walked back an forth espite the wind. I have been to many places before and I never seen such a great bridge in the US. It is like seeing mini Niagara Falls. read more

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My last trip to the Twin Cities was a remote working one. I decided to take the Friday off, as I had racked up an absurd number of overtime hours to meet a deadline a couple of months back. For the longest time, I had wanted to visit Stone Arch Bridge. It's a cool bridge for pedestrians, cyclists, and pets. It's also smack in the middle of downtown Minneapolis. I drove over here in the afternoon. It was a cloudy, but warmer than usual spring day. I ditched my puffy winter jacket for a hoodie with a t-shirt underneath. It was that nice outside. I parked in a lot steps away from Mill Ruins Park. I backed into a spot that was closest to the entrance to the bridge. I had downloaded the MPLS Parking app a few months back and was able to use it to pay for parking. It was so convenient. You do need your car's licence plate to pay for parking. Like the Green P app in Toronto, you can use your PayPal account to pay for parking on the MPLS Parking app. The bridge isn't terribly long. However, you do feel good getting some exercise walking it one way to hit the park on the other side, and then walking it back. There are lanes for cyclists and pedestrians. Sometimes, folks are taking selfies and group photos such that you need to use the bike lane to get past them. Otherwise, most folks followed these lane guidelines well. I liked the details about various stops along the bridge. I like learning about what I'm seeing while I'm admiring the Minneapolis skyline and the Mississippi River below. I don't think the signs ever talk about the direction that this river flows. Most people think that the Mississippi River flows from the north down to Texas. Nope. It's actually the reverse. It heads up to Manitoba. It flows across the border without a passport. I stood there and admired the falls and the mighty river. I love that there's nature downtown. The contrast is cool and I'm glad that the nature part is preserved nicely. It is a good spot for tourists like me and Minnesotans to come here. The air is great. It's a nice change of pace. You can take nice skyline and river photos. I felt relaxed and happy here. I'd come back again and hope to when it's either late spring or early summer. I'm sure that it's even prettier when the trees have leaves and there's more greenery. (131) read more

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Minneapolis' great sightseeing gem. The bridge is about a 1/2 mile long with incredible views of the river and the views of the city skyline. The bridge is located near the Mill Ruins Park, Gold Medal Park and the Upper St. Anthony Falls & Lock. Definitely, a place to check out for great views, read more

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Stone Arch Bridge was built in 1883 by James J Hill rail road company and continues to serve the public till this day. Whenever we have visitors we always bring them to this magnificent bridge, it offers some of the most picturesque views in Minneapolis. It has the most perfect view of the Mississippi River. It's a wonderful place to take a peaceful walk as well. However, be aware of the middle lane on the bridge, this is designated for bikes. If your out running and it's slightly windy, sometime you'll get a mist blowing over from the falls. read more

It is beautiful and anyone who is visiting Minneapolis should make a stop here. The water, the view, downtown, old buildings.. everything looks great from here. Nice long walk to do your steps and good places to eat close by. Parking is a bit hard to find depending on when you come, paid parking. read more

Stone Arch Bridge - Stone arch bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

For years (sadly not of late) it was a tradition to walk the bridge after the Thanksgiving Feast (either a walk outdoors or slip into a food coma). The view of downtown Minneapolis is spectacular IMHO. At the eastern (northern) end is a park, gazebo and various paths to explore. I've strolled across the bridge on many other occasions (is a weekend day considered an occasion?). One might encounter all sorts of people and transportation and they might be ambling, in a hurry, sightseeing or whatever. A worthy repurposing of what was once a railroad span. I'm told that it's the only such structure over the Mississippi River. Heck, it might be unique in the USA but I really don't know that for sure. read more

Definitely a go-to-must-have when you are new to Minneapolis, showing family/ friends around Minneapolis, or want to explore a bit more of the city! It is a gorgeous, short, half mile walk with lots of bikers, runners, walkers, and tourists. Perfect place for photo opportunities and to get a glance at downtown Minneapolis! I definitely recommend coming here if you're traveling from other states! It is also located near Mill Ruins Park, Gold Medal Park & Guthrie Theater. read more

