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An aerial view of the Minneapolis cityscape featuring the Mississippi River and downtown skyline under a bright blue sky.
Minnesota

Signature City: St Paul and Minneapolis

Program No. 25636RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
14 meals ( 6B, 4L, 4D )
3 expert-led lectures
15 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name tag.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:30–5:00 p.m. After checking in and receiving your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet with program staff, receive any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private bus unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances or conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. At Fort Snelling: walking about 1/4 mile and standing for up to an hour (there are places to sit). City of Lakes: driving about 30 miles, approximately 4 hours total riding time with stops; walking up to 1/2 mile at two stops. Sculpture Garden: walking the grounds at your own pace.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will begin the morning with a lecture at the hotel by a local expert, focusing on the Indigenous peoples of the region and the creation of the Twin Cities. We will then ride the bus to spend the morning at Historic Fort Snelling, enjoying an expert-led visit followed by time for self-exploration. This National Historic Landmark sits on Dakota homeland and reflects a history spanning 10,000 years. Fort Snelling is known for its complex past as a military post, its role in the Dred Scott case, the forced internment of Dakota people after the U.S.–Dakota War, and its World War II functions, including the Military Intelligence Service Language School. Located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers, the site stands today as a symbol of both pride and struggle in Minnesota.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch at Minnehaha Falls Park.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll enjoy time to explore Minnehaha Falls Park before boarding the bus for our City of Lakes exploration with a local expert. From the bus, we will gain firsthand insights into Minneapolis’ history and local lore. With 22 lakes within city limits, Minneapolis is a truly “green” urban environment. The ride will include stops such as the Chain of Lakes, Memorial Chapel, and the Minnesota Streetcar Museum. We will conclude the day with a visit to the largest urban sculpture garden in the United States. We’ll enjoy time for self-exploration across its 11 acres, featuring more than 40 sculptures, including Frank Gehry’s Standing Fish and the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry. We will return to the hotel briefly to freshen up before taking the bus to dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking and standing for up to 2 hours at both museums (self-paced with opportunities to sit and take breaks). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 25 miles, under 1 hour riding time. Getting on/off a riverboat; it may be chilly—please bring a coat.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will begin with a lecture by a local expert exploring the vibrant arts scene of the Twin Cities. By bus, we will travel to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to experience its vast collection spanning 5,000 years of global art and culture. Expert docents will lead a custom-designed exploration of the museum’s major collections, followed by time to explore on your own. Highlights include Chinese bronzes, works by Rembrandt and El Greco, Frank Lloyd Wright furniture, a Chinese reception hall, and Egyptian mummies. With more than 80,000 works of art, there is no shortage of inspiration.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll enjoy a self-led visit to an architectural marvel: the Mill City Museum, built into the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill. The museum tells the story of Minneapolis’ rise as the flour-milling capital of the world, revealing how the Mississippi River powered the city’s early industry and growth. We’ll experience the Flour Tower multimedia show, the “Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat” film, an observation deck with stunning views of St. Anthony Falls and the Mississippi River, and numerous interactive exhibits. For those who wish, we will have an opportunity to walk part of the pedestrian-only St. Anthony Bridge which overlooks the falls.
Dinner:
One cannot truly experience the Twin Cities without views from the waters that shaped the region. We will embark on a private Mississippi River cruise, eat dinner, and enjoy spectacular views of the city skyline. Bring a coat—it can get windy.
Evening:
After our cruise, we will return to the hotel. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving 5 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Standing and walking for up to 1 hour at both the State Capitol and the Hmong Cultural Center. Elective: Walking 1/4 mile along Summit Avenue.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will head out by bus to visit the exquisite Minnesota State Capitol, inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and considered one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the nation. Magnificent both inside and out, its marble dome is second in size only to that of St. Peter’s. A docent-led tour will explore the Capitol’s history, from its early days to current political life. Next, we will travel to another iconic landmark, the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Dominating the St. Paul skyline and perched atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, the Cathedral was designed in 1905 by French architect Emmanuel Louis Masqueray, whose goal was to create a modern building with perfect acoustics and meticulous detail. For those who are interested, we will have time for a short elective walk to view the iconic Victorian-era homes along Summit Avenue.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will drive on to the Hmong Cultural Center for a docent-led museum field trip. The Twin Cities are home to the largest Hmong population in the United States, and the center serves as the primary Hmong and Asian American organization in the region. Here, we will learn about Hmong traditions and their journey of migration and resettlement in Minnesota. We’ll then ride back to the hotel and adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There is a restaurant at the hotel, or you may choose to drive or use a rideshare to take you to a restaurant of your choice.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking and standing for up to 1 hour at the American Swedish Institute. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 30 miles roundtrip, over 1/2 hour total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will take the bus to “The Old Southside,” once the largest Black neighborhood in South Minneapolis during the mid-20th century. At a local venue, we will attend a special presentation by Mapping Prejudice. This is an ongoing University of Minnesota project working to map racial covenants—clauses once written into property deeds to prevent non-white residents from buying or occupying homes—which helped shape the city’s racial landscape. Following the presentation, we will visit the historic St. Peter’s AME Church where community members will share neighborhood memories and personal perspectives within a historical context.
Lunch:
At the American Swedish Institute’s Nordic-inspired café.
Afternoon:
With an expert historian, we will explore the American Swedish Institute’s magnificent 1908 French Château–style Turnblad Mansion, once home to Swedish immigrant and newspaperman Swan J. Turnblad. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the mansion now serves as a museum and cultural center celebrating Swedish-American and Nordic heritage. Its castle-like exterior features intricate stone carvings, steeply pitched roofs, gargoyles, and turrets. Inside, history comes alive through beautifully preserved period rooms and exhibit galleries drawn from the Institute’s permanent collection. The remainder of the day is free. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Consider planning ahead if you wish to attend a theater performance or sporting event.
Dinner:
On your own. Enjoy sampling local cuisine; the Group Leader will be happy to provide recommendations.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice. Elective: Self-led exploration of Como Park on foot. Standing for up to 1 hour during the Guthrie Theater behind-the-scenes visit. Steps with railings are required to access theater seating. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 20 miles roundtrip, approximately 1/2 hour total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Free time. Enjoy the morning at your own pace, fitting in any final activities of interest. For those who enjoy nature, we will offer round-trip bus transportation to the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Admission is free. The Conservatory features a historic 1915 glasshouse filled with ferns and orchids. Trails circle Como Lake, offering scenic walks, boat rentals, and a lakeside pavilion. Enjoy time to explore independently, relax, and have lunch on your own before returning by bus in the early afternoon.
Lunch:
On your own. The park has several dining options.
Afternoon:
On our final outing, we will travel to the renowned Guthrie Theater, where a behind-the-scenes experience awaits. A docent will lead us through the theater’s state-of-the-art costume and scene shops, offering insight into its innovative stagecraft. Along the way, our expert will highlight the building’s architectural mastery, which earned the 2008 Pritzker Prize. The cantilevered Endless Bridge, twilight-blue façade, and massive steel panels featuring imagery from past performances create a striking artistic statement.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We conclude our last full day with a performance at the Guthrie Theater. With the insight gained earlier in the day, the experience is sure to be especially memorable. Our program was planned far in advance when details were not available. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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