Minneapolis - Saint Paul (Last day!)

We spent this beautiful, sunny day exploring Minneapolis - Saint Paul.

First, we visited Minnihaha Falls (Lakota word meaning laughing water), a 53-foot waterfall that flows onward to the Mississippi. We walked along the creek, and ambled through the Minnihaha Regional Park.

Next, we walked across an old stone railroad bridge over the Mississippi, viewing the falls/spillway, the upper dam and the locks that allow ships to bypass the falls/spillway. (Video at end of pictures). Walking across the (really long) bridge, we could see the Pillsbury Mill (now a National Historic Landmark) and the Gold Medal flour mill signs. Minneapolis was a flour mill powerhouse in the 1860s - 1960's, using the power of the St. Anthony waterfall on the Mississippi River. I overheard a National Park Ranger say that at one point, these mills produced flour for approximately 20 million loaves of bread. They closed down over time because technology provided other sources of energy for mills, and they could move closer to wheat fields.

After lunch, we went to the Como Park Conservatory to see tropical plants and the Japanese Gardens. We were surprised at how crowded it was (hard to find parking), and discovered that the Minnesota State Fair just opened nearby. Great last day in Minneapolis! We fly home tomorrow.Read more