Stone Arch Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Are you looking for iconic photos of the Minneapolis skyline... this is the bridge that's all of Instagram. The only downside is parking, weekends can be tricky so be ready to walk. You will have to pay for parking via the meters. There are some nice picnic tables/grass space to enjoy the outdoors. And you can stroll into downtown while capturing your photos. I love looking at the Mississippi no matter the time of year. Beware of weddings, proms, ect. As this is a well loved spot. Overall, a must see for anyone traveling to MN! read more

Stone Arch Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This is one of the best spots to see the Minneapolis skyline. Stone Arch Bridge is a fun place to walk and enjoy the views. Always popular but reasonably so. A great place to take tourists when showing the lovely Twin Cities! read more

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On a recent trip to Minneapolis, I stayed a few blocks from the river and had a daily opportunity to go for runs and walks over the Stone Arch Bridge and along the river trails. I was visiting from Austin, TX where I run daily around Town Lake. It was not nearly as busy as my Austin Town Lake trail over the Pfluger Bridge but similar in many ways. I loved my early morning sunrise runs in August when the sun is lighting up the horizon and the Stone Arch Bridge well before 6:00 a.m. The Stone Arch bridge is architecturally pleasing, has separate foot and bike lanes, is car-free and provides a nice view of downtown, the old renovated former mills, the lock and dam system and the river parkway. There are several additional river crossing spots around the the Stone Arch Bridge for people wanting shorter walks or runs. There is fairly long river parkway trail (again separate running and biking lanes) which is suitable for those wanting a longer span for their exercise. I found the Stone Arch Bridge to be beautiful and quite functional literally bridging the communities on both sides of the river. In addition to my fitness runs, I enjoyed walking to a lunch appointment on the other side of the river and so this bridge is quite functional in addition to a great recreational and fitness route. If I lived near the river, this would be my regular running route enjoying this lovely bridge spanning the mighty river. read more

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For a Minneapolis tourist, this is a must do. We walked the bridge at sunset and the views of the city are beautiful and the bridge is full of life and people, which was very opposite of our experience in Minneapolis where we found downtown to more or less be a ghost town. We were wondering where all the people were, and we finally found them at Stone Arch Bridge. It's an easy and fun walk with beautiful views, and there's plenty of paid parking meters around. Highly recommend. read more

Here is the place to take your out of town guests too. Walk across and explain the view of the old flour mills. The lock and dam are no longer operating but the falls will be around probably forever. Great picture taking views and the neatest area of downtown up the hill on the other side. Much has been said about the history, so we'll just say this is true treasure of the city. read more

Stone Arch Bridge - Classic stonework from the 19th century. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This is the place to go to for the best views of Downtown Minneapolis. You're seriously missing out if you're visiting the Twin Cities and you don't make a stop here because the views are breathtaking. You'll be right above the Mississippi River and next to the St. Anthony Falls while admiring the beauty the Twin Cities has to offer. Walking on the bridge is very relaxing and there's also so much to do around this wonderful attraction, from great restaurants to the Guthrie Theatre. It can get crowded here on occasion, especially during the summer, but it is to be expected at a marvellous place like this. A must do especially if visiting Minneapolis/St. Paul for the very first time. read more

