As millions of Americans rediscover the rejuvenating allure of outdoor recreation, it's impossible not to shed a light on the Twin Cities' world-renowned city park system. Collectively, Minneapolis and St. Paul rank among the finest cities in the nation in terms of city parks, according to multiple sources, including U.S. News and Time Magazine. This collective treasure trove of parks helps us remain two of the fittest cities in the country. Our citizens love jogging, cycling, dog walking, and everything in between. Thus, we compiled a handy, comprehensive list of our 15 favorite Twin Cities parks, spanning from the northern rim of Hastings all the way to posh Orono (with several stops in Minneapolis, of course). Here at MINNēSTAY, we know how much these local parks mean to our way of life. And luckily for you, many of our classic Minnesota vacation rentals are within walking or bicycling distance from the majority of these picturesque, top-reviewed Twin Cities parks.
A Park for Every Type of Travel: the Best Twin Cities Parks
There's said to be hundreds of parks in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including the various regional, neighborhood, and state parks, as well as countless nature preserves. Therefore, narrowing down this eclectic list of Twin Cities parks certainly wasn't easy. Click the links below to learn more about each destination. And remember: MINNēSTAY's Sable condominiums are just a short distance from Chain of Lakes, Gold Medal Park, Boom Island, Loring Park, and many more desirable mid-day distractions.
- Lake of the Isles, an integral destination amongst Minneapolis' Chain of Lakes
- Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield
- Minnehaha Regional Park, Minneapolis
- Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, Minneapolis
- Gold Medal Park, Minneapolis
- Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul
- Jensen Lake (the crowning jewel of Lebanon Hills Regional Park), Eagan
- Boom Island Park, Minneapolis
- Fort Snelling State Park (notably Pike Island), St. Paul
- Centennial Lakes Park, Edina
- Noerenberg Gardens, Orono
- Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis
- Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Lake Elmo
- Afton State Park, Hastings
- Loring Park, Minneapolis
PRO TIP: If you can only stop at a handful of these splendid Twin Cities parks, we highly recommend jogging around Lake of the Isles, savoring a picnic on Harriet Island, strolling underneath Minnehaha Falls, birdwatching at the Wood Lake Nature Center, and hiking around Jensen Lake.
Sleek Loft Apartments in Minneapolis
Start and finish each day inside one of MINNēSTAY's modern, sophisticated Sable condominiums, Lake Minnetonka house rentals, or elegant city lofts. As stated above, most of these properties are a short distance from several of the most beloved Twin Cities parks, including Boom Island, Gold Medal Park, and Loring Park. Each property is easily accessible, modernized, and stylish, fitting perfectly with our twin communities. Give us a call at 612-216-5511 (or check availability online) to get matched with a vacation rental that perfectly suits your group's size, style, and budget. Book our waterfront rentals in Minneapolis here!