Minnesota is filled with places to enjoy art outdoors. Find out about some of our favorite outdoor sculpture areas throughout the state!
Now that the weather is becoming more bright and beautiful, we’re thinking again about all the places we can get outside and enjoy the outdoors.
A big bonus is when you can combine it with something like viewing art!
One idea, is to check out a local outdoor sculpture area. Luckily, Minnesota has multiple locations to do just that.
There are four places I know of and have visited. There might even be more and we would love to hear about others so we can check out other Minnesota sculpture parks this summer. There is a fifth location I just learned about and now it’s on our list to explore sometime this year.
Outdoor Sculpture Areas in Minnesota
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
One of the more well known outdoor sculpture areas is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Spoonbridge and Cherry is a recognizable piece that many of us know about. This is only one of the 60 pieces of art through the garden.
The Sculpture Garden is a partnership between the Walker and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.
Free to visit, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is open 365 days a year from 6am to midnight.
Franconia Sculpture Park
North of the Twin Cities is a place called Franconia. We’ve mentioned Franconia Sculpture Park before but it’s worth mentioning again. It is a wide open space and although not close to any large towns, that’s part of what makes it a place to add to your list.
The grounds are open 365 days a year from 8am to 8pm and there is no admission charge. Learn more in our post about Franconia Sculpture Park.
Tower View Sculpture Garden
Tower View Sculpture Garden is a place we just recently discovered this past winter. It is located near Red Wing on the grounds of the Anderson Center, just on the edge of town.
This 15 acre park has sculptures by nationally and internationally renowned artists. It’s free to visit and open 365 days per year from 8am to 10pm.
Caponi Art Park
Caponi Art Park is tucked away in Eagan and is a little different than the others we’ve mentioned but very much worth adding to the list.
It’s difficult to explain how it’s different other than it offers more woods, hills and searching, compared to the others and a great place to explore and wander.
Caponi Art Park is open May through October, closed Mondays, with hours dependent on the season. See current Caponi Art Park Hours here.
Nyberg Park
The Fifth Sculpture Park I have not been to yet, however it looks super fun and we have added it to our road trip list for a must see! Located near the town of Vining you’ll find Nyberg Park, named after the artist.
If you really want to explore, you’ll find more of Ken Nyberg’s art in other communities around Minnesota. You can find the complete list here if you want to wander a bit.
Art on Foot – Silverwood Sculpture Audio Tour
Stroll through the Art on Foot – Silverwood Sculpture exhibit in Saint Anthony, part of the Three Rivers Park District. Walk along a mile-long paved trail to explore sculptures and poetry by regional artists and writers. This self-guided tour allows you to explore art next to the prairie, oak forest, and along the lake.
There are sixteen pieces of art through this tour. Connect to the audio tour to learn more as you follow the path. Each stop along the way offers an audio description of the sculpture by the artist with a written artist bio and multiple photos.
Big Stone Mini Golf and Sculpture Garden
At Big Stone Mini Golf and Sculpture Garden in Minnetrista, you can play a game of mini golf as you wander through amazing art!
Playing mini golf through the sculptures sort of feels like you are in the world of Alice in Wonderland. This magical place has been around for over 10 years. It offers a kid-friendly atmosphere.
Check out their website here, and their Facebook page for updated information, including special events.
Have you discovered other areas with few sculptures that would be worth adding to our list? Maybe a place that brings back memories of visiting as a kid and then going back as an adult?
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Kristi is married with twin daughters. She grew up on a small dairy farm, but now lives in the south metro area. She enjoys finding free or thrifty things to do whether they are outings close to home or last minute adventures to far-away places.
Kristi can also be found enjoying estate sales, attempting to garden, volunteering in the wetlands or a favorite thrift store, or maybe just enjoying a good play in one of the many theatre venues in the area.
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