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My last review shared my experience  spending time alongside a picturesque lake in the southwest part of Minneapolis. Now I will lead you to the east side of the city where I will share with you more of the picturesque Mississippi River in the east part of the city.   Minneapolis is blessed to have a first-rate park system alongside several miles of the Mississippi River. I feel blessed to have spent time along the Minneapolis Mississippi River Greenbelt. One of the best ways to see the Mississippi River is by standing over it on the Stone Arch Bridge. It wasn't til a few decades ago that if a person were to have admired the Mississippi River from the Stone Arch Bridge, they could of been ran over by a train. That was because years ago this was a train bridge that carried the Great Northern Railway. Thanks to a great visiin, the former railway bridge was converted into a pedestrian and bicycle bridge. This is an example of rails to trails over a river. Being that this was a railway bridge, it is historical. This is the second oldest arch bridge crossing the Mississippi*.   I walk on this bridge two different times. This leaves me with something to say: "It is incredible." Connecting downtown Minneapolis at the Mill Ruins Park and Grand Rounds Trail to the St. Anthony East District, it provides constant post card-worthy scenery. Walking southeast on the 2,100 feet long bridge that is 24 feet above the Mississippi, the bridge treats its hikers and bicyclists to grand views of the historic Pillsbury Mill with the Historic St. Anthony East Business District. It is part of the Heritage Trail that continues into the district. Along the way to the right (south) , there is a clear view of the Interstate 35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge**. It is walking towards the northwest that the views are spectacular. From this perspective, the only arched bridge made of stone on the Mississippi River gives mesmerizing vistas of the only waterfall on the Mississippi: Upper St. Anthony Falls. It is the St. Anthony Falls that was my highlight of the bridge. It made me stop, listen, and corroborate. It also made several others. The bridge is obviously very popular. On my first walk over it there was a bicycle meet up that jammed the bridge much like trains would have years ago. Another nice thing about the bridge is that there are separate bicycle and pedestrian lanes. Many of the bicyclists and pedestrians stopped by the falls overlook to take in the river and take pictures. Just like I did. Because the bridge is only 24 feet above the water, the waterfall appeared closer than a bridge that would be a 44 feet or more high. The 3rd Street Bridge would be an example. It is the 3rd Street Bridge that towers over the Upper St. Anthony Falls. Walking on this former railway bridge towards downtown Minneapolis at a gentle pace, I was also rewarded with postcard views of the Hennipen Bluffs Park, Water Power Park, and Upper St. Anthony Falls lock. These spectacularly beautiful places were to the right. Directly ahead on the northwest bound trail was an equally spectacularly beautiful view of the Minneapolis skyline and mill ruins. The closer I got to the Downtown side the more dramatic the view became. The bridge would ultimately merge into the Grand Rounds Trail in Mill Ruins Park.    The Stone Arch Bridge was just one part of my Mississippi River loop hikes in Minneapolis. From my experience, the Stone Arch Bridge is the ideal southernmost point to cross the Mississippi River on a downtown river loop hike where the Plymouth Avenue Bridge would be the northernmost point. Because the Stone Arch Bridge views headed northwest towards the downtown skyline are more breathtaking, I'd recommend walking first along the northbound Grand Rounds Trail then crossing over the eastbound Plymouth Avenue Bridge that leads to spectacular views of the Boom Island Lighthouse. From Boom Island Park I recommend following the Mississippi River Greenbelt and East St. Anthony Falls Business District southbound to the Stone Arch Bridge. My ultimate recommendation is to visit the Stone Arch Bridge when you're in Minneapolis. Notes. * The Leeds Bridge in St. Louis is the oldest arch bridge on the Mississippi. ** This was the bridge that collapsed years ago and was rebuilt. read more

First things first, it's a bridge and it has a good view. I like running across it and don't like running at all so it must be a really nice bridge. At night when you walk across it, it becomes one of those places that feels surreal. Like where time moves just a little bit slower than everywhere else. The giant LED lit advertising is reminds me of the northern lights and there is a SPECTACULAR view of downtown. During the day the bridge is home to commuters and tourists alike. It becomes busy but never overwhelming. The bridge is a amazing start to a network of walking and bike trails all up and down the Mississippi. It's cool, it's old and at sunset it's beautiful, a great attraction for whenever you're nearby. The bridge used to be an old railroad track and was transformed into a walking bridge and it is now better than ever. 5/5. I love this place. read more

This is an iconic place to visit in Minneapolis. It connects downtown to Northeast Minneapolis. I often take out of town guests here, no matter what season it is. You will always find people on this bridge, biking, walking their dogs, running or taking photos. I love to hear local musicians hoping to make it big someday, practicing their craft. I also recommend the Stone Arch Bridge Festival in summer (June). There are many local vendors, food, music and scheduled events for the weekend. During 4th of July celebrations, I love to watch the fireworks here as they go along music on a radio frequency. Make sure to stop here when you are at the farmer's market or downtown for any reason. read more

