In honor of Valentines Day, this month we are sharing six outdoor settings for a romantic date in any season. Minneapolis parks offer a lovely backdrop to a picnic dinner, evening walk, or first date. While it may be a chilly time of year to celebrate outside in the parks, we hope you’ll keep these wonderful places in mind year-round for your next park date.
#1. North Mississippi Regional Park
There are countless places to sit and marvel at the mighty Mississippi (and each other!) along the river, but one that stands out to us is North Mississippi Regional Park, where the serene and peaceful meeting of the woods and river create an optimal romantic evening. There are plenty of lovely and intimate trails to meander along with your loved-ones.
#2. Nicollet Island Park
Nicollet Island Park is one of the great hidden gems in Minneapolis. It boasts history, charm, and a small oasis from city life. With not one, but two converted railway bridges on either end of the island (the Miriam Street Bridge and River Xings Bridge) the excuses to walk hand in hand through these historic structures are endless. For a romantic dinner, look into a reservation at the Nicollet Island Inn, and once back on the mainland, walk down to Father Hennepin Bluff Park and the Stone Arch Bridge for a classic Minneapolis city view. On the other side of the river, be sure to check out Water Works Park and Pavilion and the newly opened, and highly acclaimed, restaurant Owamni, by the Sioux Chef.
#3. The Witch’s Hat at Tower Hill Park
The Witch’s Hat in Tower Hill Park is home to a beautiful city skyline any time of the year. The architecture of the “Witch’s Hat” offers a pretty remarkable resemblance to its name, and gives the area a rather spooky vibe. The tower isn’t open except for specific events or days of the year – check those out here. However, the park itself is set on a lovely sloping hill, with trees and benches scattered throughout. Sunset from this vantage point will make for a wonderful evening with your loved-one.
#4. Lyndale Park Rose Garden
Rose Garden? Need we say more? When in bloom, the Lyndale Park Rose Garden creates a setting that is not only rich in color, but rich in wonderful floral scents to really set the stage for your date. With benches or open grassy areas to lay down a picnic blanket, you’ll be sure to find just the mood you’re after. While not in bloom year-round, the Lyndale Park Rose Garden offers adjacent access to the Peace Garden, Roberts Bird Sanctuary, Garden Thicket, Lake Harriet, and the Lakewood Cemetery.
#5. Theodore Wirth Regional Park
There is something for everyone at Theodore Wirth Park, from the stunning Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, to the endless bike and cross-country ski trails, or even a romantic game of golf at the Theodore Wirth Golf Course. Wintertime is a perfect opportunity for a picturesque evening through the cross country ski trails or walk along Wirth Lake with your loved-one. Imagine a quiet, still, snow-covered landscape, with soft snowflakes fluttering all round you. Tell me romance isn’t in the air?
#6. Minnehaha Creek Park and Minnehaha Falls
If you like long-romantic-walks-along-the-beach, you’re going to love a long-romantic-walk-along-the-creek. With miles of narrow, winding paths lining this peaceful waterway, a lovers stroll along the creek remains a favorite. There are plenty of benches and viewpoints along the way for you to marvel at the beauty of Minnehaha Creek Park. Minnehaha Falls boasts one of the most stunning water features in the city, and makes for a great focal point for any park date. It remains just as beautiful all four seasons of the year.
Image 1 and 2 courtesy of MPRB