The University of Minnesota sits on both banks of the Mississippi, and most students cross it without looking down. In October, look down. The river gorge fills with color for a couple of weeks. If you live in Minneapolis apartments near campus, three good walks start close to your door. This guide is from The Station on Washington.
What can you walk to from Minneapolis apartments near the U?
A river gorge, a waterfall and one of the best skyline views in the city. The Station on Washington is at 616 Washington Avenue SE, on the East Bank. The river is a short walk west.
Color here usually peaks in early to mid October and drops quickly after the first hard wind. Go this week.
Walk one: the bridge between classes
The Washington Avenue Bridge connects the East and West Banks. The upper deck is for people on foot and on bikes. Most students rush across it. Stop in the middle.
From there, you see the gorge in both directions, with trees down to the water. It takes five minutes and you were crossing anyway.
The Weisman Art Museum is at the east end, in the shiny, folded-metal building. It’s a campus museum and a good place to warm up. Check hours and admission.
Walk two: East River Road
From campus, a path follows East River Road south along the top of the gorge. It’s paved, shared with runners and cyclists, and lined with old trees. In peak color, it’s a tunnel of yellow.
Walk as far as you like and turn around. There are stairs and trails down toward the river flats in places. Stick to marked paths and go in daylight.
This is my pick for a study break. Thirty minutes out and back, and you return to your desk a different person.
Walk three: where’s the best view?
Head upriver toward St. Anthony Falls, the only major waterfall on the Mississippi and the reason Minneapolis exists. Old flour mills line the banks.
The Stone Arch Bridge crosses the river just below the falls. It’s a former railroad bridge, now for walkers and bikes, with the skyline on one side and the falls on the other. It has had closures for repairs, so check whether the full span is open before you go.
Go at sunset. Bring someone you like.
It’s a longer walk from Stadium Village. A bike or a short transit ride gets you closer.
How do you fit this in?
Pick by time. Five minutes: the bridge. Thirty: East River Road. Two hours: the falls. October is midterm season, and a walk is a better break than a screen.
On a home football Saturday, do the river in the morning. The stadium is nearby, and the neighborhood gets loud by noon.
What should you wear?
Layers. October here can be sixty and sunny or thirty-five and windy. It’s colder by the river than on your block. A hat in your pocket is never wrong.
What should parents know?
Know that this is the weekend to visit. Early October is the prettiest the city gets. Walk the river with your student, go to the Stone Arch Bridge and have dinner nearby.
Check the football schedule before you book. A home game weekend is fun and crowded. A road-game weekend is calm.
Ask the office about visitor parking. It’s limited around Stadium Village, and light rail from a hotel is often easier.
It’s also a chance to make sure they have a winter coat. If they don’t, go shopping while you’re in town.
What happens after the leaves fall?
Winter gets close. Halloween is a Saturday this year, October 31. The clocks fall back the next morning, Sunday, November 1, and it’s dark before five-thirty.
The river paths stay open, and people here walk them all winter in the right gear. Snow on the gorge is its own kind of beautiful. But the easy walks are now.
For more about the area around The Station on Washington, see the neighborhood page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is peak fall color in Minneapolis?
It varies, but the river gorge usually peaks in early to mid October.
Can you walk along the Mississippi near the University of Minnesota?
Yes. Paths run along East River Road and across the Washington Avenue Bridge near campus.
Where is The Station on Washington?
It’s at 616 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.
Key Takeaways
- Students in Minneapolis apartments near the U can walk to the river gorge.
- Stop on the Washington Avenue Bridge and walk East River Road.
- See St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge at sunset.
- Go in early October for the best chance at fall color, and make the most of the daylight.