The Stone Arch Bridge is a landmark/icon/destination in Minneapolis! It's pedestrian-only, thankfully so... You'll only disrupt a jogger or bicyclist while taking 49 photos. At the north end of the bridge is the historic and scenic St. Anthony Main river strip. The patios, views, and greenery here alone is lovely. Crossing the bridge, you get spectacular views of the city, river, and falls. Once you hit the Minneapolis side, you're right by the Guthrie, Mill City Ruins/Museum, Gold Medal Park, and more. This is for sure a destination for anyone visiting from out of town. Great for a morning run, bike ride through both downtown + Northeast, casual stroll, or excessive photo-taking. read more

Stone Arch Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This truly is a masterpiece of Minnesota. We moved here in January from California and have wanted to get to see this local gem and today was that day. We parked on the back side and walked toward the city stopping and reading the unique history of the bridge and taking in the local landscape. For families with small kids it isn't a short walk so come prepared because summertime can be hot and sweaty. The bridge has space for people to walk, bike and run and is a common crossing pint for people into downtown Minneapolis. There has been a tea truck parked the last couple months at the end of the walk which can provide a refreshing break. The thing that stands out is the beauty of the falls, the amazing buildings on both sides and the power of the river coming through the area. Both U of MN and St Thomas have teams that study the weather and the army of core engineers has a team on site. Definitely pay to park on the dinky-town side for cheaper easier parking read more

Stone Arch Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The bridge itself gives inspiration, you can see the university and downtown MPLS at the same time (breath taking) On a hot day you can meet a ton of new people. The neighborhoods on both sides of the bridge are promising. You'll find a bunch of activities and good food. This is also a prime bridal party photo spot. I love this area! read more

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Stone arch bridge is AMAZING any season! This area holds so much history and beauty. Industrial. Very scenic. A great place to take senior, engagement, wedding or family photos. It's even a great place to take selfies or Ig/profile pics. You can see the Downtown Minneapolis Skyline, the remains of the ruins, the historic burned down flour mill (now, Mill City Museum) and so much more. Fun place, a lot of places/trail to explore. A great place to exercise, bridge leads to a few different parks and trails along the Mississippi River. Nice place to explore and sight see! You can park and find a lot of things to do in the area. They have metered lots and off street metered parking. Oh yeah, they have designated walking & biking lanes. Good thing for everyone! read more

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I walk on the stone arch bridge at least a couple times a week. My dog and I LOVE the views and the breeze that the bridge gives. It has so many great photo opportunities, as well as such kind people. There is a small parking lot but also plenty of street parking which is easily accessible from so many areas. I truly love coming here and just enjoying the city views, as well as the river views! read more

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This is a great spot in downtown Minneapolis for walking, biking, or taking some great photos. I have been to this bridge during each season, it is always beautiful regardless of the weather. Even on an overcast day, the grey blue color of the water and the mist coming off the waterfall is a lovely peaceful sight. If you are coming from the Lake Harriet, Lake Maka Ska, or Lake of the Isles area - you can jump on the biking trail associated with the lakes and connect to another biking trail that will get you all the way to downtown Minneapolis/the Stone Arch Bridge. Harriet to the Stone Arch is about 7-8 miles one way (40-50 minutes). This is a longer ride but so worth it because you get to see Minneapolis from another angle, and it's just fun on a good-weather day! However you want to enjoy this bridge is up to you, but you must stop by! Car parking is fairly cheap as well. Grab a coffee or tea at the awesome Dunn Bros around the corner, walk to the top of the Gold Medal Park hill, drop into the free-access "yellow room" at the Guthrie, and just enjoy the beautiful urban landscape of Minneapolis! read more

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This is such an awesome part of the city. Besides being a historical attraction it's also still functional as a pedestrian bridge. It's right in the middle of a ton of cool historic attractions in the mill district. The bridge itself is so beautiful and photogenic, and the surroundings are just amazing. The Guthrie Theatre and Mill City Museum are very close by. Definitely recommend checking out the bridge as well as the places that surround it. read more

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First dates, last dates, meeting friends, saying goodbye to friends and avoiding that one ex boyfriend who rides down the bike path thinking he's Lance Armstrong-blech. Kind of strange reviewing a bridge, but its not any old bridge. This bridge has a lot of history- The bridge is truly one of the cities best and memorable places to visit. Spectacular views of the city both day and night. Great place to walk at lunch time. Love the paths below when they are not too muddy and discovering all there is below. Geocashed here once. Truly a remarkable site in Minneapolis and a definite place to bring out of towners. read more

