Minneapolis & St. Paul: Twin Cities Highlights Tour by Coach

4.63

(213 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

“You know, folks around here say if you haven’t seen Minnehaha in spring, you haven’t really met Minnesota yet,” our guide Jim said as we rolled out of the Mall of America parking lot. I’d barely settled into my seat on the coach when he started tossing out stories—some funny, some just odd enough to stick with me. The bus was half full but felt roomy; everyone seemed curious but a little sleepy at first (maybe it’s a Midwest thing?).

The first real stop was Minnehaha Falls—still roaring even though the air had that damp chill you get in early May. I could smell wet stone and something sweet from a food truck nearby (mini donuts? I should’ve grabbed one). Jim pointed out how the falls have been pulling people here for over a century—he even joked about Mark Twain getting lost in these parts. My shoes got muddy near the overlook, but honestly, I didn’t care. It was loud and quiet at once, if that makes sense.

We looped through neighborhoods where the houses looked like they belonged in old novels—Summit Avenue especially. Jim slowed down so we could spot F. Scott Fitzgerald’s old place (not as big as I thought) and waved at a woman walking her dog who smiled back like she knew half the bus. Downtown St. Paul felt more formal somehow—the State Capitol shining white against gray clouds, and then the Cathedral of St. Paul just sitting there all massive and calm. We didn’t stop everywhere—sometimes it was just a quick glance out the window while Jim rattled off facts or teased us about Minnesota winters.

I’ll admit: I didn’t expect to laugh so much on what’s basically a city highlights tour of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Maybe it was Jim’s stories or maybe just seeing how locals move through their day—like the guy in Rice Park reading his paper under those huge trees—that made it feel less like sightseeing and more like being let in on something ordinary but good. I still think about that moment by the falls when everything smelled cold and green.