Sign Up for Excursions
In keeping with past tradition, CPTSC will host two planned excursions on Saturday, October 6. Both excursions will occur between 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Option 1: Mill City District Walking Tour (Downtown Minneapolis) with guide Bruce Maylath. Meet in lobby of The Graduate Hotel at 1:30 p.m. Take Light Rail Metro to Downtown Minneapolis to Guthrie / Milly City and begin walking tour. Cost: $2.50 for round trip Light Rail ticket to Downtown Minneapolis. See below for more details.
Option 2: Minneapolis River Queen, Afternoon Sightseeing & Lock Cruise with guide Dawn Armfield. Meet in lobby of The Graduate Hotel at 1:30 p.m. Cruise runs 2:00-3:30 p.m. Take Light Rail Metro to Downtown Minneapolis to Guthrie / Mill City to catch River Queen. Cost: $2.50 for round trip Light Rail ticket plus $21 for adult River Cruise ticket, $12 for children (2-10) River Cruise ticket, $19 for seniors River Cruise ticket. See below for more details.
Saturday CPTSC Excursion Options for October 6, 2018
Option 1: Mill City District Walking Tour (Downtown Minneapolis)
This excursion will be guided by Bruce Maylath on Saturday, October 6.
Come visit downtown Minneapolis and learn about its unique history involving flour mills and industry along the Mississippi River. The 2.6-mile walking excursion includes the Guthrie Theater, the Stone Arch Bridge, St. Anthony Falls, Mill City Farmers Market, Mill Ruins Park, Mill City Museum, and other historical sites. The excursion requires a short light rail trip from the conference hotel, The Graduate, to the Mill City District in downtown Minneapolis. Stops on the tour include:
Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls. The Stone Arch Bridge is a unique stone bridge over the Mississippi River and St. Anthony Falls, the only major waterfall on the Mississippi. It is walking distance from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus. Seasonal walking tours may be available.
Mill City Museum. Built into the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill, Mill City Museum is located on the historic Mississippi Riverfront. A guided tour of Mill City Museum can be arranged. Admission $12 adults, $10 seniors 65+, $6 children 5-17, free for children 4 years and under.
Mill Ruins Park. Adjacent to the museum, the unearthed traces and canal reveal how the water power of St. Anthony Falls made Minneapolis “the leading international producer of flour” for much of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Mill City Farmer’s Market. Saturdays in October, a Farmer’s Market brings artisans, restaurants, food trucks and more to the ruins for a festival-like atmosphere.This urban farmer’s market is just moments away from Mill City Museum.
Guthrie Theatre. The 2018-2019 season has not yet been posted, but it is likely there will be a play. Additionally, the building itself is architecturally significant and open to the public for tours.
Option 2: Minneapolis Queen, Afternoon Sightseeing & Lock Cruise.
This excursion will be guided by Dawn Armfield on Saturday from 2-3:30.
This public narrated cruise will take you along the southern route of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway and Heritage Trail system, along the University of Minnesota Campus riverfront, under the stunning 35W Bridge, through the lower St. Anthony Falls Lock system showcasing views of the St. Anthony Falls, the historic Stone Arch Bridge, amazing river bluffs with views of the amazing downtown Minneapolis skyline as we show you the best Mississippi River has to offer! Admission $20 Adults, $11 Children. A full service cash bar along with hot dogs, chips, nachos, snacks, etc. are available for purchase. Available within a connecting Light Rail Ride (transferring downtown) and short walk from the conference site.
Excursions on Your Own
- Fort Snelling. Explore the past through tours, demonstrations, and conversations that expand the diverse stories of men, women, and children who crossed here, from Dakota and other Native American groups who lived and worked here. This outing would require coordinated effort in terms of busing and transportation. We could arrange for hotel shuttles, or shared rides. Open Sept - Oct Saturdays only, 10 am to 5 pm. Admission $12 adults, $10 seniors 65+, $6 children 5-17, free for children 4 years and under.
- Minnehaha Park. Adorned with several famous statues, including one of Hiawatha carrying Minnehaha across Minnehaha Creek, this park is built around Minnehaha Falls, made famous in Longfellow’s Song of Hiawatha. The park also features a half-size replica of Longfellow’s home in Massachusetts. Sea Salt Eatery, beside the falls, is a good place to enjoy a seafood meal on the terrace.
- Magical History Segway Tour. Enjoy the history of the Minneapolis Riverfront area from 10,000 BC to present without breaking a sweat. Let the Segway do the work as you cover several miles accompanied by a professional guide. | Cost: Adults, $90 | Daily tours at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. |
- Mall of America. Mall of America® is located in Bloomington, Minnesota—only 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. As one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, Mall of America features—520 stores, 50 restaurants and attractions galore, including Nickelodeon Universe®, the nation’s largest indoor theme park, and the American Girl store. Plus, there’s no sales tax on clothing or shoes! Transportation to Mall of America is available via light rail from UMN Twin Cities campus.