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!
We are lucky to live in a state with so many options for outdoor sculptures! There’s many in the Twin Cities metro area and beyond– perfect for day trips or to be included on family road trips this summer.
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.
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.
The Sculpture Park and Barn
Located in New York Mills, Minnesota, there are many unique and fascinating sculptures here made by local artists, including the world’s largest tractor! The Sculpture Park was built in 2012 and also includes a beautiful labyrinth and a barn.
Western Sculpture Park
You can check out larger than life sculptures in right St. Paul! Western Sculpture Park was built in 1998 and is located just west of downtown St. Paul on Marion Avenue between Interstate 94 & University Avenue. Kids will love saying hi to the gigantic bunny!
Minnesota Goose Garden
Minnesota Goose Garden is located in Sandstone and is a native flora preserve and sculpture garden celebrating the Ojibwe tribe. See over 60 sculptures mixed in the gorgeous gardens.
I can’t wait to check this out on our next trip to Duluth! (Depending on where you’re coming from it’s on the way from the Twin Cities) MGG is open for self-guided tours May through October, with a suggested donation of $5/adult. Guided tours are $50 and available by appointment.
Dale Lewis Sculpture Loop
Dale Lewis is an award-winning artist in Hastings, MN. His sculptures are all over Minnesota and beyond! Dale focuses on reused materials, making all of his sculptures with recycled metal and items saved from landfills.
The Dale Lewis Sculpture Loop is a 25 mile trek around Hastings and Vermillion. You can see over 40 sculptures from your car!
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? Let us know so we can add them to our list!
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Hannah is a married mom of 3 kiddos in the Twin Cities. Born and raised here in MN, she loves finding deals and special events to share with others.
Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading books, going on road trips up north, singing along with the radio and finding new thrift stores to shop! Hannah is also a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and is always on the lookout for more sensory friendly opportunities in the Twin Cities.
Cheryl Hanzlik says
Dale Lewis is a sculpture artist out of Hastings. He has a lot of art in his yard and there is also a small park in Hastings with many sculptures. He uses discarded objects to make his art. He has done several pieces that are displayed in art walks in Mankato and Eau Claire. Google him for more information on his creations.
steven says
You have a good list. I was disappointed in Nyberg Park. Some of the sculptures in Vining are not actually in the park. I have a few more you can add to your list. New York Mills has a nice sculpture park. There is a sculpture park on Marion west of the Capitol in St Paul. A place west of Sandstone called the Goosed Garden has number of sculptures mixed with the plants.
Laura says
Thank you, Steven!
Krisie Garvin says
Grain Bin Sculpture Park near Foley, MN looks interesting. It’s on my list for this Spring/Summer. We’ve been to both of the parks in Shaffer & Vining. Both were worth the trip. Ottertail County has several neat “over sized ” attractions. An otter, pelican, loon, & turkey to name a few. There’s a nice zoo there too.
Chrysa says
Thanks, Krisie! I think I passed the park in Foley this fall and it looked interesting and I wanted to stop, but was late getting to a relative’s house and never made it back there. We’ll have to give it a look!