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This bridge is an all around great bridge - great for strolling, great for exercising, great for photo shoots, and anything else. Highly recommend to visit the bridge regardless if you visit MSP or a resident. The walk on the bridge is really relaxing & every angle is a great view of the city or the park. Absolutely LOVE it. There's nothing wrong with this place at all. Great division for the different directions of the path & everyone respects each other on the bridge (joggers, walkers, kids, bicyclists, etc). Highly recommend for anytime of the year on any occasion. read more

This bridge gives you amazing views of the city - SEE PHOTO - (and what is left of its origins along the river - the "mill ruins.") If you're there at the right time, you'll see the river's "lock" system at work. It's a great example of "reuse" rather than "replace" - it's a former railway bridge that has been converted into open space for people to congregate, run, bike, walk their dogs, etc. Definitely worth a visit while you're in Minne - a lovely walk with lovely views. read more

Stone Arch Bridge - Former railroad bridge converted for pedestrian/bike use only. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I had a friend mention that I needed to check this out and I am so glad it did. It was not easy - my phone's map was trying to take me to the side of the river opposite of downtown and somehow I went rogue and ended up in downtown Minneapolis and it was so much easier to find. I wasn't sure about staying though because I was frustrated with the driving, parking and confusion but figured, I'm here - give it a shot and I am so glad I did. Such a cool experience. The pics I got of sunset, the river and downtown were so exciting. I loved this place and I didn't even walk the whole way because it was getting dark. I would definitely recommend this place read more

Always a beautiful place to walk around! Highly recommend if you're in Minneapolis. You can take a quick walk for the view, or even walk for hours. read more

We were disappointed after seeing images and reading about top things to do in MN that the bridge didn't live up to the hype. It is a nice pedestrian bridge and easy to walk. read more

This is a must-visit for any visitors to Minneapolis imo. Beautiful city, river, and foliage views on a pedestrian friendly bridge! There are marked sections for walking and biking and people generally stay in the correct sections. You're bound to see a photo shoot in the works, catch a local event, live music, or at the very least smell the mist of the water as you walk across this iconic bridge. You've also got a 99.9% chance of seeing a dog! Can't lose. There are plenty of NiceRide stations near the bridge and lots of options for rentable scooters, although beware that you can't park or pick up any on the bridge. If you're prone to sunburn and plan to spend a lot of time on the bridge, slather that spf on -- there is NO shade anywhere on your walk. However, you can expect shelter on either side of the bridge. Enjoy and remember that even though this is a very family friendly space to keep your wits about you, since you are still in a city. read more

Stone Arch Bridge - Walking away from the city - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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A lot of past reviewers have covered the history and other particulars of this bridge's history, so I'll focus more on the impression it made on me as an out-of-town traveler. I really just wanted a place that has a view of the Mississippi and surrounding environs so I could take good photos. And while I wouldn't call it a breathtaking view, the falls, the river, the around of Hennepin Island, the views of Minneapolis and St. Paul from the river that separates them, and the bridge itself were cause enough for me to linger for about two hours, even though I only walked about halfway across the bridge. The area of Minneapolis next to the bridge and the park nearby is historic, as is the bridge itself. The bridge is easy enough to get to via public transportation, and there's parking available nearby (the Vikings stadium is also about four blocks away). When I went, the bridge wasn't crowded despite it being a Saturday afternoon in the summer. There is a path for joggers, bikes and those ridiculous electronic scooters people are using and a separate pedestrian path on both sides of the walkway, and the two groups surprisingly stay out of each other's space, by and large (so the exact opposite of the Brooklyn Bridge, for example). Expect occasional delays as people stop and take photos or because of people strolling slowly. People in Minneapolis should be grateful to have a pedestrian-only bridge such as this that's historic and easy to access. There aren't places to sit and chill out, read, etc., but there's a park adjoining the bridge entrance, and if you want a nice area for walking around and being outdoors and don't want to go much further than the western edge of downtown Minny, this is a blessing. read more