Walk the Mississippi’s urban edge with a self-guided audio tour that mixes milling-age history, local culture, and riverfront views. Download the VoiceMap file, strap on headphones, and plan 60–90 minutes to move between the Guthrie and Nicollet Island.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You start with the river on your right and the city’s working edges on your left — bridges and brick, the mill scars of industry and a current that seems to dare you to keep pace. Headphones in, the narration begins at the Open Book Literary Center on Washington Avenue; voices map the city as you walk, pausing to let the river and the stone speak between tracks.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1–1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; expect steady walking on flat, paved surfaces.
Wildlife
History
This riverfront was the heart of the 19th-century flour industry; Mills like Washburn A and the Mill City Museum tell the story of industrial power shaped by St. Anthony Falls.
Conservation
Urban riverfront projects now focus on habitat restoration and stormwater management; stick to paths and avoid disturbing riparian vegetation to support those efforts.
Reserve your spot on the Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Download before you go
Use the VoiceMap code to download the tour and maps so GPS and audio work offline.
Bring headphones and a spare battery
Headphones make narration clearer and an extra power bank keeps your phone alive for maps and audio.
Timing for light and crowds
Start early for quiet river views or late afternoon for golden light on the Stone Arch Bridge; weekends draw more pedestrians.
City footing and safety
Wear supportive walking shoes — sidewalks and boardwalks are even but can be slick when wet; watch for bike lanes.
Smartphone with VoiceMap app
Needed to run the audio tour, maps, and turn-by-turn cues.
Comfortable walking shoes
Support and traction for paved sidewalks, ramps, and occasional boardwalk.
Headphones
Improves audio clarity and keeps narration audible in traffic and crowds.
Light rain shell or windbreaker
Spring riverfronts are breezy and changeable; a compact shell protects against wind and showers.
spring