As a college student in the Twin Cities, it can feel like many of the best off-campus activities are either too far, too expensive or a combination of the two. Fortunately, many of the metro area’s best weekend outings can be done for the low, low price of nothing but your time and energy. These Twin Cities locations will give you the most bang for your unspent buck and, more importantly, a free way to enjoy life in the cities.
The Minneapolis Institute of Art
Located across from Washburn Fair Oaks Park in the southern part of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts provides a free opportunity for members of the community to engage with the over 100,000 pieces of art in its walls. Its rotating exhibitions incur a separate cost, though the free Explorer membership option grants cheaper visitors free tickets to special exhibitions on Member days, as well.
The institute has online records for all of its pieces, including 360-degree images, videos and podcasts, though the physical gallery — which takes 15 minutes to reach via car and an hour via public transit — makes for a perfect, engaging outing fit for even the laziest of Sunday afternoons.
Como Park Zoo and Observatory
Though some zoo-going experiences might be filled with painful memories of expensive tickets, overpriced food and, of course, parking fees, students can spend a day at the Como Park Zoo and Observatory without dropping a dime with some smart planning. The park is a 15-minute drive and a roughly 45-minute public transit ride from campus, and visitors are allowed to bring in their own food, so don’t feel shy about packing a sandwich or two to munch on in between exhibits.
Between the numerous engaging animal exhibits that feature critters like giraffes, penguins and a sloth — not to mention the large central pond typically brimming with ducks and flamingos — to the expansive greenhouses in its conservatory, Como Park is a picture-perfect way to soak in some nature and spend a few hours on a sunny weekend.
Minnehaha Regional Park
While it might come as a surprise to non-natives that a 53-foot waterfall is located just down the river from Minneapolis, Minnehaha Falls is still a great way to stretch your legs and take in some natural sights close to campus, no matter how many times you’ve visited.
Between its multiple walking paths and picnic spots, you’ll find no shortage of outdoor activities to keep you out of the library; there are also regularly-scheduled live music performances in the park’s central pavilion throughout the summer and early fall. Undergoing the 10-minute drive or 45-minute ride on public transit will give you the chance to experience one of the Twin Cities’ most unique outdoor experiences, especially before cold weather shutters you in.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Located adjacent to the Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden allows you to embark on an artistic scavenger hunt of sorts throughout its 19-acre park to view over 60 different sculptures, from the iconic “Spoonbridge and Cherry” to more out-of-the-box works like the “Shadows at the Crossroads” series. Additionally, the Cowles Conservatory, located within the garden, gives visitors a chance to escape the sun and soak in its variety of non-native plants.
Whether it be paired with a trip to Walker or just a simple stroll through, the sculpture garden is a fun and in-your-face-Instagram-worthy spot to hit when exploring the Twin Cities on a budget. It’s a 15-minute drive from campus and a 50-minute ride of public transit from St. Thomas.
Cathedral of St. Paul
For those seeking a taste of architecture and history in the midst of the Twin Cities, one need look no further than the Cathedral of St. Paul. Standing at over 300 feet tall and located a short 10-minute drive and 35-minute public transit ride from campus, the cathedral offers free guided tours daily, as well as the opportunity to explore the century-old building freely.
Though it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of prime weekend outings, the cathedral’s location in the heart of downtown St. Paul makes it an easy pick when looking for a unique and peaceful getaway within the cities.
Kevin Lynch can be reached at lync1832@stthomas.edu.