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National Recreation Areas can be tricky to plan. They encompass numerous acres, and the Visitor’s
Center can be far from the area’s activities. This is our experience visiting the Mississippi National
River and Recreation Area, in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, includes 72 miles of river, perfect for paddling.
Our visit starts at the official Visitor’s Center, located inside of the Science Museum of Minnesota. This is
where you will find the National Park stamp.
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area’s Visitor’s Center, is free, and though the Science Museum has an entrance fee, you can walk around the lobby and use the museum restrooms.
The National Park Visitors’ Center is small, and holds interactive exhibits. Since we don’t have time for an official paddle trip, I partake in the center’s virtual paddle.
The exhibit, that allows people to feel what it’s like to fly like a bird, over the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, is popular. There are always a few kids in line during our visit.
The Park Ranger is enthusiastic, and he and Shannon, have a nice chat.
Since we only have 48 hours to spend in Minneapolis, we opt to visit St. Anthony Falls and skip the hiking trails, in the recreation area’s, Coldwater Spring section.
St. Anthony Falls is an interesting combination of nature, history, and engineering.
Read about our visit to St. Anthony Falls.
National Recreation Areas offer a variety of activities. They are a great park unit to visit, if you like
history, or nature, or architecture, or a combination of them all. When visiting a state in the United
States, be sure to check if there is a National Recreation Area to add to your itinerary.
