The country s longest continuous system of public urban parkways, this has been the preeminent urban parkway system for more than a century. Lovely parks, trails, lakes and parkways surround the city of Minneapolis. Enjoy the Chain of Lakes, Lake Nokomis, Lake Hiawatha, Minnehaha Falls, and much more.

Federal Highway Administration, America’s Byways
Length
52 mi / 83.7 km
Time to allow
Three to four hours to enjoy this byway.
Fees
The only fees occur at the various attractions along the way.

Who looks after this road

  • Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board · 612-230-6400

We publish 9 places that sit on this road, listed in the order you meet them. This is not a route and not a drive time — it is the names, so you can put them into whatever navigation you already use.

“Off” is a straight line from the place to the road, rounded. It is not a driving distance, and the road itself is a simplified centre line, so treat a mile or two as noise.

  1. Minnesota ZooMN9 miles offAnimals

    Online tickets required in advance; parking $10 per car

    Hours
    10am-4pm (current listing)
    Adult
    25.95
    Child
    $19.95 (ages 3-12)
    Season
    year-round
    Parking
    fee

  2. Mall of America (Bloomington)MN3 miles off

    No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.

  3. SEA LIFE Minnesota AquariumMN3 miles offAnimals

    Hours
    10am-8pm (current day listing)
    Adult
    22
    Child
    from $22 (varies by date)
    Season
    year-round

  4. Nickelodeon UniverseMN3 miles offFun park

    indoor theme park inside Mall of America

  5. Cascade BayMN7 miles offFun park

    city water park; closed for 2026 season

    Season
    Seasonal

  6. St. PaulMN5 miles off

    In our guide: 4 animal attractions

  7. MinneapolisMNon the road

    In our guide: 4 parks · 1 lake · 1 animal attraction

  8. Midtown GreenwayMN1 mile offSki or bike

    Below-grade urban bike highway across south Minneapolis

    Kind
    Scenic Bike Trails
    Surface
    Paved

  9. Minnesota State FairMN3 miles offAnnual event

    fair at Minnesota State Fairgrounds

    When
    Late August-early September (ends Labor Day)
    Since
    First held 1859; at current grounds since 1885
    Runs for
    more than one day