Twin Cities Business Listing

BF Nelson Park, 434 NE Main St, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55413
Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley Street Northeast, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55413
Father Hennepin Bluff Park, 420 Southeast Main Street, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55414
First Bridge Park, 1 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55401
Historic Main Street Park, Southeast Main Street, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55414
Mill Ruins Park, 102 Portland Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55401
Nicollet Island Park, 40 Power St, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55401
Stone Arch Bridge, 100 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55401
Water Power Park, 240 Southeast Main Street, Minneapolis, MN, USA 55414
612-230-6400
Hours of Operation:
Mon. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tue. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wed. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thu. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fri. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sat. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM

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 11 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

  1. B.F. Nelson Park
  2. Boom Island Park
  3. Nicollet Island Park
  4. First Bridge Park
  5. Water Power Park
  6. Historic Main Street Park
  7. Father Hennepin Bluff Park
  8. Stone Arch Bridge
  9. Mill Ruins Park & Water Works and
  10. James I. Rice Parkway
  11. West River Parkway

Father Hennepin Bluffs Park side of Stone Arch BridgeTour 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. Stops 2 through 6 on the linked tour are in or near this regional park and we’ve included a stop at First Bridge Park, which isn’t on the self-guided tour, but is recommended by MPRB. Many of the creators are active area artists that you can learn more about and maybe plan to visit their galleries at another time.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Nicollet Island Park’s Bell of Two Friends by Karen Sontag Sattel. Walk through the archway and rink the bell for world peace.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

Mississippi River Blvd Bike Trail

More Fun Along the Central Mississippi Riverfront

Send message to moderator

The Family Fun Twin Cities Directory is the most extensive collection of companies, organizations, activities and places to find things to do with kids in the Twin Cities.

Family Fun Twin Cities is not associated with the companies, municipalities or organizations and cannot book your birthday party, reserve sites or pass on complaints. Please use the contact information we provide. 

Sharing of information is not an endorsement. We do, however, welcome constructive reviews from readers. Please feel free to leave comments providing helpful tips and information for other parents.

Scroll to Top