The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden was created over 30 years ago and was among the pioneers of its kind in the United States. It is the most famous of several sculpture gardens throughout Minnesota.
The Garden is a partnership between the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board and is part of Parade Park. There are more than 40 sculptures in the park to enjoy seeking out, most iconic among them the Spoonbridge and Cherry – a favored symbol of the Twin Cities. It is a great free, outdoor destination for families looking for a relaxing afternoon. If you need a play break, walk across the Irene Hixon Whitney Pedestrian Bridge — art in its own right — to Loring Park for a little play time.
8 Ideas for Family Fun at Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Take a Leisurely Family Stroll. Enjoy Minnesota’s year round beautiful weather along the paths of the park for a nice walk.
Pack a Picnic. In the summer, After Dream by Pierre Huyghe is a nice place to spread a blanket and enjoy a meal outside. This grove of trees full of 47 chimes was created using the score of Dream by John Cage.
Free First Saturday Fun. Visit on a First Saturday afternoon when Walker Art Center offers family-friendly activities both indoors and outside in the sculpture garden. Walker Museum offers Free Admission on Free First Saturdays.
Bring a Nature Journal to record the Flora & Fauna of the Garden. Sculptures aren’t the only things to explore in the garden, you’ll also find all sorts of perennial plants, trees & shrubs that attract butterflies and birds.
Visit the Famous Spoonbridge & Cherry Sculpture in Winter! Artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen invite you to view the sculpture in a new way with snow covering it. Does it look like an ice cream sundae to you?
Explore Black Vessel for a Saint. Inside this cylinder-shaped sculpture is a salvaged statue of St. Lawrence (or Larry as he was affectionately known by the artist, Theaster Gates). The sculpture is inspired by the works of Sol Lewitt and Joseph Beuys – who also have artwork featured in the Walker Art Center.
Find Woodrow the horse sculpture by Deborah Butterfield. This bronze statue of a horse was created to look like it was made out of branches.
Get a photo with the LOVE sculpture. This is one of 50 “LOVE” sculptures by Robert Indiana found all over the world. While the artwork is often used by pop culture to represent romantic love, the artist intended a more spiritual message. What does it say to you?
The Spinner by Alexander Calder
Minneapolis Sculpture Park Details
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is free to visit, however, the Walker Art Museum charges an admission fee most days.
Leashed dogs are welcome at the park, but not in any buildings. As with any Minneapolis park, owners are required to pick up after and control their dogs.
Arikidea by Mark di Suvero
X with Columns by Sol LeWitt and Hahn/Cock blue rooster by Katharina Fritschin background
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