Family Fun at Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park

Address: East and West banks of the Mississippi River, Minneapolis, MN, 55401
Upcoming Events: Jump to Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park Events

Website: Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park
Park Hours: 6am-10pm (Midnight in developed areas)

Located on both banks of the Mississippi River between Plymouth Avenue North & the 35W bridges, Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park is one of the top ten tourist attractions in Minnesota. It is actually made up of a dozen parks and parkways that stretch from Boom Island Park (where Above the Falls Regional Park ends) to the Stone Arch Bridge.

Boom Island Park - Part of Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park — Playground at Boom Island Park

Central Mississippi Riverfront Parks

BF Nelson Park, 434 NE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley Street Northeast, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Nicollet Island Park, 40 Power St, Minneapolis, MN, 55401
First Bridge Park, 1 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Water Power Park, 240 Southeast Main Street, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Historic Main Street Park, Southeast Main Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55414
Father Hennepin Bluff Park, Father Hennepin Bluff Park, 420 Southeast Main Street, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Stone Arch Bridge, 100 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Mill Ruins Park, 102 Portland Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Water Works, 425 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55401
James I. Rice Parkway
West River Parkway

Tour the Art of the Central Mississippi Riverfront

Take a self-guided Tour of the Public Art through this park system. This would be an ideal tour to do by bicycle as it would be a little far to walk and parking is not always easy to find along these stops. Many of the creators are active area artists that you can learn more about and maybe plan to visit their galleries at another time.

B.F. Nelson Park’s Pioneer Statue by John K. Daniels – This statue portrays a pioneer family and features Father Louis Hennepin among Native Americans on the front. It has been a subject of recent controversy for its subject matter and could be used as a springboard for discussions of artistic portrayals of Native Americans and the settlement of this area.
Boom Island Park’s Memorial to Survivors of Sexual Violence by Lori Greene. I know – not a “fun” topic, but it really is quite a beautiful seating area and mosaics.
Nicollet Island Park’s Bell of Two Friends by Karen Sontag Sattel. Walk through the archway and rink the bell for world peace.
First Bridge Park’s Ornamental railings, lighting, other circulation features, landscaping and bronze sculptures of water creatures. This is NOT a stop on the self-guided tour of public art, but is recommended by MPRB.
Historic Main Street’s Tilted Bowl Fountain by Seitu Jones. Stop for a drink of water and honor or be grateful for the Earth, Mississippi River, and Saint Anthony Falls.
Marcy-Holmes Gateway (aka Sixth Avenue Stroll) by Aldo Moroni. Just north of Father Hennepin Bluffs and Historic Main Street there are 24 bronze sculptures on brick pedestals lining 6th Avenue to University Avenue.

stone arch bridge near Gold Medal Park — Gold Medal Park overlooks the Stone Arch Bridge
photo courtesy grkids.com

Biking the Mississippi in Minneapolis

This park is connected through bike trails and is one of Anne’s family’s favorite Minneapolis Bike Trails. It connects to the bike trails at Above The Falls Regional Park and is part of U.S. Bicycle Route 45.

More Fun Along the Central Mississippi Riverfront

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We would love to hear your thoughts and parental tips. Share your experiences and any information you think other parents would find useful. Leave us a comment below.

Upcoming Family-Friendly Events

Events TBA

Fun Past Events We Hope to See Again